Art of the Kickstart

If you follow companies like Arduino or Raspberry Pi, you definitely won’t want to miss this episode of Art of the Kickstart! Join us as we talk to Johnson Jeng, Co-founder of PINE A64, the $15 64-bit single board supercomputer about how he and TL Lim created the product almost by accident, the importance of PR, setting goals and much more. PINE A64, First $15 64-Bit Single Board Supercomputer   Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * How developing a medical device and a voice recognition device became an inexpensive, powerful computer * Using Kickstarter to measure demand and test the market * The meaning behind the name PINE A64 * How PINE A64 became a success seemingly overnight * Managing minimum order quantities * Using Kickstarter to build a community around your product * The importance of time management and delegation as an entrepreneur * Working with the 12th employee of Apple, the CEO of openHAB and the SVP of Zolt * Using your personal connections to help position your product * The importance of patience as a Kickstarter creator * Using PR to create a buzz * Project timing and success * Why sending prototypes and samples to journalists is important * Why project creators need to stay on top of responding to comments and emails * Tips for setting 5 year goals * Why you should spend everyday working toward your goals Links * www.pine64.com * PINE A64 on Kickstarter Connect with PINE A64 * PINE 64 on Facebook * @thepine64 on Twitter * @thepine64 on Instagram

Roy Morejon of Command Partners is back with his first solo-hosted episode. Join us as we talk to Wylie Robinson of Rumpl and get his take on running a second Kickstarter campaign, harnessing your community, stealth launches and more. The Super Fleece by Rumpl Success Quote “Learn from your mistakes.” Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * How learning from mistakes can make a second crowdfunding campaign better * How Active Homewear became a concept * What backgrounds and skillsets project creators need * How to prepare yourself for fulfilling rewards * Building a community and maintaining rapport with them * What the Kickstarter community really looks like * How to harness the power of the Instagram community * Using Kickstarter to validate an idea for investors * How to successfully stealth launch a campaign * The importance of being transparent with your community * When you should start your PR outreach * How to use LinkedIn in your PR strategy * Tips for first-time entrepreneurs * How to structure your rewards * How Kickstarter backers’ expectations are changing Links * gorumpl.com * Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman * Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation Connect with Rumpl * @gorumpl on Instagram * @gorumpl on Twitter * Rumpl on Facebook

Today's an interesting one. See, you guys deserve better. Roy Morejon and Command Partners are the top crowdfunding company and they're looking to help MORE crowdfunders and startups succeed - via consulting and powering the podcast. Today I interview Roy, my successor for Art of the Kickstart, someone I look up to as a both a crowdfunder and entrepreneur. We dive into the future of crowdfunding, equity crowdfunding, Art of the Kickstart and what it means to build a business in today's world. I'm excited about where the podcast is headed as I've seen the tens of millions Roy and his team have helped and think this is best for inventors and innovators out there looking to succeed. Commanding Crowdfunding Success * The crazy excitement behind Art of the Kickstart - I'm leaving to make it better for you guys! * Why press powers crowdfunding and Command Partners evolution * The future of crowdfunding and why IGG will win! * How SEO and social media help starts grow * Why picking crowdfunding winners isn't always easy * The power of early adopters * How to overcome marketing woes * Roy's story of Bunch O' Balloons * The excitement of licensing and success * Why crowdfunding is still SO EARLY * Common mistakes crowdfunders make * How founders can scale success during campaigns * Why EVERY startup is different and needs post-Kickstarter planning * The power of Indiegogo post-funding * Why foreign startups are starting to launch with crowdfunding * The importance of timing in sales * What founders and friendliness does to business growth * Speeding the lean startup concept * Why equity crowdfunding is catapulting crowdfunding further faster Why I Love Command Partners * Over $50 million funded * Over 160 crowdfunding campaigns * HEXO+ Drone - Our campaign page case study Quote of the Day "Why are you an entrepreneur?" "Because I didn't want to wear a tie" [clear-line] Links From the Show * Command Partners - Easily Top 3 Crowdfunding Agency Love the Show? Leave us a Review [clear-line] [clear-line] [clear-line] Crowdfund Academy Listener Special [clear-line] [clear-line]

Wow. Here's an action packed, informative, futuristic episode and product. Founders Daniel and Navi share all plus Roy Morejon of Command Partners, the crowdfunding guy who'll be taking over Art of the Kickstart is on and it's an exciting, fast paced episode any crowdfunder will love. The RevolsKickstarter Campaign Success Quote "Go Big or Go Home" -Daniel "Never pay retail" - Roy "In a startup your job is whatever needs to be done" - Navi Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * Why friends can make perfect founders * Calculating risk and demand * How to bouncing ideas builds a business * Why there's a mountain of work pre-Kickstarter * What goes into building a solid team * Why inventors need pre-crowdfunding cash * The effect of living China * How accelerators aid designers and entrepreneurs * What you NEED to know about manufacturers * When to start setting up a Kickstarter * Why China can super speed iterations and changes * The reason surrounding yourself with winners is vital * Why partnerships with corporations can make the difference * The power of proof * How to get press hits and success * Why risky behavior builds the success * Ways to replicate success * What it takes to deliver product on time * How to communicate and plan projects with manufacturer * Planning a proper funding goal and deliver * The power of reassurance in purchases and conversions [clear-line] Links * Revols.com * Command Partners * Onkyo Other Cool Projects * HAX Accelerator * LiveInFarms * Grasp Bike Lock Connect with Daniel and Navi * Revol's Facebook * @revolsound Love the Show? Leave us a Review

Private labeling's a powerful way to build a business...but will it work for crowdfunding campaigns? Can creativity and hardwork be shortcut on Kickstarter to create success and what do you NEED to know about the future of ecommerce as it's unfolding today. A Private Label Fallacy Around Crowdfunding What is the "essence" of crowdfunding and how knowing that can help you fund your campaign Why certain projects and startups succeed where others fail The reason private label is powerful for Amazon and AWFUL for crowdfunding How to use Amazon fulfillment and FBA tactics to sell more products sooner Why storytelling and startup history are critical to Kickstarter The reason crowdfunding IS NOT A MAKE MONEY ONLINE STRATEGY How Kickstarters can grow and scale with Amazon and other channels What you need to know NOW about Amazon and business growth The Indiegogo with ultimately defeat Kickstarter Why creation and innovation are critical to success How some channels are specific to certain audiences [clear-line] Links From the Show FBA ALLSTARS - My Step One to 7 Figures Amazon Podcast Love the Show? Leave us a Review [clear-line] [clear-line] [clear-line]     Crowdfund Academy Listener Special [clear-line] [clear-line]

Private labeling's a powerful way to build a business...but will it work for crowdfunding campaigns? Can creativity and hardwork be shortcut on Kickstarter to create success and what do you NEED to know about the future of ecommerce as it's unfolding today. A Private Label Fallacy Around Crowdfunding * What is the "essence" of crowdfunding and how knowing that can help you fund your campaign * Why certain projects and startups succeed where others fail * The reason private label is powerful for Amazon and AWFUL for crowdfunding * How to use Amazon fulfillment and FBA tactics to sell more products sooner * Why storytelling and startup history are critical to Kickstarter * The reason crowdfunding IS NOT A MAKE MONEY ONLINE STRATEGY * How Kickstarters can grow and scale with Amazon and other channels * What you need to know NOW about Amazon and business growth * The Indiegogo with ultimately defeat Kickstarter * Why creation and innovation are critical to success * How some channels are specific to certain audiences [clear-line] Links From the Show * FBA ALLSTARS - My Step One to 7 Figures Amazon Podcast Love the Show? Leave us a Review [clear-line] [clear-line] [clear-line]     Crowdfund Academy Listener Special [clear-line] [clear-line]

Scuba Steve time....the underwater adventures of an inventor and entrepreneur crushing Kickstarter, funding in days and turning a personal passion and project into a crowdfunding success story. Yeah, you should tune. The PakPod Kickstarter Campaign [one-half-first] [/one-half-first][one-half][/one-half] Success Quote "I just need to know what I need to know next." Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * Why you NEED to bring your own crowd ahead of time * Challenges creating manufacturing and production times * How to scratch your own itch for product creation * Why some startups NEED help and team to succeed * What inventors must learn about entrepreneurship and design * Why partnerships are powerful business boosts * The power of proof and testimonials * How hard a Kickstarter campaign can be to run * Why making money makes making money easier * Ways to cross-promote crowdfunding projects * The power of mindless brainstorming * Why startups should fail fast, faster * The reason ideas are worthless [clear-line] Links * pakpod.com [clear-line] Connect with Steve * Pakpod's Facebook * Pakpod's Twitter Love the Show? Leave us a Review [clear-line] [clear-line] [clear-line] Crowdfund Academy Listener Special [clear-line] [clear-line]

Crowdfunding kickes ass...but what happens next? Funding and focus and are needed to grow and scale your startup and without a proper plan to build and succeed, your business is sure to stagnate and fail. So, let's talk post-Kickstarter ecommerce, Amazon, retail and IP to really boost the odds of long term, profitable success for your startup... Sound good? Post Kickstarter Business Basics Covered * Why ecommerce is an easy transition from crowdfunding to fully fledged business * How buyer and traffic channels can rapidly accelerate the startup growth curve * Why I'd almost ALWAYS recommend product entrepreneurs put effort into Amazon sales * How to use Amazon fulfillment and FBA tactics to sell more products sooner * What entrepreneurs ought to know about the challenges and payoffs of retail sales * The reason big box stores still DOMINATE the retail market * Why Kickstarter creators should plan for the future before pushing out campaigns * What I think about dropshipping and what early entrepreneurs NEED to know now * The role of licensing and IP in invention and business * Why Silicon Valley and venture capital create interesting options for tech crowdfunded startups * How some startups sell out for big bucks FAST * What it takes to build a successful, scaleable product company post-Kickstarter [clear-line] Links From the Show * FBA ALLSTARS - My Step One to 7 Figures Amazon Podcast * Post Kickstarter Ecommerce Guide * Amazon FBA and Post Kickstarter Guide Love the Show? Leave us a Review [clear-line] [clear-line] [clear-line] Crowdfund Academy Listener Special [clear-line] [clear-line]

It's GRIDIRON Gameday time with an NFL hardware product pushing sports experience and fandom to the next level with Kickstarter creativity. Today fans and founders join the show to share the 2 year journey creating and testing a cool new sports app-enabled device and drop insight into what it takes to succeed and persevere with tech. The Referee Ralph Kickstarter Campaign [one-half-first] [/one-half-first][one-half][/one-half] Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * How cofounders can start a project with a simple idea * Challenges creating hardware/software tech startups * What it takes to crowdfund a sports related business * How to focus on customer discovery to discover which features are vital to success * What to do when you NEED product development and technical help * Why product development always takes longer than expected * The reason Kickstarter marketing is critical before launching * How to decide what works and what doesn't with development * Why videos are critical to crushing a crowdfunding campaign [clear-line] Links * refereeralph.com [clear-line] Connect with Brian and Jim * Referee Ralph's Facebook Love the Show? Leave us a Review [clear-line] [clear-line] [clear-line] Crowdfund Academy Listener Special [clear-line] [clear-line]

Hey guys, I've got BIG news. Art of the Kickstart will be undergoing so big, super helpful crowdfunder changes in the next couple weeks so I hope your excited and ready to rock. More in next episode. For now let's look at software, the conundrum app founders face, why crowdfunding can kill software dreams and how to help stubborn app startups succeed with Kickstarter! Key Crowdfundings Software Takeaways * Why app and software projects almost never fund via crowdfunding * How backers view apps and how to overcome objects * Why I'd almost never recommend Kickstarter to create a cool new software startup * How to add value with reward tiers to make the inexpensive appear premium * What early adopters and early access can mean for a software startup * The big mistake technical founders make when working to launch via crowdfunding * Why focusing efforts can make the difference between crowdfunded app successes and failures * The role of complementary products in pushing campaign success * Why Silicon Valley seems a better route for most high growth tech startups [clear-line] Love the Show? Leave us a Review [clear-line] [clear-line] [clear-line] Crowdfund Academy Listener Special [clear-line] [clear-line]

Today German triathlete and sports tech founder Sebastian shares the 6 year story growing and scaling an athletics apparel company, the ups and downs and their crowdfunding campaign experience thus far. Runners and sports startup guys beware, this guy is taking action and it's time to take it to the next level. The HippZip Kickstarter Campaign Success Quote "Go Big or Go Home."   Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * What can happen when you take a big risk on a decision decision * Challenges existing businesses have when attempting to crowdfund a project * When it is time to think about expanding an existing product line * How to slowly, steadily build a profitable sports company without a lot of cash * What to do when your company is in too narrow of a niche * The big mistake most every Kickstarter makes when it comes to marketing * Why the middle of a crowdfunding campaign is always a grind and how to overcome it * The value of innovation in product launches * Why an awesome Kickstarter video can't necessarily nail the entire funding process * What big companies know that startups need to catch up on to compete   Links * hippzip.com Connect with Sebastian * HippZip's Facebook Love the Show? Leave us a Review    

Today a killer tech company just featured on ABC is changing the world of automotive connectivity, bring smart tech to your car - prevent texting and driving, forgetting where you parked and so much more. This is tech founders 101 and ways to uplevel your inner Steve Jobs to sell more stuff! The AwareCar Kickstarter Campaign Success Quote "Whatever you do, give your best."   Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * Ways to turn a simple tech product into a solid business model * Challenges engineers and technical founders face marketing a product * When it is time to think about entering an accelerator * How to progress after a successful Kickstarter campaign * What college fails to teach you about entrepreneurship * The future of connected, smart computing * Why dumbing down tech products is the smartest thing ever! * The value of advisers and business experts helping out inexperienced entrepreneurs Links * awarestack.com Connect with Dani * @awarestack * AwareStack's Facebook Love the Show? Leave us a Review   Crowdfund Academy Listener Special

University students supercharge a revolutionary, eco-friendly water cooker and raise a ridiculous 7 figures via Kickstarter - here's how they did it! Miito's making waves with media, exposure and mistakes while fighting to transform age-old customer habits, the paradox of innovation unfolds. The Miito Kickstarter Campaign [one-half-first] [/one-half-first][one-half][/one-half] Success Quote "Make mistakes and make mistakes fast." [clear-line] [clear-line] Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * How much media is right and is early exposure good? * Why if it works, just roll with it is critical to entrepreneurship * What goes into product innovation and brainstorming? * How to progress from a massive Kickstarter to a more mature business model * Changing from a college engineering project to large scale tech startup * The challenge of changing human behavior * Why patents and intellectual property are important * The raw value of advisers and business experts helping out * How future focus is hard with here and now business succcess * The value in constant product development [clear-line] Links * pocketnc.com * OffScreenMagazine.com [clear-line] Connect with Jasmina * @projectmiito * Miito's Facebook Love the Show? Leave us a Review [clear-line]     [clear-line] [clear-line] Crowdfund Academy Listener Special [clear-line] [clear-line]     [clear-line] Our Sponsor * eFulFillment Service: Want to get your rewards out to backers and eliminate the hassle of post-campaign shipping? EFS can help with tons of crowdfunding experience and special discounts for Art of the Kickstart listeners these guys are a great bet to help your business grow.

Massive success for the maker movement. Today CNC startup PocketNC shares a 4 year roller coaster preparing the world's greatest 5 axis machine to DIY doers and hackers everywhere...and did I mention they raised over 1/3 of a million dollars in the process! Here's how to crush a hardware/software startup! The PocketNC Kickstarter Campaign [one-half-first] [/one-half-first][one-half][/one-half] Success Quote "Just get going (you'll find help along the way)" [clear-line] [clear-line] Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * How to get started with a high tech hardware project * The power of tinkering and maker mentality to create * What goes into scraping a product to pursue another * How to stay excited and funded over the process of product development * The reason hackers and Arduino are unleashing entrepreneurial advancements * How open-source software allows startups to scale and grow * Startup transparency strategies to build up a backer launch list * The importance of trust in big product pitches * How Kickstarter companies can manufacture themselves to keep quality consistent * The value in perfecting a product and waiting to launch * The value of preorders in post-Kickstarter growth! [clear-line] Links * pocketnc.com [clear-line] Influential Book * Bootstrapping Your Business: Start and Grow a Successful Company with Almost No Money Connect with Michelle * @pocketnc * PocketNC's Facebook Love the Show? Leave us a Review [clear-line]     [clear-line] [clear-line] Crowdfund Academy Listener Special [clear-line] [clear-line]     [clear-line] Our Sponsor * eFulFillment Service: Want to get your rewards out to backers and eliminate the hassle of post-campaign shipping? EFS can help with tons of crowdfunding experience and special discounts for Art of the Kickstart listeners these guys are a great bet to help your business grow.

Half a million for a hacker keyboard changing the way the world types. Today inventors Kaia and Jesse join to share how opensourcing, building mailing lists and customer testing created a gamechanging ergonomic accessory that has dominated Kickstarter to date. The Keyboard.io Kickstarter Campaign [one-half-first] [/one-half-first][one-half][/one-half] Success Quote "Learn how to throw yourself towards the ground and miss." "The best time to have started your community building and built your mailing list was two years ago, the second best time is today." [clear-line] [clear-line] Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * How a startup collapse can create a business blast off * The power of open source products and information * Why transparency takes startups to the customer level * How open-sourcing allows hardware products to improve over time and engage users * The reason beta testers are big market validators for entrepreneurs * How to perfect product testing for serious success * Startup funding and thoughts on small scale investment * The importance of preparing in advance for manufacturing and production runs * How to organically grow a mailing list for product launches * The importance of connections with big organizations * Why a road trip promotion powered Kickstarter success * The importance of getting products in front of people * What happens when you agree with customer criticism [clear-line] Links * keyboard.io [clear-line] Influential Book * How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie Connect with Kaia and Jess * @keyboardio * Keyboard.io's Facebook Love the Show? Leave us a Review [clear-line]     [clear-line] [clear-line] Crowdfund Academy Listener Special [clear-line] [clear-line]     [clear-line] Our Sponsor * eFulFillment Service: Want to get your rewards out to backers and eliminate the hassle of post-campaign shipping? EFS can help with tons of crowdfunding experience and special discounts for Art of the Kickstart listeners these guys are a great bet to help your business grow.