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

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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