Do you have a finished prototype and now you are ready to get your Kickstarter or Indiegogo campaign preparations started?
Don’t forget your prototype video!
Kickstarter, in particular, has two main rules when it comes to projects with prototypes to ensure that the product you are selling is real:
1-Do show backers a prototype. It’s important to show backers the current stage of your prototype development. The more functional and close-to-final your prototype is, the better. They will want to know what has been accomplished so far and what it will take to complete the project. So put photos of your team and product in the various stages of development and manufacturing. In the page design, try to include an estimated timeline, production plans, and any other pertinent details such as other pieces or products that still need to be manufactured.
2-Do not use photorealistic, computer generated renderings. Because of advanced technology, photorealistic renderings can look deceptively real, so they are prohibited. Honesty and transparency will build trust that you will want for future campaigns and/or business development. If someone could potentially mistake the rendering as a finished product, this would inhibit your ability to gain the trust of your backers. Real pictures, though not always as attractive, are a better route to go.
In fact, for the Product Design and Technology categories, Kickstarter actually requires you to feature a prototype gallery on your campaign to help you meet their criteria. This is the perfect chance to take your backers on a personal tour behind-the-scenes. The purpose is to inform, educate, spike interest, and build trust.
One prototype video and maybe two to five images in this gallery will do the trick. And even more evidence would obviously be helpful. First, show your Kickstarter prototype video, followed by raw pictures, gifs, and--though photorealistic renderings are prohibited--technical drawings, CAD models, and sketches are encouraged.
In a rare occasion, your campaign may actually be approved without a prototype video and gallery on Kickstarter. Don’t get too excited, because they may start thinking about your campaign later and. in some cases. suspend you because you don’t have a prototype gallery. It’s safe to assume that without one, your campaign may likely be banned, so plan to have one from the start.
Unlike Kickstarter, Indiegogo doesn’t require that you feature a prototype gallery. Still, we prefer to include the same prototype video and images in your page design for campaigns on Indiegogo because it really does a great job at informing, educating, and building that desired trust. If done right, it can only help your campaign.
The Kickstarter prototype video doesn’t need to be anything too fancy. You can even use your cell phone to film. There are two main things that you will want to make sure you do in your prototype video:
1- Explain how the product works. Explain in plain English how the product works. Even though there are roughly 7,000 languages used across the world, most of your backers are going to speak English as their first or second language, so naturally, this will be the best language to explain your product.
You will want to make sure you explain the functionality of your product that you should have already outlined in your product description. Also, once again try to clearly communicate how your backers can use the product in everyday applications.
2 - Show the product. A single-shot, unedited video works the best. Have someone demonstrating how the product works while you (or they) explain it. For example, if you have a device that works with an app, you need to show it interacting with the product while you talk.
Although animation and other computer-generated imagery are fun to use in certain applications, you do not want to use it in your Kickstarter prototype video. There is no use for it here and at worst it will cause potential backers to question the validity of your product.
The more your prototype looks and functions like the end product, the better. All the features don’t need to be complete and polished yet, though the most challenging and important elements need to be demonstrated. Show what you can and explain the rest.
FOR EXAMPLE
VEIU, the world’s smartest doorbell, is a great example of a recent prototype campaign that Funded Today filmed and designed. You can see that their Prototype Gallery consists of a prototype video, original sketches, and examples of the enhancements they made to the circuitry, storage space, CPU, surface, and more.
Notice how their prototype video shows someone interacting with the app AND the product. The VEIU doorbell is physically on the door while he explains the functionality, which helps the viewer to further relate and understand how it is supposed to work. The video is basically a live, uncut demo of the VIEU doorbell interface in action.
One caution, the prototype video should never be used in place of your main campaign video. Looking at the VEIU Campaign, you can see a distinct difference between their two videos. The prototype video is merely a raw demonstration, while the campaign video hooks you with a compelling sales pitch. It looks very professional and has more emphasis on the persuasive script and clear imagery. Video agencies or crowdfunding experts like Funded Today can help you with both.
The Kickstarter prototype video is pretty easy to do by yourself. On the other hand, the featured video and rest of the page design require a lot more skill, time, equipment, and expertise.
Funded Today is already equipped with the right team, equipment, and knowledge that it will take to create you a video and page design that sells. Our creative team has already spent endless hours of research and development are they are ready to make you an awesome video and page design fit for Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and other similar crowdfunding platforms.
We’ve done all the hard work so you don’t have to!
Let’s get your project off the ground today! If you are looking to work with the world’s crowdfunding video and promotion experts, click here to arrange a time to talk with one of our Client Specialists.
