Post on 20-Jul-2015
transcript
Crowdfunding for Farmers
Chris Michael and Perry Baptista – May 2015 – info@brightagrotech.com - Confidential – Do not distribute.
5 lessons from successful crowdfunding campaigns
Webinar Series
Crowdfunding for Farming:
Successful Lessons from the Field
May 2015
a community to power good food & farming to the tipping point
Marie SaylesDirector of Projects & Partnerships
a crowdfunding and social community dedicated to
powering the good food & farming movementand the people who are changing
how we farm, eat and live.
We have successful farm projects from Seattle to Indiana,
Florida to the Carolinas, Minneapolis to Nebraska, the
Sierras to New York City.
Funding a project or venture by raising money from a
large number of people, typically via the internet.
Essentially, it is asking people to invest, lend, donate or
contribute to a person, org or business they believe in.
WHAT IS CROWDFUNDING?
Lending Gift / Reward Equity
The “crowds” provide the
capital for loans/micro-
loans
The “crowds” contribute
to a project and may
receive incentive
rewards.
Collections of qualified
investors provide a
network for
investments.
BENEFITS of REWARD CROWDFUNDING
FLEXIBILITY & SPEED
PUBLIC AWARENESS
BUILDS COMMUNITY & CUSTOMER BASE
Crowdfunding allows the public the chance to eliminate
traditional funding barriers, and to change our food
systems by supporting innovators of good food & farming.
WHY BARNRAISER?
75% success rates for farming projectscompared to below 35% on large general platforms
who align themselves with health & sustainability and are looking for new champions of the movement and new products
Connecting you to 41 million Americans
campaigns average over $12,000 raisedcompared to below $4000 on other platforms
MORE ATTENTION AND SUPPORT
It is our job to drive additional exposure the innovators like you who are reshaping how we farm and eat.
Your project will not be one of 50,000.
It is founded by people with years of experience in the food & farming movement. We have
farmers, chefs, nutritionists, educators, gardeners and food experts on our staff.
We are personally committed to your success.
This is your place.
Personalized advice from people with experience.
Marie Sayles
1. Tell a Compelling Story
2. Find your Community
3. Set the Right Goal
4. Give Great Rewards
5. Be Fearless with the Ask
KEYS TO CROWDFUNDING SUCCESS
TELL a COMPELLING STORY
Tell us YOUR story and why you are the
person to make this project happen.
Make it personal & share your passion.
Tell how your story is relevant to the food
& farming movement to go beyond your
local community.
Does your story have broader impact?
A short and direct video connects you to
your audience - both homemade &
professional can be effective.
Show your face and make the ask.
FIND your COMMUNITY
family, friends, customers, fans, clients,
online groups, business contacts,
community groups, membership orgs
Who is your audience?
email, Facebook, farmer’s markets, phone
calls, word of mouth, posters, community
events, stores and restaurants
How do you reach them?
Set up a circle of advisors, find a project
manager, or recruit volunteer interns
Build a team of supporters
SET the RIGHT GOAL
Set your goal based on your proposed
budget and the size of your community.
A typical range is between $5000 - $25,000.
Make it Attainable
Email is the BEST way to reach people
about your campaign.
Use social media - Facebook, Twitter and
Instagram - to spread the word.
Stretch and Dream
Add STRETCH goals to reach higher.
“Going viral” only happens with advance
planning.
Activate Your Network
Learn from OthersDo your research by checking out current
projects & pledge $5 to a farmer today.
Easy to use Tools & DashboardReview our campaign guides beforehand
& follow the daily tasks on the DASHBOARD.
Outreach Starts NowThe audience does not find you,
YOUR efforts starts the momentum.
PLANNING for SUCCESS
GIVE GREAT REWARDS
give thanks, give something, give
recognition, give an experience
Four ways to give
Offer rewards ranging from $10 - $25 -
$50 - $100 to $5000
Most people give around $20-$25 dollars,
– the average pledge is $78.00
Appeal to a Wide Range
Build on your expertise and offer a service
Add value with gift baskets, vouchers, &
gift certificates
Include sponsorships & direct donations
Get Creative
BE FEARLESS with the ASK
YOU are your own biggest cheerleader, so
get the word out.
Get your whole team on board – everyone
needs to be ready to promote and push.
Speak Up!
Crowdfunding is not a handout! It is a give
and get exchange and you are promoting
your business.
Be Direct
Some of us have friends or relatives that
have “offered” to help with the business.
Now is the time to make that call.
Time to ask Uncle Henry
Start a project draft today for 10% fee discount.
Launch your project within 30 days to get a total of 25% fee discount.
Go to https://www.barnraiser.us/projects/new
Contact the Barnraiser Project team for your
FREE project consultation and planning guide.
projects@barnraiser.us
Let’s raise some barns together!
Brian EdwardsHalo Greens
Charleston, SC
“People don't trust a beggar. And as I learned, older
generations don't understand donations to a busines
s. They seem to believe that if you want to start busi
ness you must sacrifice, risk, and sweat to make it h
appen.
Some don't like to give unless they receive somethin
g
in return. The "what's in it for me?" type.”
“The major things that I did right was getting my Kic
kstarter campaign seen by as many people as I coul
d, I
had people sharing it on Facebook/social
media/newspapers everywhere I could. Because of t
hat I was able to reach a much wider group of peopl
e than I could of. I was pretty new to the idea of
crowdfunding when I started my Kickstarter, which i
s why my videos looked like how they were, now tha
t I have had some more time to reflect back on it I w
ould of dedicated more time and energy to editing th
em.”
John PietschPeach Boys Farms
Portales, NM
“I put up fliers, with little pull-tabs at the bottom that
included a link to my website and Kickstarter, at loc
al grocery stores and gyms. I was surprised by the
response at first, but it makes sense. People going t
o
grocery stores instantly witness how horrible the
current selection of produce is and have a desire
to do something about it.”
T.J. DeaconFable Foods
Hudson Valley, NY