KickstarterForum.org

[MichaelTumey]

One of my serious backers, who approached me as the idea of Kickstarter (for this project of mine) began, he was a backer to the last Kickstarter I was involved in, though that project was listed under a different person (the publisher I work with on the project of mine). He is also heavily involved in the Kicksnarker G+ community and invited me to join and post questions when I started my project.

Warning to really inept creators, Kicksnarker is not for the faint of heart. It's called Kicksnarker, as members there post criticizms on Kickstarter bloopers. If you as a creator whine a lot in posted comments, updates, etc. about the competition, about the pledgers - they are going to post their thoughts on this and brand you a "drama queen". If you fail to make promises, are very late on product release, create an insulting video, offer wildly unrelated stretch goals - anything that sets up apart in a negative way, you will be reported in this community. So the site is a two-edged sword.

However, if you're up front about your goals and needs. Going there before your Kickstarter begins to ask specific questions or gain suggestions on how to do this or that regarding your Kickstarter - responses are immediate and usually gain responses from 3 or more members quickly and succinctly. They will definitely tell you what not to do.

I posted my preview version of my Kickstarter page as my first post there. They tore it apart, found a spelling error, offered suggestions changing some of the text from passive to active format, asked about possible issues regarding how you'll handle aspects of your products and stretch goals. They suggested I do a "stretch goal map", even though that is kind of gimmicky and overdone, being a Kickstarter about RPG maps, made it a perfect addition to the page.

Look at my Kickstarter page, go down to the area that discusses Stretch Goals and look at the posted 'jungle map' of Stretch Golia - this is a perfect example of a stretch goal map - mostly used by RPG creators.

Although I have a healthy respect for possible critics and am careful not to rile them, I found the Kicksnarker community extremely helpful and knowledgeable. These members are Kickstarter fanatics and take their 'hobby' almost too seriously. I got a lot of help from them, however.

Actually I think it's a good thing just to know they are out there - watching you. If you flounder in your setup, presentation or promises, they are going to bite. Just knowing that, should encourage you to do the "right thing" in the way you setup or operate a Kickstarter. Doing it wrong, means you will mentioned on that site, whether you have any connection to them or not.

Kicksnarker G+ Community

[sbriggman]

Thanks for the info on the Kicksnarker g+ community . That's a great cause. It's nice to have constructive criticism that's not sugar coated for any kind of project. I'll have to check them out today.