{"id":1722,"date":"2023-04-05T12:51:57","date_gmt":"2023-04-05T19:51:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crowdfundr.com\/creatorhub\/?p=1722"},"modified":"2024-03-07T15:24:34","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T23:24:34","slug":"switching-to-crowdfundr-from-kickstarter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crowdfundr.com\/creatorhub\/switching-to-crowdfundr-from-kickstarter\/","title":{"rendered":"Switching to Crowdfundr from Kickstarter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Looking to give Crowdfundr a shot? This toolkit contains everything you need to understand the differences between Crowdfundr vs Kickstarter and how to seamlessly switch over to our platform.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Crowdfundr vs Kickstarter – not sure whether to switch?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The most notable difference between Kickstarter and Crowdfundr is the audiences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kickstarter runs an algorithm that pulls top-performing campaigns and highlights them to their audiences. It\u2019s a common misconception that all you have to do is create a campaign on Kickstarter and they will automatically plop it in front of a group of people ready and waiting to back you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in order to reach that point, you still<\/em> need to do the work to create a phenomenal campaign and actively promote it while engaging your own audience<\/em>. Only then will you rank high on their algorithm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crowdfundr provides options to make crowdfunding more affordable than Kickstarter.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you believe your campaign is likely to rank high on Kickstarter and the funds you raise there will make up for the savings in crowdfunding fees, then Kickstarter may be the most sage option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you prefer more customizability, transparency, variability in reward options, and nearly-free crowdfunding to bring your creation to those who will love it, read on for how to switch to Crowdfundr!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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BONUS: <\/strong>Our Kickstarter vs Crowdfundr comparison guide will help you further understand the differences between platforms. Click here to jump there!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Before you begin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Everyone receives a user profile to create their personal biography on. Pictures, videos, links, etc. can all be included. If you have a brand separate from your personal identity, however, or if you run an indie publishing\/printing company, you can open a Crowdfundr Professional<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>account, too (for free). You\u2019ll receive the option to create the organization account in the campaign creation flow.

    If you are<\/em><\/strong> using Crowdfundr Professional and want to customize the platform theme to your brand, here are the useful items to have ready:\n
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    1. Logo in PNG format<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Brand colour RGB or Hex codes <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Font names (or similar Google font alternative)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Desired navigation links (About page, Contact, social links, etc.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Copyright message<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n


      Then       contact Crowdfundr<\/strong><\/a> to get your organization Verified! <\/strong>This is FREE and allows for more imported contacts, changing rewards even after they\u2019ve been claimed, and more!
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      1. Obtain a Stripe and\/or PayPal business account if you haven’t already. Note: you CAN create your organization profile and campaign without adding an account yet; you just can\u2019t launch them until you do.<\/strong> But if you do not have one or both of these, it\u2019s a good idea to get the process started as soon as you can. Both Stripe and PayPal are recommended (if available in your region), as these provide your supporters with options upon checkout.
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      2. Choose your campaign type:<\/strong> all-or-nothing or keep-it-all. This is one of the few things you cannot change once your campaign template is created. Kickstarter runs solely all-or-nothing campaigns, and most readers will likely choose that type. However, some might have a reason to start a keep-it-all campaign instead. This article<\/strong><\/a> helps explain the differences.
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      3. Choose a pricing model. <\/strong>Crowdfundr has three options to choose from, but you can change your mind whenever you want – even when the campaign is live.  This article<\/a> will help with understanding the differences between the models.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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        Pre-launch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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        Crowdfundr does not have a pre-launch page – because your campaign is viewable even before launch! <\/strong>While it won\u2019t yet be searchable, anyone with the campaign link can view it and subscribe to notifications so that they know right when it launches!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        1. Once your campaign is set up (see next section), retrieve your campaign link and share it with current and potential supporters.
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        2. Ask supporters to subscribe to the campaign<\/a> to be notified when it goes live!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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          General campaign set-up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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          1. Go to crowdfundr.com\/create<\/a> and set up your first campaign template, plus a user profile and, if applicable, an organization profile. Information in your Kickstarter Biography can go in your user profile!
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          2. Crowdfundr does not have subtitles available – condense your title into 80 characters. We recommend something specific that includes your project\/character name and what kind<\/em> of project it is (book, music, statue, etc\u2026).
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          3. Your project image becomes your campaign cover photo. <\/strong>However, you can have as many images in your media gallery as you like and run them in a slideshow too. There is the option to upload a separate thumbnail image when necessary. This article<\/strong><\/a> will tell you more about the media gallery.
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          4. Your project video is also entered in the media gallery. You can set it as the cover video, and the media gallery will place a Play button on your cover photo to play it.
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          5. Remember, your goal does NOT have to include shipping! <\/strong>Your goal can be changed anytime with a keep-it-all campaign and anytime before <\/strong>launching an all-or-nothing campaign.
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          6. No target launch date is required. You launch your campaign whenever you like! Resources in our Creator Hub<\/strong><\/a> are always available to you.
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          7. Customize your campaign link!<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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            Rewards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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            1. Take pictures of each reward item! Individual rewards have spaces to upload your work.
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            2. Rewards aren\u2019t set up in the campaign creation flow. After your template is done, click \u2018Edit\u2019<\/strong> in the sidebar menu, then \u2018Rewards\u2019<\/strong> to set up each one.

              What you have as \u2018items\u2019 on Kickstarter can be individual rewards on Crowdfundr. You can choose to bundle together as you wish – you\u2019d just create a bundle as one reward – but as Crowdfundr lets supporters claim more than one reward<\/strong>, there are no reward \u2018tiers.\u2019
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            3. Rather than creating add-on items to reduce the shipping costs of multiple items, you will just enter an add-on shipping cost <\/em>to any individual rewards requiring it. This article<\/strong><\/a> explains how add-on (and single shipping) costs work.
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            4. There are more options than you\u2019re used to! Explore everything in the menu and check out our guide on creating rewards<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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              Shipping & Fulfillment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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              1. View Crowdfundr\u2019s pledge management and distribution\/fulfillment partners on our Partners page.
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              2. Decide when to collect shipping: on the campaign itself or afterwards with a fulfillment manager.

                If on the campaign itself: enter which countries and prices\/add-on shipping prices into each reward (as described in the last section). Rewards will say \u2018+ shipping\u2019 after the price.

                If afterwards with a fulfillment manager: make sure to include this into your story somewhere obvious! Perhaps in big, bold lettering\u2026 because your supporters will want lots of notice if they\u2019ll be charged extra later on for shipping.
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              3. Crowdfundr will automatically collect shipping addresses (as well as names and emails) whenever a reward is claimed, and supporters\u2019 information will always be available to you under the campaign\u2019s Transactions tab.<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>If there is any further information you need, set it up in your Data Collection<\/strong><\/a> menu.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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                Story writing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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                Story writing isn\u2019t too different between platforms; your story is your story! Crowdfundr does provide some extra options to what you\u2019re used to, designed to enhance your campaign\u2019s visual appeal, communicate effectively while not inundating your supporters with information, and provide multiple options to enhance with media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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                1. Copy and paste your story (or write a new one if you\u2019re so inclined!) 
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                2. Enter your risks and challenges (if applicable) right in the story.
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                3. Features new to you:
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                  1. Font colour options
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                  2. Two extra story tabs for additional information (FAQ, Risks & Challenges, creator\/org info, etc.)
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                  3. Videos must be uploaded via YouTube or Vimeo (in the story; direct uploading is available in the media gallery<\/strong><\/a>)
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                  4. In-campaign link generation
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                  5. Anchor links
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                  6. Columns for easy picture sizing and organizing information<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                    Two useful resources for story writing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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                    1. Editing the Campaign Story<\/strong><\/a> – a technical how-to guide on Crowdfundr\u2019s storytelling capabilities;
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                    2. Storytelling for crowdfunding campaigns<\/strong><\/a> – for those creators needing an idea or two for an effective story to sell their project.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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                      Promotion prep<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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                      1. Download your backer information from Kickstarter if you can, then upload it onto your new campaign\u2019s Contact list.<\/a> Once you launch, everyone uploaded to this list is notified.

                        If you cannot download backer information from Kickstarter,                         post an update<\/strong><\/a> on that campaign with information and links to your new Crowdfundr campaign.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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                        1. Invite your campaign tea<\/strong><\/a>m to the campaign. They can not only help edit and plan your campaign, but they come with a crowd! Ensure they know all of the campaign-sharing capabilities.  This article<\/strong><\/a> is great to send to your team members. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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                          Receiving your funds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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                          Crowdfundr does not hold funds. <\/em><\/strong>When you choose to charge your supporters (or every time a transaction is made in a keep-it-all campaign), funds go directly to your Stripe and\/or PayPal <\/em>account (depending on the transaction and your account, this could take anywhere from a few seconds to a couple days).  Any applicable fees are automatically deducted from contributions, so you won\u2019t owe Crowdfundr, Stripe, or PayPal anything further. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          Then, you just transfer funds to the desired bank account! We often get asked how often these transfers should be done; it doesn\u2019t really matter. However, for easy bookkeeping later on, at least once a week is recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          Any concerns regarding receiving funds must be discussed with Stripe or PayPal. <\/em><\/strong>Crowdfundr does not have the ability to view or modify these accounts, nor can we contact Stripe or PayPal on your behalf. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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                          Crowdfundr vs Kickstarter Comparison Guide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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                          There’s only one Earth! Consider the environment before printing this guide.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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