Crowdfunding for Authors
Unlock the Power to Publish, Pre-Sell, and Launch Your Book
While Building Pre-sale Revenue and a Community of Readers
Jaime Here: I am a huge believer in the power of using crowdfunding to successfully bring a book into the world. In fact, I chose to launch a Kickstarter campaign for my book Birth Your Story in 2017 and successfully raised over $11,000 in book revenue prior to my book launch.
I experienced firsthand the capacity of community to bring a creation into the world, affirming for me the interdependent nature of our creative endeavors.
I’m not going to beat around the bush: publishing a book independently takes a good amount of resource— in time, energy and money.
Crowdfunding is a huge source of support for authors who want to launch their book into the world in a community-centric and collaborative way, an amazing alternative to the more traditional hierarchical model of traditional publishing.
Because of my huge advocacy of crowdfunding for authors, I wanted to invite my colleagues Charmaine and Victoria onto the blog today to share more. If you are curious to talk more about crowdfunding for authors, I encourage you to reach out to me or these amazing women.
Guest Post by: Charmaine Hammond and Victoria Bennett
Many people dream about writing a book, bringing their story to the world, and making an impact with their message. Two common reasons that authors struggle to bring their book to life are 1) not having the funds to write, publish and launch their book and 2) when the book is ready for launch, authors are often overwhelmed by what steps are necessary to pre-sell their book while building a community of readers and how to tap into other people's audiences.
That's where crowdfunding comes in. One solution to address both issues.
Understanding the Power of Crowdfunding for Authors
Crowdfunding for authors is more than just a financial tool—it's about community building. At its core, crowdfunding allows authors to gather small amounts of money from their audience, tapping into the power of collective funding.
It's not just about the money to develop, publish and launch your book but also about rallying a dedicated community of readers. There are so many benefits for authors, such as building a crowd of readers, generating revenue, pre-sales and bulk buys of your book, other people sharing your campaign and book with their audiences, and so much more!
What it takes to have a successful campaign:
One of the best strategies for author crowdfunding success is the plan! We recommend a 90-day plan, which allows the necessary time to develop your strategy, build and warm your crowd, create a landing page to build your database, and create a compelling video, which are all elements of an author’s crowdfunding plan.
Passion is another ingredient to success. Your belief in and passion for your book is the fuel that drives your campaign and keeps it going. It is also what inspires others to get involved and support your campaign.
Jaime here: YES, it’s all about having big ambassador energy as you go out and advocate for your book. Your devotion to your book is the secret sauce to any successful crowdfunding or marketing campaign you might engage in your book publishing process.
You do NOT have to have a big database or substantial social media following. Many of our crowdfunding author clients start with small or inactive lists and minimal social media communities. Your crowdfund will help you build this as you go.
Setting Realistic Expectations: How Much Can You Raise?
The possibilities with crowdfunding can seem endless, but authors often ask the magic question: how much can one raise?
The figures vary, but authors typically target between $7,500 and $12,500. These funds generally cover editing, publishing, marketing, launches, book tours, translations, and other associated costs. Remember, the key is to combine creativity with a well-planned strategy.
Jaime here: I raised over $11,000 successfully with my author crowdfunding campaign for my book Birth Your Story on Kickstarter. I had an email list size of about 400-500 people and a social media following of less than 1,000 people.
Choosing the Right Platform: An Essential Decision
With many platforms like Kickstarter, IndieGoGo, Fundrazr, and Crowdfundr, making a choice can be overwhelming. It's crucial to research thoroughly, as some platforms allow authors to keep partial funds raised, while others operate on an all-or-nothing model. The key is to align the platform's features with your goals.
Learn more about crowdfunding for authors and access your FREE downloadable resources here.
About the Authors
Charmaine Hammond, co-founder of Raise a Dream, is an 11x best-selling author, professional speaker, and the creator of the Your Book as a Business Program. She has helped authors launch their books, learn how to engage sponsors and build communities of readers and clients.
Victoria Bennett is the force behind The Crowdfunding Hub, an online community supporting anyone interested in running a crowdfunding campaign. She is a seasoned crowdfunding and marketing strategist. She boasts a stellar track record, having been a part of campaigns that have raised a collective $20 million.
Together, they developed and lead the Crowdfunding for Authors program.
