In an exciting move for both creators and backers, Kickstarter has announced the introduction of a new feature called “Late Pledges.” This feature allows backers to pre-order products even after a campaign has ended, expanding opportunities for both parties involved. While this feature may seem overdue, as Indiegogo introduced a similar feature called InDemand almost a decade ago, Kickstarter has been a pioneer in the crowdfunding space since its establishment in 2009.
The Late Pledges feature opens up new avenues for backers who missed the initial campaign and simplifies the process of post-campaign contributions. This is not only a win for backers but also for Kickstarter itself, as the platform can now capture its usual 5% platform fee from post-campaign pre-sales. Previously, Kickstarter saw post-campaign pre-sales happening off-site, causing them to miss out on potential revenue.
The implementation of Late Pledges is a simple and seamless process for creators. Once a project is successfully funded, creators can activate Late Pledges from their dashboard. This adds a dedicated “Late Pledges” section to their project page, where new backers can choose rewards and pledge their support at their convenience, just like during the initial campaign phase. Kickstarter assures users that the Late Pledges feature is fully integrated within the platform, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for everyone involved.
Late Pledges provides several benefits for founders. Kickstarter pages often have high visibility in search results, making it an ideal platform to drive additional sales. By allowing Late Pledges, creators can leverage the momentum from successful campaigns and increase their chances of securing more backers. They can also offer exclusive rewards or limited-time incentives to attract additional support, maintaining excitement and visibility for their projects.
However, there are challenges that creators must consider when implementing Late Pledges. Crowdfunding campaigns can be arduous and often face manufacturing and design challenges after the campaign ends. Continuing to take pre-orders in this stage could increase the workload for creators and potentially affect the initial urgency that drives many crowdfunding campaigns. Careful timing and duration of the Late Pledges period is crucial to avoid diluting the impact of the initial campaign.
Despite these challenges, Late Pledges offer substantial benefits to Kickstarter creators. Backers gain more flexibility and the opportunity to support projects they may have missed initially. This feature also contributes to a more sustainable crowdfunding environment by allowing projects to generate ongoing support.
As Kickstarter moves forward with this feature, there is potential for enhancements and further integration with other platform features. Time-limited pledge windows or integration with additional support tools could boost project visibility and success. The evolution of this feature could lead to broader changes in Kickstarter’s strategy, prioritizing long-term creator-backer relationships and expanding support tools for creators.
To get a glimpse of what the Late Pledges feature looks like, Kickstarter has enabled it on the recently completed Master of Realms campaign. This campaign serves as an example of how Late Pledges can be integrated into the platform and its potential impact on creators and backers alike.
In conclusion, Kickstarter’s introduction of Late Pledges is a significant step forward for crowdfunding. This feature not only benefits creators by allowing them to capture post-campaign pre-sales but also provides more flexibility and opportunities for backers to support projects they missed initially. While there may be challenges to consider, Late Pledges could contribute to a more sustainable crowdfunding environment and pave the way for future enhancements and changes in Kickstarter’s strategy.
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