I have led crowdfunding campaigns in the past and the following pointers should be considered in depth before you start out - Reach of the platform you're using - Category depth on the platform - Minimum ticket size by a participant - Terms at which they are entering or signing up should be clear to them - Terms you're offering should be crystal clear to you and - All open R&D and WIP work in progress should be mentioned clearly - All risks should be laid out for participants/endorsers - Platform fees should be clear

Being creative in a crowdfunding campaign is useful but the bottom line is that people buy into a product that they find useful and that solves real challenges potential customers are facing. Then you need to tell a story and relate to people. Don't sell product features. Sell a solution to a problem. And make sure you communicate your message well.

What'd I add. Use storytelling approach. Storytelling is key! Create a captivating and genuine story for your campaign. Share your journey, including the ups and downs, and connect with your audience on an emotional level. It's the best way to make them truly part of your project's success.

Let me share an intriguing twist on crowdfunding. Picture this: A campaign not only raises funds but also brings people on an unforgettable journey. Instead of just seeking contributions, it offers backers an immersive adventure. Imagine a campaign to fund a documentary about exploring ancient ruins. Backers aren't just donating; they become part of the journey. For each contribution level, they unlock exclusive content – behind-the-scenes footage, interactive maps, or even a chance to join the expedition. It's crowdfunding, but with a thrilling twist, where backers don't just give; they actively participate in the project, making it a shared adventure worth remembering.

I’d love to see more strategies that integrate impact with venture funding. “For each 100usd funded we will donate a pair of shoes to someone in need”. This will create a vitality effect around impact. Let’s say you raise 1mm, that’s 10k país of shoes. Quite a PR move then!

Pre-selling is a great way to validate your product or idea before actually producing it. Getting early feedback (before you have your product early) also can help you to tailor your offering to what people actually want. There are a number of examples where entrepreneurs launched successful products based on the feedback from the community they built.

Leveraging my journey building a digital product empire, I've realized pre-selling is invaluable. It's not just about early sales. It's about validating concepts, understanding customer needs, and building buzz. On platforms like Shopify or Gumroad, where countless creators are vying for attention, it's imperative to stand out. Instead of just discounts, offer exclusive insights into the creation process. Share stories from your journey. Engage early supporters as product ambassadors. It's been transformative for me. By making your pre-sale audience feel special, you're not just securing sales but laying the foundation for a loyal community.

Eine Sache, die sehr hilfreich fand, ist der Shop von OnlyInside. Die Möglichkeit, die Konkreten Infos direkt im CRM zu haben und von dort aus über das E-Mail Marketing weitere Upsell-Chancen zu nutzen, vergessen viele.

Innovative fundraising requires reimagining traditional approaches. I believe that adding an element of urgency, community engagement, or anticipation, as seen in nuanced pre-selling strategies, can significantly differentiate a campaign. From my perspective, offering more than just a product—whether it's exclusivity, a sense of belonging, or staged revelations—creates a compelling narrative that captivates potential backers.

As I've learned from fund raising experience, any form of investment is based on trust and faith on the person selling that idea or dream. The most long lasting investment based partnership are the ones where the investor and the entrprenuer have met each other in a physical setting over a couple of meetings and have mutual comfort with each other - have discussed all possible scenarios of outcome without any hassles - and work towards a mutual win-win. The risks and downside should be shared between both parties as well and that leads to success even in times of failures, as the relationship remains preserved

Consider participating in events that allow start-up pitches. You will have an opportunity to meet potential investors to showcase your product and that will also help you to increase exposure and build credibility. People buy from people, so make sure to deliver a good pitch and tell a great story.

Think about a pop up store/stand for one day and use social media in addition. This way you get first hand feedback and also raise awareness. though it requires an initial investment and time.

Drawing from my experience in creating a digital product empire, events have been pivotal in scaling up. With platforms like Eventbrite or Zoom brimming with events, differentiation is key. Instead of the usual webinar format, we've incorporated gamified experiences that keep attendees engaged. By partnering with industry experts for exclusive workshops and masterclasses, we deliver high-value content. Moreover, sharing success stories from our users not only builds trust but resonates emotionally. It’s more than just an event; it's an experience. If you want to leave a lasting impact, think beyond the conventional and make your events memorable.

In my perspective, events have become a crucial avenue for fundraising, whether in person or virtually. What sets a successful event apart is the level of engagement and value it provides to the attendees. To stand out in a saturated market, it's vital to offer more than just a standard presentation or webinar. Consider creating an interactive and immersive experience, such as a captivating quiz or a fun game, to keep participants engaged and excited.

We saw our community needed training and job links. We knew local businesses and found a training provider funded by the government. We teamed up. They handled the costs, and we focused on bringing the opportunity to the community. It wasn’t just about swapping logos; it was about making a real change together. This partnership did more than just exist - it worked, changing lives and making our community stronger. It showed that when we think outside the box and join forces, amazing things can happen. In the UK, organisations better get used to collaborating, especially in the social enterprise world, as funding gets tighter. Creativity is crucial.

Building partnerships for a start-up with well-established businesses (or other start-ups) is a challenging task. These relationships have to be complementary so you can leverage your partner's brand. Think in terms of synergies. Offer value to your partners and their clients.

Elevating partnerships beyond mere logo placements is essential in today's competitive market. I believe that by creating win-win scenarios and leveraging combined strengths, organizations can achieve mutual growth and greater impact. From my perspective, innovative partnerships rooted in co-creation, shared learning, and joint impact not only stand out but also foster enduring and meaningful collaborations.

Le recours aux experts du domaine peut également constituer un lévier important. Il est Capital pour la réussite de cette démarche de mettre à la disposition des experts quelques produits ou services de sorte qu'ils puissent se faire une idée et ainsi vous recommander auprès de leurs utilisateurs et canaux, chose qui constitue un lévier important dans le cadre d'une levée de fonds via la prévente du produit ou service.

Drawing from my journey in building a digital product empire, contests have played a significant role. In the vast sea of contests on platforms like Instagram or TikTok, offering just another prize won't cut it. We've seen success by tapping into current trends and challenging our audience to get creative, turning participation into a viral experience. Instead of just handing out rewards, we provide a platform for participants to showcase their unique talents and get peer recognition. Additionally, by aligning contests with causes, like donating to a charity or pledging for an environmental action, we not only incentivize participation but also resonate with their values and create a larger impact.

If you are considering contests, I would invite you to consider gamification as well! It can be a great way to combine gaming and entertainment with marketing and promotion and depending on your usage lead to fund raising.

One of the hottest and most effective way to fundraise today is revenue-based financing or cashflow-based financing. This is a great option for early and growth stage businesses that are revenue-generating, looking to double down on marketing, inventory, and other growth areas, but don't want to unnecessarily dilute equity. A number of fintech platforms have emerged around the world that make the process of accessing non-dilutive capital frictionless. A few examples include: Capchase (US and Europe), Wayflyer (Global), Paraffin (US), Outfund (Europe), Liberis (Europe), Ritmo (Europe), and GetVantage (India). By pledging a small percentage of future revenues, founders can raise funding on-demand. The process is fair, transparent, fast.

If you are an existing startups with traction, a PR Campaign in international platforms (Forbes, Inc, Business Insider,......) featuring ur achievements & your success story will be effective and give credibility.

For pre-seed and seed stage funding pitch. I've seen founders with deep understanding of what they are doing and why, have raised funds in no time. When you know your sh!t well you are confident in presenting your dream and convincing the investor to onboard your ship

Franchising is the most modern method of raising capital. Here are the advantages of raising capital via franchising vs all other means and if you are operating a profitable business, consider these: 1️⃣ You do not part with Equity 2️⃣ You get capital infusion from franchisees who expect no fixed returns other than a share of profit 3️⃣ You get motivated entrepreneurs who often get better results than paid managers 4️⃣ If your business needs a property then you need not pay rent. Instead, property owners prefer franchise businesses versus pure rental offerings 5️⃣ You do not pay any interest/cost on capital. 6️⃣ You only share profits and not losses. Is there any other better way of raising capital?

Remember to have fun during the process. Participants and audience members will be able to sense your energy and that of your team as well thus being in synergy with the events and fund raising while following the passion of what you do might get reflected and allow money to follow you in due time.