An exceptional project can lead to outpourings of support from all corners of the web, but for most projects, support comes from within their own networks and their networks’ networks. If you want people to back your project you have to tell them about it. More than once! And in a variety of ways! Here’s how:

Smart outreach

A nice, personal message is the most effective way to let someone know about your project. Send an email to your close friends and family so they can be first to pledge, then use your personal blog, your Facebook page, and your Twitter account to tune in everyone who’s paying attention. Don’t overwhelm with e-blasts and group messages, but be sure to remind your networks about your projects a few times throughout the course of its duration. Take the time to contact people individually. It makes a big difference.

Meeting up

Don’t be afraid to take your Jumpstarter project out into the real world. Nothing connects people to an idea like seeing the twinkle in your eye when you talk about it. Host pledge parties, print posters or flyers to distribute around your community, and organize meetups to educate people about your endeavor. Be creative!

Stopping the presses

Contact your local newspaper, TV, and radio stations and tell them about your project. Seek out like-minded blogs and online media outlets to request coverage. Writers are always looking for stories to write about, and the media has a big soft spot for DIY success stories.

Jumpstarter has access to the YouTube Nonprofit Program. As its status is tied to Jumpstarter’s NPC credentials, the benefits (like Link Cards to your domain) must be managed through the Jumpstarter Media Hub:

The “Hub & Spoke” Management Model:

1. Project Creators Manage Content: Project Creators produce their own videos (pitches, updates, behind-the-scenes).

2. Jumpstarter Hosts/Promotes:

• Option A (The Featured Playlist): Jumpstarter uploads the Project Creator’s video to the official Jumpstarter channel. This allows us to add the Link Cards that point directly to your project on Jumpstarter.co.za.

• Option B (Channel Permissions): We can add a specific Project Creator as a “Manager” or “Editor” of the Jumpstarter channel so you can upload and manage your project videos directly under our nonprofit umbrella.

3. Cross-Promotion: Project Creators link to the Jumpstarter video from their personal social media. When viewers watch, the “Link Card” appears, directing them to the crowdfunding page. This will help to drive awareness and support!

If you host your video on our official channel, we can give you a ‘Donate/Support‘ button that links directly to your project—something you can’t get on a personal channel yet.

Keeping it real

Whatever channel you use to tell your project’s story, don’t spam. This includes posting your link on other Jumpstarter project pages, @messaging people to beg for money on Twitter, link-bombing on Facebook, and generally nagging people you don’t already know. Over-posting can alienate your friends and fans, and it makes every other Jumpstarter project look bad too. Don’t do it!