Using Kickstarter to fund arts projects

If you don't know, Kickstarter is a website that helps fund creative and innovative projects through crowd funding.  I am working with Kickstarter to raise funds for my next photographic adventure, this time to Australia.  I will only receive the funds if my project meets its pledge goal by Oct. 29.  If the project does not reach the goal, I receive nothing.  The best part is that no one is "donating" anything to me, Kickstarter requires all projects to return something tangible to the investors in the project.  In terms of my project, investors have the choice of purchasing a photograph from either my previous work, or the work I will shoot in Australia.

I think this is a great way to raise funds for arts projects and even exhibitions.  Its also a great source of promotion for your artwork.  It can take away the entire notion of "well, if I only had the money to..." It also exposes your work to a new audience!

You can check out my project here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1986082413/kite-aerial-photography-in-australia

I encourage everyone to look at the rest of the site and also, since we are all creative people here, keep it in mind for your own future projects.  So far my experiences with them have been excellent!

I will update with its progress.

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  • Last week the Sydney Morning Herald interviewed me about my trip to Australia.  The article is in todays paper down under.  Check it out here: http://www.smh.com.au/national/aerial-cameraman-on-a-string-budget-...

    -Evan

  • Evan, I finally had a chance to watch your video, etc.  It's beautifully done, so congrats there.  If I could though, I might offer one small suggestion.  The jump between contributing $5 and $25 seems a little steep.  I think $25 might cause some people to stop in their tracks, while a $5 doesn't seem like it would do you much good.  Again- this  is just my humble opinion, but judging from the success my son had with his Kickstarter, people seemed all too anxious to pledge $10.  Is there something you could offer as an incentive at that level?  You might see that the majority of your funds come at that price.  Anyway, it's just a thought.  I wish you all the luck in the world for your project.

  • Connie, thank you sooooo much!!! The best way for people to help me in addition to pledging is by posting the link to my project page and writing something brief about what you may think of it: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1986082413/kite-aerial-photogra...

    Either on Facebook, twitter, Linked in, email or really anywhere you think people may find interest in my project.
    realm very thankful for the support, thank you so much again!!!

    I'm writing this on my phone so I hope the link works...
  • Okay, I contributed, Evan, and I'm planning on linking on FB -- but can you please be more explicit, what should people do to help you promote your project on Facebook -- do you have a graphic we can use, or just the link to the page?

    Oh, now I see if click "like" it brings up FB. But how about some more explicit directions anyway? Do not be shy about asking us to support you. That is what this community is for.

  • Thanks for this post, Evan. I'm going to post your info on my FB pages now. Best wishes! I love this kind of entrepreneurial activity.

  • FYI: As much as I appreciated my supporters...it was a FULL time job getting the rewards out.....next time I might streamline the process...not sure how but I will think of something! 

    PS: LOVE your photos......GREAT idea for a unique POV!

  • OMG - I pushed and pushed via Facebook, Twitter, my E-Newsletter up until the VERY end......at the 11th hour I got FUNDED....weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee....it was AWESOME!!!!! Just keep getting the word out! 

  • Cheyenne, thats fantastic!  I just looked up the project, really awesome!

    Do you have any pointers or advice for promoting my project?  I have been doing tons of PR, but I'm always looking for fresh ideas!

  • I had a photographic project called "Ghosts of the West" successfully funded on Kickstarter about 3 years ago....I made a HUGE effort to get the "rewards" to my supporters as fast as I possible could since without them my project was dead. I have another project that I may be posting on Kickstarter soon too,.....good luck Evan!!!!  ;o)

  • My son's project was an e-book for Python training.   http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fletcher/practical-python-learn...

    I think there were a couple of factors that helped out his success.  He has a great bio, and his video was very personable and well done.  The feedback on the book has been wonderful, and he delivered it exactly on time.

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