If you’re embarking on a crowdfunding campaign, there are so many nuts and bolts to driving success. Over the years, there have been many tools created to bolster the arsenal of any crowdfunding. We’ve put together a quick list of tools that you should make sure to gain access to before you start your campaign, including ways to further increase your chances of getting funded.
Before your campaign launches
Canva
If you’re not nimble during your campaign you have nothing. Canva is a lifesaver when it comes to updating your campaign or switching up graphic images. For people and teams wanting to design absolutely anything, from logos and social media content to documents, prints, and more, Canva makes you feel like you’re a designer even if you’re not, and produces any size image you may need to support your campaign or email marketing efforts during your campaign. Our recommendation is still to go with a skilled designer for the main elements of your campaign and product, but Canva works in a pinch.
KickoffLabs
Our favorite way to build large engaged email lists is to leverage Kickoff Labs landing pages.
KickoffLabs lets you build landing pages from over 40 pre-built templates that are optimized for conversion, such as launch pages, contests, giveaways, and webinar registrations. A crowd(funding) fave!
Krowdster
A crowdfunding marketing & analytics platform for Rewards and Equity Campaigns. It helps you find backers and assists with twitter influencer marketing. They can also do press releases, analytics, platform comparisons, target assessments, and more.
Trello
Stay organized during your campaign and create cards that can keep track of each element. You may want to include: Graphics, Product information/pricing tiers, Backer communications, Social Media, Media coverage, etc. Trello is a highly visual online collaboration tool that organizes your crowdfunding campaign into cards and boards.
Thunderclap
I love the idea of Thunderclap, but I think it works more effectively with impact or cause-based campaigns. That’s not to say that it doesn’t work with loyal fans of any crowdfunding campaign either. Thunderclap is a ‘crowdspeaking’ platform that helps people be heard by saying something together. It allows a single message to be mass-shared, flash mob-style, so it rises above the noise of your social networks. You set up a page and reach out to your supporters and set the time that you want all the messages to go off. If the backer signs up, it will blast through the social media channels of anyone who signs up with a specific message at a specific time. When it works well, it’s pretty awesome to see the noise! Great for launch day or big campaign milestones.
Upwork
There’s no doubt that you’ll need some team members to support your campaign, whether it’s graphic design, social media content or just keeping up with orders and a VA; Upwork is the fastest and easiest way we’ve found to bolster your team in a short period of time. Compare bids, reviews, and prior work of independent professionals in a hassle-free manner. Join Upwork and you can post a job and find candidates within minutes and within your budget.
During your campaign
Backer News
Baker News is essentially a listing service that surfaces interesting and popular crowdfunding projects. The site resembles Hacker News, the well-known resource for the tech community, not only in name but also in practice. Backer News enables its users to post, vote, and comment on new crowdfunding campaigns.
GadgetFlow
Need more exposure? Catering to crowdfunding lovers, Gadget Flow is the original product discovery platform that keeps you up to date with the latest tech, gear, and most incredible crowdfunding campaigns. You can post your product on Gadget Flow and get a bit more exposure to your campaign from people who love…well….gadgets and crowdfunding!
Kickbooster
Want to turn your email list into affiliates? Kickbooster is the first and only tool made specifically for crowdfunders to manage their affiliate, referral, and influencer network all in one place. While Indiegogo has some integrated tracking and referral options, Kickstarter does NOT, and leveraging an affiliate program is a great way to magnify your campaign. You can use Kickbooster to multiply sales and incentivize your backers to share. After all, that’s what crowdfunding is all about.
Kicktraq
Tracking your progress may become an obsession. Kicktraq allows project managers to get a sense of how their projects trend. Once your campaign launches, plug your link into the site and see what your projections are. It may either be the best tool of your life or push you over the edge. BEWARE!
After your Campaign
Backerkit
Need help fulfilling your campaign? Or you may need to have your backers choose a product color, gain insights from their activity, and more. BackerKit is a crowdfunding management and fulfillment software platform that helps Kickstarter and Indiegogo project creators take control of the campaign fulfillment process.
Fulfillrite
Getting into eCommerce after your campaign explodes is just the beginning of the “fun part” (being sarcastic of course). Crowdfunding for a real, manufactured product is hard but after a successful campaign, the real work begins (3 things you need to know when crowdfunding hardware). An e-commerce order fulfillment service based in the USA, Fulfillrite, gives you access to realtime order and inventory data. They will store your inventory until orders ship, pack each order according to your specifications, with professional materials, customized logos and branding, and ship orders worldwide with the carrier of your choice.