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#1 – Have A Mentor
There are a lot of mentors on this site who have launched successful Kickstarter campaigns. Finding one in your category and making the mentor relationship worthwhile for them in some capacity will help you understand the road ahead when crowdfunding. Send them a PM on the forum!
"Seriously. Have someone on your side who has done this before. I am very lucky to be friends with Hope Nicholson (https://www.Kickstarter.com/profile/hopelnicholson), who has run two very successful campaigns for reprinting Nelvana Of The North (https://www.Kickstarter.com/projects/ho ... &ref=users) and Brok Windsor (https://www.Kickstarter.com/projects/ho ... ok-returns). I paid her in beer, and Hope was instrumental in helping me craft the pitch, the video, and letting me know what rewards perks tended to be the most popular, and what would be an appropriate cost for each. Her experience has been irreplaceable, and I know come Do-Everything-I-Promised time, she will once again be an amazing guiding hand.
If you do nothing else, get a mentor with a previous successful campaign".
- Read more here: http://forewordliterary.com/2014/08/6-t ... r-success/
#2 - Create a Video With You In It (not slideshow, not a static image)
Your video is the first bit of content that a stranger will interact with when they come to your Kickstarter page. Not only does it give you a chance to develop rapport with viewers, but it also can be used to communicate your passion and demonstrate your credibility.
"We feature a new Kickstarter publishing project every week on GalleyCat, a series that began by interviewing SocialTimes editor Devon Glenn about her now-completed Black Wave Project.
Glenn met her fundraising goal, and shared practical tips that will still help writers use Kickstarter–advice ranging from free video-making tools to choosing the best fundraising amount.
Glenn used a number of free online tools to create her author video. She used free audio tools like Audacity to record herself singing a four-part opera piece, SoundCloud to upload the music track, and the Prelinger Archives for public domain video footage."
Read more: http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/ho ... ect_b18717
#3 - Be Conservative When Setting Your Goal
This is the #1 mistake I see across all Kickstarter categories. You can always raise more than your goal with stretch goals. Ask for the minimum amount you need to see the project through to completion and deliver on your reward tiers. Don't forget that Kickstarter is all or nothing.
"Set a realistic goal, not too high, not too low: So I took in my costs: $1600 for the ebook conversion, but I had to remember there would be costs for Kickstarter (They get 5% if you're successful) and the cost of the rewards (more about that later.) I also needed some software to transcribe Book 3, because I've lost that manuscript and have only the audio file. Lastly, I had to remember postage for reward fulfillment. OK, so I figured I'd shoot for $2000, counting on the fact that I could probably make more than that because of my established audience who wanted the books, in case my math was wrong. (In retrospect, this was likely too low! Your goal is very important, and you need to remember all the details.)"
Read more: http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2011/03 ... -self.html
#4 - Prove You Can Execute on Your Project
Your existing fans might know the quality and breadth of your work, but strangers are unlikely to and are more likely to judge a book by its cover. Before launching, ask a few strangers whether or not they believe your project is credible.
"Many of the failed Kickstarter publishing campaigns I’ve seen tend to follow this pattern: “Hey, so I’m thinking about writing this thing ‘cause it’s kind of cool. I need $$$$ to do it. Thanks.” The failed projects often don’t offer proof that the person asking for funding is actually capable of completing the project. They don’t detail why they are asking for the amount they seek. I have a mountain of articles, scripts and blogs I can point supporters to that show I’m experienced. This book is also completed, so I can direct people to the “Distilling Rob” website which has sample chapters. I explain how this Kickstarter funding is needed to complete the final edit, design, publishing and marketing of the book."
Read more: http://www.molly-greene.com/how-to-fund ... ckstarter/
#5. You Can't be Afraid to Sell
Most writers or creators don't like to sell. They like to create. Unfortunately, until you've made your paper and can hire a PR or Marketing expert to take on that responsibility, it's up to you to let the world know about your amazing new book! Check out the tips below on promotion via Book Riot (they raised $25k).
You must embrace your inner newsie, and not just repeat “Extra! Extra!” to your friends and family but to ALL the internet. You’ve got to have a plan to reach the largest audience possible. We started plugging in dates and deliverables for promotion on Book Riot and began briefing our biggest fans weeks in advance. We ran contests, promoted it and advertised it through social channels, contacted friendlies with engaged social followings, and asked influencers to write chapters. You have to remind your community about the project every day, and the reminding needs to be creative.
How you promote a project will vary according to your offering, but as you plan, note this: think soldiers, not generals. Don’t get too caught up in trying to attract @BigNameFamousPerson to contribute to the project or share it with their followers. If someone with a million followers tweets about what you’re doing, you won’t get much out of it unless their followers have a reason to care about your project *beyond* the fact that @BigNameFamousPerson tweeted it.
Most of your support (and most of your financial backing) is going to come from your existing fans. Of the 947 people who backed our project, a couple were big names, but the vast majority were Book Riot readers who were already actively participating in our community. They’re the people who help us keep the lights on in the day-to-day, and they’re the most invested in our continued success. Never undervalue that.
Read the full article here: http://gigaom.com/2013/03/16/kickstart- ... ublishing/
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