10 things to know before launching your Kickstarter

Kickstarter can be the perfect place to get funding and build hype for your new project or startup. However, it can also be a harrowing landscape of trolls and challenges. Here are ten tips to help you weather the storm and get you on the path to Kickstarter success.
Present yourself well- Before you launch your Kickstarter, take a step back and make sure you have everything necessary to make a good first impression. Succeeding on Kickstarter is all about earning the trust of your backers, and it’s easier to gain that trust if you have a well-written summary, well-produced video or professional-grade graphics.

Set realistic goals- Not every project is going to raise millions of dollars right off the bat. It’s important to have an idea of what it will take to make your dream a reality and be practical with your ask. You should also have a sense of what you can actually deliver in a realistic timeframe.

Have a working product- It’s an important part of the trust-building process that you have some sort of demonstration or prototype in hand. This shows that you’ve already put in the effort, made something and need some help to get it off the ground. People are less likely to fund a project without a concrete vision of the end goal.

Related: The secret sauce to raising money on Kickstarter
Define your audience- It’s also important to understand what type of person you’re trying to attract to your Kickstarter project. Defining your audience early will make it easier to present your idea in an appealing way, and get your core audience excited.

Use social media to build a community- For sure, one of the best ways to engage the community is through social media. Building a Facebook or Twitter following is a key element of creating hype and excitement.

Embrace the Kickstarting community- The Kickstarter community is like any other. It has its quirks and preferences. Understand them and embrace them in a way that lets you continue to connect with your audience.

Connect with your audience- Respond to legitimate concerns and comments and engage with your audience in a constructive manner. Quick responses and assurances go a long way to building more trust with your backers.

Don’t feed the trolls- At the same time, don’t feed the trolls, no matter how hungry they may be. You don’t want to get caught up in pointless internet arguments, so it’s better just to ignore people trying to instigate something.

Read: Hypoxic founder shares secrets to Kickstarter success
Keep up with your metrics- Stay on top of the stats and keep an eye on what you need to do to help reach your goal.

Stay involved even after funding ends- If you do reach your funding goal, try to stay as involved as possible with your backers. It reflects poorly on you if you disappear from the face of the earth after requesting a lot of money. And above all else, try your hardest to deliver on your promises and ship your product.

Contributions from the founders participating in the Kickstarter series. Graphics from giphy.
Meme from rubycowgames.com