The Jazz & Blues
Revue is now 35 days into our 40-day Kickstarter campaign: Four days left.
We just hit $15,891. It
feels like an amazing achievement, but we still have $2,109 to go to meet our
goal. And, since Kickstarter is an
"all or nothing" fundraising site, we have to still hit the $18,000
number or it all turns to dust.
I remember having a discussion with the band members months
ago, when we were planning our launch. How high should we set our target? When
I ran the numbers, I felt it would be realistic to set the target at $18,000,
since Amazon and Kickstarter take almost 10% of the total in fees. So our $18,000 goal is really only a
$16,200 budget, and I knew that producing and manufacturing the album of 13
songs would cost at least that. I
did not want to short-change the process in the hopes of hitting a lesser
goal. We set it at $18,000, and I
am still confident that in the next 5 days we can raise $18,000.
Are there moments of panic? Absolutely. Is there fear and embarrassment? You bet. But there is no time to waste on doubt and false evidence
that appears real. It is time for
action.
By the time you read this, our project will be ending (it
ends on Friday July 11,2014 at 2:00 PM in the afternoon), and I know it will be
successful. Why do I know? Read these last lessons I learned
during the process:
1. Stay Positive
I am not a big fan of positive affirmations - I think there
is a fine line between always being positive and being delusional. But I think it is important to
surround yourself with positive, like-minded individuals, so at times like this
listening to Brian Tracy, W. Clement Stone or Jack Canfield can't hurt. My favorite book to listen to this week
is "The Success Principles" by Jack Canfield, the founder of the
"Chicken Soup For the Soul" Books. I listen to it while I drive, and
I always come home with a new idea to promote our campaign.
2. It's Time To Delegate
We are the smartest. We are the best. We are unique. Only we know how to talk to our
fans.
Time is running out - it is time to lose this lie. A lot of what you do to promote
yourself (emails, tweets, Facebook posts) could easily be delegated to a
minimum-wage employee with some simple directions. So what are you waiting for?
What is your highest and best use during the next 5 days?
(HINT: It is item #3 on this list).
It is time to hire a friend or a high school or college student to work
for minimum wage, sending one last email to everyone in your database that has
not donated to the campaign yet.
3. The
10 Most Likely People
If you are like me, you have been putting off the difficult
"fundraising" phone calls.
Time's UP! People want to get on board your project, and they are just
waiting for a little nudge from you.
Look at the "backer report" from Kickstarter, and compare it
to your list of best/most financially well-off fans. Who's missing?
Make a list of the 10 most likely people to donate at a high level to
your campaign and then call them first thing in the morning. The missing money is just waiting for
you to ask.
4. Everyone
can use a "rich uncle" to help out.
Everyone needs a "Plan B". You don't want to get to the last day
and be a dollar short. My attitude
from the very beginning was if we could get close, I would make it happen. I can't disappoint the 175+ people that
believe in our project and already donated money. I believe in the album to the extent that, if need be, I
will beg or borrow the money to get across the finish line (I draw the line at
stealing). In my case I have a
"rich uncle" I can call if I need to at the last minute, ready to
help. If you don't have an uncle
like that, and you believe in your project, you might want to check your credit
card limits, and see where you can borrow the money from to get it done. *NOTE: This is not the opinion of Kickstarter, or anyone else -
Kickstarter does not allow you to donate to your own project to reach your
goal. Just sayin'...
I still love the Kickstarter platform - I feel like we would
not be where we are today without the help and support of the people at
Kickstarter.com. Next week, when
the dust settles and we total up our winning tally, I will post one more blog
to wrap up this adventure.
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