Clear communication with backers is a very important element of any Kickstarter campaign. Honest and frequent updates can help maintain backers’ trust and respect, and even encourage them to up their pledges!
If you’re wondering what to include in your updates, or how often they should be posted, take a look at these simple guidelines:
How Often Should I Update My Backers?
There isn’t an exact science for the best time to post an update, but as a rule you should (at least) do so:
- In the event of a delay/production issue (Example: Mighty No. 9)
You can also update backers when:
- Your campaign reaches a milestone
- If there are changes to the project
Updates can lead to social shares, news articles, blog posts, and ultimately more attention for your project. Some projects do well without any campaign updates, but in general, backers enjoy the experience of feeling involved. Updates are a small way that creators can do that without much time and effort.
What Should My Updates Be About?
A quick look at popular Kickstarter campaigns shows that most highly-funded projects update backers anywhere from 0 to more than 20 times during the course of their campaign!
These updates can include a wide range of topics:
- The project raised half or all of its funding goal (Example: PUGZ wireless earbuds).
You can also:
- Ask backers to share your campaign on social media
- Thank early supporters (Example: Fishbone Charging Station).
In addition, you can notify backers about:
- Changes to reward tiers
- Progress update/sneak peek
- Announcing stretch goals (Example: Divinity: Original Sin 2)
You can also use updates when:
- Addressing backer concerns
- Asking for help getting featured on a blog or other media
Post-Campaign Updates
You might be wondering, “What’s the point of posting updates once the campaign is over?” Here are several ways to leveraged updates for a number of purposes after your initial funding period is complete:
- Keeping backers up-to-date with progress (Example: Bunch O Balloons)
Don’t forget to:
- Redirect backers and those who come across your campaign to an e-commerce store or your website
- Notify backers of new funding opportunities (Example: Thermo Tent).
Conclusion
Updates are a great way to make sure all of your backers are aware of important things that are happening throughout the course of your crowdfunding campaign.
Don’t be afraid to try something different – like a contest or sharing a funny anecdote related to the project. Small things like that can encourage people to keep coming back to your page and spreading the word about your campaign.
