Why a Product Prototype Is Essential for Your Crowdfunding Campaign
Moving from your product idea to the design phase can be tricky. However, it is crucial to provide your backers with a product prototype before launching your crowdfunding campaign. Still, many campaign creators are not certain how to go about it. They aren’t sure if they should just draw out the idea or come up with an actual product prototype before starting their campaign. While a simple drawing is undoubtedly easier, your campaign will be more credible if you create a product prototype.
You don’t need to spend all of your budget on the prototype, but you should aim to complete it sooner rather than later. Unlike other methods of growing business capital, crowdfunding is the only mode of fundraising where your story plays a role. What makes crowdfunding so unique is that it involves turning in idea into something real. Your potential backers have to understand your commitment to the project, and having a product prototype helps add value to your campaign.
Steps for Creating a Product Prototype Design
1. Start sketching — Initially, you have to draw your product by hand. You don’t have to include all the minor details, but it should clearly depict what you’re creating. Your first draft might look completely different later, but the important part is drawing something that you can work with to get the ball rolling.
2. Minimum viable prototype — In the same way that you create a minimum viable product, a minimum viable prototype demonstrates your product’s primary functions. Be sure to show the functionalities that you’ll discuss in your crowdfunding video.
3. Create a DIY version — Before you actually create your product, it’s good practice to have a clear vision of what your product is going to look like in 3D. Start by building your prototype using cardboard, tape, glue, and other basic supplies. Aside from broadening your mind, this exercise will help you understand what you’re going to build.
4. 3D print your prototype — 3D printers have significantly reduced turnaround time, allowing you to bring your ideas to life in less than a day. By using simple techniques and 3D printing, you can change whatever you want without production consequences.
5. Let your backers watch you build — Aside from showing images of your product, you can also let your backers get a behind-the-scenes peek. You can show them pictures of your studio or workshop, circuit boards, or anything else that is involved in the product design phase.
6. Demonstrate use cases — Another advantage of having a product prototype is that you can show how it’ll be used. This allows your backers to understand how and where your product fits into reality.
7. Use CAD files — Computer Aided Design (CAD) files are mechanical files that illustrate the way your product works. This is especially beneficial when you start mass-producing once your campaign is over.
8. Keep a bill of materials — As you’re coming up with your prototype, begin preparing a bill of materials, which should involve the tools you used while you created your product. You can keep the information on a spreadsheet and include part names, descriptions, and numbers, as well as when you used the part, how much you used, how you got it, and more.
9. Make friends with the press — Having a product prototype makes it possible to get hands-on reviews. You can send out your prototype to press reporters and ask them to review your product to improve your credibility.
10. Be transparent about your progress — You should let your backers know what stage of development your product is currently in. Likewise, you need to update and explain any setbacks. You can create a section on your crowdfunding page that updates them on the progress.
Helpful Tools
There are loads of tools and platforms available that can be helpful while you design your product. Some of the most useful ones include:
Check out our checklist for more tips and tricks on crowdfunding.
