Posts Tagged With: indiegogo

Reflections on My Successful IndieGoGo Campaign

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Michelle Proulx

That’s right — my IndieGoGo campaign is officially over! And I hit my funding goal! Woo!

All in all, it was a really fun experience. Probably my favorite part was coming up with the perks, and I think everyone’s going to be happy with what they get.

Here are the final stats:

  • Total raised = $631 (126% funded)
  • Contributions = 21
  • Most popular perk = $25 Sign ‘Er Up, Captain! (signed copy of Imminent Danger)

About 2/3 of the contributions came from family and friends, with the rest coming from all you wonderful people who read this blog!

I don’t think I got any contributions from people I don’t know (i.e., random people who stumbled across the campaign and decided to donate). So I think the takeaway from that is that IndieGoGo campaigns aren’t a great way of connecting with random new readers on the internet. Oh well.

The vast majority of contributions came during the first two days of the campaign, with a few others trickling in over the rest of the 30 days (and a final small surge on the last day as people realized the campaign was ending). So 30 days of campaigning might have been a little long, but overall I think the time frame was good.

In terms of my funding goal ($500), I’m really glad I set it so low. The thing with IndieGoGo is they do “flex funding”, so you get to keep everything you raise, but if you don’t meet your goal, they take 9% of what you raise (as opposed to 4% if you do meet your goal). Hence why I set the goal so low — to make sure I don’t get dinged with the 9% fee. And it worked!

I’m planning on running another campaign in the spring when I publish Chasing Nonconformity, and I’ll have to ruminate over whether or not to set a higher goal. On the one hand, a lower goal makes it easier to hit. On the other hand, once you hit the goal, people might not be as inspired to contribute anymore. I really don’t know. I tried the low goal, and we did go over by $131, so clearly people weren’t averse to the idea of contributing to a funded campaign (so long as they get cool perks out of the deal, presumably). Any thoughts on low goals vs. high goals?

Those are all my reflections for now. Thank you again to everyone who helped out with the campaign — you’re awesome!

 

Unrelated media of the day:

Source: http://imgur.com/gallery/o0HZYid

 

 

Categories: My Works, Self Publishing | Tags: , | 12 Comments

Last Day of the Imminent Danger IndieGoGo Campaign! Get Your Swag Before It’s Too Late!

Posted on December 9, 2014 by Michelle Proulx

The title says it all, but basically today is the last day of my IndieGoGo campaign for Imminent Danger And How to Fly Straight into It. That means it’s your last day to nab a signed copy of the book, plus assorted awesome swag like mousepads, coasters, bookmarks, art cards, and so on and so forth.

Don’t forget about the stretch goal — if we break $600, everyone who contributed (except for the $3 perk) will get a bonus art card of the gorgeous new Chasing Nonconformity cover! We’re at $593 right now — so close!

Anyway, this will be my last post about the campaign before it comes to an end — although I’m sure I’ll do a post or two reflecting on how the campaign went, lessons learned, wisdom gained, etc. Until then, as a special favor to me, please consider sharing the campaign on the social media outlet of your choosing. It’s the last day, and I want to go out with a bang!

Here’s the link again to the campaign. There are assorted buttons on the campaign page that make it really easy to share. Thank you so much to everyone who’s contributed already, to everyone who will be contributing today, and to everyone who has so kindly shared the campaign with their friends and family. You’re all amazing, this campaign has been so much fun to plan and run, and I can’t wait to do it again for when Chasing Nonconformity drops in the spring!

 

Unrelated media of the day:

People were very upset when I referenced my roommate’s adorable cats in my last post and didn’t provide a photo, so here it is! (They’re not cuddling on the chair, but they are cuddling in the air, and chair rhymes with air, so I think it counts.)

20140929_210308

Categories: Self Publishing | Tags: , , , , , | 9 Comments

I Hit My Fundraising Goal!!!

Posted on December 2, 2014 by Michelle Proulx

That’s right — as of Sunday evening, I’ve officially hit my IndieGoGo fundraising goal! Huzzah! Big thanks to everyone who’s participated in the campaign so far, and big thanks to anyone who hasn’t yet but intends to contribute before the campaign ends on Dec 9. Remember, if you want to get your hands on a signed copy of Imminent Danger, this is the best way to do it!

This also means y’all get to see the cover for the sequel, Chasing Nonconformity, because a promise is a promise, and I promised I’d share the cover if we hit the goal. Which we did! Yay! The big reveal happens this Friday, so keep your eyes peeled and your excitement at a survivable level.

It also means we’re now into stretch goal territory. So here’s the first stretch goal! If we can hit $600, I’ll add in an art card of the swanky new Chasing Nonconformity cover to the perks of everyone who contributes to the campaign (note: not including the $3 perk, because that’s just digital and therefore doesn’t involve physical mail). You know you want one!

In related news, my mother is coming to visit me next week, which means we’re going to get a ton of editing done on Chasing Nonconformity while she’s here. I doubt we’ll get the whole way through, but that’s what Christmas is for!

 

Unrelated media of the day:

Source: http://imgur.com/gallery/wWrpU4X

Categories: My Works, Self Publishing | Tags: , , | 20 Comments

Last Day of NaNo Update

Posted on November 30, 2014 by Michelle Proulx

As predicted, I have once again failed to complete NaNoWriMo. My grand word count as of now is 38,079. That’s pretty darn good in my opinion, although not quite enough to hit the 50k end goal. Le sigh.

A brief rundown of my NaNo experience this month:

  • Started into a re-write of a fantasy novel I wrote a few years ago
  • Got 15k words into fantasy re-write, realized I was writing the proverbial Star Wars Episode I of my series when I should be writing Episode IV
  • Abandoned fantasy re-write and started into Cerulean Bound (Imminent Danger #3)
  • Got horribly distracted by planning out my new fantasy novel
  • Wrote some more Cerulean Bound (spurred on by this song)
  • Got a random idea for a story about blademasters and time loops — wrote a 2k outline for this
  • Back to Cerulean Bound!

By the end of it, I managed to get up to chapter 6 of Cerulean Bound, so that’s something! The intro’s all wrapped up and our intrepid space adventurers are off on their next quest. I can’t say much about the purpose of their quest, or their end destination, except that the clue is in the title. I will happily entertain wild speculations in the comments section.

In related news, the baseboard heater just decided to turn on again, so I’m getting all toasty warm. It’s a very fickle contraption, and likes to torment me by turning on at random intervals.

To conclude, NaNo was a complete failure by me, although I did get some great ideas down, and will have some solid material to work with during the holidays.

I also just placed a massive order on Vistaprint (who are currently having a Black Friday sale), and I picked up some really awesome Imminent Danger swag, so if you want any of it, make sure to check out my IndieGoGo campaign!

Unrelated media of the day:

Source: http://imgur.com/gallery/VFMwzQZ

Categories: Writing | Tags: , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Perk Spotlight — Imminent Danger Bumper Sticker!

Posted on November 29, 2014 by Michelle Proulx

In today’s perk spotlight for my IndieGoGo campaign, we have a bumper sticker! This baby will go out to people who acquire the Swag Bag perk ($25) and up. Haven’t you always wanted to loudly and proudly proclaim your love of all things Varrin on the back of your car? I know I have! Check it out:

bumper sticker 1And just to remind you, if I can raise a measly $15 more, I’ll reveal the cover art for the upcoming sequel, Chasing Nonconformity. So please share the campaign and let’s hit that goal! Woo!

Unrelated media of the day:

Source: http://imgur.com/gallery/af5Wa

Categories: Self Publishing | Tags: , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Imminent Danger 8-Bit Coaster!

Posted on November 27, 2014 by Michelle Proulx

As you know, I’m running an IndieGoGo campaign to support the re-publication of my book. In an attempt to drum up more interest in the campaign, I’ve decided to start sharing some of the awesome perks you can get via this awesome campaign.

Today I present to you an 8-bit Imminent Danger coaster, created by the lovely and talented Denise Gow-Morse.

8bit coaster

The character featured on the coaster is of course Eris Miller, feisty protagonist of Imminent Danger And How to Fly Straight into It, presented in her signature purple camo pants and shiny silver top.

Want your own Imminent Danger 8-bit coaster? Pop over to the campaign and acquire one of the following perks:

  • Swag Bag ($25)
  • Ultimate Fan Pack ($50)
  • How Are You Even This Awesome? ($100)
  • Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? ($200)
  • This Is Getting Ridiculous ($500)

That’s all for today! As always, please please please share this campaign with your assorted social circles and I will be eternally and forever in your debt (whichever is longer).

Note: If anyone’s in the market for a custom 8-bit creation of their own, Denise will make them for $5-$15 + shipping (contact her at gow_denise@hotmail.com).

 

Unrelated media of the day:

Source: http://imgur.com/gallery/gwDkDAY

Categories: Self Publishing | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

NaNoWriMo Update

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Michelle Proulx

More than two thirds of the way through November — seems like the perfect time for a NaNoWriMo update!

I’m failing miserably.

First, I started re-writing a fantasy story I’ve been playing around with for the past six years. I got 15k words in, and realized I was writing Star Wars Episode 1 when I should have been writing Episode 4. Dang. Switched over to my original plan — Book 3 of the Imminent Danger series — and got the first two chapters tapped out with relative ease. Then started daydreaming in the shower about the fantasy story, except this time Episode 4 instead of Episode 1. Lost all interest in Imminent Danger Book 3. This morning, was randomly inspired in the shower again and now am eager to get back to work on Imminent Danger Book 3 again.

My muse is wildly unreliable, and she’s driving me nuts. Also, she only seems to come to me in the shower, which means I now shower for about 45 minutes a day. My roommates have learned to take their showers either before me, or an hour after me, otherwise they get no hot water. Sigh.

In related news, my IndieGoGo campaign is still going on, and tragically we’re $50 short of the goal. Nooooooes! So if you’re interested in snatching up a signed copy of the shiny new Imminent Danger, complete with revised text and gorgeous cover art, pop over to the campaign and claim your copy today! The campaign ends around Dec 9, but the sooner we hit the goal, the sooner I can start coming up with awesome stretch goal prizes to give all the awesome people who’ve donated.

How go your NaNoWriMo attempts? Or if you’re boycotting NaNoWriMo, how go your non-NaNoWriMo-writing attempts?

Unrelated media of the day:

Source: http://imgur.com/gallery/zjCCYRR

Categories: My Works, Writing | Tags: , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Chasing Nonconformity Cover Art Situation

Posted on November 15, 2014 by Michelle Proulx

You may not be aware of this, but the cover art for my sequel, Chasing Nonconformity, is actually ready and raring to go! The only thing we need now is a good opportunity to reveal said cover.

And I have hit upon the perfect opportunity!

As you know, I am running an IndieGoGo campaign. It’s going pretty well — we’re only $50 away from hitting the initial funding goal! So in order to encourage that last little leap, I declare this now:

I shall reveal the cover art for Chasing Nonconformity once I hit my funding goal!

So if you’ve ever dreamed of owning a signed copy of Imminent Danger, this campaign is the best chance you’re going to get to acquire one. You want the $25 “Sign ‘Er Up, Captain!” perk, which nets you the signed book, plus whatever other goodies I throw in. Obviously the book can also be purchased once I re-publish it via Createspace in December/January, but that won’t be signed, and how will you eventually sell the book for millions of dollars in a few years if it isn’t signed? HMM?

Well, that’s enough promotion from me for today. Thanks for listening to me ramble!

 

Unrelated media of the day:

Might have shared this already, but it’s just so gosh-darned cute.

Source: http://imgur.com/gallery/8tUf7dg

 

Categories: My Works | Tags: , , , , | 6 Comments

IndieGoGo Campaign — Day 1 Results

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Michelle Proulx

It has now officially been one day since the launch of my IndieGoGo campaign to help pay back the cover design costs for my novel, Imminent Danger And How to Fly Straight into It. Woo!

Day 1 was awesome, and exceeded all expectations. Thanks to the generous contributions of friends, I’m already at 45% of my funding goal. And a ton of wonderful people have helped share the campaign on their own social networks, so hopefully that percentage will continue to grow. Thank you to everyone who’s helped out so far, and thank you in advance to everyone who is planning on, but has not yet had a chance to, contribute!

An interesting thing I’ve noticed, from browsing assorted book campaigns on crowdfunding sites, is that I set my goal ridiculously low. Most of the projects are looking for several thousand dollars of funding at the very least, with some going up into the tens of thousands. I guess it’s a difference in mindset — I’m trying to pay back the cover design cost, which I’ve already paid for, so at this point literally any funds I can drum up are more than I could have hoped for! Whereas other projects are more along the lines of, “If this campaign succeeds, I will be able to: hire an editor ; upgrade my website ; take off work for a year and write”, etc. This isn’t a commentary on the efficacy of one crowdfunding approach over the other — it’s just interesting to note.

And for everyone wondering about my $500 goal, here’s the reasoning: that’s the lowest goal you can set. If I don’t make the goal, oh well, since I wouldn’t have had a chance of making an even higher goal anyway (thus, no opportunity lost). If I do make the goal, awesome! Cover design paid for, hope renewed that one day I’ll actually be able to start making money off my writing. And if I surpass my goal … well, I’ll get to that if it happens, but basically I’d get to have lots of fun coming up with stretch goal rewards for all my backers, not to mention I could put the extra money toward helping drag my book out of obscurity.

Well, that’s enough rambling from me for today! If you haven’t check out the campaign yet, here’s the link again. And even if donating money isn’t in the cards, please consider donating your time and social media connections by sharing the campaign. I shall not rest until every person on the planet has seen this campaign! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

 

Unrelated media of the day:

It’s not the most vocally spectacular parody cover in existence, but the theme is fun and the lyrics made me laugh a couple of times.

Categories: My Works, Self Publishing | Tags: , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

My IndieGoGo Campaign for Imminent Danger is now LIVE!

Posted on November 9, 2014 by Michelle Proulx

After two years of struggling with iUniverse, I have broken away and will be re-publishing my YA sci-fi novel, Imminent Danger And How to Fly Straight into It, with a shiny new cover. As if that’s not exciting enough, I’m also running an IndieGoGo campaign! It will be running from today until December 9th (i.e., 30 days), and if all goes well I’ll be able to start shipping some of the perks out in time for Christmas.

The purpose of the campaign is threefold:

  1. To raise funds to pay back the costs of the cover design.
  2. To increase awareness and visibility of my book. (It’s hard to buy a book if you don’t know it exists!)
  3. To provide awesome Imminent Danger themed swag for all you wonderful people.

The perks you can buy include, but are not limited to:

  • A copy of the eBook
  • A signed copy of the print book
  • Assorted flat swag that can fit into an envelope
  • Assorted 3D swag that can fit into a box (including an 8-bit Imminent Danger-themed coaster!)
  • A chance to get your name into the Acknowledgements section
  • A chance to name a character in a future sequel

Now comes the part where you take action! If you’ve got a few dollars to spare, please hop over to the campaign page, pick your favorite perk, and snatch ‘er up!

And I’m also hoping everyone who sees this post will be able to take a few minutes to share the campaign with friends/family. Re-blog this post, put the link up on Facebook or Twitter, etc. Thank you so much in advance for your help, and stay awesome!

Totally related media:

Here’s my campaign vlog again, in case you missed it yesterday:

Categories: My Works, Self Publishing | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.