Crowdfunding Now!

Cover of Illmatic (Aniv) We note with interest the crowdfunding campaign by Nas , (formal name: Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones.) According to Wikipedia, "his debut album Illmatic , released in 1994, received universal acclaim from both critics and the hip hop community. It is frequently ranked as..the greatest hip hop album of all time.." His crowdfunding campaign is unique, actually brilliant. No other celebrity of his stature has launched a crowdfunding campaign that has been as personal and targeted. Rather than focusing on a record, a product or a film (in contrast to, say, Spike Lee or Zach Braff) or self aggrandisement, Nas chose to focus on the needs of a single human family. Outstanding. THIS is what crowdfunding can do and may be the template for future crowdfunding campaigns by similarly situated performers. Related articles How To Crowdfund: 5 Crowdfunding Tips Not Your Mom's Fundraiser: Crowdfunding Is Nothing Like Fundraising Crowdfunding's G...

With crowdfunding gaining traction, I thought I would revisit and update our crowdfunding tips. 1. Review other crowdfunding campaigns for best practices As one blogger noted, "Before you start your crowdfunding campaign,  study others who have done it well." There will be many  examples of how to do crowdfunding right. Watch our Twitter feed (@Blackcrowdfund)  2. Hustle Develop a " strategic approach." Who are you trying to get support from? Why would they support you? What are the long term benefits to your supporters? Are you going to hit them up again? How many times?  Create a m edia list. Get "ambassadors," people who will speak on your behalf. "Plan ahead  as much as possible. This means contacting your supporters before you  launch to firm up their promotion and participation, and also  developing a thorough marketing plan." Above all, get going! 3. Adapt quickly As one crowdfunder put it, things may not go as planned. You wi...