Kickstarter Fatigue?

Remember when only a few people were using facebook to market their shows and projects?
That lasted for about a year.

Remember when only a few people were using twitter to market thir shows and projects?
Well, nope - that never happened.  Twitter was always intensely commercial.

Pretty soon we're going to be saying: Remember when only a few people used kickstarter to market their shows and projects?


Are you familiar with kickstarter.com?  It's an amazing website.  Any group - subject to approval - can submit a proposal, usually in the form of video + copy, for any project for which they are raising money.  Take a look, there are a ton of great causes.  There are also a ton of short films, theatrical productions, webseries, live events - all seeking funding.  Right now, it's a great place to get investors.  But, I predict... not for long.  I personally have already donated to a Fringe Festival Show, a show with my company, and a NYMF show.  I am not giving too much more money.

(If you're thinking about using kickstarter, it's worth mentioning that the organization only gets the money if the goal amount is met.  That protects you from sending money for a cause that is hopeless.  No point contributing $100 to build a $10,000 school in Africa, if they only raise $1000.)

I have searched a little, and it seems like there are dozens of NYC shows seeking funding.  Not every one, but a bunch.  Next year - it'll be hundreds.

Now, that doesn't mean it won't continue to be a useful way to raise money.  Most money seems to be raised by friends and fans, with updates spread through facebook and twitter.  That will continue to work.  But as kickstarter becomes more popular, I think your chance of random money from new contributors will go down.

So, if you are looking for money for a project, give it a shot, soon!  It seems to be working!

Some features of successful campaigns that I've noticed:
-Video.  And well produced video.
-Personal pleas.  A real story of passion inspires people to click the donate button.
-Incentives.  The best pitches give something to the donor, if even a mention in the program.
-Continuous updates.  Keep the donors involved.  They allow you to do the work - treat them like producers.

Best of luck.  As I've said, 2012 is the year of content!  Make it happen, Actors Who Make Money!