How Video Can Supercharge Your Crowdfunding Campaign
When crowdfunding first hit the scene, the format alone made it a thrill.
Sharing the page link, spreading the word, racing together against the clock to hit the target – it was a new, joyful experience, and donors went nuts for it.
It’s no surprise that crowdfunding went on to become standard in nonprofit fundraising. It delivers a better ROI than in-person events and has the power to hype up your supporters and bring them together. Through this bonding experience, many of them become invested not just in giving once or twice but in being a part of the movement.
I’ve written about different aspects of crowdfunding before, but given its popularity, I thought it might be helpful to put together a series that goes over the whole process from A-Z. I’ll be putting a spotlight on the role of video in making a campaign a success, but the basic principles I talk about can benefit any nonprofit looking to maximize the impact of their campaign.
In this series, I’ve broken the crowdfunding process down into three parts:
Driving traffic: How can video drum up awareness and bring people to your campaign page in time to make a difference? The next post in this series will cover how to attract attention without being a nuisance, the steps involved in gaining visibility and building anticipation, how to expand your reach with the help of your existing supporters, and how to measure success.
Making the ask: Everyone has a “campaign page video” that tells the story of the current project and asks supporters to make a contribution. But is this the right approach? Actually, I believe that this typical “crowdfunding video” reflects a huge misunderstanding of how campaigns work and what video has to offer.
Following up: You’ve spent a lot of time and money generating excitement around your cause – it would be a shame to let it go to waste! Showing donors sincere appreciation is the key to locking in those relationships for the long term. Learn how video can help that thank-you have a lasting impact.
Over the next three posts, I’ll expand on each of these topics, focusing mainly on video but also giving you a framework for how to think about crowdfunding and promotion in general. With more strategic thinking and the tools to match, you’ll be set to have an explosive crowdfunding campaign!