As an indie artist, you’ve likely heard about crowdfunding or fanfunding platforms like Rockethub.com and Kickstarter.com. They’re a great way to help you raise money for things like supporting your next tour, recording an album, hiring a PR agency, etc. When used properly, these platforms can help artists fund their next project.

Here are five things to know when considering a crowdfunding campaign:

1. Work: Crowdfunding takes a significant amount of work and devotion. It takes planning, motivation and creativity. Be prepared to spend countless hours on this project — you can’t just build it, and expect funders to find it. You have to work for it.
2. Skills: Creating a successful campaign involves shooting and editing videos, writing pitches or appeals to your fans and using online social networks to spread the word. If these aren’t things you know how to do – it’s time to learn, and fast.
3. Don’t be shy: Crowdfunding means asking people for money. If that’s not something you enjoy doing or feel comfortable with, this is going to be a difficult process for you. It also may involve reaching out to the media to get your story out to a larger audience. Consider your level of comfort with these things before diving in headfirst.
4. Creativity: A successful campaign is one that’s packaged well and one that’s creative and interesting enough to draw in funders. Make sure you take the time to get the creative juices flowing and build an interesting project that people will want to give money to.
5. Consider your network: Think about your connections. Think about those that you went to high school or college with, people that you work with, people in your church or other community organizations. You’re going to need to make a list of everyone you can invite to fund your project, so start think about who should be on that list now.

Crowdfunding campaigns are a great way to help independent artists raise money for their next project, but it’s important to know what you’re in for before making the leap. It can feel like a long haul, but it’s one worth exploring, because the payoffs can be great.

Tell us what you think! Have you created a crowdfunding campaign? Was it a success? Why or why not?

The SongCast Crew