Crowdfunding requires work - but it is smart
work. It focuses you on opening conversations with your network,
galvanizing existing fans, and building an audience in an organic
way. Gauging where you are in your development as a Creative is key
for managing expectations for raising funds and support.
We recommend reading The Crowdfunding Manifesto and Toolkit, then
the Difficulty Levels below to gauge the work required for your
crowdfunding campaign to succeed. Remember these are guidelines and
not hard and fast rules.
The Intro Level - $500 and under - this level is usually
attained with 7-20 contributors and is accessible to virtually
every Creative - often an email blast to your family and friends
announcing the project or basic Facebook or Twitter conversation
over 15-30 days is enough to hit this goal. If you are new to
crowdfunding and would like to have fun with your campaign, we
recommend starting at The Intro Level.
The Basic Level - $500-$1,500 - this level is usually
attained with 15-50 contributors. Often several email blasts to
your full contact list and/or consistent Facebook and Twitter
messages over 15-45 days are enough to hit this goal. The Basic
Level is also very accessible to most Creatives, even if their
network is not huge.
The Intermediate Level - $1,500-$4,000 - this level is
usually attained with 40-100 contributors. The trust factor between
the Creative and their network has usually been established. The
Creative has a track record of success. A well thought out, yet
flexible and dynamic approach to the campaign is required for this
level (please refer to the Crowdfunding Toolkit for tactics). We
recommend a 45-90 day campaign with consistent email messages and
social media conversations. This level requires an "intermediate"
level of commitment in terms of time and energy used over the
course of the campaign - typically ranging from 15 minutes to an
hour a day.
The Advanced Level - $4,000-$10,000 - this level is usually
attained with 80-200 contributors. The trust factor between the
Creative and their network is exceptionally high. Often the
Creative is a "micro-star" in their niche or community. A very well
thought out, yet flexible and dynamic approach to the campaign is
required for this level (please refer to the Crowdfunding Toolkit
for tactics). We recommend a 60-90 day campaign with consistent
email messages and social media conversations. This level requires
a "high" level of commitment in terms of time and energy used over
the course of the campaign - typically ranging from 30 minutes to 2
hours a day. Another strategy for hitting this financial goal is to
feed from multiple networks and audiences - this is more attainable
when a crowdfunding project is spearheaded by a group of
Creatives.
The Expert Level - $10,000 and up - this level is usually
attained with 150 or more contributors. Again, the trust factor
between the Creative and their network is exceptionally high. Often
the Creative is a "micro-star" in their niche or community with a
highly energized fanbase. A very well thought out, yet flexible and
dynamic approach to the campaign is required for this level (please
refer to the Crowdfunding Toolkit for tactics). We recommend a
60-90 day campaign with consistent and well organized communication
via email messages and social media conversations. Often press
support and/or blog influence is required for this level. This
level requires a "very high" level of commitment in terms of time
and energy used over the course of the campaign - typically ranging
from 1 hour to 3 hours a day. Another strategy for hitting this
financial goal is to feed from multiple networks and audiences -
this is more attainable when a crowdfunding project is spearheaded
by a group of Creatives.
