What YOU Can Learn From Jackie Evancho's IndieGoGo Campaign, Pt. 1: Get Them Committed

If you've had even limited access to telephone, internet and television over the past two weeks you've no doubt heard of Jackie Evancho, the 10-year-old wunderkind currently dazzling audiences with her way-too-amazing singing voice on the current season of America's Got Talent. But what many thousands of people don't know is that Jackie -- with the help of her mom, Lisa -- used IndieGoGo to help power her star performance by raising money for her second album.

 

Not everyone who starts an IndieGoGo campaign is going to rocket to fame like Jackie, but crowd funding is an excellent way to put yourself in the position to take advantage of the moment, should a make-or-break opportunity present itself.

No Such Thing As Overnight Success
We've all heard it: success is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

Jackie's opportunity came when America's Got Talent opened an episode of competition to YouTube contestants. Having already built a following via her social networks and IndieGoGo campaign, Jackie was able to gather the votes that would catapult her onto the show, where she then had the opportunity to showcase her talent to millions. She had already built up the following she needed -- then she seized the opportunity and landed herself on television. Preparation, opportunity, success.

 

But what does that mean for you? 

In this series of posts, we're looking at ways IndieGoGo can prepare you to take advantage of the opportunity when it comes YOUR way.

 

First: by getting people committed to you.

Get Them Committed

If you've already launched a campaign on IndieGoGo you're familiar with various methods of getting people to donate to your project. Things like:

 

• Reaching out to your social networks via Facebook and Twitter.
• Emailing family members and friends with a link to your campaign.
• Putting a link to your IndieGoGo campaign on your business card or flier.
• Adding your IndieGoGo link to your email signature.

 

These methods are all part of an effort to get people -- some of whom you don't even know -- to part with their hard-earned cash to give you a boost in your endeavor. It's hard work, isn't it?

 

Launching an IndieGoGo campaign is a great way to teach yourself how to assemble a base of committed supporters. And remember: once you've got them on board, you'll have their contact information should you ever want to contact them again to ask for support.

Mobilize Your Base

Think of it this way: if you're able to get someone to donate money to your cause, then most of the hard work is done. If one of your funders was willing to donate $20 to your campaign, how easy will it be to get them to do something that takes less commitment, like click once to vote for you in a competition, or recommend your project to a friend, or buy a product?

 

The hard part is over. Now they know who you are, they're interested in your project, and they're committed to seeing you through the completion of your goal. Even if your project doesn't meet its fundraising goal, you've gathered a following dedicated to getting to through to the end.

 

Jackie Evancho was $2,000 shy of reaching her funding goal on IndieGoGo, but although she didn't raise all the money she'd hoped, she DID successfully create a handful of committed followers who were now in her camp, willing to help take her to the next step.

 

What will your next step be -- and who will be in your camp?

 

Next: What YOU Can Learn From Jackie Evancho's IndieGoGo Campaign, Pt. 2: Crafting Your Message