95 - How to Raise Money for a Film or Creative Project | feat. Kasia Kruk

Crowdfunding Uncut | Kickstarter| Indiegogo | Where Entrepreneurs Get Funded

Crowdfunding to raise money for a film or creative project is a bit different from crowdfunding for a physical product. On this episode, Kasia Kruk shares her experience of crowdfunding for several film projects and provides insights into the process that she used successfully. Listen in to get great tips on building and engaging your audience, communicating with them effectively, and providing creative rewards for a non-physical product.

Kasia Kruk’s story - from film festival volunteer to crowdfunding and social media strategist for filmmakers

Kasia Kruk has always been attracted to film. Over twelve years ago she came to New York and started collaborating on projects either directly or indirectly related to film. On this episode, Kasia shares the story of her journey from volunteering as an event coordinator for a film festival to discovering that Kickstarter could be used as a platform to raise money for a film, to becoming a crowdfunding and social media strategist for filmmakers. Listen to today’s podcast to hear Kasia’s story and to learn from her experience how to raise money for your creative project.

How to create an engaged audience for your creative project

Establishing and engaging with your audience is a crucial foundation for crowdfunding to raise money for a film or other creative project. On this episode, Kasia Kruk describes how to use social media to engage with people who are interested in the theme or topic of the film, and how to create your audience from there. She also explains the need to invite your audience early (a paradigm shift for many filmmakers). Listen to this episode for valuable ideas for creating and engaging your audience.

How to use creative communication to keep your audience engaged

Consistent and engaging communication with your audience and your backers is essential as your film or creative project moves forward. On this episode, Kasia Kruk shares how she uses content and questions to invite the audience into the world of the artist. She describes how to use a video blog to update your audience on the progress of your creative project, and how to keep your content and communication consistent on all of the pages an audience member might visit. Listen in to learn how to creatively engage with your audience!

Innovative rewards that backers of a creative project will love

Rewards for backers of a creative project are very different from those for a physical product. On this episode, Kasia Kruk shares innovative ideas for rewards that have worked well for her clients when raising money for a film. From autographed photos to in-person experiences and everything in between, today’s podcast will get you thinking about great ways to reward the people who are helping to fund your project.

Outline of This Episode

• [2:05] Intro to Kasia Karuk and this episode on raising money for a creative project.
• [6:16] How Kasia got started and what she does.
• [8:59] Kasia’s journey to finding that Kickstarter could be a good angle for filmmakers.
• [14:35] Thank you to our sponsor: Backerkit.
• [15:39] How do you get an engaged audience for a film before the film is made?
• [20:03] How to use a blog to create engagement.
• [27:32] Why and how to create a recognizable pattern in your communication with your audience.
• [31:04] Innovative rewards that backers of a creative project will love.
• [37:30] Be a better listener in your community.

Resources Mentioned

• Crowdchime on Facebook
• Kasia’s e-mail
• [e-mail]
• CrowdfundingProductlaunchacademy.com
• Leave a review on iTunes

Sponsors

• BackerKit - use the code “uncut” to get 50% of of set-up services