Comments on: Musicians: Start Your Kickstarter Planning With This Crucial Step to Avoid Epic Failure

By: Ian Anderson

Ian Anderson — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 19:56:46 +0000

In reply to Kyle.

hey kyle! this is a 2 part answer.

1) DON’T COUNT ON THEIR SUPPORT! As you design your campaign especially including goal amounts and marketing plans, just assume that the producer’s fans will not care. To be honest, this will by and large be true buuuut…

2) TRY TO CAPITALIZE ON THIS RELATIONSHIP by getting the producer to tweet, email, FB or whatever else about your project to his fans. If this is a possibility, it could result in some good results. Just be sure to not be cheesy and try to highlight where their enthusiasm for the producer’s band intersects with your own project.

go check out the fundability calculator BEFORE you launch. (https://launchandrelease.com/how-much-can-i-raise-on-kickstarter/)

after that, be sure to watch your email b/c we’ll be sending you an offer to take the first module of our Music Crowdfunding Course for Intelligent Musicians.

In order to connect to the producer’s fans in any way, shape or form, you need to DO THIS MODULE and nail it in your campaign.

(I know, shameless self promo, but I am dead serious. It is the secret sauce for engaging new viewers.)

By: Kyle

Kyle — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 22:42:52 +0000

Hello Ian, thank you for this, it is extremely helpful. Im going to be starting my kickstarter in the next few weeks, and I had a question for you. The person that is recording and producing my project is a famous musician that heard my stuff and became interested. Do you think that if i posted on his bands pages and contacted his fans that they would be into backing the project bc that certain musician is producing it? have you ever had experience with something like this? thanks for your time, I appreciate it.

By: Ian Anderson

Ian Anderson — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:31:26 +0000

In reply to jean.

hey jean, glad you asked… you can imagine that not every fan base is created equal. some artists have super supportive fan bases while some are less so. how many backers you ultimately get from your fanbase depends mostly on you and how deep your relationship is with them. if you are really tight with your fans and you spend a lot of time interacting, then you will have better luck getting them to back.

another thing to keep in mind is that this low number of 3-5% is basically for your “average” fans. turbo fans who are flat out gungho supporters are much more likely to back you.

i am glad you are looking into this now. and, without knowing much else, your instinct to go with a platform that let’s you keep your $$ regardless may be an appropriate idea. the alternative would be to lower your official goal amount if that’s something you are comfortable with. good luck!

By: jean

jean — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 19:55:29 +0000

Hello Ian,

How happy to read your very timely, valuable information as I am soon to create my 2nd kickstarter campaign. My first was a success. The goal was $3200.00 The cost of this new project is climbing much higher. (I am in mid-project). I was planning to ask about $10k. (which would cover about 50% of my estimated costs)
Now that I’ve read this tale of fail… I’m uncertain/concerned with this amount succeeding.
I like my odds of the flex goal approach and good to know how to approach that. I have been working since the release of the last CD 2011, to build more fans etc on FB, (about 550) live shows, mailing list (900+) etc. I am stunned that only “3-5%” of my fans and SM grps will want to contribute. I’m sure your research is accurate, but it’s disappointing. (welcome learning curve!) My circle of influence is not that large, so if my GOAL should be based on this, it’s not a pretty picture. Am I missing something that should make me feel a little better than I do about my prospects? This almost feels like I should go with one of the other CF programs that let you take whatever funds you pull in. Thank you for your input. jean