These slides explain the mechanics of how crowdfunding works and how you can benefit from it. The slides guide you through the process, from creating the actual project to getting the funding you need.
3. Agenda
1. What is Rock The Post
2. What is crowdfunding
3. How to craft a pitch
4. Marketing efforts
5. Communications with followers
6. The JOBS Act
5. Founding and Launch
• Rock The Post was founded in
October 2010.
• Rock The Post was launched in
November 2011.
6. Where did the idea come
from?
• Gap in the market
• Entrepreneurs and small businesses had
difficulty gaining access to capital.
• 98% of the time, VC’s and Angel
Investors would reject business plans.
• Seed stages are funded mainly by friends
and family.
8. Definition of crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is a collective
cooperation, attention and trust by people
who network and pool their money to
support efforts initiated by other people or
organizations.
9. Alternative way to fundraise
• Rock The Post is just like traditional
fundraising.
• Via crowdfunding, project creators
are able to reach the crowds with
built in social media features.
• 25-40% of the traction comes from
your inner networks, such as friends
and family.
10. Mechanics of crowdfunding
1. Registration
2. Project creation
3. Approval process
4. Post is published
5. Marketing efforts
6. Target is successfully reached
11. Psychological component
People pledge for 3 reasons:
1. People connect with the message
2. People connect with the
uniqueness in which you raise the
funds
3. People connect with the rewards
12. Mistakes that lead to
crowdfunding failure
• Not nailing the presentation
• Not doing enough research
• Weak planning ahead of time
• Lack of a solid marketing plan
• Asking for the wrong amount of
money
• Failure to promote
• Ignoring the audience
13. Why is crowdfunding good
for companies ramping up?
1. Free marketing
2. Feedback or comments from other
members
3. Funding
14. Tax implications
Did you think Uncle Sam would give
you a pass?
3 categories of tax:
• Sales Tax
• Income Tax
• Gift
16. Target the right audience
• Who will you target?
• How do you relate to them?
• How will you engage them?
Note: Make sure that your post is geared toward to the
right industry, and that your marketing efforts stay aligned.
17. Having an awesome visual pitch
• The first 30 seconds is your chance to
shine.
• With the video, you will raise 10 times
more money.
• Keep it to 2-3 minutes maximum.
18. Clear description of the project
• Introduction
• Overview of the project
• Include team members, if possible
• Long-term goals
• Presence on the web (social media
website URL, etc. )
19. Setting reasonable goals
• Reasons for starting the campaign
• Targets to achieve (weekly/monthly)
• Be realistic with your numbers
• Outline steps that will help you to meet
the objectives
20. Offer enticing rewards
• What will you give in return for their
pledges?
• Will it be enough to turn heads?
Note: Offer cool tangible rewards in order to
increase pledges and traffic to your post!
21. Launching the campaign
Now is time to start spreading the word:
1. Friends
2. Family
3. Colleagues
4. Social media
5. Link to your project under your email
signature
6. Target media publications
23. Strategy
• Find evangelists to help spread the
word.
• Know what media publications you will
target and who to contact.
• Put all the email lists and contacts all
together so that you can start the email
blasts right away.
24. Channels for spreading the word
• Email blasts • Speaking engagements
• Forums • Affiliate with associations
and organizations
• Press release
• Blog writing
• Community
• Widget on your website
bulletin boards
• Meetups and other
• Social media events
25. Passion and energy
• Don’t be shy
• Open yourself to the world
• Believe in yourself in order to have
others believing in you
• Have a compelling story
• Show off your knowledge within the
field of your post
28. Messages
Purpose: Remember to be:
• One to one • Responsive
communication • Reliable
• Personal level • True to the people
communication with who cared about
your supporters your project
29. Engagement with your fans
• Constant updates
• Keep supporters updated with your
progress
• Keep your word
• Be honest
Note: After all, what’s crowdfunding without the
crowd? ! Keep your crowd happy!
31. What does it mean for
crowdfunding?
• Before the JOBS Act, only accredited
investors (1% of the US population), had
access to investing in startups
• Crowdfunding is the solution to help small
businesses lift up the US economy by having
accredited and non accredited investors be
part of private offerings.
32. Why are small businesses are
so important?
• They pay 44% of total U.S. private
payroll.
• Small businesses generated 65% of
net new jobs over the past 17 years.
• They hire 43% of high tech workers.
33. Q&A?
• Send us your questions by chat
• Or email Tanya at tanya@rockthepost.com
34. Thank you for attending
For further questions or comments
please contact
Alejandro Cremades
alejandro@rockthepost.com
Tanya Prive
tanya@rockthepost.com