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General FAQs
What is IndieGoGo?
IndieGoGo provides tools for fundraising, promotion, and discovery to the film and media industry. The platform enables people to showcase their work, mobilize their fans, and DIWO (Do-It-With-Others!). Click here to learn more about us.
Who can use IndieGoGo?
Anyone can use IndieGoGo. Whether you're a filmmaker trying to get your project started, finished, marketed or distributed or a fan eager for more personally relevant and interesting films, IndieGoGo is where both can take action and influence what projects are brought to life.
My project has already been completed. Can I still use IndieGoGo?
Yes! You can raise money for distribution or marketing expenses too. Also, IndieGoGo is a resource for you to connect with, build and engage your fans. You can use our site to share and market your project.
What actions can I take on IndieGoGo?
Filmmakers can raise money and awareness, find cast and crew, and gain credibility through the help of their number one resource, the fans. As a fan, you can contribute, share, endorse, rate, comment, and get VIP perks.
Is signing-up free?
Yes.
How do I verify my IndieGoGo account?
After signing-up, you will receive a confirmation email. Click on the link in the email to verify your account.
I never received a confirmation email after I signed up. What do I do?
Sometimes our emails go to SPAM folders. Add noreply@indiegogo.com to your address book to prevent this. If that doesn't work, please email us at support@indiegogo.com.
I forgot my password. What do I do?
No problem. Go to the Short Cuts window and click "Password". We'll email you a temporary password. If that doesn't work, you can always email us at support@indiegogo.com.
Can I change my username?
Of course! Just go to MyGoGo > Account. Note that username changes are limited to once every 6 months so choose wisely!
Project FAQs
What is a project profile?
A project profile is a filmmaker's free real estate on the web to pitch their story to the world. The profile includes basic information about the project and its team, a pitch clip and other media, uploaded files, an announcement and comments section, and recognition walls for contributions and endorsements. The project profile is also the interface through which fans take action. Fans can contribute, share, endorse, rate, and comment on the project through its profile.
How do I post a project profile?
Sign-in to IndieGoGo and then click on the light bulb in the Short Cuts window. Make sure to finish the INFO, MEDIA, TEAM, and FUNDING sections as well.
I've posted a Project Profile. What now?
You're now ready for DIWO (Do-It-With-Others) filmmaking! Here are some Tips to get you started. Also, check out our Guide to DIWO Filmmaking for steps and checklists to help you launch a successful marketing and fundraising effort on IndieGoGo.
Who can post project profiles?
Anyone can post a project. Project status can range from the idea stage to complete. Project needs can range from funding to promotion to recruiting. "Use of Funds" raised can range from development to marketing to distribution expenses.
Who can view project profiles?
Anyone can view project profiles. However, no one can take action on a project profile without registering with IndieGoGo.
What are GoGoWidgets?
A GoGoWidget is a great tool to find new fans online and drive them to your project profile where they can take action. Specifically, GoGoWidgets are project-specific pieces of html code that look like little clickable bumper stickers when embedded in emails, websites and blogs. These bumper stickers include basic information about the project and link directly to the project's IndieGoGo profile.
How do I use the GoGoWidget?
You and your fans can place your project's GoGoWidget on blogs, websites, and emails. To get your project's GoGoWidget, click on the "Share" icon in the "Take Action!" section of your project profile. Follow the directions on how to use the widget and start finding new fans!
How do I add team members to my project?
Go to your project profile. Scroll down to the INFO / MEDIA / TEAM / FUNDING window. Click on the EDIT icon in the upper right hand corner of the window (the EDIT icon looks like a notepad with a pencil on top.) Click on the TEAM section. Then fill in the fields as appropriate. When you click SUBMIT, each team member will receive an invite to join your project's team.
Fundraising FAQs
How do I start fundraising?
First, post a project profile, making sure you complete the MEDIA and TEAM sections. Then prepare your audience-building and fundraising strategy. (See IndieGoGo's Guide to DIWO (Do-It-With-Others!) Filmmaking for tips). Next, complete the FUNDING section. For filmmakers with a U.S. bank account, you are eligible to enable the Amazon Payments option. You will be redirected to Amazon Payments to setup your Merchant account. Make sure to check for an email from Amazon to complete the setup. (Learn more HERE) All filmmakers are able to enable credit/debit card payments directly on the Contribute page. (Learn more HERE)
Upon payments setup, your project will be "Open for Funding" once you set your fundraising goal. You can then start sharing your project and receiving contributions! Contributions made through Amazon Payments will be deposited directly into your project's Amazon Merchant account. Other contributions will be sent via bank account or international wire transfer. We will notify you to add your bank account information and disbursement preferences once you receive your first contribution. Funds will be disbursed the Friday immediately following the point your disbursement preference criteria are met.
For additional fundraising and promotional tactic guidance, check out our DIWO Tips and dial-in to DIWO Live! to ask questions and get real-time advice from IndieGoGo's founders.
Why do I need an IndieGoGo Merchant account with Amazon?
For filmmakers with a U.S. bank account, this allows contributions to be deposited directly into your Merchant account. (Learn more HERE)
Is there a time limit for funding?
No. A funding period ends once the project has reached its funding goal. IndieGoGo recommends filmmakers break down their total funding goal into mini-goals and raise money in rounds to show progress to fans and build credibility through a track record of successful fundraising and execution.
What happens when a project reaches its funding goal?
IndieGoGo records and displays the fundraising success on the project's profile. The project administrator then brings the next phase of the project to life with the funds just raised and delivers the VIP Perks. We encourage project administrators to share the progress of their project with fans by blogging in the Announcements section and posting fresh content (new videos, dailies, bloopers from the week, interviews with the press, etc) to their MEDIA section. (Announcements are automatically sent to the project's community via email or RSS if selected.) The project administrator can also set a new funding goal to raise money for the next phase of the project.
What happens if a project does not reach its funding goal?
The funding period remains open and project administrators continue to receive contributions until they notify IndieGoGo that they would like to stop receiving contributions for their project. To stop contributions, please email support@indiegogo.com.
What are VIP Perks?
VIP Perks are a filmmaker's way to engage their fans, build trust and provide an opportunity for fans to be a patron or feel like a part of the project's team. Filmmakers should identify their assets and offer some to encourage contributions. Filmmakers determine which VIP perks correspond to different levels of support. Common VIP Perks include film credits, party invites, "extra" roles, one-on-one lunches with key talent or celebrities, set visits, characters named after contributors, set props, costumes and more. Be creative!
How do fans contribute?
Fans contribute to projects securely using their credit/debit card. If the project is setup for Amazon Payments, contributions are eligible to go directly to the project. Otherwise, contributions are disbursed to the project administrator based on the filmmaker's disbursement preferences.
Can fans contribute anonymously?
Yes. Fans can choose to make their identity or amount of contribution anonymous on IndieGoGo. Only the project administrator will know the identity or amount of an anonymous contribution.
Are contributions tax-deductible?
If the project has 501c-3 non-profit status or has fiscal sponsorship, the contribution can be tax-deductible. Supporters should contact the non-profit or fiscal sponsorship organization directly for instructions on getting a receipt for tax purposes, and consult their tax advisors about deductibility.
Are contributions refundable?
No, refunds are not possible as the contributions are disbursed immediately to the filmmaker as the funds are raised.
Can filmmakers use IndieGoGo for equity investments?
At this time, we are not offering equity investments.
Can the VIP Perks change during the funding period?
Yes. Project administrators can change the VIP Perks during fundraising. However if a VIP Perk is removed or adjusted during fundraising, the project administrator is still responsible for delivering the VIP Perk in its original form to contributors who selected it before it was removed or adjusted.
How do I know who contributed so I can deliver my VIP Perks?
Project administrators/editors can view a list of their contributors and their respective contribution amounts and selected VIP Perks in the FUNDING section of their project profile. Filmmakers will also receive a confirmation email for each contribution which includes this information.
How much does fundraising cost?
IndieGoGo is free to sign-up and a majority of the core actions are free to use (i.e. post, contribute, share, discover, endorse, rate, tag and comment). Incentives are aligned as IndieGoGo charges a 9% marketplace fee only when filmmakers and fans connect to successfully fund a project. Filmmakers are also responsible for 3rd-party payment processing fees.
Does IndieGoGo ever own the copyright of any films on the site?
No. IndieGoGo does not take any ownership in the films the platform services. IndieGoGo only requires that project administrators acknowledge IndieGoGo by including IndieGoGo's logo in their project's end credits.
People FAQs
What are people profiles?
People profiles are individual and organizational profiles for filmmakers, fans and organizations to tell the world about themselves, their interests and associated projects.
Who can post people profiles?
Any person or organization can post a profile. IndieGoGo is a transparent community-driven site, where filmmakers bring independent projects to life with the support of fans. Individual and organizational profiles are the vehicles through which actions are recognized.
Resources FAQs
What is a resource?
A resource is a useful tool, site content or application that helps filmmakers get their projects made. Resources can also help fans discover and influence what projects get made. If you have a suggestion for a cool new resource, please click here and let us know.
MyGoGo FAQs
What is MyGoGo?
MyGoGo is your private account section. Go to MyGoGo if you want to check the funding status of the projects you have supported and shared, or change your password or preferences.
Who sees MyGoGo?
Only you will be able to view your MyGoGo section.
How do I cancel my registration?
If you would like to cancel your registration and remove your individual and project profiles, please email support@indiegogo.com from the email address registered on IndieGoGo. Please type "Cancel Registration" in the subject line. We will send you a cancellation notice to confirm. Also, any feedback as to why you are canceling would be great too!
Does IndieGoGo share my personal information?
No. See our Privacy Policy here.
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