Crowdfunding for Authors
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Transcript of Crowdfunding for Authors
www.juliehedlund.com
Crowdfunding: Not Just for Self-Publishing AnymoreJulie Hedlund
The New Face(s) of Crowdfunding
Why Crowdfunding?
✤ Book fits in a niche market
✤ Creative control
✤ Time to market
✤ Demonstrating demand
✤ Fund research and writing
✤ Experiment with publishing options
✤ Series continuation
Crowdfunding Platform Options
✤ crowdfunding.com
✤ crowdfundingforum.com
1. Start with Story
✤ Crowdfunding is a PATH to publication
✤ NOT a shortcut
✤ Tell your BEST story!!
✤ Don’t skimp or cut corners
✤ All of what follows is AFTER your story is ready to go
2. Pick a “Passion” Project
✤ Avoid “Because I can!”
✤ People support YOU as much as the book
✤ You will eat, sleep, and breathe the campaign
✤ People want to know WHY
3. Plan for MORE Time
✤ Decide how much time you need to prepare for your campaign launch
✤ DOUBLE that (or at least add 25%)
4. Set a Realistic Funding Goal
✤ No more than you actually need
✤ Higher asks = lower success %
✤ No less than you actually need
✤ So you can deliver on your promises
5. Do Careful Accounting
✤ Cost of creating the book
✤ Cost of designing and producing the book
✤ Printing, shipping
✤ Creating and shipping rewards
✤ Crowdfunding platform payment processing fees
✤ INCOME TAXES
6. Tell a Story
✤ People want to support YOU
✤ Story behind the story
✤ Why is this book important?
✤ Place yourself front and center
7. Make a GREAT Video
✤ MUCH higher chance of success
✤ Can do professional, but based on #6, should come from your heart
✤ Effective videos
✤ Sentimental/heartstrings
✤ Humor
✤ Showcase the work/work process
✤ Be YOURSELF
My Love for You is the Sun Video
QuickTime™ and aJVT/AVC Coding decompressorare needed to see this picture.
8. Offer Great Rewards
✤ Be creative!
✤ Stuff: copies of your book, artwork, SWAG, etc.
✤ Experiences: visit with you, bonus material, etc.
✤ Focus on the $50 level
✤ Include budget for rewards!
9. Plan Beginning, Middle, End
✤ Set a campaign “launch” strategy
✤ Chances of success increase exponentially if you reach 50% mark by day 7
✤ Mucky middle - REACH OUT to your network PERSONALLY
✤ Build hype and excitement for the end
✤ Set stretch goals and rewards
✤ Communicate with your backers
10. Engage Your Community
✤ Campaign for your campaign
✤ You do NOT need a huge platform to be successful
✤ But you DO need to muster the one you have
✤ 80 - 90% of funding comes from people in your network
✤ Identify 100 people who might contribute $50
✤ Be PERSONAL - avoid mass communications
Questions?
✤ juliehedlund.com
✤ facebook.com/JulieFHedlund
✤ twitter: @JulieFHedlund