In the past years, we had the opportunity to meet different entrepreneurs and we helped some of them starting Kickstarter projects. In our journey beside them, we learned a few key points in creating successful campaigns.
Crowdfunding is an increasingly popular way to raise capital for pet projects, but only about half of the projects on Kickstarter are funded. To see what type of proposal works best, researchers at Georgia Tech University studied more than 40,000 Kickstarter projects and concluded that successful campaigns had certain types of words and phrases in common.
Free Gifts
Among the various aspects that successful Kickstarter campaigns have in common is the offer of free gifts. This seems counterintuitive since Kickstarter doesn’t allow business projects, and people who pledge money don’t see a return on their investments. Still, people want to be associated with projects they donate to, and offering them a personalized gift allows donors to feel important.
Following the Crowd
Donors are more likely to pledge funds for your Kickstarter project if they see others doing the same. To encourage potential donors, let them know that others have already donated. This will make people feel as though they’re a part of not only something special but also of a community. In other words, the social aspect of Kickstarter is as important as any other.
An Authoritative Appeal
When discussing your Kickstarter project, the more authoritative you sound, the more funding you’re likely to receive. Being shy or vague will only tell potential donors that you’re unsure of yourself, and if they’re not attracted to you, they won’t be attracted to your project. Conversely, if you’re confident in your own abilities and the benefits of your project, donors will respond.
Crowdfunding sites such as Kickstarter provide a great way to obtain capital for alternative projects that might not get funded otherwise. The concepts mentioned above will help make your Kickstarter campaign the best it can be.
