Some clients pay us over $1,000,000 to run their multi-million-dollar crowdfunding campaigns. For the first time ever, we’re pulling back the curtains and showing you how we do it.
Hello, innovator!
So you have a great idea. It sounds ground-breaking!
With your potentially revolutionizing product idea in mind, you’ve realized crowdfunding is one of the best ways of bringing your idea to life.
You’ve explored Indiegogo and Kickstarter, looking through some of the best-performing campaigns that raised millions of dollars.
And you thought to yourself, “I could do that, too!”
A nice video. Some photos. A description. That should work.
Nope. It won’t!
Even today, around 65% of all crowdfunders fail to reach their target goals.
Please, don’t add your campaign to those stats.
Out of that 35% of successful campaigners, on average, they don’t raise more than $25k.
Only 2-3% raise more than $100k. And only 0.1% raise more than $1 million.
Yup. Out of 1,000 campaigns, only 1 raises over a million dollars.
So, it’s hard. But it’s not impossible.
There are certain things you can do to make it easier on yourself.
In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of going at it alone and compare those to working with professional crowdfunding consultants. This context behind crowdfunding will help you make a more informed decision.
Going solo on your crowdfunding campaign gives you complete control—but it also means taking on every challenge yourself. Here’s what to consider before diving in.
If you’re committed to running the campaign on your own, we’ve outlined the essential steps to help you succeed on Indiegogo or Kickstarter.
Partnering with a crowdfunding consultant means you’re not navigating the process alone. Instead, you’ll have experts guiding your campaign to maximize its success.
Need a budget boost? If funds are tight, consider using a specialized crowdfunding fund to finance your campaign’s marketing efforts.
Good crowdfunding agencies do. And there are two main reasons to explain it.
Crowdfunding agencies have built up the expertise to execute crowdfunding campaigns. They have learned the many nuances within the industry through years of experience. Someone that just walked into crowdfunding marketing may well be unaware of these.
Take the choice between the two leading crowdfunding platforms – Kickstarter and Indiegogo – as an example. What are the benefits of each platform?
Or how much should you spend on targeted ads, and on which audiences? Or how should you structure your crowdfunding page to convey the correct information? In the right amounts? And in the correct order?
Another important reason crowdfunding agencies work is their vast network of journalists and influencers. Thanks to these partnerships, they can garner visible coverage for lower rates, land featured posts with affiliate commissions, and guarantee the maximum possible ROI for your campaign.
While there is a lot of comprehensive information on running crowdfunding campaigns, the insights and experience gained through years of exposure will help a professional crowdfunding agency make the right decision.
Many crowdfunding agencies, consultants, and so-called experts in this field will offer you their services. Unfortunately, the vast majority are scams and will probably not bring you any results. When somebody offers you traffic of 1 million people for $25- you might think, “$25 isn’t much; let’s try. What if it works?”
It won’t! You will waste time and lose your $25 – for sure.
Be aware of “too good to be true” offers. And always try to get references from their previous clients.
Most crowdfunding consultants also only offer advertising services, while some only take care of PR or influencer marketing. Others go much more profound. Services that crowdfunding consultants might offer – roughly in order – include:
The crowdfunding agency may or may not carry out these services. And the extent to which they are varies greatly.
Some might attempt a one-size-fits-all approach, reusing the same worn strategies. Others are constantly restrategizing, discovering the best ways to market your product to new audiences you may have yet to consider!
Some may spend their budget indiscriminately. Others find the most optimal tactics to maximize your budget and increase your ROI.
Picking the right crowdfunding consultant can mean the difference between a failed campaign and a record-breaking success. Here’s how to spot the real pros:
Have they worked on campaigns similar to yours? Look for proven success in your product category and crowdfunding platform (Kickstarter vs. Indiegogo).
A great consultant will show, not just tell. Look for case studies with real numbers: funds raised, strategies used, and measurable ROI. If they’re vague, move on.
Request that agency representatives walk you through specific campaigns they’ve managed. Ask them to:
Red flags to watch out for:
Consultants charge in three ways:
Avoid those who demand huge upfront payments with no performance incentives.
Some agencies specialize in ads, others in PR, while full-service agencies handle everything—from pre-launch prep to post-campaign growth. Choose based on your needs.
Finding the right crowdfunding consultant requires research, but here are the best ways to start your search:
This directory features Indiegogo-trusted agencies, many of which also manage Kickstarter campaigns.
Agencies often place their logo at the bottom of their clients’ pages. Browse high-performing campaigns, check how much they raised, and see which agency was behind them.
Don’t rely on logos alone—reach out to campaigners and ask about their experience. Some may have parted ways with an agency early on, but the logo remained on the page.
Many experienced consultants answer crowdfunding-related questions there, giving you insight into their expertise.
We’ve seen agencies come and go, but the ones listed below have consistently delivered results and received strong feedback from campaigners:
When it comes to full-scale crowdfunding campaign management, The Crowdfunding Formula (TCF) stands out. Unlike agencies that focus only on ads or PR, TCF assigns a dedicated team of experts to your campaign, covering everything from market validation to post-campaign scaling.
✔ End-to-End Management – TCF doesn’t just run ads; we develop a complete strategy tailored to your product and audience.
✔ Proven Success with Million-Dollar Campaigns – TCF has helped numerous projects surpass the six and seven-figure mark.
✔ Data-Driven Growth Strategies – The team continuously optimizes ads, PR outreach, influencer marketing, and social engagement to maximize conversions.
✔ Beyond Crowdfunding – TCF’s strategies aren’t just about hitting your goal—they help set you up for long-term brand success.
If you’re serious about taking your campaign to the next level, TCF is one of the most comprehensive and results-driven crowdfunding agencies you can work with.
Jellop is a crowdfunding agency that specializes in Facebook and Google Ads, primarily for Kickstarter campaigns. Their focus is on optimizing paid media to drive backers efficiently.
✔ Kickstarter Ad Expertise – They have worked with thousands of campaigns, refining ad strategies that perform well on the platform.
✔ Proprietary Ad Technology – Their system helps optimize ad spend and improve conversion rates.
✔ Performance-Based Model – They typically work on a percentage-of-funds-raised basis, meaning their success is tied to yours.
✔ Ad-Only Focus – Jellop is best suited for campaigns that already have a solid foundation but need expert-level ad management to scale.
For teams looking for specialized ad support rather than full-service crowdfunding management, Jellop is a strong option.
Rainfactory is a full-service crowdfunding agency with a strong track record on Indiegogo. Over the years, they have built an extensive audience network, helping campaigns attract high-quality traffic and increase conversions.
✔ Audience-Driven Growth – Their experience in Indiegogo marketing allows them to direct large amounts of relevant traffic to campaign pages.
✔ Proven Success with Large-Scale Campaigns – They have worked on multiple seven-figure campaigns, refining their approach for high-performance results.
✔ Full-Service Support – From ad management to strategy and execution, they offer a complete solution for campaign growth.
For projects that need a scalable audience strategy and a strong presence on Indiegogo, Rainfactory is a solid choice.
LaunchBoom focuses on pre-launch validation, using structured testing methods to assess a product’s crowdfunding potential before it goes live. Their approach helps determine whether a campaign is a good fit for crowdfunding.
✔ Product Validation – Their testing process helps gauge market interest before launch.
✔ Pre-Launch Strategy – They build an initial audience and refine messaging to improve campaign performance.
✔ Structured Launch Approach – Their methodology is designed to create a solid foundation for the campaign.
For teams looking to test their product-market fit and optimize their launch strategy, LaunchBoom provides a methodical approach to pre-launch preparation.
Crowdfunding success isn’t just about launching a great product—it’s about having the right strategy to attract backers and maximize funding. While managing a campaign on your own gives you full control, it also means handling every aspect, from marketing to logistics, which can be overwhelming.
Agencies like The Crowdfunding Formula (TCF) provide full-service support, guiding campaigns from pre-launch to post-funding growth. With the right expertise, we help teams optimize every step, increasing their chances of not just reaching their goal, but exceeding it.
Whichever path you choose, careful planning and the right expertise can make all the difference in turning your idea into a funded reality.
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