(Launching My Kickstarter Project: Round 2)
As a new indie publisher, I needed a way to cover start-up expenses for ISBNs, printing, corporation fees, memberships, and more. After I stumbled across Kickstarter.com, I took about two weeks to create my video, upload my files and showcase the highlights of my publishing company and my first children’s novel. On April 28, 2014, I introduced Building Voices to the world along with my first book, Little Kids, Big Voices: Broccoli Chronicles.
The day the project was launched, I sent letters and e-mails soliciting donations from friends and family members. Also, I sent a press release and posted frequently on Facebook and Twitter. I was extremely excited and I felt that I had covered all bases.
Unfortunately, what I raised was a whopping $450 instead of the $10,000 that was my goal. Sad, right?
At the end of the 30 day funding period, I realized my mistake. I had waited until the last minute to promote my project instead of beginning way in advance, giving potential donors enough time to research my organization and its merits.
Most people might have been deterred from using crowdfunding ever again. But not me. On June 16, I re-launched my Kickstarter project. I gave it a new title and uploaded some new illustrations for a little makeover.
You’re probably wondering why I didn’t wait a few months longer and develop a solid marketing campaign.
Yes, I probably should have, but I didn’t want to lose the support of the 11 backers who had donated the $450. So again, I sent letters and e-mails to friends and family and posted frequently on Facebook and Twitter.
I am glad to say that after another 30 days of intense marketing, my project was finally funded. What did I learn from this? I learned that when I fall, I need to dust myself off and get back up again.
This article was published in the October 2014 issue of the IBPA’s Independent Magazine.
RELATED ARTICLE: Launching My Kickstarter Project: Round 1
About Taneeka Bourgeois-daSilva
Taneeka Bourgeois-daSilva is an authorpreneur, teacher, blogger, educational consultant, and writing coach. She wrote the award-winning Broccoli Chronicles and is the CEO of Building Voices and TCD Kids Foundation. She tweets at @taneekabdasilva.