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Kickstarter Prototype Guidelines – Easy methods to Make a Prototype for Kickstarter

July 9, 2021

In an effort to launch a crowdfunding marketing campaign on a platform like Kickstarter, one key factor is on the middle of all of it: a prototype. 

A prototype is a preliminary mannequin of your product providing from which your whole reward tiers might be based mostly upon as soon as you progress into achievement and manufacturing. 

With no functioning prototype, you may’t launch a challenge on Kickstarter. And additional, you gained’t have the ability to procure the advertising and marketing supplies for a profitable fundraise — so it’s extraordinarily vital that you simply perceive the method. 

On this article, we’re taking you thru 

  • Kickstarter Guidelines on Prototypes 
  • A step-by-step rationalization for how one can get your prototype made 
  • When you can begin advertising and marketing your prototype 

Are you able to carry your new invention from an concept into actuality? Let’s present you how one can do it. 

Kickstarter Prototype Guidelines 

The Kickstarter platform goals to fulfill its backer group. With this in thoughts, they put necessities in place to make sure that what prospects see on a marketing campaign web page very intently resembles what arrives on their doorstep. 

Listed here are the principles for prototypes on Kickstarter: 

  • Prototype demonstration ought to replicate a product’s present state 
  • Creators can’t embrace CGI or particular results to reveal performance that doesn’t but exist 
  • If a challenge requires software program/{hardware} integration, creators should present that performance clearly, or disclose that it has not but been developed

Mainly, this all signifies that you will need to show that your prototype truly works earlier than delivery it out to backers. In the event you fail to do that, your marketing campaign is in jeopardy of being shut down by the Kickstarter group. 

Easy methods to Get Your Prototype Made 

Alright, so we’ve laid out the principles for Kickstarter prototyping. Fairly easy, proper? Now, for the arduous half: truly bringing this factor to life. 

Let’s break down the method step-by-step. 

Step 1: Sketch it Out 

Your product concept has been rattling round in your mind for some time now. And at last, it’s time to get this concept down on paper. 

Even in the event you’re not a lot of an artist: don’t fear about it. This can be a time for brainstorming via what’s referred to as a idea sketch, which could be regarded as a tough rendering of what this factor goes to appear like. 

Normally, you must make a number of sketches from a number of angles to achieve an intensive grasp of what your product goes to appear like. 

Be happy to make use of labels to establish key parts and functionalities. Begin asking your self questions resembling: 

  • How large is that this going to be? 
  • What sorts of supplies may I take advantage of? 
  • What challenges may I face? 

When you’ve obtained the sketch the place you prefer it, it’s time to begin digitally rendering! 

Step 2: Create a Design File 

Whilst you can carry primary sketches to design corporations to finish your prototype, you’ll be approach forward of the sport in the event you use a software program instrument earlier than sending it out. 

There are tons of them on the market, listed here are some that we advocate: 

Full disclosure: typically these packages could be troublesome to function in the event you don’t have any expertise utilizing them. 

To resolve this downside, you could possibly think about hiring a freelancer to create the design file for you. Normally, they are going to be comparatively cheap and offer you an expert look that is able to transfer on to the following stage. 

Step 3: Get Your First Prototype 

Right here’s the deal: your prototype isn’t going to return out good on the primary attempt. This can be a course of and one which takes endurance via trial and error. 

Due to this fact, you must begin by creating a fast and low cost prototype via 3D printing via one among these companies: 

  • Shapeways: Add your design file straight and select the supplies that might be wanted to supply your prototype. The platform supplies immediate pricing, and also you’ll additionally get a good suggestion of what the completed product will appear like. 
  • Sculpteo: Will render your 3D printed creation and ship it on to your door. This may help you have the product in your palms and get a really feel for what the completed product might be. 
  • I.Materialise: Similar deal as Shapeways and Sculpteo — add your 3D design file, specify SKUs, and also you’re able to rock! 

When you’ve obtained the 3D printed prototype the place you prefer it, you may make contact with an engineer or skilled prototype designer to get the true deal put collectively. That is an especially thrilling second! 

Step 4: Get a Producer 

In the case of manufacturing, you’ll need to get quotes and estimates from a number of corporations. 

It’s vital to strike a steadiness between high quality and cost-effectiveness. You don’t need to value your self out of the market, however you additionally want to make sure that the producer is respected and has a powerful monitor file of constructing nice merchandise. 

Fortunately, we’ve put collectively an inventory of the 7 finest corporations for Kickstarter manufacturing, so be certain to verify that out to get began in your search. 

Prototypes and Advertising and marketing 

Working a Kickstarter marketing campaign begins lengthy earlier than you go stay. This can be a stage we name pre-launch, the place you construct up a crowd of backers which might be primed to transform on Day 1 that can assist you get the all-important preliminary funding dump.

That being mentioned, you’ll need to begin advertising and marketing your product and amassing emails a minimum of 10 weeks upfront of your marketing campaign. 

However what in case your prototype isn’t fairly prepared but? Nicely, you may have a few choices: 

  • Push again the launch date: You gained’t need to rush into this. Take the time to get the product precisely the place it must be, then begin advertising and marketing with it. 
  • Use an in depth prototype: In case your prototype solely has a few minor alterations nonetheless to bear, you can begin advertising and marketing with a prototype that may intently resemble the Kickstarter providing. So long as you don’t radically shift design or omit key performance that you simply’ve promised, this route is suitable. 

Key Takeaways

We hope that this text was useful for you as you start to map out your prototyping technique for a Kickstarter launch. 

Allow us to be the primary to say it: Congratulations! You’re about to take step one to make your entrepreneurial goals come true — this can be a tremendous thrilling time. 

Bear in mind, nevertheless, that prototyping is simply the tip of the iceberg. There may be so much that goes into working a profitable crowdfunding marketing campaign, and also you’ve obtained to remain steadfast in your analysis. Allow us to assist you to out with these supplies: 

Need to be part of a group of creators and get skilled recommendation and insights from the CrowdCrux group? Request to affix our MightyNetworks group at present. We’ll see you there! 

Good luck together with your journey. And bear in mind to make use of CrowdCrux as your trusted useful resource as you progress via the method!

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