How To Build Your Kickstarter Email List With A Lead Magnet Funnel

Imagine backers funding your project immediately you launch your Kickstarter campaign.

That would be amazing, right? You would likely reach and surpass your funding goal before the deadline.

Unfortunately, crowdfunding platforms are not like social media platforms. They don't have a crowd of backers just waiting to fund your startup.

So, you have to find the backers yourself to raise the funds you need for your project. One of the best ways to do this is to build a community of email subscribers.

In this post, you’ll learn how to build your Kickstarter email list with a lead magnet funnel.

But, first…

Why Do You Need An Email List For Your Kickstarter Project?

You need an email list for your Kickstarter project because the chances of people finding and funding your project organically is slim.

Search Kickstarter (or any crowdfunding platform) right now, and you'll find thousands of people seeking funding for their projects.

The platform simply doesn’t have enough backers to fund each project. And, those that may be interested in your project may not find your Kickstarter campaign.

So, if you don’t want to launch crickets, you need to build a community of people who are likely to fund your Kickstarter project.

An email list is one way to build that community.

Here are the benefits of having a Kickstarter email list

• To validate your project idea

Email subscribers can provide feedback on your project, which you can use to improve or scrap your idea.

• To secure early pledges

The potential funders in your email list will be invested in your project and start donating as soon as you launch, which will help build momentum for your campaign.

• To attract more funders

The early pledges from funders on your email list will work like testimonials and encourage others to donate. You may even get featured on Kickstarter’s front page, giving you more visibility.

Now that you know why you need an email list, the question is…

How do you build your Kickstarter email list fast?

The answer is a lead magnet funnel.

The fastest way to build your Kickstarter email list is to use a valuable lead magnet to entice potential funders and convince them to subscribe to your email list.

So, What Is A Lead Magnet Funnel?

A lead magnet funnel is a sales funnel that starts with using freebies to generate leads.

It involves offering a lead magnet freebie to capture leads’ email addresses, and then converting them with email marketing.

Here’s how it’ll work with your Kickstarter project.

You offer prospective backers something valuable for free, such as a guide, tool, or webinar. In exchange, they’ll give you their email address.

Then, you can start sending them engaging emails about your project. So, when you launch your product (to them), they’ll be willing to back your project.

There are three steps to building your Kickstarter email list with a lead magnet funnel.

1. Create an actionable lead magnet freebie
2. Set up an opt-in page to offer your lead magnet
3. Launch an engaging email marketing campaign

Continue reading to learn the details.

Steps To Create A Lead Magnet Funnel For Your Kickstarter Email List

Here is the 1-2-3 step to build your Kickstarter email list with a lead magnet funnel.

Step #1 - Create an actionable lead magnet freebie

There are so many shitty lead magnets out there that people are now skeptical about giving their email addresses in exchange for freebies.

So, just any freebie won’t do. You have to offer an actionable lead magnet to capture potential backers. Create something useful that would help potential backers solve a problem or get a quick win.

Say you’re seeking funding for a personal finance tracking app. You can create a lead magnet PDF titled, “Secret Strategies To Stay On Track Financially.”

However, a more attractive lead magnet would be a fillable PDF titled, “Personal Finance PDF Planner To Stay On Track Financially.”

First of all, it’s more closely related to the product you want to build. And, it’s more useful because it’s fillable and clickable. Potential backers who download it can type their financial plans in it and click the goals they achieve.

You can offer different types of lead magnets, including ebook guides, pdf templates, webinars, and free courses.

Here are steps to create a lead magnet pdf for your Kickstarter project:

• Brainstorm an idea that provides value to potential backers
• Give it a magnetic title that attracts their attention
• Craft an introduction that connects with their struggles
• Add actionable content that gives them a quick win
• Close with a CTA that sends them to your Kickstarter page

If you'd like to create a lead magnet pdf, click here to read the practical guide on how to do it.

Step #2 - Set up an opt-in page to offer your lead magnet

After creating an actionable lead magnet, the next step is to offer it to potential backers. And to do that, you’ll need an opt-in page.

An opt-in page is a landing page where you offer the lead magnet. That is, where you convince potential backers to submit their email addresses in exchange for your freebie.

People won’t download your lead magnet simply because it’s free. So your opt-in page can’t just say, “download our free ebook on how to stay on track financially.”

You need to create a compelling opt-in page that will make potential backers desire your freebie. One way to do this is to share what’s in the lead magnet and how it’ll benefit them.

You can use landing page builders like Unbounce or the landing page features of email marketing tools like ConvertKit to set up your opt-in page.

Lastly, you need to share the link to your lead magnet opt-in page.

Potential backers have to see the page to be convinced to submit their email addresses. You can share your lead magnet on social media, guest posts, groups, forums, and the project website.

Here are tips to set up a compelling opt-in page

• Write a benefit-driven headline that piques curiosity
• Add supporting copy that describes what they’ll get
• Include an image of the lead magnet or a video pitch
• Use an actionable CTA like “download free guide”
• Ask for only their name and email address in your form

Step #3 - Launch an engaging email marketing campaign

Building an email list for your Kickstarter project isn’t just for seeking funding for your project.

Put yourself in a potential backer’s shoes.

You submit your email address in exchange for a valuable PDF financial planner. And the next thing you know, you’re being asked to fund a personal finance app. You’ll likely hit the unsubscribe button.

So, don’t send emails begging for funding immediately after capturing potential backers’ email addresses.

Instead, send engaging emails that will generate interest in your idea. Talk about the problems your project will solve and ask their opinion. Share exclusive behind the scene information or photos, and so on.

So, when you're ready to launch, they'll be committed to your journey and willing to back your project.

Hence, it’s important to start building your email list weeks before your launch date. This will give you enough time to engage with the potential backers on your list.

Here are tips to launch an engaging email marketing campaign

• Write subject lines that will compel backers to open and read your email
• Use copywriting formulas such as AIDA to write an engaging body copy.
• Ask for their opinion and offer more freebies and secret bonuses.
• Include a strong CTA that sends them to your Kickstarter page.

Bottom Line: Use A Lead Magnet Freebie To Build Your Kickstarter Email List

People don’t just wake up and think, “I should go back a startup project on Kickstarter.”

You need an email list of people who are likely to fund your project when you launch. And, a lead magnet funnel is the fastest way to capture these potential backers.

With the steps explained in this guide, you can build your Kickstarter email list with a lead magnet and have a successful crowdfunding campaign.