About

Crowdfunding is an increasingly mainstream fundraising option for companies, businesses, celebrities, and individuals alike, and it's a tried and true way to earn the funding you need to launch a product, service, or idea into production. In 2015, the crowdfunding industry raised over $16.2 billion worldwide, and it has grown every year since. More importantly, with wildly successful companies and projects like Pebble, Star Citizen, and Glow Forge, whose fundraising campaigns netted them millions in startup funds.

This course is designed to teach you the basics of how to plan, run, and manage a successful crowdfunding campaign on the platform of your choice, by helping you to understand, predict, and use marketing, analytics, and trends to your advantage. While primarily intended for individuals wishing to launch their own crowdfunding or fundraising campaigns, this course is valuable to person who work around startups, in a startup, or around artists who might need crowdfunding campaigns.

If you intend to earn money through a crowdfunding campaign, it is important that you approach the campaign properly, prepare for the extensive amount of marketing and outreach required, and learn how to predict market demand. Most importantly, you have to learn how to create shareable content that will boost your campaign. In 2014, of the 22,252 campaigns launched on Kickstarter, only 37% reached their fundraising goals. This course will guide you through each of these challenges to help you plan, create, and launch a successful crowdfunding campaign.

Requirements

International Open Academy courses are designed for anyone with an interest in learning. No formal qualifications are required to study with us. Our courses are suitable if you want to learn new skills, start a new career, or if you’re already working in a particular industry and wish to upgrade your talents and enhance your resume.

Lessons

Module 1: Your Investor Options In Crowdsourcing Capital

• What is Crowdfunding
• Your Guide to Fundraising
• Investor Alternatives to Crowdfunding
• The Requirements for a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign
• A Quick Look at the Top Campaigns in Recent Years

Module 2: Understanding Market Dynamics And Demand

• Market Demand
• Why Statistics Matter
• Making the Cut
• Understanding Manufacturing & Production Timelines
• Getting Production Quotes
• Doing Your Homework

Module 3: Business Planning For Crowdfunding & Fundraising

• Your Responsibilities to Your Funders
• Your Target Audience
• The Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act (USA)
• Protecting Your Intellectual Rights
• Calculating Fundraising Goals

Module 4: Marketing For Crowdfunding

• Creating the Perfect Pitch
• Branding Your Product
• Appealing to Emotions
• The Right Media
• Share Marketing
• Driving Content Media
• Creating a Buzz
• It All Starts with You

Module 5: Getting Started

• Creating Content
• Preparing for the Launch
• Building Your Network
• Fine tuning Your Campaign
• Outreach and Early Engagement
• Adding Value and Authenticity
• Sharing Your Credentials
• Communicating with Your Funders

Career

Who is this course for?

• Entrepreneurs planning to launch a new product or service but who need funding
• Inventors ready to bring their product to market
• Anyone with a great idea but no funds to finance it
• Anyone working with startups who regularly need crowdfunding expertise

Career path

• Work in a startup
• Start your own business 
• Fund a large-scale art project, movie, book, or other artistic endeavor
• Bring your great idea to life
• Add value to your current job

Certification

Creator

Brandy Cross

Expertise: Nutrition and Wellness

Brandy Cross is a professional writer and journalist, AFPA Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant, certified Pilate’s mat teacher, and student currently working towards her 500 Hour RYT Yoga Teacher Certification and a certificate in Plant Based Nutrition at Cornell University. Brandy's first job was in a restaurant, where she quickly learned the basics of cooking and crafting food, and she cannot remember a time when food was not an important part of her life. Lactose intolerance drove her to studying the basics of nutrition, where she learned about eating properly, controlling weight with food, and ensuring proper nutrition for health and wellness. When she discovered yoga, which she practices several hours per day, Brandy began studying the basics of plant based nutrition and vegan food, and creating recipes based around legumes, mushrooms, and other plant based proteins. With hundreds of hours applied to learning basic to advanced food skills, she is capable of crafting recipes and has ghost written multiple recipe books. Outside of nutrition and fitness, Brandy owns one cat, keeps a small balcony garden, and writes fiction in her spare time.