4 ms·

I run a magazine (http://interestingtimesmagazine.net http://interestingtimesmagazine.net) as a hobby. It could really use some funds. I've never really conside

by itmag 15y ago

I run a magazine (http://interestingtimesmagazine.net http://interestingtimesmagazine.net) as a hobby. It could really use some funds. I've never really considered that we could raise money this way, but now I am getting more and more interested in taking that route. Any tips would be most welcome :) A good goal for us would be to get $2000/month (after taxes) which would go toward paying our graphic designer so that she doesn't have to work a full-time job. Is this completely unrealistic?

whichdan 15y ago
Yes, it's completely unrealistic to expect a designer to work for $2k/mo in the US :)
- itmag 15y ago
  This is Sweden. Also, she's worked for $0 for 2 and a half years now :)
  - nl 15y ago
    Amazon payment (which Kickstarter uses) only works in the US
retroafroman 15y ago
Kickstarter campaigns are usually a one time shot-they have a deadline (example 30 days) to meet a specific money goal (example $30,000). If you're looking for a recurring revenue model, like a certain number of dollars per month, each month, then Kickstarter probably isn't the right method.
unawz 15y ago
You would launch a campaign asking that you would write this many articles with these titles and publish them in your magazine. You can launch parallel campaigns, with lists of articles, for example 10 different campaigns with different themes. Also show your previous work. Also say that you'll give the articles away as creative commons. If the public actually wants what you're giving, you'll get funded and have readers as well. If they don't, you'll know that what you're doing isn't worthwhile to customers and you can think of seeking funding for something else.
jeffool 15y ago
I could recommend retooling your mag for single landscape screens, but, a) I don't know your print:download ratio, and b) you asked about Kickstarter! My knowledge does not come from using it, but instead trying to convince friends and associates to use it, after researching and being enthralled by the potential! First codes the news that, you can't use Kickstarter! Forever, you can use IndieGoGo, if you don't mind the higher total fees (7%, plus afee for not being American (money changing.)) Take inventory. What do you have that has value? Can you leverage that for backing? You're on issue #7 and don't charge, so offering free digital issues to low level backers didn't give you anything. But paper copies do. So any spare stock you have, well, consider this your "fire sale" to raise cash. If you print on demand... Ouch. Make sure backers know this isn't business as usual, this is an event! I'd make the push to "back Interesting Times volume 2!" And start with new renumbering, and a quarterly schedule. This may be the time to start charging $2 a digital issue, and push to get into digital storefronts like Amazon, iTunes, and even Steam. Don't think this bad. I mean, if you can offer ~100 pages of content that's a great deal. And if not charge, which I understand, consider ads. (Actually, I personally other ads. But at that rate, I see no reason not to retool things as a website... And offering ads at reduced price could be great high tier backing options.) If you're okay with charging, consider subscriptions at reduced rates. Offer DRM free issues congruently with other pay options. But I'm getting into backing rewards now... As I said before, take stock. My point here really is, you want money to continue to chine in, right? Even after the fund raising? Have people vouch for you. Any connections you've made, use. Ask people if they'd consider giving you blurbs. "Required reading for world domination. Or at least dominating your social circle." - Semi-Popular Person, Company/Culture X. This may play to the mainstream to give you credibility, but of course it also appeals to fans of that person's fans. Find someone to help make you a worthwhile video. You have to know someone who can film and edit high quality video. If you don't, you can shoot it yourself on a cell phone, and use open source video editing equipment, all for nothing, but you have to make it "work." Get across not only yourself, but the idea that you're offering. Not "a magazine," but that after reading your magazine, your readers will be better equipped to succeed I the world around them. That, somehow, is your video. And that video is probably the most important thing.
- jeffool 15y ago

by itmag 15y ago

whichdan 15y ago

Yes, it's completely unrealistic to expect a designer to work for $2k/mo in the US :)

itmag 15y ago
This is Sweden. Also, she's worked for $0 for 2 and a half years now :)
- nl 15y ago
  Amazon payment (which Kickstarter uses) only works in the US

retroafroman 15y ago

Kickstarter campaigns are usually a one time shot-they have a deadline (example 30 days) to meet a specific money goal (example $30,000). If you're looking for a recurring revenue model, like a certain number of dollars per month, each month, then Kickstarter probably isn't the right method.

unawz 15y ago

You would launch a campaign asking that you would write this many articles with these titles and publish them in your magazine. You can launch parallel campaigns, with lists of articles, for example 10 different campaigns with different themes. Also show your previous work. Also say that you'll give the articles away as creative commons. If the public actually wants what you're giving, you'll get funded and have readers as well. If they don't, you'll know that what you're doing isn't worthwhile to customers and you can think of seeking funding for something else.

jeffool 15y ago

I could recommend retooling your mag for single landscape screens, but, a) I don't know your print:download ratio, and b) you asked about Kickstarter! My knowledge does not come from using it, but instead trying to convince friends and associates to use it, after researching and being enthralled by the potential! First codes the news that, you can't use Kickstarter! Forever, you can use IndieGoGo, if you don't mind the higher total fees (7%, plus afee for not being American (money changing.)) Take inventory. What do you have that has value? Can you leverage that for backing? You're on issue #7 and don't charge, so offering free digital issues to low level backers didn't give you anything. But paper copies do. So any spare stock you have, well, consider this your "fire sale" to raise cash. If you print on demand... Ouch. Make sure backers know this isn't business as usual, this is an event! I'd make the push to "back Interesting Times volume 2!" And start with new renumbering, and a quarterly schedule. This may be the time to start charging $2 a digital issue, and push to get into digital storefronts like Amazon, iTunes, and even Steam. Don't think this bad. I mean, if you can offer ~100 pages of content that's a great deal. And if not charge, which I understand, consider ads. (Actually, I personally other ads. But at that rate, I see no reason not to retool things as a website... And offering ads at reduced price could be great high tier backing options.) If you're okay with charging, consider subscriptions at reduced rates. Offer DRM free issues congruently with other pay options. But I'm getting into backing rewards now... As I said before, take stock. My point here really is, you want money to continue to chine in, right? Even after the fund raising? Have people vouch for you. Any connections you've made, use. Ask people if they'd consider giving you blurbs. "Required reading for world domination. Or at least dominating your social circle." - Semi-Popular Person, Company/Culture X. This may play to the mainstream to give you credibility, but of course it also appeals to fans of that person's fans. Find someone to help make you a worthwhile video. You have to know someone who can film and edit high quality video. If you don't, you can shoot it yourself on a cell phone, and use open source video editing equipment, all for nothing, but you have to make it "work." Get across not only yourself, but the idea that you're offering. Not "a magazine," but that after reading your magazine, your readers will be better equipped to succeed I the world around them. That, somehow, is your video. And that video is probably the most important thing.

jeffool 15y ago