The team at Foundr took an innovative and strategic approach to gauge interest and build momentum before publishing their first book. By leveraging Kickstarter, they not only tested the waters but also created a buzz around their product. Their strategy combined the power of influencer marketing, social advertising, and a well-planned contest, making it a textbook example of effective growth hacking.
The Role of Upviral in Foundr’s Success
A key element of their strategy was using a growth hacking tool called Upviral, which helped them amplify their reach and engagement. According to Foundr magazine editor Nathan Chen, Upviral enabled the team to create a system where users were incentivized to promote the campaign. Here’s how it worked:
- Participants earned competition points by completing specific promotional activities, such as sharing the campaign on social media or referring friends to join.
- These points moved participants closer to winning one of three exciting prizes, creating a competitive, gamified element that kept users motivated and engaged.
This approach not only expanded Foundr’s reach but also encouraged participants to act as brand ambassadors, spreading the word about the campaign to their own networks.
The Results
The combination of Kickstarter, Upviral, and a well-executed promotional strategy yielded outstanding results:
- Foundr achieved four times their initial Kickstarter funding goal, thanks to the influx of new backers.
- The campaign attracted a significant number of email subscribers, providing the company with a valuable database for future marketing efforts.
- By engaging both influencers and their audience, Foundr built a strong community of supporters who were invested in the success of the book.
Why This Strategy Worked
- Testing Demand: Kickstarter served as the perfect platform to validate the product’s market potential before committing to full-scale production.
- Gamification: The use of incentives and competition through Upviral made the campaign interactive and fun, encouraging higher participation rates.
- Social Proof: Influencer marketing added credibility and helped the campaign gain visibility in a crowded market.
- Building an Audience: The campaign wasn’t just about funding—it was about building a long-term relationship with a community of engaged followers.
Conclusion
Foundr’s approach demonstrates how a combination of creativity, strategy, and smart tools can turn a crowdfunding campaign into a powerful growth engine. By creating a campaign that rewarded participants for spreading the word, Foundr not only exceeded their funding goals but also laid the foundation for future success with an expanded audience and heightened brand awareness.
(Source: optinmonster.com)