poly-mech/resources/funding/readme.md

111 lines
9.2 KiB
Markdown
Raw Permalink Blame History

This file contains ambiguous Unicode characters

This file contains Unicode characters that might be confused with other characters. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.

# 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 Kickstarters analytics to monitor your campaign's performance.
- **Adjust as Needed:** If something isnt 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. |