By now you may have heard that my long planned and highly vaunted Kickstarter campaign did not reach its goal. It was an ambitious – and probably unrealistic – goal, but you never know what’s possible until you try. That’s the attitude I had when I launched the campaign, and the one I still have. Fear not, I am not daunted.
So now what?
Well, there is always Plan B. Plan B came about several weeks before the Kickstarter launched and it continues to take shape. Simply put, Plan B involves approaching the bank with a business plan, getting their approval for a business loan, and then getting all the support I can from a different crowdfunding site. Specifically, I am looking into Indiegogo, which offers a number of different crowdfunding platforms. Among them is Flexible Funding, which means that you raise as much as you can but do not have to meet your stated goal. Since bank financing will guarantee the building gets built, Flexible Funding can not only assist in defraying that expense, it can help with the incidentals that come once the building is built.
What really buoys my spirits is the fact that some people have chosen to send monetary support for the building project even though the campaign didn’t end successfully. That money is being placed in a separate building fund and those who sent it will be entitled to the same rewards they would have received from the Kickstarter if they choose to claim them.
Another step I am taking is to keep in touch with my Kickstarter backers. Those who still wish to support the building project will be able to do so once the Indiegogo campaign is up and running. At this point, I know I can raise at least $10,000. The Kickstarter taught me that and it’s good to know.
And in the meantime, I am selling pottery from under a canopy on my front lawn. Why not? The sign is out, it is August 8, and today alone I have sold about $200 worth!
I’m keeping the faith.