The document outlines an agenda for a webinar on crowdfunding, discussing why crowdfunding is important given declines in private lending and high rejection rates of business plans, facts about the growing crowdfunding industry, how to craft an effective crowdfunding campaign through elements like targeting the right audience, creating visual and written pitches, offering rewards, and engaging the audience.
2. Agenda
Why Crowdfund?
Crowdfunding Industry Facts
About Rock The Post
Misconceptions About Crowdfunding
Why People Pledge
Expectations
Target The Right Audience
Your Pitch
Your Visual Pitch
Importance of Rewards
Audience Engagement
Spread The Word!
3. Why Crowdfund?
In 2009, U.S. banks posted the sharpest decline in
private lending since 1942.
98% of the business plans received by accredited
investors and VC’s are rejected.
1% of the U.S. population is represented
by accredited investors (annual income
of at least $200,000) and VC’s.
4. Crowdfunding Industry Facts
In 2011, crowdfunded businesses and projects raised $102
million on rewards-based platforms.
Crowdfunding grew 266% in the total amount donated
during 2011 and increased by 263% in the amount donated
to projects that received their full funding.
More than 31,000 projects sought crowd funding donations
in 2011, a significant increase from the almost 12,000
projects in 2010.
Crowdfunding supports the kinds of small businesses that
have generated 65% of net new jobs over the past 17
years.
5. About Us
Rock The Post (www.rockthepost.com) is a crowdfunding
website designed to fund entrepreneurs at an early stage. It
is the ideal tool for entrepreneurs to leverage networks,
reach out to new contacts, and fill in the missing pieces of
their projects. Rock the Post provides budding businesses
with the means necessary to amass resources and flourish.
7. Our Mission and Vision
The Mission of Rock The Post
is to help support the development
of small businesses by providing
entrepreneurs’ with easier ways to
access funds and get exposure in
the early stages of their ventures.
Our Vision is to help better the
economy through innovation and
expansion of the workforce.
8. Misconceptions About Crowdfunding
Solely launching a project will bring in dollars
NOT TRUE: leverage your inner networks
By directing people to your project, people will pledge
NOT TRUE: Be bold and clear, directly ask for donations
Crowdfunding campaigns are effortless
NOT TRUE: It’s easier than traditional
fundraising, but you still need to put in
time and energy
9. Why People Pledge
They connect with the message and the
reason behind the project.
They connect with the unique way in
which the project creator is trying to
raise funds.
They connect with some physical
aspect of the projects, such as
rewards and incentives.
10. Expectations
On average it takes 1-2 weeks to complete a well-
crafted Post, unless working with a team.
An average of 35-45% of projects are successfully
funded.
Successful projects typically raise 40% of funds
from their inner social networks (family, friends,
colleagues).
Stay active throughout campaign.
Note: Make sure that you’re promoting your project throughout the right industry, and that
your marketing efforts stay aligned.
11. Target the Right Audience
Who will you target?
How do you relate to them?
How will you engage them?
Note: Make sure that you’re promoting your project throughout the right
industry, and that your marketing efforts stay aligned.
12. Your Pitch
Craft an extremely creative hook.
First few sentences should capture attention.
Clear, simple description of project.
Tell a story evoke emotion.
Be transparent explain where funds raised
will go.
If applicable, include link to company webpage.
Express your excitement and passion.
13. Your Visual Pitch
The Video:
The first 30 seconds is your chance to shine.
A well-crafted video will greatly increase your
chances of being successfully funded.
Aim to keep the length between 2-3 minutes.
Images:
Use relative, appealing photos of your
product/business.
Photos help break up large amounts of text.
14. Importance of Rewards
Incentives motivate people to donate.
People want tangible/valuable rewards.
Set number of rewards appropriately for
each donation level.
15. Audience Engagement
Respond to every question, comment, message
(even if it’s negative).
Avoid taking criticism personally.
Provide constant updates (on and off platform)
about your progress.
React flexibly to feedback.
Cater to your audience’s requests.
(example: Add option for the additional color they ask for)
*Treat every person as if they are a potential investor!
16. Spread The Word!
Personalized Email
**Family, friends, colleagues**
Social media
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Reddit,
Quora, etc.
Blogs, Forums, Publications
Organizations
Media outreach
*Be consistent and passionate, but not annoying.
17. Rock The Post Crowdfunding Video
This Video can be located in our Help Center: http://www.rockthepost.com/tour/pledging
18. Thanks For Attending!
For further questions or comments please contact
Rock The Post’s Community Manager:
Danielle Kisza
danielle@rockthepost.com
Now, a quick tour of the website…
19. Questions
We will now take a few minutes
to answer your questions.
You can submit a question by typing it in the Questions tab
of the Control Panel on the right side of your screen.