# Crowd Funding

## Steps to Successfully Create a Kickstarter Campaign

1. **Research and Plan**
   - **Define Your Project:** Clearly articulate what your project is and what it aims to achieve.
   - **Identify Your Audience:** Understand who your backers are likely to be.
   - **Set a Funding Goal:** Calculate how much money you need to bring your project to life, including production, shipping, and Kickstarter fees.
   - **Research Similar Campaigns:** Look at successful and unsuccessful campaigns in your niche to learn from their strategies.

2. **Create a Compelling Story**
   - **Craft Your Narrative:** Tell a compelling story about why your project matters and why people should support it.
   - **Showcase Your Passion:** Be authentic and show your commitment to the project.
   - **Create a Video:** A strong, engaging video significantly increases the chances of success. Keep it concise, clear, and visually appealing.

3. **Design Attractive Rewards**
   - **Offer Tiered Rewards:** Create multiple reward tiers to cater to different backers' budgets.
   - **Include Limited Editions:** Scarcity can drive urgency. Offer limited-edition rewards.
   - **Provide Clear Value:** Ensure each reward offers good value and is directly connected to the project.

4. **Build Your Campaign Page**
   - **Craft a Strong Project Title:** Make it clear, catchy, and easy to understand.
   - **Write a Detailed Description:** Break down your project into easy-to-read sections with bullet points and images.
   - **Add High-Quality Images:** Use professional images to showcase your product and any related visuals.

5. **Prepare for the Launch**
   - **Build an Audience in Advance:** Use social media, email lists, and other platforms to build anticipation before launch.
   - **Engage with Early Backers:** Reach out to friends, family, and existing supporters to gain initial momentum.
   - **Set a Launch Date:** Choose a date that gives you ample time to promote the campaign.

6. **Launch and Promote**
   - **Announce Your Launch:** Use all your channels to announce the launch, including social media, newsletters, and press releases.
   - **Engage with Backers:** Regularly update backers on progress and respond to comments and questions promptly.
   - **Maintain Momentum:** Keep promoting throughout the campaign to reach new backers.

7. **Monitor and Adapt**
   - **Track Progress:** Use Kickstarter’s analytics to monitor your campaign's performance.
   - **Adjust as Needed:** If something isn’t working, be ready to adapt your strategy.
   - **Update Regularly:** Keep backers informed with regular updates, including any stretch goals.

8. **Close the Campaign**
   - **Thank Your Backers:** Show appreciation for the support, both during and after the campaign.
   - **Fulfill Rewards:** Begin the process of delivering rewards promptly and keep backers updated on timelines.
   - **Gather Feedback:** After the campaign, gather feedback from backers to improve future projects.

9. **Post-Campaign Management**
   - **Continue Engagement:** Keep your backers in the loop about project developments even after the campaign ends.
   - **Manage Finances:** Ensure all funds are appropriately managed, including setting aside enough for reward fulfillment and taxes.
   - **Plan for Future Campaigns:** Use the experience and feedback to plan future projects and campaigns.

### List of Services to Help with a Kickstarter Campaign

1. **Crowdfunding Consultants**
   - **CrowdCrux**: Offers strategy development, campaign management, and consulting.
   - **LaunchBoom**: Specializes in full-service crowdfunding, from pre-launch to post-campaign management.

2. **Video Production**
   - **IndieWhip**: Focuses on creating high-quality crowdfunding videos.
   - **Videopixie**: Connects you with freelance video professionals.

3. **Marketing and Promotion**
   - **Kickbooster**: Provides referral programs and marketing tools for crowdfunding campaigns.
   - **Jellop**: A marketing agency specializing in crowdfunding, particularly on Facebook and Google Ads.
   - **BackerKit**: Offers tools for managing backer surveys, shipping, and additional marketing services.

4. **Design and Branding**
   - **99designs**: A platform to find freelance designers for logos, branding, and campaign graphics.
   - **Canva**: Easy-to-use design tool to create visuals for your campaign.

5. **Prototype Development**
   - **Fictiv**: Provides prototyping and manufacturing services.
   - **MakerBot**: Offers 3D printing solutions for creating product prototypes.

6. **PR and Outreach**
   - **CrowdReach**: Specializes in PR services for crowdfunding campaigns.
   - **Kickstarter PR**: A service that helps with press outreach and media engagement.

7. **Campaign Management Tools**
   - **Kicktraq**: Tracks campaign performance with analytics and projections.
   - **Hootsuite**: Manages and schedules social media posts to keep your campaign active online.

8. **Shipping and Fulfillment**
   - **ShipStation**: Streamlines the shipping process for backer rewards.
   - **Fulfillrite**: Provides order fulfillment services tailored to crowdfunding campaigns.

9. **Legal and Financial Services**
   - **Kickstarter's Creator Handbook**: Offers guidelines and resources for legal and financial planning.
   - **LegalZoom**: Provides legal services, including setting up business entities and managing contracts.

## Services

| Service Name     | Category                   | Fees                             | Link                                    | Remarks                                                                 |
|------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| CrowdCrux        | Crowdfunding Consulting     | Custom pricing                   | [CrowdCrux](https://www.crowdcrux.com)  | Provides strategy development, campaign management, and consulting.    |
| LaunchBoom       | Full-Service Crowdfunding   | Custom pricing                   | [LaunchBoom](https://www.launchboom.com) | Offers end-to-end campaign management from pre-launch to post-campaign.|
| Kickbooster      | Referral Marketing          | 3%-5% commission on referred pledges | [Kickbooster](https://www.kickbooster.me) | Provides referral marketing tools to boost campaign reach.             |
| Jellop           | Digital Marketing           | Custom pricing                   | [Jellop](https://www.jellop.com)        | Specializes in targeted Facebook and Google Ads for crowdfunding.      |
| BackerKit        | Post-Campaign Management    | 5%-15% depending on services     | [BackerKit](https://www.backerkit.com)  | Manages backer surveys, shipping, and additional sales after the campaign ends. |
| IndieWhip        | Video Production            | Custom pricing                   | [IndieWhip](https://www.indiewhip.com)  | Focuses on creating high-quality videos tailored for crowdfunding.      |
| Videopixie       | Video Production            | Variable depending on the freelancer | [Videopixie](https://www.videopixie.com) | Connects you with freelance video professionals for campaign videos.    |
| 99designs        | Design Services             | From $299 per project            | [99designs](https://www.99designs.com)  | Offers logo, branding, and campaign graphic design services.            |
| Canva            | Design Tool                 | Free and paid plans              | [Canva](https://www.canva.com)          | User-friendly design tool to create visuals and graphics for campaigns. |
| Fictiv           | Prototyping and Manufacturing | Custom pricing                  | [Fictiv](https://www.fictiv.com)        | Provides prototyping and manufacturing services for hardware products.  |
| MakerBot         | 3D Printing and Prototyping | From $99/month                   | [MakerBot](https://www.makerbot.com)    | Offers 3D printing solutions for creating product prototypes.           |
| CrowdReach       | PR Services                 | Custom pricing                   | [CrowdReach](https://www.crowdreach.com) | Specializes in PR services tailored for crowdfunding campaigns.         |
| Kickstarter PR   | Press Outreach              | Custom pricing                   | [Kickstarter PR](https://www.kickstarterpr.com) | Helps with media engagement and press outreach for crowdfunding.        |
| Hootsuite        | Social Media Management     | Free and paid plans              | [Hootsuite](https://www.hootsuite.com)  | Manages and schedules social media posts to keep your campaign active.  |
| ShipStation      | Shipping and Fulfillment    | From $9/month                    | [ShipStation](https://www.shipstation.com) | Streamlines the shipping process for backer rewards.                   |
| Fulfillrite      | Fulfillment Services        | Variable depending on volume     | [Fulfillrite](https://www.fulfillrite.com) | Specializes in order fulfillment for crowdfunding campaigns.           |
| LegalZoom        | Legal Services              | Custom pricing                   | [LegalZoom](https://www.legalzoom.com)  | Provides legal assistance, including setting up business entities and managing contracts. |