Children's author Julie Hedlund successfully funded her picture book within one week of launching her Kickstarter campaign. This presentation addresses why an author might consider crowdfunding, available platforms, and the ten steps to campaign success.

1. www.juliehedlund.com
Crowdfunding: Not Just for Self-
Publishing AnymoreJulie Hedlund

2. The New Face(s) of
Crowdfunding

3. Why Crowdfunding?
✤ Book fits in a niche market
✤ Creative control
✤ Time to market
✤ Demonstrating demand
✤ Fund research and writing
✤ Experiment with publishing options
✤ Series continuation

4. Crowdfunding Platform Options
✤ crowdfunding.com
✤ crowdfundingforum.com

5. 1. Start with Story
✤ Crowdfunding is a PATH to publication
✤ NOT a shortcut
✤ Tell your BEST story!!
✤ Don’t skimp or cut corners
✤ All of what follows is AFTER your story is ready to go

6. 2. Pick a “Passion” Project
✤ Avoid “Because I can!”
✤ People support YOU as much as the book
✤ You will eat, sleep, and breathe the campaign
✤ People want to know WHY

7. 3. Plan for MORE Time
✤ Decide how much time you need to prepare for your campaign
launch
✤ DOUBLE that (or at least add 25%)

8. 4. Set a Realistic Funding Goal
✤ No more than you actually need
✤ Higher asks = lower success %
✤ No less than you actually need
✤ So you can deliver on your promises

9. 5. Do Careful Accounting
✤ Cost of creating the book
✤ Cost of designing and producing the book
✤ Printing, shipping
✤ Creating and shipping rewards
✤ Crowdfunding platform payment processing fees
✤ INCOME TAXES

10. 6. Tell a Story
✤ People want to support YOU
✤ Story behind the story
✤ Why is this book important?
✤ Place yourself front and center

12. 7. Make a GREAT Video
✤ MUCH higher chance of success
✤ Can do professional, but based on #6, should come from your heart
✤ Effective videos
✤ Sentimental/heartstrings
✤ Humor
✤ Showcase the work/work process
✤ Be YOURSELF

13. My Love for You is the Sun Video
QuickTime™ and a
JVT/AVC Coding decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

14. 8. Offer Great Rewards
✤ Be creative!
✤ Stuff: copies of your book, artwork, SWAG, etc.
✤ Experiences: visit with you, bonus material, etc.
✤ Focus on the $50 level
✤ Include budget for rewards!

15. 9. Plan Beginning, Middle, End
✤ Set a campaign “launch” strategy
✤ Chances of success increase exponentially if you reach 50% mark by
day 7
✤ Mucky middle - REACH OUT to your network PERSONALLY
✤ Build hype and excitement for the end
✤ Set stretch goals and rewards
✤ Communicate with your backers

16. 10. Engage Your Community
✤ Campaign for your campaign
✤ You do NOT need a huge platform to be successful
✤ But you DO need to muster the one you have
✤ 80 - 90% of funding comes from people in your network
✤ Identify 100 people who might contribute $50
✤ Be PERSONAL - avoid mass communications

18. Questions?
✤ juliehedlund.com
✤ facebook.com/JulieFHedlund
✤ twitter: @JulieFHedlund