Can You Extend a Kickstarter Campaign: A Step-by-step Guide

Kickstarter has revolutionized how entrepreneurs and creators bring their dreams to life by tapping into the power of the crowd. But what happens when the initial campaign deadline creeps up, and you find yourself just short of your goal? Is there a way to keep the momentum going? Can you extend a Kickstarter campaign, and if so, how? These are the questions that any crowdfunding campaigner may eventually face, and the answers could mean the difference between success and failure.

If you’re approaching your Kickstarter finish line and think you need a little more time, our comprehensive guide will walk you through the extension process. We’ll cover why an extension could be right for your campaign, how to go about it, and even outline what to do if your extension request is denied.

Understanding the Need for Extension

Before leaping into the how-tos, it’s crucial to grasp the why. Kickstarters can fall short for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, you underestimated the time it would take to build your audience. Other times, external factors shifted, impacting your potential backer pool or ability to promote the campaign. Perhaps you even stumbled upon some unforeseen obstacles during the campaign itself.

These challenges are more common than you might think, and the need for an extension becomes a lifeline to resilience and maybe even triumph. Knowing if an extension is right for your campaign involves self-assessment and a hard look at where you are and where you want to go.

Benefits of Extending a Kickstarter Campaign

Extending your Kickstarter campaign provides several advantages, which can be instrumental in tipping the scales toward success. Firstly, it gives you more time to reach your funding goal, especially if you’re close. An extended campaign window also allows for the nurturing of your backer community, offering extra time to build relationships, engage in dialogue, and potentially secure additional pledges.

Furthermore, more time equates to flexibility. You can fine-tune your marketing approach, adjust your reward tiers, or even pivot your messaging based on real-time feedback. This adaptability is a luxury not often afforded in the fast-paced world of crowdfunding.

Read More: What is Kickstarter Gold: All You Need to Know

How to Successfully Extend Your Kickstarter Campaign

If you’ve acknowledged the need for an extension and weighed the benefits, the next step is to ensure the process is as smooth and transparent as possible. Here’s a blueprint to steer you through the extension request:

1. Check Eligibility:

Unfortunately, Kickstarter doesn’t allow extending deadlines freely. You can only request an extension during the final week of your campaign and only if it meets certain criteria. These criteria are not publicly available, but generally focus on campaigns that haven’t reached their goal but show potential for success with extra time.

2. Prepare Your Request:

• Gather Evidence: Before contacting Kickstarter Support, gather data showcasing your campaign’s potential. This could include:
  • Increased engagement metrics like comments and shares in the final week.
  • New partnerships or media coverage secured during the campaign.
  • Plans for a final push to reach your goal in the extended time.

3. Contact Kickstarter Support:

• In the final week of your campaign, navigate to Kickstarter’s Help Center and submit a request to extend your deadline.
• Clearly explain your situation and why an extension would benefit your campaign.
• Attach any evidence you gathered to support your request.

4. Await Response:

• Kickstarter will review your request and may take several days to respond.
• Be prepared for either approval or rejection.

5. If Extension Approved:

• If your request is approved, Kickstarter will update your campaign end date.
• Crucially, communicate clearly with your backers about the extension and any potential impact on reward delivery timelines.

Alternative Option: Relaunching

If Kickstarter rejects your extension request or your campaign has already ended, consider relaunching.  This involves creating a new campaign with improvements based on your initial experience.

Tips for Kickstarter Extention

Here are some points to keep in mind before you apply for an extension.

Assess the Need: Take a critical look at why you’re considering an extension. Is it a matter of strategy, outreach, or pure timing? Analyze your campaign data and backer feedback to make an informed decision.

Communicate Clearly: Transparency is key with backers. If the extension is approved, ensure all supporters are promptly informed with a clear message on why the extra time is beneficial for the project and its eventual delivery.

Plan a Surge: What can you do with the extra time? Plan a concerted effort to drive one final big push for pledges. This could involve new incentives, live Q&A sessions, or strategic partnerships that add more value and urgency for backers.

Stay Active: Throughout the extension process, maintain an active and engaging campaign. Regular updates, fresh content, and a reinvigorated pitch will show backers that you’re still fully invested in making your project a reality.

Be Ready to Deliver: Use the extended time to solidify logistics, manufacturing, or creative processes that could have been rushed before. A clearer delivery timeline can reassure backers and help secure their trust.

Conclusion

Extension requests on Kickstarter can be a valuable tool for entrepreneurs and creators. It’s an opportunity to stay afloat, learn from unforeseen challenges, and ultimately succeed. Understanding the right time to ask for an extension and executing it with finesse can turn a stagnant campaign into a flourishing one.

While an extension is no guarantee of success, it does offer that crucial extra moment in the spotlight. For those who are willing to put in the work, an extended Kickstarter campaign can mark the turning point from uncertainty to victory. If an extension makes strategic sense for your project, take the plunge and give it your all – you just might reach those funding heights after all.

The path to a successful Kickstarter campaign may not always be straightforward, but with the right approach, even a slight detour can lead to your ultimate destination. In the fast-paced world of crowdfunding, a little extra time can make all the difference. If your campaign needs a boost, it might be time to consider extending your Kickstarter deadline.