This is the kind of posts I'd like to see more of on HN. So many of the posts here are titled "How I did X" or "Why Z matters" and then neglect to go very in-depth at all with how X was accomplished or the importance of Z.
I still have lots to add, but so much of this was alien to me previously. Would love to know your thoughts/additions/subtractions.
Very interesting stuff. With the crowd sourcing market getting so crowded you really do have to work to get noticed it seems.
An interesting Kickstarter to learn from is Planet Money's, which earned nearly $600K after only asking for $50K.
Even more remarkable, there was only one level of gift: a $25 t-shirt.
I'd say Planet Money, which is kind of like an "American Life" type brand focused on economics, would've made its goal simply by virtue of brand power. But I'd say its huge success is a result of a kickass product and more importantly, a compelling story. I would pay $25 for that t-shirt design simply to support NPR. But the story itself - that the t-shirt would be used as a starting place to investigate the global economy, was just too good to pass up. I didn't even watch the promo video though I imagine its production value is quite good.
Anyway, a little OT, but just wanted to bring up this example as it's the only Kickstarter I've backed where the product itself was ancillary to my desires...I mean, I think the shirt's neat, but I won't be heartbroken if it's a year late. I'm much more excited about the journalism that will be produced.
I think the author is making this sound a lot easier than it really is. From my experience, which didn't do so well, I came to the realization that these projects are more of a popularity contest than a discoverability (if that's a word) one, i.e., it's all about who you know.
Even trying to get the media to cover it was nearly impossible because they won't even reply back to your email unless you have a huge following and social network.
Not to sound like a negative nancy, but at least from my own personal experience, it did feel like having a great idea, even a game-changing idea, won't take off unless you know the right people.