How do I get people to see my Kickstarter?

[Aaron]

Hi all, I have launched a Kickstarter to make a documentary film on foreign geek culture. People may or may not like the idea, or may or may not like the deliberately low-key ("personable") video, but that doesn't matter if no one ever sees or clicks on my link. How can I get it in front of more eyes?

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1895...-the-globe

Thank you!

[Augustine]

Make Sure Goals are Attainable

The only way to make any money to ensure you hit your goals – basically you have to blow that number out of the water so be sure to run the numbers and only ask for the things that are absolutely essential. Think of this like student loans. Sure, you can buy an Xbox with the money, but that is a terrible idea.

Along this same line, don’t set make a budget that is too tight to produce the project – you could be dealing with long term investors.

Give Your Supporters Something Good

People are not buying as much music as they have in the past – it is so easy to download or torrent. This means that, in order to get people to pay for your tracks, you need to give them something worth paying for. A signed CD for a $20 donation just isn’t going to work so be creative with your incentives. Put their picture on the cover, write a song about their first born or tattoo their name on your chest. Promises like this will make you stand out and give people an idea of how honest your attempt at finishing the project is.

Hit Feasible Deadlines

Just like your budget, your timeline needs to be rigorously discussed and considered before you begin your project as your investors are going to want to see results. They are going to want the goods and every day you go past your deadline will diminish their confidence that you will do so. Remember, Kickstarter is a way to meet long term investors who, if you impress them, may be willing to help you fund your entire career.

Go Hard and Get Shameless

The only way to get people to know your name is to tell them. People need to learn about you and in a busy world full of iPhones and Gordon Ramsay television, there are more distractions than ever. Get yourself out on other social media platforms and send out numerous reminders. Hit the street, meet people in bars – do whatever you need to do to tell as many people about your project and don’t hold back when you let them know how passionate you are.

But, almost more importantly, don’t be annoying, Be sure to keep a list of people who have donated and who have declined. Once potential investors are shuffled into those categories, lay off.

Make a Great Video

Make yourself a commercial – and make sure it’s good. This is probably the most important part of getting your Kickstarter campaign together. It gives fans a window into the project, essential information, and could be something that really impresses those who have money.


Having to rely on your fans for funding is never easy, but is something that could be a very empowering experience. Every person who donates to your cause believes in you, so be sure to remember that. Also be sure to keep in mind that the begging is only the beginning and it is the part that is most foreign. Once it is over you can do what you intended to: create great music.

[Neil]

You have a unique idea for a doc here, but you seem a little unfocused. You should pick 4 or 5 things that are hugely popular in America (like Duck Dynasty, Phineas & Ferb or Furby Boom Figures) and take them to other countries.

Another problem you have with your campaign is the HUGE amount you are asking for with no info on how that money would be recouped? How long will it be? Is it part of a series? Will it be hosted by some expert in pop culture? You need to do your homework and find out who is buying docs (look up Converge TV, Netflix, Doc channel, etc).

Your own bio gives NO confidence that you manage a budget and produce a doc on a global scale. You offer no link to a budget, storyboards, script treatments or overseas film permits . For all we know you'll just spend the money on weed?

How does viewing "Independence Day" 29 times qualify you as an expert in pop culture? You say you love all things geeky but you fail to mention it or even provide a link to the geeky, quirky stuff you supposedly possess.

You need to throw out your personal plea (by your DVD collection LOL) and screen a ten minute segment of your documentary. Shoot it in your home town and interview recent immigrants if you have too. Let us SEE whether you have the chops to make a compelling documentary. This is the digital age and the costs will be minimum. Let us see whether or not you can convince a crew to go on this journey with you.

Oh, and there is no such place as French Canada. It is called the Province of Quebec, and they love what ALL North Americans love -- it is simply translated into another language (though most of them speak English). Good research is the cornerstone of documentary film-making and blatant mistakes like that is unforgivable.

AND Are you kidding with the percs?? Personalized postcards from the countries you will shoot in? What are you going to write in them? "Thanks for the vacation sucker!!!". If anything you should offer to ship them some cool, geeky stuff from your collection or even invite them to join your crew (at their expense).

Overall, yuk.