Since its launch in 2009, Kickstarter has helped more than 130,000 campaign creators worldwide see their ideas come to fruition. Kickstarter Live is a new, more interactive way to reach out to current and potential contributors. Campaigns have already experienced success in connecting with contributors and increasing funding success through using livestreams.
Through Kickstarter Live, project creators can deliver content on their time, engaging with people who are most interested in their project or product. Here are a few tips and tricks that can make your efforts far more efficient and effective.
Get Prepared
One of the most challenging aspects to livestreaming is simply getting the live video from your location to a remote streaming server. Kickstarter suggests at least a 2 Mbps upload speed in order to ensure your viewers can see and hear you clearly.
Lighting is nearly as important as your upload speed. No one will tune in – or stick around – to watch a dark silhouette chatting to a camera. Make sure you have at least one or two lights you can points towards yourself and your team. If you livestream often, either on Kickstarter or on another platform like Instagram or Facebook, consider investing in a high-quality ring light. Also consider using a backdrop if you are in an office or studio. Professionalism and organization will build trust and encourage people to contribute to your campaign.
Additionally, we recommend watching a few Kickstarter livestreams before sitting down to plan your own. Visit Kickstarter Explore to see the whole process beforehand, observing what you like and dislike about each presenter – and what makes you more likely to buy-in.
Bring Your Own Equipment
After you know what works and what does not, gather the equipment you will use. Make sure you have a high-quality microphone and webcam. Your smartphone camera will work if that is all you have.
Alternatively, you can livestream wirelessly from a GoPro or use a good camera mounted on a tripod that allows hands-free footage. It does not have to be shot with professional equipment; it just has to look like it.
You will also need a reliable computer. Kickstarter is working on making Kickstarter Live mobile-friendly, but a computer is necessary for now. Kickstarter recommends using Google Chrome for your stream, with Firefox as an alternative.
It’s Showtime
A few days prior to the stream, begin promoting your campaign through social media and your Kickstarter page in order to allow your fans to set aside time to watch the event.
When the countdown clock hits 00:00:00 and it is your turn to speak, do not rush. Speak slowly and steadily, as if you are having an earnest conversation. Be engaging and approachable. Introduce yourself(s), announce your goal and explain your project. Potential backers want to feel like they can
trust you, so make sure you have answers to commonly asked questions. If viewers like what they’re seeing, most will stay tuned in for 15-20 minutes.
If appropriate, do a product demo, pointing out each aspect of your product and explaining the best features. Having a few other people as demonstrators comes in handy. While you are explaining the project or product, they can help with demonstrations. Of course, this can be done solo, too. When you are finished, do not forget to thank your audience for watching and backing your campaign.
Some ideas for engaging livestreams on Kickstarter Live:
- Consider a giveaway
- Tell your viewers about your stretch goals
- Engage in a Q & A
- Ask your viewers to share your campaign with their friends and family
- Have fun!
For more on using Kickstarter Live, check out Art of the Kickstart, your source for crowdfunding advice, tricks and tips, tutorials, and insights to create and sell your product. We have more than 200 interviews with crowdfunding creators: their success stories, lessons they have learned, struggles they have endured and more. Listen to our podcast and subscribe to our newsletter for the most up-to-date best practices for creating a successful crowdfunding campaign.
