8 Best Practices for Kickstarter Campaigns

Kickstarter Best Practices & Next Steps Created by Chris Kocek, Brand Strategist October 23, 2011

Best PracticesThe most successfully funded projects on Kickstarter have several things in common, including, but not limited to the following: Simple product design that works as an accessory to widely used products Easy to understand product description in less than 200 characters Credibility through testimonials and associations Clear ask + clear description of where exactly the money is going Well lit photos/videos of the product in action FAQ section to help potential investors get over any last minute concerns Carefully designed pledge levels Frequent updates Kocek 2

Simple product design that often works as accessory to widely used products Kocek 3

Easy to understand product description in less than 200 charactersThe Orbit allows you to CineSkates™ are a set of Capture is an accessory formake the most of three wheels that photographers that rigidlyyour smartphone or quickly attach to a tripod secures your camera to thetablet by giving you the and enable fluid, rolling gear you already own. Byability to securely mount video in an ultra- clamping to any belt oryour device practically portable package. strap, the Capture Cameraanywhere, leaving your Clip System eliminates thehands free to be need for additional slings,more productive. holsters or vests. Kocek 4

Credibility through testimonials and associationsNOTE: While not absolutely necessary, a depiction of teamwork probably increases confidenceof backers because it shows that more than one person already believes in the idea. Kocek 5

Credibility through testimonials and associations “Through our partnership with Höweler + Yoon Architecture and Professor J. Meejin Yoon of MIT’s School of Architecture and Planning, we have a design in hand and a team of MIT graduate students who have researched and refined fabrication methods. ” Kocek 6

Clear ask + clear descriptionof where the money is going “What’s expensive is the tooling required to mold the plastic parts. A lot, if not all the money you’ll be pledging will go to the tooling budget that will get the orbit made. If you like this product as much as we do, make a pledge to help us out and get us off the ground and funded.” Kocek 7

Well-Lit Photos/Videos of the Product in Action (or in development) Kocek 8

Well-Lit Photos/Videos of the Product in Action (or in development) Kocek 9

Well-Lit Photos/Videos of the Product in Action (or in development)NOTE: Give potential investors/customers an exclusive peek into theentrepreneurial and design process. Kocek 10

FAQ Section to help potential investors get over any last minute concerns Kocek 11

Carefully designed pledge levelsNOTE: Average pledge is $71, most common pledge is $25 Kocek 12

Carefully designed pledge levels Kocek 13

Carefully designed pledge levels Kocek 14

Carefully designed pledge levels NOTE #1: First edition could be exclusive Kickstarter edition. NOTE #2: Clearly identify delivery date. Kocek 15

Frequent UpdatesUpdates are an opportunity to tellcurrent/potential backers the progressyou’re making. They should include:• Thank yous to your backers• Additional product developments• New, exclusive pledge amounts• Media/Press coverage• Shipping and Delivery confirmation Kocek 16

Next Steps for Getting Started on Kickstarter Assuming you have your idea/product ready to go, here are someprioritized next steps for getting your Kickstarter campaign underway: Pull together creative assets (well-lit pics, videos, drawings, logo, packaging, etc.) Write product description in less than 200 characters Pull together testimonials from category/Kickstarter influencers Determine $$$ amount you want to reach on Kickstarter and how long you think it will take (e.g. $10K in 3 months) Establish different pledge levels and rewards for each pledge level Develop FAQs section with answers Link Kickstarter page to home site and Facebook page Make a contact list and figure out who you’re going to hit up for pledges – pledge momentum in the initial 2-4 weeks is critical Kocek 17

Thank You!For questions or comments, please contact Chris Kocek: ckocek@gmail.com Or reach out on the following platforms:

http://justinflitter.co.nz	428
http://skisma.blogspot.no	157
http://justinflitter.com	22
http://c1887943.wordpress.com	21
http://www.mosaichub.com	20
http://skisma.blogspot.com	5
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8 Best Practices for Kickstarter Campaigns

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