5 Ways Repeat Kickstarter Creators Become Successful

Better Success Rates for Multi-Creators

Whether it’s to expand your brand, upgrade your last product or you just have another great idea, there are plenty of reasons to run more than one crowdfunding campaign. Not only can you use your past experience for round two, but you also have credibility with an existing backer community. Compared to first-time creators, Kickstarter has found that returning creators are more likely to reach their funding goal regardless of category. Specifically, the funding success rate for creators who come back after a successful project is 73%. Furthermore, Kickstarter’s data shows that the chances for success improve with each new project embarked.

Enventys Partners Digs Into the Data

The crowdfunding experts at Enventys Partners sought to understand why returning creators were more likely to succeed. Looking at our own data collected over the past two years, we saw some similarities among those who’ve brought in 120% more revenue to their second campaign compared to their first. To make the most of your return to Kickstarter, read the five action items below that contributed to the success of previous multi-project creators.

1. They Delivered Their Last Product

Technically, it’s a Kickstarter rule that you can’t run another campaign before delivering on your first. If you need help fulfilling your product, check out these tools and services. You must comply with this rule or Kickstarter will shut down your next crowdfunding project. Suppose you launched on another platform, like Indiegogo, instead. While your new page won’t get taken down, it will get spammed with angry comments if previous backers didn’t receive their product.

Here is an example of a previous backer commenting on another campaign about their unhappiness with the creator.

Your previous backers will be vocal if you don’t take care of them before starting your next campaign.

2. Their Customers Were Happy With the Last Product

Not only do happy customers turn into repeat customers, but they also bring in new customers. Positive feedback, whether that’s in the form of comments, reviews or testimonials, is proof to potential backers that you’re a reputable project creator. If, for whatever reason, your customers were unhappy with the product, hear them out, address the issues and, if you can, fix the problem(s).

Here is an example of a happy backer expressing their satisfaction with the product.

Positive comments prove to prospective backers that you’re worth the investment.

3. They Listened to Customer Feedback

Backer feedback is extremely valuable since it can contribute to your company’s growth. Your product exists for your customers, so you must understand if it’s actually working for them by listening to any and all questions, comments and concerns. While you can do this right on your Kickstarter page, many crowdfunded brands have VIP communities in which they provide a private Facebook group dedicated to two-way communication. Not only will your backers feel happier being heard, but it will also give you the opportunity to improve your brand by incorporating their feedback.

Here is an example of a backer expressing their pain point with the product.

The creator has listened to the complaint and wants to help resolve the issue.

4. They Designed Something New

As the fuel that drives your company, your backers’ demand creates your supply. Don’t be afraid to embark on big changes if you keep hearing the same issues. Our data found that minor adjustments and potential add-ons won’t cut it if you want to increase your brand’s success. When designing your next product, use your backers’ feedback to make major improvements, just like Sash Bag did. Their backers requested more room in the purse so the brand introduced, not one, but three new products in this Kickstarter campaign to meet that need.

5. They Kept Their Customers Engaged

Once you have fulfilled your first product, don’t ghost your customers. We see this too often: a campaign ends and the brand switches into production mode, which is important for delivering the product, but causes them to forget about their community. By touching base every now and then, your supporters will stay excited about your brand and get prepared for version 2.0 when it launches. To keep customers warm, continue offering promotions, send updates with exciting news or post shareable content about your industry. Since email lists usually convert within the first few days, repeat creators should use email marketing when launching a second campaign. Even if you don’t have a project you’re actively promoting just yet, constant engagement will not only keep your brand top-of-mind with current backers but it will also help attract new supporters.

Let Us Help The Second Time

If you take the time, energy and proper steps, you can make your return to Kickstarter a successful one. In case you’re overwhelmed, Enventys Partners is here to help. Whether you need paid ads, content creation, PR or a variety of other crowdfunding marketing services, reach out to the experts.