Black Publishing 101: Kickstarter Month

Summary

In this video script, the speaker discusses strategies for crowdfunding, particularly focusing on Kickstarter for creators looking to fund their book projects. They share personal experiences with various crowdfunding platforms, emphasizing the importance of social proof, quality products, and clear messaging to attract backers. The speaker also provides insights on leveraging Patreon for consistent monthly support and offers practical tips for crafting compelling campaign rewards to engage potential supporters.

Takeaways

• 📚 The speaker is planning a month-long series on Kickstarter strategies to help with financial issues in creating books.
• 💡 Kickstarter is a platform for raising funds, and the first book can be used as a 'weapon' to raise further funds.
• 🔥 The importance of community support in crowdfunding is emphasized, as individuals typically do not want to pay for a high-cost book alone.
• 🚀 The speaker has experience with crowdfunding and plans to share insights from the last couple of years.
• 👥 The audience is encouraged to share their thoughts on the importance of Kickstarter in the comments section.
• 📈 The speaker discusses the success of their first crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe, highlighting the importance of shares for visibility.
• 📊 The correlation between shares and funds raised is illustrated, showing that each share was almost equivalent to earning a dollar.
• 🤝 The significance of building a community and making connections that align with your message for successful crowdfunding is underscored.
• 🎨 Patreon is introduced as a platform for creators to receive support, with the speaker sharing their experience and strategies for Patreon.
• 🎬 The speaker mentions different platforms for crowdfunding, suggesting that Patreon is best for artists and writers, while Kickstarter is ideal for book pre-orders and funding sequels.
• 📝 The script concludes with advice on structuring Kickstarter rewards and the importance of proving your credentials before launching a campaign.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The main focus of the video script is to discuss various crowdfunding platforms, with a significant emphasis on Kickstarter, and to share strategies and experiences related to running successful campaigns.

Why is having a first book important before starting a Kickstarter campaign for a second book?

Having a first book is important because it serves as a proof of concept and a credential for the creator, showing potential backers that the creator can deliver on their promises and has a track record of success.

What does the speaker suggest as the best way to use the first book for a Kickstarter campaign?

The speaker suggests using the first book as a 'weapon' to raise money, implying that its success can be leveraged to attract backers for the subsequent book or project.

What role does social proof play in a Kickstarter campaign according to the script?

Social proof plays a crucial role in a Kickstarter campaign as it builds trust and credibility with potential backers, showing that others have supported and valued the creator's work.

How does the speaker describe the importance of sharing a campaign on social media?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of sharing a campaign extensively on social media, stating that every share can potentially contribute significantly to the campaign's funding, as seen in their example of raising almost a dollar and 20 cents per share.

What is the speaker's opinion on GoFundMe as a crowdfunding platform?

The speaker finds GoFundMe to be less preferable for creative projects, suggesting that it is more suitable for causes and community donations rather than for funding creative works like books.

What advice does the speaker give regarding the number of tiers to offer in a Patreon campaign?

The speaker advises to start with one clear tier for Patreon, suggesting that having multiple tiers can complicate the campaign and potentially confuse potential backers.

What strategies does the speaker recommend for Patreon to grow a subscriber base?

The speaker recommends offering clear value in the form of exclusive content, updates, and rewards, as well as providing job opportunities and engaging with the community to grow a subscriber base on Patreon.

How does the speaker suggest using Patreon for a writer's career?

The speaker suggests using Patreon as a platform to establish a consistent subscriber base after the writer has already established themselves with a successful book or body of work.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of offering physical rewards in a Kickstarter campaign?

The speaker views offering physical rewards, such as DVDs or signed copies, as important for building customer loyalty and providing tangible value that can motivate backers to support the campaign.

What are the speaker's thoughts on the success rate of first-time authors on Kickstarter?

The speaker believes that first-time authors are likely to fail on Kickstarter if they have no prior credentials or proof of their ability to deliver a quality product.