Info From the Vine: Telling Your Story

You've already heard that crowdfunding is the process of raising funds online for your cause, project or idea. My last mini-post to this blog caught your attention and you Googled a few of the crowdfunding sites that I suggested (Last Post).

Now, perhaps you are thinking this concept could work for you. You want to tell your story. How do you do it? The old adage of "a picture is worth a thousand words" is totally true; great images and a compelling video will capture the attention of those visiting your webpage.

Well, everyone 14 years into the 21st Century, probably already knew this, but did you know that not all videos, are alike? Ok, so you knew that too. Here is the point: Just the facts are not good enough, you have to somehow show the donor "WIFM" (what's in it for me)? Why should they care? What is so unique, revolutionary, heartwarming, relevant, mysterious, or socially necessary about you and your crowdfunding cause?

If you can convince the world that your potato salad effort demands a contribution (Potato Salad) or that mega-cool, new design ice cooler (Ice Cooler) should be given $10,000,000 (as it received) then you've done something right in your video. A video does not have to be Pixar quality to be highly effective. A cellphone camera used with an idea and some heartfelt passion may be all that is required.

Have fun, and happy crowdfunding.

- Mike Prongue
  Campaign Director for the Non Profit SignVine
  michael@signvine.org
  www.signvine.org