💸 10 Top Tips for a SUCCESSFUL KICKSTARTER! How I made £25k through crowdfunding! Emily Harvey Art

Emily, an illustrator and enamel pin enthusiast, shares her Kickstarter experience, having successfully raised over 25,000 pounds across five campaigns. She emphasizes the importance of having an engaged audience, regardless of size, that is genuinely interested in the project. Emily advises not to rush into a campaign but to invest time in building a community that cares about the products. She also mentions the significance of knowing the costs associated with manufacturing, shipping, and packaging before launching a campaign.

The video script discusses the necessity of understanding all financial aspects of a Kickstarter campaign. Emily stresses the importance of knowing the exact costs for manufacturing, shipping, and packaging to avoid underestimating the funding goal. She explains that Kickstarter fees and the all-or-nothing nature of the platform require campaigners to be precise with their financial planning. Additionally, she touches on the concept of incentives, such as discounts and freebies, to encourage backers to support the project.

Incentives play a crucial role in motivating people to back a Kickstarter project. Emily talks about offering freebies, discounts, and early bird specials to attract backers. She also highlights the effectiveness of Kickstarter exclusives, such as unique packaging or limited edition items, which can only be obtained during the campaign. These exclusives not only add value for backers but also foster a sense of community and urgency to support the project.

Emily outlines the importance of planning the timing and duration of a Kickstarter campaign. She advises submitting the campaign for review well in advance of the intended launch date to avoid delays. Regarding the campaign's end date, she recommends ending at the end of the month to align with people's paydays, making it more likely for backers to pledge. She also shares her experience with different campaign lengths and suggests that a shorter campaign might be more effective for certain projects.

Stretch goals are introduced as a flexible and effective way to fund additional products within a Kickstarter campaign. Instead of setting a high initial goal to produce multiple items, campaigners can set a series of stretch goals that unlock as the campaign progresses. This approach allows for the successful funding of multiple products even if the total desired amount is not reached by the campaign's end.

The script emphasizes the importance of creating rewards that cater to different budgets to attract a wider range of backers. It also warns against the temptation to pay for promotional services promising increased backers, which can often be spam and not deliver the promised results. Instead, campaigners should focus on organic growth and genuine engagement with their audience.

Emily highlights the crucial role of spreadsheets in managing a Kickstarter campaign. They help organize and track backer information, pledges, and shipping details. She shares her personal experience of using color-coded spreadsheets to efficiently manage her backers and ensure smooth fulfillment of rewards.

Promotion is key to a Kickstarter campaign's success. Emily advises starting promotional activities weeks or even months before the launch. This includes teasing the project, sharing updates, and engaging with the audience on various platforms. She also stresses the importance of continuous promotion throughout the campaign and leveraging live streaming on platforms like Instagram and YouTube to create excitement and involvement.

The video concludes with a discussion on how to handle a Kickstarter campaign that doesn't meet its funding goal. Emily encourages campaigners to view this as a learning opportunity rather than a failure. She suggests reflecting on the experience, gathering feedback, and using the insights to improve and relaunch the project at a later date.