As promised I'm sharing tips on what I've learned in the process of crowdfunding my next 2 books.
What the heck is crowdfunding? Crowdfunding is an awesome 21st-century way to fund your creative project. You promote your project online and ask for start-up donations.
Would total strangers give to your project?
Oh, just check out www.indiegogo.com, www.kickstarter.com, and other crowdfunding sites -- and look at some of the projects that have raised tens of thousands of dollars.
There's no guarantee that you and I will raise the same -- but why not try? I am!
Two weeks ago I launched an Indiegogo campaign with illustrator Leah Wiedemer and graphic designer Cathleen Kwas. We're raising funds to publish 2 more books in the Adventures With PawPaw children's book series.
Let's talk perks.
Wonderful people fund your campaign, so to thank them (and encourage them to give), you offer perks. Sort of like thank-you gifts.
According to Indiegogo, campaigns that offer perks raise 143% more money than those that don't. After all, who doesn't like to get a little gift with purchase -- or a big one?
When you're planning your perks, do the math and make sure you’re not losing money. Think of creative perks that you can easily get your hands on, and something that ties in with your campaign. Factor in shipping costs, manufacturing, and your time. Then set your funding levels and allocate a perk for each.
Our perks
Here are some of the perks we came up with for our campaign:
- $10 level: Signed thank-you card with an illustration from a PawPaw book
- $25 level: Above plus signed set of all 3 original books in the PawPaw series
- $50 level: Above plus signed copy of one of our new books
- $100 level: Above plus signed copies of both new books
- $250 level: Above plus signed gliclee of an illustration from a PawPaw book
- $1,000 level: Above plus 30 minutes of personal coaching time from Leah or me to help you write or illustrate your next book
You can see all our perks and the doggie-centric titles we gave them on our campaign page.
So think about your own Indiegogo campaign, plan your perks, and watch this space because I'll share another tip soon.
Meanwhile if you'd like to contribute to our campaign, we'd be thrilled. To thank you, PawPaw promises to send you a paw-fectly awesome perk! Just click here.
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