From Kickstarter Newbie to Pro: CircuitMess Guide
Hello everyone,
Back in the hustle and bustle of Zagreb, we're diving into the exciting projects lined up for the year.
One project that's been a focal point of our recent endeavors is the Perseverance Rover, which many of you may recall from our successful Kickstarter campaign last November.
Kickstarter helped propel our business, as we had many successful Kickstarter campaigns in the few years we've been in business. But let's get real for a moment. While our Kickstarter journey has been thrilling, it hasn't all been smooth sailing.?
At CircuitMess, we're all about transparency and sharing the highs and lows of our entrepreneurial adventure. So, grab a seat and join me as we uncover the bumps in the road and the valuable lessons we've learned along the way.
What are some most common mistakes you can make on Kickstarter (especially if this is your first campaign)?
?? Lack of preparation
Ah, the classic misstep that many creators, including ourselves, have stumbled upon in our early campaigns. You most likely have an incredible idea, and with minimal preparation, you plunge headfirst into a Kickstarter campaign, juggling tasks as you go.
But here's the reality check: without a team to handle marketing, support, and production, things can quickly spiral into chaos. Especially when you're simultaneously tackling design, hardware, or software. It's a recipe for a headache, trust me.
Fortunately, we've learned from our mistakes. With a now well-oiled team, responsibilities are neatly divided, and our campaigns run much smoother. But hey, I get it. If your team is just a handful of friends crammed into a garage (been there, done that) or if you're a lone wolf, preparation is your best friend.
So, what's the game plan? First things first, arm yourself with plenty of product photos or, better yet, a working prototype. If your project involves software, get cracking on it and have a demo ready to show to your backers.?
Oh, and campaign updates? Preparing a few in advance can save you a ton of stress down the line. And guess what? You can repurpose those updates for your social media and email marketing, killing two birds with one stone.
Speaking of which, if you're not already on social media, now's the time to make your debut. Build some buzz, drum up excitement, and get those followers hyped about what's to come. Trust me, it's worth the effort.
So, to all the garage-based teams out there, remember: preparation is your secret weapon. Arm yourself, plan ahead, and watch your Kickstarter journey unfold with confidence.
?? Weak campaign page
Your campaign page is your storefront, your first impression on potential backers. If it doesn't grab their attention from the get-go, they're likely to click away faster than you can say "funding goal." Plus, if it doesn’t look good or lacks vital info, it can seriously hurt your credibility – not exactly a recipe for success, right?
So, where do you start? Take a peek at successful Kickstarter campaigns to get a feel for what works. Even if you're not a design pro, you'll pick up valuable pointers on layout and content that you can apply to your own page.
Next up, your title should be straight to the point. None of that cryptic stuff – tell backers exactly what you're selling. And when it comes to product photos, make the best of it; show your product in all its glory. Even if you're not a pro photographer, a little effort goes a long way.
Now, onto the fun part: storytelling. Be real, be you. Share why you created this product, what inspired you, and why it's worth backing. No need to go all out with the sales pitch – just let your passion shine through.
Last but not least, don't skimp on the deets. Be sure to tell what your product does, what backers get, and where it comes from. After all, that's the stuff backers really want to know.
?? Don’t overpromise or expect too much
Ah, the classic trap of overpromising – we've been there, done that. It's not that we didn't deliver on our promises; it's just that we bit off more than we could chew, sending our delivery timeline into a tailspin.
Take, for instance, our Batmobile project. We got a little carried away with promises of all kinds of bells and whistles, from awesome add-ons to mind-blowing software features. But when reality hit, we found ourselves scrambling to meet deadlines and dealing with some rightfully frustrated backers along the way. Not exactly the smooth sailing we had in mind.
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It's crucial to know your limits and set realistic expectations for what you can actually deliver. Don't get caught up in the allure of fancy extras that'll only slow you down. And when it comes to setting a delivery date, honesty is key. Better to be upfront about potential delays than to spend the next six months apologizing (trust us, we've been there).
If you're not sure about throwing in all those extra goodies, don't sweat it. Instead, focus on identifying parts of your product that can easily be lost or torn up later on – those are your potential for add-ons.
And as for your funding goal, don't aim for the stars if you're not sure you can reach them. Especially if it's your first time creating a crowdfunding campaign. Set a goal that's within reach – it'll give your campaign credibility and attract more backers in the long run.
?? Poor communication
You definitely don't want to be that company where backers are left in the dark, bombarding your Kickstarter page with more questions about production and delivery than you have updates.
Think about it: if you were a backer, wouldn't you want to be kept in the loop? That's one of the beauties of Kickstarter – it's your direct line to your community, where you can share every step of your product's journey.
Adding updates to your page is a piece of cake. You can throw in text, photos, videos, and even gifs – it's a personal chat with your backers. Plus, it gives them peace of mind knowing they're not just throwing money into the void.
And speaking of peace of mind, being responsive is key. You don't have to be glued to your inbox, but a timely reply goes a long way.
Building a solid community now pays off big time down the road. Be friendly, be responsive, and watch as your backers stick around for your next big thing.
??? Ignoring post-campaign engagement
Once the funding goal is reached, it can be tempting to shift focus solely to production and delivery. However, this is a missed opportunity to keep backers engaged and informed about the progress of the project.
Maintaining regular updates and communication with backers is key to fostering a sense of community and trust. Whether it's good news or challenges faced along the way, transparency is appreciated and builds a bond with backers.
Share glimpses behind the scenes with unedited photos, introduce the team members working hard behind the scenes, and provide updates on the project's development. By keeping backers in the loop, you become more than just a recipient of their funds – you become a friendly partner in the journey.
At CircuitMess, we've found that sharing these candid moments and progress updates not only keeps backers informed but also fosters meaningful connections within our community.
Ready to crush your next Kickstarter campaign?
Now that we've covered the ins and outs of running a successful Kickstarter campaign and what to avoid, you're equipped with the knowledge to navigate the crowdfunding waters like a pro.
Remember, every stumble along the way is a learning opportunity, and with each campaign, you'll become more adept at steering toward success. With proper planning, transparency, and a sprinkle of creativity, you'll be well on your way to crowdfunding triumph.
Let's sum all this up!
Here's what I'd recommend you do right from the start when planning your next Kickstarter campaign:
I wish you all the best as you start your Kickstarter campaign. And if you have any questions, please leave a comment at the bottom, and I will gladly answer.
Of course, if you're looking for an interesting campaign to back, we're no longer on Kickstarter, but you can check out our Indiegogo campaign for the Perseverance Space Rover here.