There are plenty of authors who successfully
raise funds online through popular crowdfunding platforms. By generating cash
flow even before your book is out allows you to finance its publishing and
marketing. There is no downside to this. 

Which platforms are good? Look into Kickstarter,
Indiegogo, and Patreon. Read up on how each one works.  

Financial backers tend to be passionate fans.
They will not only give money to your cause, but many will help amplify your
message on social media. 

First, think about what your needs are. Do you
need an editor, cover design artist, and someone to design the interior of the
book? Are there fees associated with publishing or printing your book?
Marketing costs, too?  Put a price next to each and draw up a wish-list of
goals. 

Second, identify your closest friends, family
members, colleagues, and fans. Not only will you send them personal and direct
messages that send them to your crowdfunding page, but you will also ask if
they can recruit others to participate as well.  

Third, identify to donors what they will receive
and remind them why you need their help and show how they can be a part of a
special launch that can make a difference in your life and in the lives of
potential readers.  

You want to set realistic pledging goals so that
you can achieve them. Don’t look to milk your people beyond something fair and
reasonable. Neither go too low nor too high in your pricing. Always give
multiple levels/ choices of support.  

What can you offer donors?

• Early copies of your book

• Autographed copies

• Public thanks

• Swag like coffee mugs, t-shirts, and posters

• Free content beyond the books that you created

• Access to other free content contributed by others 

You can be creative here. Think of something
that people view as useful or perceive as having value — and then put a price
on it. 

Once you fulfill your fundraising, follow up
with each donor with a personal note of gratitude.  

Show them love and remind them of how much they
helped you. Encourage them to post a book review and to share their support on
their social media platforms. Keep them updated, along your publishing and
marketing journey. Share good news with them and make them feel a part of your
mission. 

You can raise thousands of dollars this way. It
beats selling Girl Scout cookies!

Need PR Help?

Brian
Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, with over 3.9 million page
views, can be reached at [email protected]  He is available to help authors promote their story,
sell their book, and grow their brand. He has over 30 years of experience in
successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your
advocate, teacher, and motivator!

About Brian
Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be
followed on www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum. This is
copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2024. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now
resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue
dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The
Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This
award-winning blog has generated over 3.9 million pageviews. With 4,900+ posts
over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by
BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018
as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by
www.WinningWriters.com as a “best resource.” For the past three decades,
including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book
publicity firm, and director of publicity positions at two independent presses,
Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres,
right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark
Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay,
Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan
RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He
hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and
has spoken at ASJA, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence
College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association,
Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and
Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have
been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY
Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington
Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, &
Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured
in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.