Depending on the crowdsourcing platform you choose, you might have key requirements to provide your supporters—but that’s the bare minimum. Whether someone invests $20 or $20,000, they’re showing that they support you, believe in your project, and they clearly want to be a part of it. Nobody wants to be an early adopter or otherwise invest in a company that’s going to “ghost out” on them. Deciding early on how you want to show your investors and customers you care about them is a critical part of business. You can get as creative as you like, but remember to plan for the time and money necessary for reciprocation.
You don’t have to spend a lot of cash or even manpower to engage with your crowdfunding supporters. After all, they know you’re a one man/woman show or otherwise a small time hustling to make it happen. Here are some of the best ways to nurture your relationship with your “crowd” of supporters without that becoming a full-time job in itself:
1. Communication
Have you ever sent someone a wedding gift or attended a baby shower with present in hand and never received as much as a thank you card? When someone supports you, you need to show appreciation. At the very least, personalize an email to each of your supporters giving your thanks and sharing with them the latest news about your project. However, if you really want to make an impression, a hand-written card is an etiquette art that needs to be brought back.
2. Timely delivery of promises
If your supporters have actually purchased a product or service, make sure you deliver on time. Plan for worst case scenarios like shipping issues or getting the packaging back late from the outsourced designer. None of this is your supporters’ fault. If you agree to a transaction, hold up your end of the bargain. There’s no such thing as missing deadlines for a startup when customers are concerned.
3. High quality
Quality should be your standard with your product, your customer service, your online presence and in every other part of your business. Why put something out if it’s not the best it can be? Why even answer phones from incoming clients if you’re not going to give them the best service possible? Quality suffers during crunch time, but that’s detrimental for your kickstarter. Spend the extra time/money on a copyeditor for your press release and quality check each of your beta testing products. You can also look into starting a content marketing campaign with different things like videos and infographics to help increase exposure.
4. Updates that are regular but not annoying
If you don’t have something interesting, entertaining or informative to say, don’t say anything at all. However, especially with kickstarters, you’re probably facing a lot of information, news and updates about the project. Let your supporters opt into staying informed (or not), update social media regularly, and if you’re trusted with their email, don’t abuse that privilege. There’s a thin line between communication and spamming. Keep in mind that if they’re supporting you, they want to be kept in the loop—but only if that information is actually relevant to them.
5. Passion
If you don’t believe in your kickstarter, why should anyone else? It’s “easy” to display passion when putting together your kickstarter material, but don’t let it wane. Your supporters deserve to see that you care about what you’re doing. Remember: Excitement spreads, but so does apathy. Which do you want to expand?
6. Swag
It doesn’t matter if your kickstarter involves purchasing an early version of a product or not. Swag is a great way to help your supporters feel engaged while also letting them be free, walking advertising. From magnets to t-shirts, there’s no end to the swag possibilities. Plus, if you’re a business entity (even a sole proprietor), it’s a tax write-off.
Make sure you’re supporting your supporters—this is a symbiotic relationship. Nurture that relationship and they’ll return the favor when it counts. This is one long-term relationship you don’t want to mess up, so play by the rules.
Infographic Created By: Infographics.Space
from Darlene Milligan http://ift.tt/1EoFycU via web design pricing guide
from Tumblr http://ift.tt/1H4KVCj
No comments:
Post a Comment