Double Fine Productions launched a new Kickstarter campaign on May 30, 2013 and has already exceed it’s $725,000 fundraising goal. The campaign ends on June 27th, so there’s still time to back it if you want in on supporting the game development. Get a download of the game at the $20 backer level.
There’s a lot to learn from this campaign, even though it’s for a game and not an indie film, which is what I’m normally writing about. Indie filmmakers planning to start their crowdfunding should perk up and take note of this campaign. It’s exciting stuff.
First of all, their campaign videos are awesome. Remember the first Kickstarter campaign, Double Fine Adventure? Their fundraising video is still one of my top five favorites. It’s entertaining, informative, and beautifully-shot. It’s just full of awesome. Make your fundraising videos awesome.
Double Fine Productions also have a solid fan base, so they go into the crowdfunding game with the bases loaded. That’s fantastic because they reach their goals in just a few days. I think that translates into a lot of freedom in those few, very important campaign days. It means they have time to keep layering on the awesome, instead of fretting about making the goal.
Zane Lamprey, who has an existing fan base, took some time to reach his fundraising goal on his Kickstarter campaign. He’s been raising money to start a show called “Chug” — another iteration of his drinking / travel show “Three Sheets.” In the last few days of the campaign, it looked like he was going to be this close to not making it. That would make me nervous.
For those interested in the latest Double Fine Productions Kickstarter campaign, here are some interesting stats:
- Campaign length: 4 weeks (28 days)
- Fundraising goal: $725,000
- Video run time: 5:59
- Backer levels: 8
- Backer level breakdown: $20+,
- $50+,
- $100+,
- $150+,
- $250+,
- $1,000+,
- $5,000+,
- $10,000+
I’ve been studying crowdfunding campaigns as often as I can to teach myself about what makes for a successful campaign. Most of you have heard about / seen the big ones (Veronica Mars, Zach Braff, etc.), but I’m also eyeing the “little guys” to see what they’re up to and how I can help out. I just hope more indie folks step up their game and make their campaigns even better. I feel like there will be more and more competition as this crowdfunding game continues to play out.
Have you tried your hand at it? What lessons did you learn while running a crowdfunding campaign? Are you trying to learn about it so you can test the waters? If so, what are you researching?
I’m so fascinated by all of it.