The Ultimate Pre-Launch Crowdfunding Checklist - a quick marketing guide
The majority of over-funded campaigns you see on Kickstarter or Indiegogo spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in marketing and advertising and months in preparation. So is it worth it? I'd say absolutely, if you prepare in advance. The name of the game is Marketing your idea and reaching the right people. Include your campaign on all available directories and social networks for exposure. With LOCODOR, users could upload their campaign and add all their information on their user-profile. Any exposure is good exposure. However, crowdfunding is just like having another business: You still have to go for an MVP (minimum viable product) and raise capital (which, in this case, comes from your backers ). We have helped more than 4,000 campaigns get funded.
Crowdfunding is not limited to the platform where you launch your campaign. Instead, it has become a valuable way to transform your idea into a mainstream business. In order to head in that direction, you must execute a number of processes during different stages of your crowdfunding process. At first, this methodology might sound different compared to many other business models. However, crowdfunding is just like having another business: You still have to go for an MVP (minimum viable product) and raise capital (which, in this case, comes from your backers). We have helped more than 4,000 campaigns get funded. Based on my experience and after personally helping hundreds of creators, I decided to create this crowdfunding pre-launch checklist and help your campaign prosper and keep you on track for success. There are three stages of your crowdfunding campaign: pre-launch, launch and post-launch. I recommend planning each task based on these segments. Do Your Research At first, consider designing your product prototype. Having a prototype gives a face to your idea. It also makes your project more credible for potential backers who view your campaign page. Set a budget for your crowdfunding campaign. Strive to raise the minimum amount of money you'll need to make your project a mainstream reality (your minimum viable goal).
It’s always good to do research on past campaigns before you launch yours. This will help you decide what will work best for your campaign and what you can pass on. Set a calendar for tasks and determine the perfect length for your campaign. Usually, a span of 30-45 days works best. If you choose Kickstarter as the platform for crowdfunding, you can switch to the InDemand Indiegogo program once your campaign is over and you’re fully funded. Use The Right Tools And Services The most crucial step during the pre-launch stage is to gather as many emails as you can from potential buyers by using Facebook Ads. The more emails you gather, the better chance for success. Using popular crowdfunding services will help you enhance the reach of your campaign. You can try one like BackerClub or Kickbooster (my company offers a similar service) for at least a month before the launch for best results.
Take Advantage Of Facebook Ads And Social Media Use ads to gather subscribers even before the launch. Send them emails once your campaign is live with regular updates. Once you gather sign ups, make sure to send monthly updates on your campaign as well as one when it's live. Having social media presence will give more credibility to your campaign. Set up your social channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram if you haven’t yet. Post regularly on your social media channels, and use a scheduler like Buffer or Hootsuite to post at least once or twice a day. You can also collaborate with influencers who are related to your product profile. Based on my experience, you should be aiming for at least 500-1000 emails from potential buyers before you get started. This will help you spread the word about your campaign even before you launch. Prepare Your Media Pack Pre-launch is the best time to prepare your campaign media assets. Go for lifestyle images rather than those with white backgrounds. These images show your product in a real-life situation to resonate with potential backers. You may also consider using GIFs to show exactly how your product works. Create Reward Tiers Reward tiers are crucial for any crowdfunding campaign. You can give special offers in the form of bundles, such as free shipping or a buy-two-get-one-free offer. Prepare your campaign draft well in advance. If possible, hire a copywriter to make sure your draft is fluent and free of errors. Share the preview with trusted advisors to ensure it’s polished. Make sure you have press coverage right on the day of your launch -- contacting press outlets well in advance is a must. The majority of crowdfunding campaigns fail, and there's no such thing as overnight success, at least not today. You have to put in the hours. The majority of over-funded campaigns you see on Kickstarter or Indiegogo spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in marketing and advertising and months in preparation. So is it worth it? I'd say absolutely, if you prepare in advance and have a great product.