So you say you have the next great toy or educational gadget, but it is just a matter of money to get it to take off? When it comes to raising funds, it is not just child’s play. Crowdfunding often helps innovative kids products turn into great sensations.
Building A Campaign Page
Parents are usually open and welcoming toward new and exciting concepts. Keep this in mind when you set up your crowdfunding campaign. If your product is indeed new and exciting, you want to promote that aspect. Make sure you showcase whatever it is that makes your invention unique, even if that means something as minute as offering a product in a different color or material than other similar products. Consumers look for something that sets your product apart from the rest. Be sure to emphasize just that on your Kickstarter or Indiegogo page.
Incorporating Video
People have become accustomed to and enjoy watching videos online. Businesses have found great benefits to including them in their marketing efforts. Creating a great video for your crowdfunding campaign can bring you the same kind of success. In fact, research shows that campaigns that include videos raised 105 percent more than campaigns that did not have a video in their campaign.
Keep in mind the quality of the video will have an impact on what you are presenting. You don’t want to just throw a video up there; you want to do it right. Make it appealing and capture the viewer’s attention. You want this potential funder to watch the entire video. When they do, they are more likely to convert from a viewer to a backer.
Public Relations
Once you have a campaign concept in mind, take a minute to think backward. Have a plan in place for public relations before you even start creating the campaign on the crowdfunding platform. You will want to coordinate your PR push to promote your campaign just as you make it available online. Thus, before moving forward with anything, know who you will need to contact and how you will do it.
It is true that inventors and entrepreneurs are not typically public relations experts. This is understandable, but when you set up a crowdfunding campaign, you cannot be shy. Make contact with journalists. Getting the word out and making it known to the press (and public) can mean everything to the success of the project.
If you are really unsure about how to put together a campaign, consider investing in a consultant. Many startups have enlisted help from experts who have a network of contacts and know how to get the media to take notice.
Social Media Marketing
When it comes to great pairing, social media and crowdfunding seem meant for each other. Using social media is a very easy way to grow your audience and spread the word about your campaign.
Reach out via Twitter to promote your campaign, provide updates and share information. If you do not already have one, set up a page on Facebook and engage with potential backers. Perhaps most importantly, utilize Facebook’s advertising platform. These ads make it possible to target specific demographics and reach people who will find your product relevant to them.
Remember to promote in a way that is not off-putting. You want to engage potential donors, not just pitch your product. Be compelling with your story; people love a good story.
Be consistent with your social media posts and respond to followers by answering questions or replying to comments.
Email Marketing
Set up a way to collect email addresses of potential backers. You will want to keep in touch with people who are interested in your product and encourage them to back your product. You can collect these email addresses easily through advertisements or giveaways. Once you have the addresses, it is easier to create a more personal relationship with donors. Reach out to them with updates and encourage them to help you hit your goal by sharing your project with their contacts.
For more information about how to run a successful crowdfunding campaign, tune into the Art of the Kickstart podcast, subscribe to our newsletter or contact us. We have run hundreds of campaigns and interviewed more than 150 experts, and we have the tools necessary to make your campaign a success.
