Dawn
Another example is Donna McRae who used thank you and end-credit based rewards in her film ‘Dawn’ to secure the campaign’s target goals! By creating community-inclusive rewards she was able to reach an impressive $26,016 from 133 pledgers, whilst also giving recognition to her loyal supporters.
Experience
- online masterclass or community event (music lessons via zoom, dinner with a special guest, or an invitation to a supporters-only Livestream party)
- a ticket or voucher for a physical event or service (once restrictions ease, of course) such as a tour of your studio, a private concert or the chance to be an extra in your film!)
- Experience-based rewards are great for supporters who want to get more involved in the project. It’s also a great way to gather a community of like-minded people together by offering rewards including tickets to events, workshops, tours, dinners, parties and picnics for example.
- In the past, we’ve even seen people offer volunteering as an experience-based reward — which, technically is the supporter giving their time. It’s about bringing people together and offering them access to something unique and special that they can’t experience elsewhere.
Jeff Martin
Jeff Martin’s — ‘The Seven Sin’ is a stellar example of great campaign rewards in so many ways. His consistency and uniquely aesthetic-dominant approach, matched with once in a lifetime reward opportunities proved to gain the attraction of over 263 supporters. Raising a massive $58,070! Including many sold-out rewards!
The Bellarine School of Art
The Bellarine School of Art is another campaign that highlights the successes of providing experience-based rewards. Employing a tiered based rewards structure for a variety of virtual and in-person art workshops-created interest and excitement for their 22 supporters to pledge $8,670. In addition to this, the Bellarine School of Art also provided one-off, launch party experiences– such as a Gala Dinner reward which was highly sorted after.
Tangible/ Physical
This is the most obvious type of reward to offer. Tangible rewards are essentially anything you can hold. Creators can pre-sell their yet-to-be-made products to supporters, artists can offer their artworks and musicians their albums.
- This is where you can show off your brand-new product! (bottle of gin, your hardcover book, a pressing of your beautiful new vinyl album, or a print/artwork from your collection).
- Something you can hand-make, on-demand for supporters once the campaign finishes (handmade artwork, jewellery, baked goods, t-shirts or even an original song dedicated to a special supporter).
- A reward from a campaign sponsor (if you don’t have products to offer yourself, see if you can get any aligned businesses or creative friends to offer some of their unique gifts!).
For not-for-profits and those with no budget, it’s important to see what resources and networks you have on hand for tangible rewards. Do you have a friend that is a photographer and could offer prints? Does your neighbour make delicious cupcakes you could offer? Perhaps a like-minded company will sponsor your campaign with rewards? Tangible rewards don’t have to be directly connected to the campaign idea, and it’s great to bring someone on board who can help you build your project.
These types of campaign rewards are best suited to musicians, artists, filmmakers, publishers, authors, distillers, breweries, venues, small businesses, clothing labels, photographers, designers, entrepreneurs or anyone with a creative idea!
Gomi Boys Ramen
Ben Reardon and Ryan Maher’s campaign Gomi Ramen Shop knocked it right out of the ball-park when it came to their selection of physical rewards. Their rewards perfectly reflected their theme of modern Melbourne meets- a Japanese, inspired Ramen bar. By working collaboratively with local artist Brendan Coghlan they offered a multitude of merch-combo packs, including stickers, pins, t-shirts, and hand-made chopsticks. As a result, they obtained an impressive $15,710, from 136 supporters.
Wuggs — the eco-friendly boot
The creators of Wuggs, John and Katrina Kelly and Sally Bruen, took ‘unique’ rewards to another level! Their selection of physical rewards are some of the most favourably niche we’ve ever seen in crowdfunding history. Due to this, they were able to succeed beyond their target goal of $51,443. These rewards included a Wallaby fur stubby holder, socks, rugs and Ugg boots. A true example of — “creativity goes a long way”!
