Book description
Crowdsource funding is the new way to finance start-ups in a networked world
Entrepreneurs, small business owners, investors, artisans, or those who merely have a good idea for a business venture have a new and attainable means of securing capital to grow their dreams. Gone are the days when the only options to raise funds for a new business were venture capitalists, angel investors, or Wall Street. Web-based crowdfunding services are now plentiful and offer a variety of options for the aspiring entrepreneur. However, these services are not typically as well-understood as the more traditional means of raising capital.
In The Crowdsource Funding Services Handbook, author Jason R. Rich offers a step-by-step overview of the various crowdsource funding services available on the Web, as well as the necessary documentation required to launch a successful crowdfunding campaign.
Contains details on how to evaluate and select the best online platform for crowdfunding efforts
Provides details on creating a business plan to the specifications require to raise capital via crowdfunding
Provides an overview of the financial projections that will be required for a crowdfunding initiative
Proposes a specific approach to creating a "pitch video" to succeed with a crowdsource funding campaign
The Crowdsource Funding Services Handbook is a thorough, well-developed resource for those seeking to raise capital to start a business or fund the development of an innovative idea. Author and crowdfunding expert Jason R. Rich provides this definitive, hands-on guide to raising capital in the new economy.
Table of contents
- Acknowledgments
- About the Author
- Introduction
-
Chapter 1: How Crowd Funding Works: The Basics
- What Crowd Funding Is . . . and Isn’t
- Let’s Talk Crowd Funding Lingo
- Nine Components to a Successful Crowd Funding Campaign
- Common Misconceptions about Crowd Funding
- It Is Essential to Create an Accurate Time Frame and Budget
- Again, There Are No Shortcuts
- Crowd Funding Can Be Used to Raise Money for People and Charities, Too
- The Future Looks Very Bright for Crowd Funding
- Chapter 2: What Types of Businesses, Projects, and Inventions Can Get Funded
- Chapter 3: Introduction to Crowd Funding Platforms and Services
-
Chapter 4: Preplanning Your Crowd Funding Campaign
- Define and Fine-Tune Your Project Idea
- Pinpointing Your Target Audience
- Do Your Research
- Choose an Appropriate Crowd Funding Platform to Host Your Campaign
- Create Your Campaign’s Rewards
- Plan Your Schedule
- Building or Expanding Your Network
- Create Your Overall Marketing Message
- Prepare the Content for Your Crowd Funding Campaign
- Preplan the Promotional Efforts for Your Campaign
- Gathering the Support Services and Experts You’ll Need
- Calculating a Detailed Budget
- Now, You’re Ready to Proceed
-
Chapter 5: Crunching the Numbers
- Develop a Budget for Your Reward-Based Crowd Funding Campaign
- Elements of Your Crowd Funding Campaign’s Budget
- Developing a Prototype
- Planning Your Crowd Funding Campaign
- Building or Expanding Your Network
- Producing Your Promotional Video
- Online and Traditional Advertising
- Developing and Running Your Public Relations Effort
- Set a Realistic and Appropriate Funding Goal for Your Project
- Chapter 6: Targeting Your Backers and Supporters
-
Chapter 7: Producing Your Promotional Video
- Twelve Elements That Make for a Successful Promotional Video
- Conduct More Hands-On Research
- Consider Your Production Budget and Goals
- Create Your Video’s Script and Storyboard
- Production Issues to Consider
- Choosing the Best HD Video Camera to Shoot Your Video
- Selecting Your Background or Shooting Location
- Lighting Considerations
- Sound Quality Considerations
- Showcase the Right Appearance: Wardrobe, Hair, and Makeup Considerations
- Utilizing Background Music, Voice-Overs, and Sound Effects
- The Pros and Cons of Adding More Production Elements
- Editing Your Video
-
Chapter 8: Promoting Your Campaign
- Take an Organized Approach to Your Marketing Plan
- There Are Many Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Campaign’s Web Page
- Use Email Marketing to Reach People with a Personal Message in Their Inbox
- Take Advantage of Social Media
- Drive Traffic to Your Campaign’s Web Page Using Paid Online Advertising
- Tap the Power of the Media Using Public Relations Efforts to Expand Your Audience
- Consider Meeting Potential Backers in Person
- Chapter 9: Interacting with Your Backers Using a Blog
- Chapter 10: Getting the Help You Need
- Chapter 11: You’ve Reached Your Funding Goal—Now What?
-
Chapter 12: Get Started Using Kickstarter.com
- Kickstarter Is for Funding Creative Projects
- Kickstarter Puts Crowd Funding Tools at Your Disposal, but You’re in Charge
- Discover What Sets Kickstarter Apart as a Crowd Funding Platform
- Kickstarter Backers Always Receive a Tangible Reward
- Determine What Results in a Successfully Funded Project on Kickstarter
- Acquire the Skills You Need in Advance
- When You Should Launch Your Kickstarter Campaign
- How to Go Online and Create Your Kickstarter Campaign
- Discover How Much Running a Kickstarter Campaign Costs
- Avoid the Most Common Mistakes Made by Project Creators
- What to Do if Your Kickstarter Campaign Fails
- What to Expect from Kickstarter in the Future
- There Are Other Crowd Funding Options Available
-
Chapter 13: Interviews with Crowd Funding Experts
- Brian Meece, CEO of RocketHub, Shares His Crowd Funding Advice
- Get Crowd Funding Advice from Dave Girouard, Founder of Upstart
- Scott N. Miller, CEO of Dragon Innovation, Discusses How to Use Crowd Funding to Launch a Technology-Related Project
- Learn More about Crowd Funding from Robert Wolfe, Founder of CrowdRise
- Brad Wyman Talks about the FundAnything Platform as a Viable Crowd Funding Option
-
Chapter 14: Crowd Funding Experts Share Their Secrets
- Attorney Joel Fishman Discusses the Potential Legal and Tax Implications Related to Crowd Funding
- Attorney Markley Roderick Shares His Advice and Knowledge about Crowd Funding
- Discover More Crowd Funding Strategies from Consultant Patty Lennon
- Online Marketing Specialist Roy Morejon Explains How a Digital Marketing Agency Can Help with Your Crowd Funding Campaign
-
Chapter 15: Experienced Crowd Funders Share Their Secrets
- Nick Evans Talks about Making His Company’s High-Tech Tile a Best-Selling Gadget
- Musician Simon Tam Discusses How He Used Crowd Funding to Pay for His Band’s Tour Bus
- Learn from Author Tom Starling How He Successfully Funded His Children’s Book Using Kickstarter
- Piet Morgan’s Company, Hammerhead, Used Crowd Funding to Create a Product for Bicycle Enthusiasts
- Index
- End User License Agreement
Product information
- Title: The Crowd Funding Services Handbook: Raising the Money You Need to Fund Your Business, Project, or Invention
- Author(s):
- Release date: September 2014
- Publisher(s): Wiley
- ISBN: 9781118853009
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