7 tips for your kickstarter campaign

Have you considered Kickstarter for your next project? Before you jump in, consider these important tips:

1. Make sure you have a somewhat established fan base before starting a campaign. Remember, friends and fans want to support you...strangers don't.
    
2. Create a captivating and informative video to entice your fans to participate.
    
3. Give people value for their money. Don't look at is as a free handout, but instead as an up-front payment for your product. Only true fans will cough up $100 a head to see you in concert at a club where they've probably seen you play a dozen times already - even with a "VIP pass". Don't be greedy!
    
4. Get creative with high dollar bundles. Nataly Dawn from Pomplamoose sold original artwork, polaroids, and even clothing she wore in her Pomplamoose videos to raise over $100,000, $6,000 of which was to do two house shows. Original artwork and memorabilia can be cheap for you but invaluable for fans!
    
5. Just like with your music, originality is key. There are hundreds of musicians extending virtual tip jars on Kickstarter any given day. Give fans a reason to invest in you over (or along with) the others.
    
6. Always remember: if you take care of your fans, they'll take care of you. Don't abuse their generosity by posting outlandish goals or overpriced pledge options. An "early release" download of your project is not worth $20 to most people. Just charge them the normal price of $10 - think of it as an advance sale of your record. You'll be surprised how many will give above and beyond that for nothing in return given the option. "Name your price" is taking off for a reason: you invest in your fans and they will invest in you.
    
7. Show your appreciation via social media and/or email lists - even if you don't reach that goal. YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and email newsletters are all about making a personal connection with your fans. What better way to connect than personally thanking them for partnering with you in your music? And always remember who you are doing it all for (besides your bank account).