It’s a question many creators ponder: “Should I hire someone to manage my crowdfunding campaign?” Often, the answer, perhaps surprisingly, is no. While there are scenarios where assistance is beneficial, for the core management of your campaign, especially on platforms like Kickstarter, it’s usually best handled by you, the creator.
This isn’t about gatekeeping or suggesting that help is never needed. Instead, it stems from a fundamental aspect of successful crowdfunding: passion. Crowdfunding thrives on shared enthusiasm. You, as the creator, possess an inherent passion for your project, and ideally, your backers resonate with that very passion. The magic of a thriving crowdfunding campaign lies in nurturing and amplifying this shared excitement throughout its duration, fostering engagement, discussions, and a sense of community.
You, the originator of the idea, are the most passionate advocate for your creation. This intrinsic passion makes you uniquely positioned to effectively communicate and share that enthusiasm with potential backers through your crowdfunding campaign. Passion is not a commodity you can outsource.
Of course, needing assistance doesn’t equate to handing over the reins entirely. There are definitely areas where bringing in support is wise. If your campaign surpasses your initial goals and becomes larger than anticipated, hiring freelancers for specific tasks can be invaluable. Forming partnerships can distribute the workload and bring diverse skills to the table. And cultivating volunteers from your dedicated fanbase can extend your reach and presence, especially when you can’t be everywhere at once.
However, for the vast majority of projects, contracting someone to fully manage the campaign while you take a backseat is often a misstep. It can significantly diminish your chances of reaching, or exceeding, your funding goals. The heart of crowdfunding is the direct connection between creator and community, fueled by genuine enthusiasm.
Consider the example of “Between Two Cities,” a board game we launched on Kickstarter. While designed by Ben Rosset and Matthew O’Malley, and not by Jamey Stegmaier directly, the approach was crucial. We didn’t hire Ben and Matthew to run a campaign. Instead, we licensed their exceptional game because we at Stonemaier Games felt an equal level of passion for it as we do for our own in-house designs. It was a game we genuinely wished we had conceived ourselves.
This deep passion translated into a significant investment of time and effort. For five months leading up to the Kickstarter launch, we collaborated closely with Ben and Matthew, meticulously refining every aspect of the game. Our focus was on ensuring every decision point within the game was engaging, enjoyable, and intuitive. Stonemaier Games was not just financially invested; we were personally invested in the project’s success and deeply enthusiastic about the game itself.
When we launched “Between Two Cities” on Kickstarter, it was to gauge if others shared our passion. Ben and Matthew were actively involved in the comments and community engagement, but so was I. This direct interaction, driven by genuine enthusiasm for the project, is what resonates with backers. We were eager to connect with people, discuss the game, and explore their ideas for expansions and additional elements.
Crowdfunding demands significant effort, but it also offers immense joy and fulfillment when approached with genuine creator involvement. Your likelihood of success is highest when you are actively at the helm of your project, directly engaging with your community, rather than delegating this crucial role.
main tokens
These are city tokens from the board game “Between Two Cities”, highlighting some of the game’s key components that generated excitement during the crowdfunding campaign.
