5 Ways To Make Your Next Crowdfunding Campaign A Success

For some people, launching a crowdfunding campaign is a lot like throwing a Hail Mary pass late in the game. But crowdfunding isn’t a cure-all, and it’s rarely a successful shot in the dark.

If you’ve been wondering what all the hoopla is about and whether or not crowdfunding is a good fit for your organization, let’s talk about some crowdfunding basics and how to make it work successfully for you.

Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project or venture by raising many small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically online. Planning ahead is your BFF. Here are five things you can do to set your next crowdfunding campaign up for success:

1. Create a page that pulls people in.

Before you can tug on heartstrings and move people to give, you have to grab their attention. Using best practices for design, create a page with engaging pictures, compelling text and a video that tells the story of your organization or mission.

2. Deliver your pitch.

It should answer these questions: Who are you? What do you want to fund? When do you want people to give by? Who will benefit from your campaign? How can people get involved?

3. Start with your own people.

Enlist your core group of supporters and brand evangelists, or your “street team.” Call upon them to both give to your campaign and spread the word—this will give your campaign a running start.

4. Promote, promote, promote.

Feature it on the homepage of your website. Post it on Facebook. Tweet about it. Blog about it. Send out an email blast. Also, don’t forget to mention that giving to your campaign is a limited-time opportunity.

5. Get some back-and-forth going.

Host a Twitter party or a Google Hangout to share details about your campaign and get more people engaged. Also, don’t forget to create a special hashtag and use it every time you share something.