Tag: kickstarter campaigns

Video in Kickstarter Funding

Another feature that can be considered a vital factor of a successful Kickstarter campaign is the video, which describes the project to a potential audience. The comment can be mentioned about this video as it gives creators the representation of their idea and the chance to convey themselves and their creations and share their feelings with clients. As Michael Zeligs from Start motion media also pointed out, the use of stories in these videos must be stressed more. A good video does not only explain the features of the product and its need but also emotionally compels the recipients to get involved in the project.

Research has also shown validity to this assertion By statistics. It remains an undeniable fact that the success rates of campaigns containing eye-catching and professionally-made videos are comparatively higher than the others. This is so because, through videos, it is easier to explain the project to potential backers, what it is all about, and why it needs funding. Also, in the case of emotional videos for the viewers, there is a high probability of sharing them on social platforms, which would help the campaign expand in terms of audience and funding opportunities.

Case Studies: How to Kickstart your Kickstarter campaigns

Several kickstarter campaigns have also become legendary not only because of the money they raised but also because of the repercussions they had on their respective fields. It's time to discuss several successful campaigns and see how their videos made them successful.

Pebble Smartwatch

The Pebble Smartwatch project is among the most legendary projects on the Kickstarter platform. This project was unique in that it allowed the users to select an array of options they wanted in their watches, and it was the first time that e-paper was incorporated into watches. The important point that contributed to the success of Pebble was the unusual approach during the promotion of the smartwatch in the video on Kickstarter. The video focused on describing the features of the watch, explaining how the watch works, and, more importantly, explaining the ideas, enthusiasm, and passion of the people who stand behind the project. It was well received by both the tech-savvy and the normal customers, and thus, more people supported Pebble to become one of the most funded projects on the platform.

Coolest Cooler

Another great campaign, which can be mentioned, is the Coolest Cooler – a cooler that can be literately cooler with a blender, speakers, and USB charge output incorporated into the cooler. The video of the song Coolest Cooler was entertaining and interactive, bringing out the cooler's main features. In the same way, the descriptions of how the cooler could be useful during parties made people relate to the dream life of other people, thus causing an overwhelming response in terms of funding. The Coolest Cooler campaign was one of the most successful in history, showing that a well-thought-out and well-put-together video can go a long way regarding crowdfunding.

Exploding Kittens

The card game Exploding Kittens, developed by Elan Lee and Matthew Inman, also known as The Oatmeal, set the Kickstarter's funding record. One interesting fact about the game could be summarized as the Kickstarter campaign video, which was as funny as it was informative. Not only did the video describe how the game was played, but it also captured the creators' personalities, which was important when persuading the backers. This led to the campaign collecting far more than it initially intended to and making Exploding Kittens a phenomenon.

Kingdom Death: Monster 1. 5

For fans of horror and strategy games, Kingdom Death: The First Monster. 5 provided an opportunity to. This board game was recognized for having beautiful miniatures and a very complex strategy system, and these aspects of the game were demonstrated in the kickstarter promotion video. The video portrayed the game environment as dark, entertaining, and having intricate mechanics, and it captured a group of people willing to support the project. The success of Kingdom Death: Monster 1. 5 proved how a video that not only instructs but also sells contains great value in its ability to create a compelling advertisement for a particular target audience.

Ouya

Ouya was a highly-leveled project that aimed to change the existing concept of gaming consoles using an open platform. The Kickstarter video for Ouya was essential in explaining the concept of the project to anyone who wanted to create a game console that would be cheap and easy to develop. In the video, the console was presented, its capabilities and possibilities, and what role the backers would have in ushering in a new form of gaming. The information provided through the video was clear and passionate to mobilize many users to follow the project and provide funding for it despite some problems after the start of the Ouya campaign.

Elements that Make Up a Successful Kick-Starter Video

The following are the program effects of these successful campaigns. Their Kickstarter Videos shared several key elements that contributed to their success: 

Authenticity: The fact is that every one of them was true to the project concept. Whatever was the case with Pebble's video, where passion for miniature wearable technology was as evident as in Exploding Kittens, where the comedic tone with the kittens was used to present their game, such videos made it clear that the founders were passionate about their project, and therefore backers could trust them.

Emotional Connection: Successful videos appeal to the audience's emotions. This could be a passion for storytelling, a passion to make people laugh, or even a passion to look forward to coming up with new ideas. That is why when viewers have an emotional connection to a project, they will most likely support it.

Clarity: The best videos showed distinct trends. All the best kickstarter videos provide information about the campaign, how it works, and why it needs the funds. This transparency is important to gaining the trust of other individuals who may be willing to support the cause.

Visual Appeal: Aesthetics matter. If a professional company produces the video, it should be of good quality and attractive to the viewers regarding the picture quality, sound, and language used. Aesthetics contribute to developing an image that may inspire confidence in prospective funders.

Call to Action: Last but not least, the effective samples of the videos were persuasive with a call for public support. Regardless of whether the call to action was for a limited time only, offering some kind of a reward or simply the need to be part of something new, it was ultimately instrumental in helping to turn viewers into backers.

Conclusion

Kickstarter has allowed every creator to move forward with their ideas and turn them into reality at the behest of the global public. In the middle of many winning campaigns is a video that narrates and markets the product and gradually appeals to the sentiments of interested parties. As seen in the success stories of Pebble Smartwatch, Coolest Cooler, Exploding Kittens, Kingdom Death: Monster 1. 5, and Ouya, the difference between a great video and a mediocre video can be the success of a particular campaign.

One of the most important things that founders who want to organize a Kickstarter campaign should focus on is to spend considerable time developing a good video. Therefore, being as genuine as possible, appealing to people's emotions, providing clarity, appealing visual design, and a clear call to action can help creators greatly improve their odds of success. As crowdfunding continues, the role of the video that contributes to campaign fundraising in backing up and communicating with potential backers will only increase.

Visit the official Kickstarter webpage and the special campaign analysis platforms to get more detailed information and see more successful examples of Kickstarter campaigns.