Can you recall the last 5 crowdfunding pages you visited? Go back to these sites and check out their rewards for offering extra money. Most likely you will see some kind of special edition of the end product or possibly a T-shirt or autographed copy from a celebrity endorser. It is okay to include these things but if you want to be more than just be a part of the “me too” crowd, you should get a bit more creative. Taking a bit more thought and setting the right price could boost the chances of meeting that tough funding goal you set. Here are a few great reward ideas to get those gears spinning.
A New Follower
One way to convince people to instantly trust your crowdfunding pitch is to get a celebrity involved or have the celebrity be the main attraction. That kind of trust should be enough to generate some press and attract folks to your lowest tiers. But you could also take advantage of that star power to make higher tier rewards more attractive. A simple follow on Instagram from that personality could convince any die-hard fan to go for that. How much more for a follow on Twitter? Of course, not everyone has the luxury to get a celebrity involved but Twitter or Instagram users can never have enough followers so you or one of your project partners could do the honor to sweeten any mid tier reward.
A Silly Object Worth Keeping
Adding a valuable mid or high tier reward isn’t easy because a portion of that amount will cover the necessary expenses to produce such a reward. Then you need to make sure you get your cut without making the reward too cheap for the backer to appreciate. But not all rewards need to cost money to create. Be creative or be silly if you think the target audience will appreciate it. The hugely successful Exploding Kittens campaign had a $500 tier as its highest with the reward being a “custom card” made by the creator’s terrible drawing skills. All 5 were taken and these 5 individuals know they are the only folks in the world to possess these priceless possessions.
A Personal Impact
The highly expensive tiers often involve trips to meet the project creators and possibly discuss ideas. But the catch is that the backer needs to shoulder the traveling expenses which could pose a problem for folks that do not live anywhere near the proposed venue. Don’t let that stop you from allowing high paying backers a chance to remotely make a personal impact. There was this ice cream parlor looking to raise funds to expand with one mid tier award allowing a backer to name their own ice cream flavor and have it featured on the menu for a whole year. People who want more than just having their name etched on a product may get a kick out of this.