The 6 Best Ways to Promote Your Crowdfunding Campaign

The 6 Best Ways to Promote Your Crowdfunding Campaign

Every day thousands of crowdfunding campaigns are launched on Kickstarter, Indiegogo, GoFundMe, and more. Crowdfunding has now become a global phenomenon and every new entrepreneur and startup wants a piece of the action as billions are expected to be raised across several platforms in the next few years making crowdfunding the number one source of funds raised for aspiring entrepreneurs and startups.

Crowdfunding_Industry_2015_Models
From a recent article in Forbes:

The World Bank estimated that crowdfunding would reach $90 billion by 2020. If the trend of doubling year over year continues, we’ll see $90 billion by 2017.

To put that in perspective, venture capital averages roughly $30 billion per year and in 2014 accounted for roughly $45 billion in investment, whereas angel capital averages roughly $20 billion per year invested.

Equity crowdfunding, the newest category of crowdfunding, opened up publicly in September of 2013 under Title II of the JOBS Act and, while restricted to accredited investors only, has grown to an estimated $1 billion invested online. In 2015 the estimate is for over $2.5 billion to be invested through equity crowdfunding.

If equity crowdfunding doubles every year like the rest of crowdfunding has, then it could reach $36 billion by 2020 and surpass venture capital as the leading source of startup funding.

Crowdfunding_vsVC_vsAngelInvestors

It’s important to understand that crowdfunding isn’t a stand alone funding source. Equity crowdfunding currently includes angel investors and VCs participating online as well. Rather, crowdfunding can be seen as a methodology inclusive of individual and institutional investors like VCs.

There’s just one big difference…

Equity crowdfunding platforms can scale, depending on their model.

VCs can’t scale.

What does this mean for you?

Increased competition for attention. 

Luckily there are several things you can do both in advance of your campaign launch as well as once a campaign is active to avoid getting lost in the noise. Below are 6 of the most effective strategies for promoting your crowdfunding campaign.

1

Building and Tapping into your Mailing List 

If you’ve built up a mailing list pre-launch to build a community in advance of your campaign, definitely utilize it. Pre-launch you can incentivize followers to share with their social media networks or offer freebies and contests to increase signups. Send exclusive behind the scenes, special hidden perks, and just generally share your story. Share updates, news, anything to help build a customer base from those who want to hear from you most.

2

Social Media Advertising / Google AdWords

Many of our most successful campaigns that we’ve helped are utilizing on some level social media advertising predominantly through Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Test different demographics and visuals, use lookalike audiences, and find your sweet spot! When done right, social media advertising can definitely help push serious pledges to your crowdfunding campaign. Encourage sharing, drive traffic to your page, and lock in those pledges!

3

Friends / Family Outreach

This one seems obvious, but every bit helps.  Reach out to everyone you know in your social circle and beyond. You only get one opportunity to crowdfund right your first time so make it count!

4

Crowdfunding PR / Public Relations Campaign

Crowdfunding is a classic story that will never get old. Entrepreneur, artist, or inventory comes up with brilliant new idea and decides to bring it to life in the world. Said inventor, shares idea, gets rich, and is an overnight success. There is something so fascinating about crowdfunding that makes media outlets, reporters, and bloggers so eager to share. Take advantage of the opportunity and engage the media / press to share your project. Many of the most successful crowdfunding campaigns of all time have this in common- serious media coverage.

5

Find your Community

Somewhere out there is a community of people just like you, with similar interests and have been waiting all their life for a product, just like yours! Maybe it’s a message board, a blogger with a following, or even a Reddit Community. Go engage, share your product, tell your story. Find your people.

6

Submit Your Project to Startup Communities

Everyone’s starting companies and new products are released every day. There are several communities made up of rabid early adopter types that are always looking for the latest and greatest products, technology, and services. Everything from platforms like Product Hunt to Reddit. Submit your project, share your insights, and engage your customers directly!

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Looking to take your Kickstarter or Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign viral with a media / PR campaign? We’re Buzztilt and we do things different.  Let’s talk about your upcoming crowdfunding campaign!

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