Alan Tudyk’s Con Man has set a new crowd-funding record on Kickstarter, raising over $3.1 Million from over 46,000 fans.
But Super Trooper 2 still has nine days to go and has already raised over $3.6 Million from over 39,000 funders.
Trying to make sense of it all?
Elizabeth Gerber and Julie Hui’s “Crowdfunding: Motivations and Deterrents for Participation” is the most scholarly exploration of crowd-funding I’ve seen.
They see Creator Motivations as:
- Raise Funds
- Expand Awareness of Work
- Form Connections
- Gain Approval
- Maintain Control
- Learn New Fundraising Skills
And Creator Deterrents as:
- Inability to Attract Supporters
- Fear of Public Failure and Exposure
- Time and Resource Commitment
Supporter Motivations are:
- Collect Rewards
- Help Others
- Be Part of A Community
- Support A Cause
Whereas the main Supporter Deterrent is Distrust of Creators’ Use of Funds.
See her article in the Huffington Post and listen to her on NPR’s Marketplace.
My take: although the rewards appear irresistible, crowd-funding is a lot of work so do your research first.