How to get better at KICKSTARTER - 5 TIPS
5 TIPS FOR NEW CREATORS LOOKING FOR FUNDING
Lately, I've been mentoring a few new creators, offering advice on how to succeed on Kickstarter. Right now, both new and seasoned creators are finding it harder to fund their projects and attract followers. The economy is unpredictable, and the Kickstarter landscape is shifting. But if you have a dream, I want to help you achieve it.
First, a reality check—funding a project isn’t as easy as it used to be. You need professional-level art and high-quality production to stand out and gain traction. It’s a challenging time, but with the right approach, you can rise above the competition.
That’s why I’ve put together 10 essential tips that no one talks about—insider advice to help you navigate and succeed in the Kickstarter system.
BACK OTHER CREATORS – I know this might sound like I'm just asking for support in return, but that’s not the case. The real reason is that being an active part of the community—not just a creator, but a supporter—makes a difference. If you’ve launched a project but have never backed anyone else, potential supporters may see you as a taker rather than a contributor.
I’ve heard all the excuses—“I put all my money into making the book,” and so on—but let’s be real. If you can’t find even one project worth supporting on Kickstarter, why are you here?
BONUS TIP: There’s a lot to learn from how successful creators boost their funding through updates. If you back the right campaigns—even for just a dollar—you can gain valuable insights into their strategies.
PUT IN THE WORK!
Too many creators don’t put in the work. They don’t research other campaigns, they don’t invest in production, and they treat Kickstarter like free money—but it’s not. The less effort you put into designing your campaign, the less money you’ll make.Here’s the reality: if you put in minimal effort, your results will reflect that. Be better. Do the research, improve your presentation, and give yourself a real chance at success.
SHOW YOUR BEST STUFF
If your comic has a dinosaur tearing through a city, but that moment doesn’t happen until page 12—start your preview on page 12! Too many creators showcase the setup pages instead of the real hook of their book.
Think about it: if pages 1-5 are just characters talking, that doesn’t give potential backers a real sense of how epic your story is. Instead, highlight the pages that truly sell your book—the action, the drama, the moment that makes your story stand out. Give people a reason to get excited and back your project!
BONUS TIP - SHOW IT!! Here is a example of what people do wrong. Here is what some people show they show a small zoomed in version of a page
instead of showing the whole page
SHIPPING – DON’T OVERCHARGE!
Let’s be clear—don’t charge $10 or more for shipping unless it's absolutely necessary. And don’t double dip! You're already pricing your book higher than you would at a convention, so don’t overcharge your backers on shipping, too. It feels like a cash grab and can turn people off from supporting you.
I also strongly recommend avoiding "Pay Later" shipping. It’s just not good customer service. Personally, I’ve stopped backing projects that use it because it creates uncertainty for backers. Be upfront about costs and make the process as smooth as possible.
Don’t Cold Call Creators for Promotions
As much as we all want to support each other, a Kickstarter campaign is not the place to cold-message another creator asking for a promo. Your backers—and theirs—have limited time and money, and creators are focused on running their own campaigns. Interrupting that with requests for shoutouts can be disruptive and rarely leads to real support.
That said, if you genuinely enjoy someone’s work, promote them because you want to—not because you expect something in return. But if a creator hasn’t offered to share your project and doesn’t know you, don’t spam their comment board, email, DMs, or Facebook page asking for a shoutout. It’s uncomfortable, unprofessional, and won’t get you the results you want. Focus on building real relationships, not just transactions.
BONUS TIP - If you want to ignore this advice like many have before manage your expectations. If i am running a horror book and you are running a NSFW book the crossover audience will be limited and wont help you get backers and is kind of a waste of everyone’s time.
So, that’s it here is 5 things that CREATORS dont talk about. I did want to give you some more basic advice that doesnt count toward the 5 things but these are pretty standard but i feel need to be repeated.
Create a KICKSTARTER Strategy
Kickstarter's algorithm favors momentum, meaning the more backers you get in the first 24-48 hours, the more visible your project becomes. A strong launch can make or break your campaign. Here’s how to maximize it:
Build Your Email List Early – Don't rely solely on social media; email has a much higher engagement rate. Send out reminders before and during launch.
Offer a Day-One Exclusive – Give early backers a special reward, like a discounted tier, a bonus print, or exclusive content to create urgency.
Engage Your Community Before Launch – Get potential backers excited with behind-the-scenes content, countdown posts, and sneak peeks.
Line Up Early Backers – Have friends, family, and supporters ready to pledge as soon as the campaign goes live. Even a small burst of early funding can trigger Kickstarter’s algorithm to push your project to more people.
Make sure your UPDATES matter. Updates can make or break a campaign. I recently saw a creator who updated there campaign 5 days and it was launch 2 days before… You will lose backers if you annoy them.
Kickstarter success isn’t just about the campaign itself—it’s about the pre-launch work and campaign work. Put in the effort upfront, and you’ll see better results!
Travis Gibb
Orange Cone Productions
PS - We are only 400 from funding UPHEAVAL my first superhero book!! I would love to see a few of you guys try it out!! This book is really special too me and i cant wait to get it in your hands
7 DAYS LEFT!! PLEASE BACK TODAY!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orangecone/upheaval-action-adventure-superhero-comic
Good stuff here