poly-mech/resources/funding

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