Idea Stage
Before building a crowdfunding campaign, find out who needs the product, what they use today and what they would pay to change that.
By Arthur Manukyan, CRO at TCF
Talk to the people you want to sell to
Ask how they solve the problem today and what it costs them. Listen for specific frustrations and purchases they have already made. A compliment about your idea is useful feedback, but it is not a purchase commitment.
Explain the difference your product makes
Describe one situation where someone would choose your product over an existing option. Test that explanation with people outside your team. Their questions will tell you what still needs work.
Give interested people a way to follow along
A simple page can explain the idea and invite people to hear about your progress. Be clear about what exists today. Keep track of where sign-ups come from so you can learn which audiences respond.
Build an initial cost estimate
List development, production, shipping, marketing and platform fees. Mark the figures you have quotes for and those you are still estimating. Use this to decide what you need to learn before committing money.
These are questions I use to review a launch plan. For platform guidance, read Kickstarter’s Creator Handbook. Check the current requirements before submitting your project.
Working through the budget? Use the US Kickstarter fees calculator to estimate the amount left after platform fees, processing and failed payments.