KickstarterForum.org

[sergek445]

Current Campaign:
ShowerShroom Stealth Universal Clog Preventer


Some Past Campaigns:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ju ... s-for-good
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ju ... protection
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tu ... ner-hair-c

1. Kickstarter/IGG is a great idea validation tool. If you can't raise over $5k-$10k via crowdfunding, kill your idea right then and there because it likely won't be worth your time

2. Our plan has always been to test the market via crowdfunding and to try to pre-sell most of our first production runs before the goods land to our warehouse--minimizes risk and helps with cash flow

3. The community building aspect of KS/IGG is underrated because you can keep your backers in the loop for years with updates via the campaign back end so each subsequent campaign release on KS/IGG has a community ready to support you (even if less than 15% of previous backers support you again, that's still a great opening salvo for early momentum)

4. There's so many junk promotional companies that hound you throughout your campaign. Always look up online reviews and referrals before shelling out cash.

5. If you've got a great idea/product, definitely look into some patent protection because I've seen products knocked off before the backers receive their rewards... scary!

6. Unfortunately, about 35% of the projects that I've personally backed on KS and IGG have not shipped. Many founders are in over their heads.

7. We've used third party agencies like Funded Today, Eventsys, Jellop, etc. They all have their pluses and minuses. Not sure if I'd endorse any of those three at this particular time.

Crowdfunding is a great initial channel for novel consumer products to test the market and then to use that early momentum and exposure to try to push your product(s) into traditional retail. It gives you some "proof" that people are willing to shell out money for your product(s) and helps when you're trying to convince B2B buyers to stock your product.

[jassiet.ross]

Great insights! I’ve found crowdfunding to be a powerful tool for market validation and initial funding, just as you mentioned. Your approach of pre-selling to mitigate risk and boost cash flow is smart and aligns with what many successful campaigns have done.

The community-building aspect of Kickstarter/IGG is indeed underrated. Keeping backers engaged and informed can turn them into long-term supporters, which is invaluable. Also, your point about patent protection is crucial—it's disheartening to see hard work get copied before the product even hits the market.