The Community for Creative Crowdfunding

Your Crowdfunding Network: The First-Degree

The second pillar of The Crowdfunding Manifesto is The Network. Your crowdfunding network includes your family, your friends, your acquaintances, and - of course - your fans. Thus the network can be divided into three levels: the first-degree, the second-degree, and the third-degree. Small crowdfunding campaigns can succeed just from first-degree contributions, while larger campaigns often require the second and third-degree networks to kick in. Each network level requires different touch-points and different levels of engagement.

A Creative’s first-degree network - the family and close friends - are usually the first contributors to a crowdfunding campaign because the necessary trust has been established a long time ago - prior to the start of the crowdfunding campaign. These are the people that will support you no matter what - and that given the means, would fund your entire crowdfunding sum.

The first-degree network must be communicated with in a very delicate manner. These people trust you, but they may not know about the ins-and-outs of crowdfunding. A very personalized email, a phone call, or even a live demonstration makes the first-degree network comfortable with crowdfunding. It's important to make sure that your rewards are relevant to your first-degree and that it is clear that crowdfunding, i.e. what you're doing, isn't charity.

The first-degree network is extremely vital for crowdfunding campaigns of all sizes. Family and close friends could be all a small crowdfunding campaign needs. Family and close friends are usually the first supporters of larger crowdfunding campaigns - signaling to the second and third-degree networks that you are a credible Creative with an established fan-base. So no matter what, cherish your first-degree network.

Your Crowdfunding Network: The First-Degree

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