Analyzing a Failed Fiction Project

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

Recently I made an attempt at crowdfunding with fiction. It did not work. You may find the post-project analysis useful.

Has anyone else had experience with crowdfunding projects that just totally failed to get off the ground? What do you think went wrong?

Comments

Too New

[stonetalker.livejournal.com]

I'm too new to crowdfunding to really understand its nuances, however my guess would be to agree with pocketnaomi, that very often people that have the time and the interest in this sort of thing don't have the money, and vice-versa.

Cyberfunded activity is a fairly new idea around crowdfunding (probably because the cyberworld really only opened up mainstream this last 10 - 20 years), but I don't think crowdfunding is that new a goose.

When I think of crowdfunding, I think of two very different styles. I think of the busker or the artist with his tip jar, who is going to do what he is going to do, and hope that people appreciate it enough to throw money into the coffers. Then there is the stripper, who peels off a bit more with each donation that is made (I can think of other analogies, but that one works the quickest ).

I suppose 'free samples' come under crowdfunding, too, in a way. Many a time I've been at a folk festival, and someone's been selling a delicacy. They've given away samples, in the hopes that people will like what they've done and come back to make a purchase. I can remember times when I 'have' liked the free sample, but not had enough money (or desire) to buy the full cake, so several of us pitched in, then divided the cake up and had it with tea. Reflecting on this, we did this 'a lot' with cakes, cookies, fudge, savories... I don't know why it wouldn't work with cyberfunded ideas. Maybe it's just 'too new' at the moment, especially with things like _Facebook_ and _Limewire_, even emails and many websites completely free.

Just my 2c worth (and probably worth 2c haha).

Re: Too New

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

>>Then there is the stripper, who peels off a bit more with each donation that is made (I can think of other analogies, but that one works the quickest ). <<

*laugh* That is SO apt! Long live the stripfic!

Actually, another example would be Scheherezade, who told stories with a cliffhanger each night to avoid being executed. shadesong calls her journal "Scheherezade in Blue Jeans."

>>I can remember times when I 'have' liked the free sample, but not had enough money (or desire) to buy the full cake, so several of us pitched in, then divided the cake up and had it with tea.<<

I think this experience is what fed into the idea of microfunding the epic poems, which are often too expensive for one person to buy so people team up and fund them collectively. I have several of these currently open for donations, with new verse being revealed as they are funded.