This document outlines 7 important steps for creating a successful online crowdfunding campaign. The steps include: 1) having an established social media and website presence; 2) reaching out to influencers and the public beforehand; 3) starting with current supporters to get initial funding; 4) having quality content ready for promotion; 5) offering rewards to incentivize donations; 6) sharing progress updates; and 7) staying in constant communication with supporters to thank and encourage them. Following these steps can help optimize a crowdfunding strategy and increase the chances of a successful campaign.

1. Digital Crowdfunding
Campaigns
7 Important Steps in Creating a Successful
Online Crowdfunding Strategy

2. Step 1.
Have an established social media
presence and website.
Open relevant social media
accounts to promote and
brand your organization.

3. Step 2.
Reach out beforehand to inform the
public/high-profile influencers on the
upcoming Crowdfunding campaign.
Enlist their help in sharing
content.
Ask for guest blogs from
interest groups or collaborators.

4. Step 3.
Have the introductory crowdfunding email target
current supporters to get the ball rolling with
donations.
When the public campaign goes Live there
should already be some funding activity
from your base to show the public there is
already substantial backing for the project.
(It's important that your page reflect some funding success
before you start to reach outside your network -- especially to
bloggers and other press.)

5. Step 4.
Have quality content ready for publication.
 Have several press releases, blogs/articles, infographics
and videos completed and scheduled for distribution.
 Make sure all publications have a “call-to-action” to
encourage visitors to share it or to sign up to the email
list. Spend time crafting engaging titles as this will
increase the likelihood of your content going viral.
 Target niche audiences and the general public with a
variety of content.
 Create a Tweetstorm – 20+ short informative
tweets related to the crowdfunding project all
published within a hour or throughout the day.
 Have 4-5 posts a day on social media platforms or
run a paid ad.

6. Step 5.
Offer Rewards
People are more eager to participate
when incentives are offered.
Set price ranges to initiate donor rewards.
$50 gets supporters stickers or a 10%
discount on entry fees
$100 gets your name on our donor wall
$250 gets you a year-long membership
$1000 gets you special access (e.g. entry
into the International Balloon Fiesta)

7. Step 6.
Share your progress.
Develop infographics that
show the progress made and
what is left to achieve.
Recognize big backers
publically.

8. Step 7.
Stay in constant communication.
Convert supporters into promoters.
Use follow-up emails and
social media posts to thank
supporters and encourage
them to promote the campaign
by sharing.

9. Resources:
http://tripleseo.com/traffic-marketing-crowdfunding/
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/228544
http://blog.megafounder.com/blog/tools-to-promote-your-crowdfunding-
campaign/
http://succeedasyourownboss.com/how-to-market-your-crowdfunding-campaign/
http://thenextweb.com/insider/2015/07/29/how-to-successfully-run-a-
crowdfunding-campaign/#gref
http://crowdfundinghacks.com/blog/