Why I'm not CROWDfunding

CROWDfunding is becoming increasingly popular, mainly via money-making online platforms. I got all excited and passionate about doing it for my next book (persuading my business mentor it was a 'no-brainer'). But the realities – well documented on YouTube and in seductively promoted e-books – raised a familiar and growing dread within. The advice is to follow the rules, to many complicated letters... and although I don't doubt or wish to diminish the success and creators who use crowdfunding for marvellously useful and artistic projects: crowdfunding is not for me.

But the researching HAS helped ignite a possibility. Confirming that it’s the ABSENCE of templates, strategies and formulas which liberate, nourish and enliven me. I’m uninterested in being part of the crowd or even creating a crowd.

Why?

The visceral beings we are -- as one of ‘the Animate Everything’ -- are subject to the natural law of constant adaptability. 'I am... [insert the verb you're being currently - probably reading, for me writing or editing...] We are verbing, we’re not nouns. Our being instinctively – albeit often unconsciously – eschews fixed mind-sets (an incongruous word if ever there was) of 'sucess strategies' and 'winning formulas'. We punctuate our offerings with 'unique features' making distinctions. But there's a conflict. In 'following the rules' we disrespect that instinct in favour of what we think is the safest outcome. The known seems much less scary. We'd rather be one of the crowd...

The collective noun of ‘crowd’ comes from the etymology of the verb (Germanic in origin) ‘to hasten or to press’… Crowdfunding guidance promotes 'fixing' me through its framework, in order to hasten or press together a crowd who'll invest in my project in return for rewards. It's an exchange. These come as a scale depending on contribution - the more you invest the bigger the reward.

If we’re talking of humans getting together, ‘gathering’ (etymological origins from the verb to ‘bring together’) feels more true to nature to me. And gathering is unforced… it’s probably the fun and joy being expressed which attracts the gathering!

So, although narrowing my audience to a tiny aperture, my ‘crowdfunding’ for ‘Teas Like You ~ Distinguished Leaves Too’ is different. It’s personal. And the ‘rewarding’ / appreciating will be unrelated to financial contribution! It’s a FUNdraising.

Unsurprisingly, then, that the whole thing IS fun! And simple. And one-to-one. If you’re curious, request a link to the private page on my website by e-mailing [email protected] (that's different to my usual e-mail) or text me or call +44 (0) 7940 584752.?I’ll say hello and send you the link. Do you sense the freedom to make your own decision here – without the seduction of a sophisticated video, YouTube ad, and promise or security of management by a crowdfunding platform?

That’s deliberate. I want to re-cultivate a childlike innocence, trust and absolute commitment to being ‘beyond outcome’ but also honour being gloriously 'beyond doubt' about this book. Nor do I want to rely on a third party to prop up guarantees of risk-protection. Risk is a fact of life and so is trusting people you know...

'Teas Like You' is happening. So's this initiative. Neither will ever be entirely certain. But It felt destined to be, the moment I chatted to a friend about it and he sent me a cheque for ￡50 to secure the first copy – UNASKED. And I trust it to its own evolution and timing (although two publication dates are penned in!) I want you to trust its foundations and its creator’s integrity rather than the medium through which it delivers its message [scroll down to ‘Founding Intentions’ to read those foundations quicker].

An unsecured outcome for the creator is, of course, often also true for some crowdfunding platforms – especially those such as kickstarter where unless you raise the money the project doesn’t happen. And the caveats and advice are riven with fear and pressure – to set your budget low enough to make the project a success, to pre-sell, to set the campaign in a limited high-pressure time-frame, to offer it according to your pinpointed target audience using words the algorithims will pick up on… to ‘save’ time for the potential investor, to create a ‘buzz’. ‘Hugely exhausting’ seems to sum up the post-project stories I’ve read or listened to, although I'm hazarding a guess that some AI will soon be removing much of the technical wizardry and personal crafting if it's not doing so already.

I’m tired of buzz, done with exhaustive screen-based effort and I think many of you are too. And I want to honour that synchroncity which brings together apparently unseen, and 'untargetted' and unrelated beings in the context of now to make for fresh, liberating and nourishing moments. Yes, even the moments when someone decides NOT to contribute!

It starts at home… locally and personally. If you’re on my contact list, you may hear from me or dare to reach out your hand and dial my number. It'll be good to re-connect.

Being rigorous and attempting to apply my left-brain as well as my right, I asked myself why this approach feels so wholesome and even a bit exciting. [OK, I admit it was also in part to prepare myself for the challenges anticipated from my excellent business mentor]. Was it to fulfil my creative raison d’etre or was born from fear of failure, acquiring the technical know-how or putting myself 'out there' on another platform aka self-sabotage in disguise? You've probably worked out what conclusion emerged.

And with it, some founding intentions confirming its sound basis. Right down to sharing this with you to open the possibility something here may prompt enriching, deepening and liberating action in your creative or business lives. None of the intentions below make a specific case for need, use or are targetted at a 'particular audience' (apparently key criteria for a successful enterprise or crowdfunding) ...

Founding Intentions in no particular order

1. to cultivate trust – in our own gut instincts and the ‘Mystery of Life’– and nurture ‘beyond outcome’ attitudes

2. to upend financial bias - thanking you irrespective of size of contribution, in a fun way!

3.?to enrich and promote personal one-to-one connection

4.?to honour small, slow-growing, cherished, local and serendipitous relating by reaching out to those already served/or serving me over many moons

5.?to expand my own one-to-one offline contact rather than focusing on online social media campaigning / marketing

6. to celebrate the innate joy of giving and being gifted – whether in the shape of disappointment or outrageous generosity!

7. to reduce dependence on online platforms, the algorithim and formulaic strategies

8. to encourage exchanging dead-lines for lifelines and opting out of scarcity thinking

9. to recover the ‘fun’ in FUNdraising, making the entire process a poetic delight

10.to value the distinguished nature of the offering and its potential to re-ground and renew a sense of inner and out ‘terroir’ or home-land in a unique way, generating true wealth for all those it touches.

There may be more...

Will it be easier?

It’s not about ‘easier’. More enjoyable - I can confirm it is ALREADY. Although connecting personally demands vigilance, time, relentlessness and undivided attention (I’m inspired by Derek Sivers and others who freely provide their email address and respond personally). These are qualities I am committed to cultivating so the question is irrelevant.

Will it succeed?

It's already succeeding in the conversing which is happening. Practically, the book's content is nearly complete, it’s already delivered and is delivering the gold of its blend (coffee pun intended) as I share its flavour. And I trust the beating heart of ‘Teas Like You ~ Distinguished Leaves Too’ to grow into exactly the kind of creative being it’s destined to be. See this link to read more about the book.

When will I know it’s done?

In keeping with working with the seasons, there’s a sense that by Samhain (31st October) it will be right to consider this year’s harvesting of funds over and that the Spring will see the two editions of the book emerging. ?Of course, this leaves the possibility that the harvest may arrive early but 'no rush' although there's plenty to occupy the now shortening days.

How will you conduct this 'distinguished FUNdraising'?

Ah… you’re curious! Be in contact and I'll send you a link to a private blog post revealing all.

So voilá! I’m trusting there’s been some gold here for you, however it lands.Naturally I’d love to read your comments or hear from you… personally. NOTE: In the spirit and honouring of the initiative, please only share with someone via private message or direct one-to-one!

Yours in Tea

Lizzie and the Leaves

Photo credit: Keren Fedida | Unsplash