15 Tips You Can Steal From Kickstarter’s Most Successful Campaigns

Anyone and everyone is headed down the entrepreneurial route these days, relying on crowdsourcing platforms to get their ventures off the ground. At the forefront of the movement is Kickstarter—the global crowdfunding platform that has become a haven for aspiring startups looking to obtain financial backing. Several projects have gone on to meet their funding quotas, branching out to the market and becoming multi-million dollar enterprises in the process. The majority, well, fall into a pit of obscurity, never to be heard from again. That doesn’t have to be your fate.

To achieve a successful campaign, it all begins with presenting a product or service casual consumers want. We’re talking basic Marketing 101 here, something most startups can learn from a brand like Toshiba. The electronic giant’s slogan for its latest Encore tablet, “the one device that quiets the hype,” practically sells itself. While learning from one of the industry firsts, one can also pick up pointers on how to launch a profitable campaign through several other successful Kickstarter projects. Here are 15 essential tips to help get you started on the road to entrepreneurship.

Time is money, and despite Kickstarter offering the option to extend a campaign anywhere between 1 to 60 days, a longer duration period doesn’t necessary equate to larger funding. Break free from the eBay mind state and think short, simple, and sweet. According to the company, projects listed less than 30 days tend to have higher success rates: “shorter projects set a tone of confidence and help motivate your backers to join the party.” Might want to listen to the experts on this one.

You’re not just selling a product or service; you’re selling a vision—and one that draws consumers in to a point where they can engage with it. But before selling someone on the bigger picture, it’s all about the pitch. Creating and explaining scenarios for why your venture should be funded helps target an audience.

While Kickstarter has helped pave the way for several innovative startups, it’s also played host to some of the most nonsensical campaigns ever (from Atheist footwear to homemade potato salad). Obviously, the goal is to deviate from such farces and make your brand stand out. The only way to achieve this is by delivering a product that people want to buy. Step outside of the entrepreneurial box and become the ideal consumer. Come up with an innovative concept and use feedback to enhance it. Do some marketing research as well and settle on a competitive price point to draw more buyers in.

When running a business, it takes money to make money. Kickstarter is just a platform to earn extra cash to get a company off the ground. You’ll still need to establish a financial foundation. This might require breaking the pension fund, dipping into savings, or taking out a bank loan, all for the sake of the project.

Every campaign needs a vantage point. Gifting backers is a compelling approach that has proven to work. Offering discount promotions or special bonuses at optimized reward tiers only encourages people to invest in the project. But keep in mind a business thrives most off of its loyal consumer base. So blessing the first batch of funders makes for a great first impression.

How can one expect to write the next chapter of their business if everyone isn’t on the same page? Organization and timing is key for any major venture to get off the ground. Stay disciplined by forming weekly and monthly goals, then assign duties and deadlines around those timelines that can be distributed amongst the staff.

Focus on generating some buzz for the campaign before listing it on Kickstarter. The best way to do so is by building a small community of followers, starting with family and friends, then extending it through others. Sparking conversations on Facebook, even teasing announcements or showing images on Instagram will expand outreach and generate a fan base to work with.

Don’t underestimate the power of bloggers and journalists. After all, if they see potential in the campaign, they’ll be the ones lobbying hardest for it to succeed. Whether it’s writing a news blurb or tweeting, these digital influencers can persuade the masses to stop by your page and donate a dollar (or few) for the cause.

Enticing images and well-made videos can either make or break a campaign. How so? Well, for one, both media formats are usually the initial interactions people have when looking over a listing. Videos are a perfect opportunity to, not only demonstrate and sell prospectors on the project, but also share your vision, which in turn leads to engagement with users. Setting some time (and greenbacks) aside to work on the campaign’s presentation goes a long way.

Another bullet point for your marketing campaign should be forming an email list. Letting inquirers opt into sharing their email addresses is valuable data on numerous ends. Besides serving as a communication tool to inform signees of recent developments, it provides analytical stats that can be applied towards other advertising efforts.

Remember: your supporters are also your biggest ambassadors. So building a relationship straight out of the gate is major, as they’ll return the favor via word of mouth. Think positive feedback. Being ultra-responsive to all inquirers regarding the campaign shows that you value their opinion and time. Continue with the same act of kindness after the project launches because you will encounter backers experiencing difficulties with your product/service. In those situations, spend the extra cash to replace or repair all promoted goods.

Informing backers of the latest developments is simply common courtesy. Provide transparent updates, plus respond to comments and messages. This will magnify their interest and trust as consumers, while adding credibility to the brand.

It’s the easiest and most cost-effective way to connect with potential funders. Create a company page across all major social media platforms—Google+, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter—to gain followers and spread the word. All it takes is a hashtag, mention, or share to put your company on the startup radar.

Another effective marketing tool worth investing in, launch pages do a great job of redirecting visitors to a Kickstarter page or the company’s official website. The virtual flyer provides relevant and shareable links to learn more about the project. Not to mention it’s a sufficient way to gain direct contacts that benefit the campaign such as media and PR agencies.

We live in an entrepreneurial society these days, meaning everyone wants to be their own boss and run a business. You just happen to fall under the same crowd, only pursuing the American dream firsthand. Chances have it that some of your biggest backers are looking to do the same thing. Tell a story that resonates with them and future founders—it will certainly draw sympathy and show backers the organic commitment you put into the campaign. After all, everyone loves an aspiring come-up tale.