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We started really strong, getting great press and then...

Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 2:40 am
by EnergyBionics
Hello Kickstarter Forum,

Well things are real flat right now and we are projecting to reach about 50% of our goal (ends March 31). So what did we do right and what can we improve on now and/or for our relaunch?

Here are some ideas that we have:

1. Lower the funding goal. We are working on some things to help us lower the funding goal by about half of the current amount.

2. Extend the project duration. We'll bump up the duration from about 30 days to 45 days. We know what Kickstarter recommends but a longer funding period would help us right now.

3. Lower the cost for the pledge levels. We hope to lower the cost on some of the pledge levels by removing non-critical accessories and making some other adjustments.

4. Improve on the project video. We think the project video gets the job done but there is room for improvement.

5. Make the pledges easier to understand. I think we can also improve on this area as well and we have some ideas on how to simplify things.

We are really grateful for the support that we have received on our campaign so far. I think one of the main reasons that we lost our momentum is that people wanted a watch on the charger. We did add it in later but after a few weeks.

Those are a few of our thoughts. We have other ideas but we would like some honest input. So what do you think? What do you like and what can we do better?

1,000 Thanks for taking a look.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/87 ... ar-charger

Re: We started really strong, getting great press and then..

Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 3:23 am
by jrusso
Not sure I agree on the items you say you did wrong.

Here's the thing. You may just have a good product, but in looking at it, I don't like it very much. Sure, you can boost an iPhone, but what about Android? Sure you can probably create one that charges an Android, but you lost me right off the bat by being exclusively for iPhone. A third party device such as this one should be cross platform compatible to maximize profits, since it doesn't require a whole lot of additional effort to create it.

Also, I don't like the size of the item, and that you have to wear it on your wrist like a watch. If I wanna wear a watch, I now have to wear your product on one wrist and a watch on the other wrist. If I don't wear a watch, I now have what looks like a watch on my wrist, but IT'S NOT. It serves no other purpose than to be an extension of the battery life of your iPhone. Here's the thing... there are already products on the market which do this. Sure, without the solar powered aspect of it, but hey, if I have to wear something that large on my wrist to power my cell phone when there's already a low wattage, solution for that, which provides power to an already eco friendly device, I just don't see the point. I do see the Analog Time watch, however, I am only limited to that one design, so that is also a deal breaker.

I almost guarantee this is why you're not getting your funding. Not because of your video, or your pledge levels, or any other factors. Investors are smart and when they see a good product, they don't care if the presentation is semi-flawed.

Re: We started really strong, getting great press and then..

Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 11:21 am
by EnergyBionics
Hello Jrusso,

Thanks for taking a look and commenting! I see that we could do a better job in telling our story. Here are a few points...

1. Carbon will charge just about any device that can be charged by USB including Apple, Android, Google Glass, gaming devices, Steripen, USB light, USB fan and I think you get the idea.

2. We designed Carbon to be the same size or smaller than many of the popular wrist watches on the market today.

3. Carbon is more than a solar cell, battery and a watch. The whole purpose is to harvest solar energy throughout your day and use this energy to power your mobile devices. Carbon uses advanced energy harvesting technology that allows small traces of energy to be used. This concept alone is important to many people.

I think what's encouraging for us is our 137 Kickstarter backers, many global distribution inquiries and positive media coverage that we have been receiving. We recognize that Carbon isn't for everyone and it sounds like you fall into that category.

Thanks again for taking the time to comment.

Re: We started really strong, getting great press and then..

Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 12:30 pm
by jrusso
Sean,

Thank you for your reply. Based on that reply, I would like to give you some advice.

1. If your device can charge any device which uses USB, I didn't see the USB port on the device during the video presentation. I also didn't hear you say that during the video presentation. So, therein is an issue that you can address in a new video.

2. I wouldn't offer a version that is not a wristwatch. Just offer the wristwatch version and tout to your potential investors that you will be offering numerous future designs, including a digital version.

Good luck.

Re: We started really strong, getting great press and then..

Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 12:54 pm
by EnergyBionics
Jrusso,

Great advice! Thanks again.

Sean