If you are a band getting ready to do a Kickstarter, what is the first thing you should do?

IMHO, the boys in Fusebox Poet know the answer.

I corresponded with Paul from Fusebox Poet and he made some excellent points.  Read on!

View Fusebox Poet’s Kickstarter

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START WITH RESEARCH

Paul from FP:  We spent forever doing very detailed research on both successful and failed kickstarters in an attempt to better understand the platform and its trends/characteristics.   For anyone thinking about doing one of these, to do it successfully, you’ll probably spend more time researching than on the actual campaign itself.

Darn straight, that’s why we’re here!

Seriously though, it is vital to any project to be educated.  It removes uncertainty and risk by providing a basis from which to go forward.

You take the “goods” and fit them to your needs.

You take the “bads” and make sure you don’t replicate them.

I will give this caveat, however:  make sure you filter what you learn through your own situation.

Not everything you see will make sense in your case.  For example, if you are a serious singer/songwriter, don’t try to duplicate a funny band video!

Some things you see will make sense to you only if you tweak them appropriately.

But bottom line is that there are some best practices and some things to avoid.  Make sure you know!

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GO PRO WITH YOUR VIDEO

Paul from FP:  I shot/edited the video myself and designed the marketing layout and images based around the campaign. I felt it was important to look and be professional but also loose on camera. For your [viewers], shooting a bad video is more harmful than no video at all. Most don’t get that.

Paul is right.  The video needs to do its job.  If it doesn’t, you are better off without one.

If you were about to head out on a renegade video shoot with your smartphone but stopped in your tracks, fear not!  You don’t have to use fancy cameras or post-production techniques.  You just need to understand the purpose of the video.

The video’s job is to communicate your project to the viewer.  Ideally, it will include your artistic vision, purpose worth backing, and a call to action.

You do need to be certain of how you are going to communicate these points including precise language.

You need to develop video content based on this that works for you!

Some people are great at straight up coffee talk, some do humorous videos, some sing for their dinner.

Whatever you choose, you need to be comfortable in front of the camera.  Take the time to get this right.

Don’t come off as nervous, don’t come off as unprepared.  Do come off as genuine, warm, excited, and relational!

Fusebox Poet’s video is a great example of how to do this.

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THE TAKEAWAY

Before you even set foot out the door to launch your Kickstarter, make sure you are prepared!  Take the time to research other projects.  Watch out for what works and what doesn’t and employ this knowledge in your project design.

Be sure that you are using your project video (not to mention the description and packages) to communicate the key portions of your project to the viewer.  Figure out your video format to make you or your band personable and accessible to the viewer.