A Look Back: Talking with our community about the feeling of “Omigodwhatif…”
Today is Kickstarter’s 7th birthday. We’re celebrating big time over at HQ…but we’re also reflecting on the incredible stories from our community. Over the years, we have talked to many creators about how they feel before they hit the launch button. Typically, it’s a whole range of intense emotions: Anticipation. Anxiety. Or what creator Doug Kramer likes to call “Omigodwhatif”.
What if this doesn’t go as planned?
What if I fail?
How do you prepare yourself for putting your idea in front of the whole wide world?
We completely understand that is a completely exciting yet unpredictable venture. Doug asked the question on Campus that everyone was thinking:
“I just had my first project, first product, first big initiative approved. Ready to launch. I’m going back over the weeks and months and thinking about all I’ve done, the help I’ve gotten, the setbacks, the fun… Did you feel totally unsure about what people were going to think, what were they going to say about it, was the project going to get funded? I’m excited, really jazzed because I love what I’ve created. But definitely a feeling in the pit of my stomach that this might not go well. Thoughts?
One incredible question with a ton of great answers from our community. Creators from diverse backgrounds, at every level of experience are finding people who support and appreciate their ideas. Our community centers on championing the creative process. Therefore, we encourage you to embrace every emotional aspect of your project and forge ahead. Kickstarter is here to support your creative endeavors. We want you to hit the launch button!
Now, before we cut our birthday cake and play with puppies, we’re taking a moment to read the inspiring stories and first-hand advice from our creators, including Doug Kramer.
Doug Kramer: “This was a family endeavor, from initial concept, play-testing and design through to packing and shipping. It was a thrilling 30 days. Especially the initial growth curve. We were checking stats and talking to backers all day. The kids watched the funds come in. And we exploded with cheers when we saw the “FUNDED” notification come through. There were no guarantees. It felt risky, putting an idea out there that was important to us. And it was frustrating at times. But it became a lesson for all of us in creating something great and taking it to the world. Our project has become far more than just our product. It’s become a really special family memory. Kickstarter is a memory maker.”
Michael Thompson: “I had heard about the site from a friend and at first my reaction to making a project on it was, “Nah that isn’t for me” and “I can’t do that, no one would be interested.” So after a few weeks, the same person brought it up again in our conversation, so I checked it online.
Lo and behold, I’m now in my 5th project now and it STILL makes me jittery when I launch and plan for my projects.
The over-thinking and self-doubt will always be there but you should always believe in yourself and just do it! Not doing anything out of fear is already failure in itself, so always TRY and do your best! The first pledge is always a big push to your project and finally reaching that goal is not the finish line! It’s just the beginning of great things to come!”
Renee Launer: “Kickstarter is immense fun to do — the stresses and the elation. The ever-present possibility of disaster. It’s an incredible rush. But without risk of failure, no activity can be all that exciting. It definitely makes us feel more ‘alive’.”
Pinckard Tools, LLC: “It’s a bit like walking out on stage the first time and hoping you don’t lose your voice or forget your lines. You have to believe in yourself, your product and your mission to bring it to people. Take that chance! I am just 5 days into my second KS and it is doing great. We met our goal in less than 1 day and just crossed 200% at the end of day 4.”
IronSpike: “I ran my first project in 2009, back when there weren’t a lot of people who were convinced Kickstarter was even a viable concept! It was still new, it had yet to become the juggernaut it is now. So, funnily enough, there was very little anxiety attached to launching my first project. Just a sense of “Let’s try this. If this doesn’t work, I’ll try something else.”
I had already crowdfunded projects before the term for it was even coined, funding print editions of my webcomic via Paypal donations. I decided to move my funding efforts to Kickstarter for the improved transparency and automation.
My first Kickstarter project has a pretty memorable story, though; it launched while I was traveling, and in an airport. Air Force One had made an unannounced touchdown, so all other flights (including mine!) had been grounded, delaying everything. People were understandably annoyed, but not me; I was pacing the waiting area, frantically waiting for minute-to-minute updates from my husband, who was watching the funding total tick ever upwards and texting me the results. “$2000 in the last hour!”. Exciting!”
Jason Young: “omigodwhatif…I had an idea and did nothing with it. Personally, that pit in my stomach when I started my project is getting deeper and deeper. And even if no one sees my project, I have stood up, tried, dreamed, and didn’t give up just because I was afraid. Some people might not understand your goals and dreams, but if you do and keep working at it, anything is possible.”
Campus is a space where you’ll be met with words of encouragement; along with a whole heap of tangible resources & tools. As you can see, every person in our vibrant community is committed to bringing creative projects to life. Here are a few crucial, basic questions to ask yourself before embarking on your own project:
What are you planning to make?
Where did this project come from?
What’s your plan and what’s your schedule?
What’s your budget?
Why do you care and why should others?
What questions (or advice) do you have for fellow creators? Join the Campus conversation here or drop us a line on Twitter.
