http://kck.st/1p44vYpWhat an interesting experience this project has been. As many other first time project creators experience, I completely under-estimated how much work promoting it would be. My goal is relatively low (nz$3,700), but for those with 'small' projects, here is a quick run-down of what worked for me!
Facebook - Firstly, I have found FB invaluable throughout this project. I posted on my Facebook page about a project I'd been working on, asking my friends to check it out and share. I then made a FB page for the company and invited all of those I thought would be even slightly interested, and the page got 90 likes after the first day, and is now at 150, with mainly 'randoms' liking it over the past week. I boosted the initial post on FB which cost me $8, and I got a handful of hits straight away. Through the business page I created an ad with a budget of $3.50 a day, which is still running and pulling in a steady trickle of pledges. Every couple of days I send personal messages to friends I think will be interested and post it to related groups, and twice a week I post an update (screenshot of stats, promo shot, etc) to the business page, and once a week on my personal page so that I don't piss my friends off too much! After 22 days it has been shared 734 times on Facebook.
Updates on KS - I have released an update to backers only twice a week so far, I think that helps keep the project 'visible' on Kickstarter. I get a lot of personal messages with positive feedback from backers; I really wish they'd comment on the project! I don't quite know how to encourage this without sounding like a douche, but comments on the project really helps boost it on KS popularity wise.
Blogs - I emailed a number of blogs relating to my product (viking themed silicone teething toys for babies); metal music blogs, mum blogs, dad blogs, viking blogs, toy blogs.. and got 2 write ups, which pulled in pledges. I started this project assuming that mothers would be my biggest supporter but quickly discovered that 90% of backers are male, and about 30% of those don't have children but are using the product as decoration, etc. Learning that curved which blogs I focused on. I've since had a few more short write ups, and now have small businesses/shops interested in stocking the items once they have been produced.
For the first 2 weeks I agonized over writing a press release, convinced that the project would not succeed without it. After 2 weeks I gave up on that idea and it felt like a massive weight had been lifted! I plan on releasing another teether design on Kickstarter, and when I do, I'll use this successful project as the 'news worthy' angle that I was struggling to find for it.
I worked as hard as I could (with a baby on my lap!) solidly for 2 weeks to really get the project out there, and I was lucky enough to get a bite without resorting to paying for advertising campaigns (outside of FB). Small projects will not magically take off themselves, but put enough effort in at the beginning, and they'll gain traction!
Does anyone have any more tips for small or large project that worked for them? Or comments on the points I've made?
http://kck.st/1p44vYp
