How To Get Backers On Kickstarter (17 Realistic Tips)

Key Concepts:

• Pre-launch email list building
• Reservation funnel ($1 VIPs)
• Kickstarter Secret Rewards
• Kick Booster (affiliate marketing)
• Nano and micro-influencer marketing
• Meta advertising (Facebook/Instagram)
• Performance marketing agencies
• Kickstarter add-ons
• Organic social media community building
• Cross-promotion with other creators
• Face-to-face marketing
• Compelling campaign video
• Product imagery (studio, location, action)
• Enticing rewards (discount stacking, value stacking)
• Backer newsletters
• Tapping into Kickstarter's community
• Late pledge

1. Building a Pre-Launch Email List

• Main Point: Building a community before launching is crucial.
• Details: Don't just launch a Kickstarter and expect backers. Create a landing page, drive traffic (e.g., with Meta ads), and collect email sign-ups.
• Example: Fuse Audio Gold built a landing page, used Meta ads, and collected thousands of email sign-ups.
• Actionable Insight: Nurture the email list with email marketing to increase engagement and likelihood of backing.

2. Creating a Reservation Funnel ($1 VIPs)

• Main Point: Qualify your pre-launch email list by asking for a small commitment.
• Process: Offer a special deal (discount, exclusive add-on) in exchange for $1.
• Example: Fuse Audio offered a 43% discount for VIPs who paid $1 upfront.
• Data: People who pay $1 in the pre-launch are 30x more likely to back the campaign.

3. Using Kickstarter Secret Rewards

• Main Point: Secret Rewards are hidden rewards accessible via unique links.
• Application: Ideal for the $1 VIP strategy, offering exclusive deals to those who've committed.
• Example: Chill Shark used Secret Rewards to give VIPs access to the best discounts.
• Benefit: Flexibility in creating unique marketing incentives for different groups.

4. Leveraging Kick Booster

• Main Point: Kick Booster is an affiliate marketing tool for Kickstarter.
• Functionality: Allows creating cashback programs to turn backers into advocates.
• Features: Connects campaigns with influencers and affiliates.
• Cost: $79/month + 3% of affiliate-generated revenue.

5. Targeting Nano and Micro-Influencers

• Main Point: Smaller influencers often provide a better ROI.
• Definitions: Nano-influencers (1-10k followers), micro-influencers (10-50k followers).
• Example: Chill Shark partnered with Jake Hayen (19k followers), resulting in high engagement.
• Reasoning: Smaller influencers are cheaper and have higher engagement rates.

6. Advertising on Meta (Facebook/Instagram)

• Main Point: Meta ads are a major source of backers despite rising costs.
• Strategy: Use pre-launch ads to collect email sign-ups and $1 VIPs. Run ads directly to the Kickstarter campaign after launch.
• Examples: Inku Calendar, Smarty Plans, and Noodle Pod used Meta ads successfully.
• Approach: Start slow, test ads, and scale the budget when something works.

7. Hiring Performance Marketing Agencies

• Main Point: Agencies that get paid only when they deliver backers.
• Benefit: Aligns incentives between the agency and the campaign.
• Recommendations: Gelup (Kickstarter's team) and Backer kit.

8. Implementing Kickstarter Add-ons

• Main Point: Add-ons increase revenue per backer.
• Process: Add-ons are shown after a backer selects a reward.
• Example: S1 ceiling toilets offered bagliner refills as an add-on; 81 of 171 backers took the offer.
• Tip: Add-ons should complement the main product.

9. Building an Organic Social Media Community

• Main Point: Create long-term engagement through valuable content.
• Strategy: Focus on building authentic relationships, not just promotion.
• Example: Scott from Desk posted videos on Tik Tok, generating tens of thousands of views.

10. Cross-Promoting with Other Creators

• Main Point: Expand reach by partnering with creators with similar audiences.
• Method: Include links to each other's campaigns in Kickstarter updates.
• Benefit: Updates notify all backers via email and the app.
• Example: Giver promoted other creators in their updates, and vice versa.

11. Marketing Face-to-Face

• Main Point: Physical presence at trade shows and conventions.
• Benefit: Meet B2B contacts and gain media attention.
• Example: Arthur and Ashley from Base Case exhibited at CES, raising over $500k on Indiegogo.

12. Creating a Compelling Campaign Video

• Main Point: The video is an advertisement for the product.
• Elements: Strong hook, product shown within 30 seconds, highlight benefits, strong call to action.
• Note: Basic production quality is sufficient.

13. Getting Great Product Images

• Main Point: High-quality images are essential for marketing.
• Types:
  • Studio: Product on a plain background.
  • Location: Product in use scenarios.
  • Action: Demonstrating motion or interaction.
• Strategy: Use a mix of all three types.

14. Creating Enticing Rewards

• Main Point: Good rewards are crucial for attracting backers.
• Strategies:
  • Discount Stacking: Multiple rewards with varying discount levels (e.g., Desk Nest).
  • Value Stacking: Increasing value with higher price points (e.g., Peaks).
• Caution: Keep options simple to avoid overwhelming potential backers.

15. Using Backer Newsletters

• Main Point: Newsletters can drive significant sales.
• Recommendation: First Backer, Backer Man, and PledgeBox.
• Caution: Many newsletters promise results but don't deliver.

16. Tapping into Kickstarter's Community

• Main Point: Popular projects are more likely to appear on Kickstarter's discovery page.
• Strategy: Use other tips to market the campaign and become popular.
• Example: XNote raised $259k, with $51k coming from Kickstarter's platform.

17. Using Late Pledge

• Main Point: Allows backers to pledge after the campaign ends.
• Benefit: No additional cost to enable.
• Example: Loca Chai Maker raised an additional $68k through late pledge.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The video provides a comprehensive guide to maximizing Kickstarter success through 17 actionable tips. These tips cover pre-launch preparation (email list building, reservation funnels), marketing strategies (influencer marketing, Meta ads, affiliate marketing), campaign optimization (add-ons, compelling video, enticing rewards), and post-launch activities (late pledge). The emphasis is on building a community, creating value for backers, and leveraging both internal and external platforms to drive traffic and conversions. The examples and data points provided illustrate the effectiveness of each strategy, offering a practical roadmap for Kickstarter creators.