For most people, developing a product or launching a business requires securing a sizeable loan and finding a couple of good investors. By contrast, crowdfunding is the practice of raising money for a business venture by taking in financial contributions from a large number of people. In other words, instead of finding someone willing to invest $50,000 into your budding business, you find 2,500 people who will each invest just $20.
While the idea certainly isn’t a new one, the numerous online crowdfunding platforms that now exist have made it easier than ever to capture the attention of would-be supporters. The downside, of course, is that there are more people than ever trying to raise money to fund their inventions or startups.
So, how can you make sure that you stand out from the crowd? By creating a video, of course! Here are a few guidelines to follow for making an effective crowdfunding video for your startup.
Share Your Vision
In the video, you want to immediately bring your viewers in by providing them with some background. Share a little bit about yourself, the members of your team, and why you’re interested in launching a new product or business. Use rich, detail-focused dialogue to make sure that the video conveys your passion while giving all of the important details of your venture. By the end of your video, you want your viewers to be rooting for you. After all, they’re much more likely to invest their dollars when they’ve already invested their emotions.
Dive Deeper into Your Business Plan
Crowdfunding may be quite different than the conventional method of gaining capital, but big-time investors and small-time, dream-sharing supporters have one thing in common: they want to see a solid, realistic business plan. As you’re talking about the improvements that your startup will bring, incorporate images and footage of your product or service in action. This demonstrates that your startup isn’t just an interesting idea, but it’s one that is actually viable.
Give a Solid Call to Action
Your video may be information-rich and inspiring, but if viewers don’t know what to do with the information they’ve just taken in, you’re unlikely to get the results that you need. At the conclusion of your video, give a defined call to action. Whether you want them to donate a few dollars, share your video on social media, sign up for a mailing list, or provide feedback, it’s important to let them know.
Creating a Video People Will Watch
The content of your video is important, but ensuring that your information is shared in a way that people will want to take it in is equally important. Shooting a quick promo video on your smartphone isn’t enough; creating a polished, professional-grade video makes a great first impression by building a sense of legitimacy and commitment to excellence. Rather than attempting to shoot your own crowdfunding video, it’s best to partner with experts to ensure that you’re getting the best quality possible.
Crowdfunding is a great way to not only secure financing for your startup but also to build up a solid customer base right from the first. By creating an effective crowdfunding video, you can put your best foot forward and increase your chances of success.
