How Much Does a Kickstarter Campaign Cost?

So, you’re thinking about launching a crowdfunding campaign through Kickstarter.

You’re not alone, and if you’re like most people, your first question is, how much does it cost to run a crowdfunding campaign?

Well, that’s kind of a loaded question.

You see, Kickstarter campaign costs can vary widely depending on several factors, such as the type of product you’re offering, your target audience, the size of your campaign, and your marketing strategy.

When it comes to crowdfunding campaign costs, you’ll need to consider the costs associated with video production, product design, manufacturing, shipping costs, and advertising.

Of course, like any other crowdfunding platform, Kickstarter fees need to be factored in.

In this article, we’ll help answer these two questions:

1. How much does it cost to start a Kickstarter campaign?
2. How much does it cost to run a Kickstarter campaign?

We’ll also take a deep dive into the various factors that can affect crowdfunding campaign costs. That may include campaign setup fees, marketing, the role that agencies can play in managing your Kickstarter campaign, and other factors.

Key Takeaways

• It actually costs nothing to start a Kickstarter campaign. Still, the cost of running a successful Kickstarter campaign will vary based on several factors. These factors may include your individual goals and ability to manage various aspects of the campaign independently.
• High-quality photos, a well-produced Kickstarter campaign video, and a well-designed campaign page with persuasive and engaging content are essential keys to success.
• You must consider an appropriate advertising budget to manage your pre-launch and post-launch campaign marketing efforts.
• You can hire an agency specializing in crowdfunding to manage all aspects of your Kickstarter campaign. However, hiring a Kickstarter agency can be costly.

The Simplest Answer to this Big Question: It’s Free!

One of the best things about Kickstarter is that anyone can start a campaign for free.

Whether you’re an artist, musician, filmmaker, product designer, restauranteur, or any type of entrepreneur, you can use Kickstarter to raise the money you need to turn your idea into reality, and it’s free and easy.

To start a crowdfunding campaign, you just create an account on the Kickstarter platform. It’s a straightforward process that requires you to provide basic information such as your name, email address, and password.

Once you’ve created your account, you can start building your crowdfunding campaign page, which will become the central hub of your fundraising efforts.

Best of all, there’s no registration fee required to get started on Kickstarter.

That said, there are certain costs associated with running a Kickstarter campaign that you’ll want to keep in mind.

How much money does Kickstarter take?

Kickstarter takes a 5% cut of the funds you raise, but only if you reach your funding goal.

In addition to the 5% cut, Kickstarter will charge a processing fee of 3-5%, depending on your country.

For example, if you’re based in the United States, Kickstarter charges a processing fee of 3% plus $0.30 for pledges below $10 or 5% plus $0.05 for pledges of $10 or more.

It’s as simple as that!

Of course, you’ll want to promote your crowdfunding campaign on social media, blogs, and other relevant platforms to increase your chances of success.

You can also reach out to friends, family, and other potential supporters to encourage them to back your project and share it.

With no registration fee and the ability to start a campaign for free, Kickstarter provides an accessible and low-risk way to get your next big idea off the ground.

But you’ll still need to spend a little money to ensure your Kickstarter campaign is successful.

That leads us to the more complicated answer to the question: How much does a Kickstarter campaign cost?

The More Complicated Answer is that There Are Other Factors to Consider

So what are the other factors to consider when calculating crowdfunding campaign costs?

There are many, but we will focus on what we believe are the most important considerations.

These include the following:

• Providing product photos for your Kickstarter campaign page
• Producing a Kickstarter video for your campaign
• Your Kickstarter campaign page’s copywriting and design
• Advertising and marketing costs, both in the pre-launch and launch phases of your campaign
• Hiring a crowdfunding agency to manage your overall crowdfunding campaign

So, let’s dig a little deeper into these factors to help you determine how much it will cost to run your Kickstarter campaign.

High-Quality Photos Are Crucial to a Successful Kickstarter Campaign

Whether your next big idea is a product or a service, having great, high-quality photos is critical for a successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter.

When it comes to photos, the higher the quality, the more likely audiences will have a higher perceived value of your campaign and what you are offering.

The photos you choose to feature in your Kickstarter campaign will play a vital role in telling your story and showcasing the features and benefits of your product or service.

Why Are High-Quality Photos So Important to Your Kickstarter Campaign?

High-quality photos are essential to your Kickstarter campaign for several reasons:

• Photos help to create a visual identity for your product or service: With the right visuals, you can make your product stand out and capture the attention of potential backers.
• Images are a powerful storytelling tool that can benefit your campaign: Your photos can communicate the benefits and features of your product in a way that text alone simply can’t.
• High-quality photos can increase the perceived value of your product or service: Backers are more likely to fund a campaign that appears polished and professional, and high-quality images will contribute to that perception.

The Importance of Quality AND Quantity

Not only do you need high-quality photos to communicate the value of your product or service, but you also need to have enough of them to showcase your product or service thoroughly.

Each photo you use should highlight a key feature or benefit of your product or service and provide potential backers with a clear understanding of what they will receive if they back your campaign.

Depending on the complexity of your product or service, you may need ten or more photos to communicate its value effectively.

Remember, the goal is to make it easy for backers to understand what they are getting and why they should support your crowdfunding campaign.

The Cost of Producing Photos for Your Kickstarter Campaign

Cost is one of the biggest challenges that Kickstarter users face when producing photos for their crowdfunding campaign.

On the one hand, you can shoot the photos yourself at no cost.

That’s the most affordable method for most creators, giving them complete and total control over the process.

But you know the old saying, you get what you pay for!

Amateur Photos vs. Professional Photos

If you take your own photos, the quality might suffer, and capturing the proper lighting and angles can be challenging.

If you choose to shoot the photos yourself, you may want to invest in a good camera and take the time to learn the basics of photography. However, that alone costs money, which could defeat the purpose of taking your own photos as a cost-cutting measure.

On the other hand, you can hire a professional photographer, which can be a worthy investment.

The average cost of hiring a professional is about $50-$100 per photo, which includes retouching, plus a $150-$500 base fee. So if you got 10 photos, it can cost anywhere from $650 to $1500.

By hiring a professional photographer, you can rest assured that they have the expertise and equipment to produce high-quality photos that showcase your product or service in the best possible light.

The downside is that hiring a professional photographer for your Kickstarter campaign can be expensive, and you may want to have more control over the process.

Other Photo Options for Your Kickstarter Campaign

One cost-effective alternative to traditional photography services is Soona.

Photo Courtesy of Soona 

Soona specializes in studio photography of small products and offers a flat rate of $39 per photo, which includes retouching.

The company also offers package deals that can help to reduce the average cost per photo.

Soona is a company that boasts a team of professional photographers who use their studio space to capture high-quality photos of your product.

The company was founded in 2018 and has quickly gained a reputation for providing high-quality studio photography at an affordable price.

Pro tip: Use clips of your Kickstarter video as GIFs on your campaign page

To save on costs, here’s a good hack: Use clips of your Kickstarter video as GIFs on your campaign page.

Doing this means you’ll need fewer photos to fill out your page.

This approach also gives potential backers a sneak peek of your video content, which can help generate interest and excitement for your campaign.

No matter which option you choose, your investment in high-quality photos directly correlates with an investment in the success of your Kickstarter campaign.

So, don’t skimp on your photos. They can make all the difference in reaching your funding goals and bringing your product or service to life.

Producing a High-Quality Video for Your Kickstarter Campaign

For anyone considering the launch of a Kickstarter campaign, it is important to consider producing a high-quality video to feature on your campaign page.

Even Kickstarter recommends creating a video for your campaign, as it can significantly benefit your chances of reaching your funding goal.

Why is a Kickstarter Video So Important?

When you feature a video on your Kickstarter campaign page, it can help you to communicate your product or service to potential backers in a way that text or static photos simply can’t.

By providing a visual and auditory experience, you can better engage your audience and bring your idea to life.

A video can also establish trust with your audience because it tells them that you’ve gone the extra mile to put effort into creating a high-quality campaign that’s worth backing.

Of course, a Kickstarter campaign video will also better showcase your product or service’s unique features and benefits, showing the audience exactly how it works and what it can do for them.

As with photos, a video can increase the perceived value of your offering, which in turn can lead to more backers and a higher chance of reaching your funding goal.

In fact, our sources inside Kickstarter say that campaigns with videos have, on average, 3x more backers and raise 6x more funds.

That’s significant.

Options for Shooting a Video for Your Kickstarter Campaign

There are several options for producing a video to use as part of your crowdfunding campaign.

The most straightforward and affordable option is to shoot the video yourself.

Shooting your own Kickstarter campaign video is a great way to save money and maintain control over the creative process.

However, it has its drawbacks.

Amateur Video Production vs. Professional Video Production

With the rise of affordable and accessible technology, shooting your own video has become easier than ever before.

All you need is a camera (which can be as simple as a smartphone camera), a tripod, and some basic editing software.

Shooting your own video can also be a great way to showcase your passion and enthusiasm for your product or service, which can be a powerful way to engage and endear your audience.

Best of all, shooting your own video can cost less than $100.

Like taking your own photos, there are also some downsides to shooting and producing your own Kickstarter campaign video.

For example, if you’re not experienced in video production, you may need help creating a high-quality video that effectively communicates your idea.

Remember that poor lighting, sound, and editing can all detract from your video’s overall quality, which can harm your Kickstarter campaign’s success.

Additionally, shooting your own video can be time-consuming and take away from other essential aspects of your campaign, such as marketing and outreach efforts.

Another option is to hire professionals to shoot your video for you.

Hiring a professional to produce your Kickstarter video is an excellent choice if you want to ensure a high-quality, professional video that effectively communicates your idea.

However, it is quite an expensive choice.

Professionals can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000, with the average cost being around $15,000 for a high-quality video.

While this may be out of reach for many creators, it’s important to remember that a well-produced video can significantly benefit your campaign’s chances of success.

If you decide to hire a professional, there are a few things you can do to find the most cost-effective solution:

• Look for freelance videographers or production companies who are just starting out and may be willing to work for less to build their portfolio.
• Reach out to film schools or universities to see if any students are interested in working on your project for a reduced rate.
• Check out platforms like Fiverr or Upwork to hire a freelance videographer or editor. These platforms allow you to browse portfolios and reviews and to communicate directly with potential candidates to discuss your project and negotiate rates.

A Kickstarter video can be a crucial component to the success of your Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign.

A Kickstarter video can effectively communicate your product or service to potential backers, showcase its unique features and benefits, and increase the perceived value of your offering.

While there are different options available for shooting and production, if you have the funds available, you should consider hiring a production company.

These companies typically offer various services, from pre-production planning and scripting to filming and post-production editing.

Some production companies even specialize in creating Kickstarter videos, while others may offer a broader range of video production services.

When hiring a production company, be sure to research and choose a reputable company with a proven track record of creating high-quality videos.

At Launchboom, we have exclusive partnerships that give our clients deals as low as $3000 for compelling, high-quality Kickstarter campaign videos.

Whether you choose to shoot your own video or hire a professional, it’s vital to put in the time and effort necessary to create a high-quality video that will engage and inspire your audience.

Developing Your Kickstarter Campaign Page

You probably already know that the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform has helped thousands of people raise money for their creative projects.

You also know that launching a Kickstarter campaign is more complex than just coming up with an idea and waiting for backers to pledge their support.

It takes careful planning, research, and execution to create a successful campaign.

Even with super high-quality photos and a killer Kickstarter campaign video, you must put significant effort into your page to meet your funding goals.

Let’s outline how to develop a Kickstarter campaign page and then discuss the pros and cons of doing it yourself versus hiring a professional copywriter and page designer.

Developing a Kickstarter Campaign Page

A Kickstarter campaign page is the central hub of your crowdfunding campaign. It is the page that potential backers will see when they click on your campaign link.

Your Kickstarter campaign page must be visually appealing, informative, and persuasive.

Here are some of the elements that every Kickstarter campaign page needs for success:

1. A clear and concise project description: The description should be the first thing potential backers see when visiting your page. It should be clear, concise, and to the point, explaining your project, its importance, and what the backer will get in return for supporting your campaign.
2. High-quality images and videos: As mentioned before, photos and videos are essential to any successful Kickstarter campaign page. They help to showcase your project and make it more engaging for potential backers. In addition, high-quality images and videos will grab the attention of potential backers and persuade them to pledge their support.
3. Rewards: Rewards are incentives you offer your backers for their support. You should include a list of rewards you are offering and what backers will receive for each level of support. Make sure that your rewards are attractive and relevant to your project.
4. Funding goal and timeline: Clearly state your funding goal and the timeline for your campaign. That will help potential backers understand what you are trying to achieve and how much time they have to pledge their support.

Developing a Kickstarter Campaign Page on Your Own

One of the main advantages of developing a DIY Kickstarter campaign page is that it helps you save money.

Using apps like Canva, you can design your page for little to no cost.

That can be a significant advantage, especially when working on a tight budget.

Another advantage of doing it yourself is that you have complete control over the design and content of your campaign page.

When developing your own Kickstarter campaign page, you can make changes and adjustments as needed without waiting for your copywriter or designer to make revisions.

Even though it all sounds pretty simple, the DIY route isn’t always the best option.

Developing your Kickstarter campaign page can be incredibly time-consuming, especially if you are unfamiliar with design software.

If you are not skilled in design or copywriting, your campaign page may not be as effective as it could be, resulting in fewer backers and less funding for your project.

That’s why many people hire professionals to help them develop their Kickstarter campaign page.

The Pros and Cons of Hiring a Copywriter and Designer for Your Kickstarter Campaign

Hiring a copywriter and designer to work on your Kickstarter campaign page can have several advantages.

A professional copywriter can help you create compelling and persuasive copy that will resonate with potential backers.

They can also help you develop a concise description explaining your project and its benefits.

A professional designer can help you create a visually appealing and engaging campaign page.

They can help manage your high-quality images and videos to showcase your project better and make it more attractive to potential backers.

They can also help you develop a layout that is easy to navigate and understand.

The biggest downside to hiring professionals in these fields is the cost.

A copywriter can charge between $600 and $1200 to develop copy for your campaign page, depending on their experience and skill.

Depending on their skillset and the project’s complexity, a page designer can charge between $800 to $2000 for design work.

That’s a significant chunk of change, especially for those on a tight budget.

In addition to cost, hiring a copywriter or designer can considerably delay your Kickstarter campaign’s launch.

You must communicate with them, provide feedback, and wait for revisions.

That can be a challenge if you are on a tight timeline or need to make changes quickly.

Using Design Apps to Develop Your Kickstarter Campaign Page

If you choose to develop your Kickstarter campaign page yourself, apps like Canva can help.

Canva is a graphic design platform that allows users to create a wide range of designs, including social media graphics, presentations, and infographics.

Canva has several advantages when it comes to developing a Kickstarter campaign page, including:

• Ease of use: Canva is easy to use, even for those with little to no design experience.
• Lots of design options: Canva offers a wide range of templates, images, and graphics that you can use to create your campaign page.
• Affordability: Canva is also affordable, with many features available for free or at a low cost.

However, there are also some potential drawbacks to using Canva.

While the app is easy to use, it may not be as customizable as hiring a professional designer.

That can limit your ability to create a unique and engaging campaign page.

Additionally, if you are not skilled in design, your campaign page may not be as effective as it could be.

Your Kickstarter campaign page is the most critical part of your crowdfunding campaign.

While it is entirely possible to develop a Kickstarter campaign page yourself, there are many benefits to hiring a professional copywriter and designer.

Ultimately, the decision will depend on your budget, time constraints, and skill level.

No matter what you choose to do, with careful planning and execution, you can create a successful Kickstarter campaign page that attracts backers and helps you reach your funding goal.

Advertising and Marketing Your Kickstarter Campaign

When it comes to crowdfunding your next big idea, chances are you will need more than friends, family, and organic buzz to achieve success. That means you’ll have to budget some money for advertising.

That begs the question, how much does it cost to run a Kickstarter campaign advertising strategy?

There’s no easy answer because your advertising budget largely depends on your campaign goal and metrics.

One thing is certain; paid advertising for your Kickstarter campaign is crucial to its success.

With thousands of campaigns launched daily, paid advertisements can help your campaign to stand out and get noticed by potential backers.

At Launchboom, we help to market your Kickstarter campaign effectively and also recommend Jellop for paid ads during the campaign.

Read on for our advertising budget recommendations and some advertising strategies for a successful Kickstarter campaign.

Your Kickstarter Advertising Budget

The first thing you’ll need to do is determine how much you can afford to spend on advertising and what your return on investment (ROI) should be.

Typically, ad spend on a successful campaign will be between 10-30% of the total funds raised. The variance depends on ad performance. That’s why at LaunchBoom we like to take the average and budget 20% of the campaign goal for advertising costs.

We recommend splitting your advertising budget at a 2:1 ratio, pre-launch to launch.

It should look like this:

• 2/3 of your advertising budget goes to pre-launch advertising

• 1/3 of your advertising budget goes to launch advertising

Why?

Pre-launch ads are crucial for building awareness and generating interest before your campaign launches. Pre-launch ads build up a list of backers before you launch so that you can start strong (launch with a BOOM), which then ranks you up on Kickstarter algorithm (better placement) and gets more organic visitors to go to your page. Also attracts press sooner and faster.

Funded projects also have a significantly higher conversion rate than unfunded projects. So hitting your goal early is crucial for better performance throughout the rest of your campaign.

Essentially, pre-launch gets you funded quickly, which gives you a higher conversion rate, gets you ranked higher on Kickstarter, and gives you more organic traffic.

Pre-Launch Advertising

For pre-launch advertising, we recommend starting with $1,000-$2,000 to test, then scaling up if your metrics look good.

At Launchboom, we offer a calculator that pairs with your reservation funnel to let you know the following:

• if your pre-launch metrics are suitable to scale;
• how much pre-launch budget you’ll need to hit your goal; and
• your projected cost per backer

Post-Launch Advertising

When it comes to post-launch advertising, the cost depends on the results of your pre-launch efforts.

If you didn’t run pre-launch ads, you’d need to test out what works and what doesn’t.

Remember, if you go this route, your test budget will need to be much higher since it’ll be harder to get qualifying metrics. That’s because you’re asking for much more.

Essentially you are asking them to buy your product vs. requesting their email and offering a discount for $1.. Because the ask is a much higher cost, you need to spend more to understand if an ad actually works or not.

So, if you didn’t run a pre-launch advertising campaign, you must allocate at least $5,000 for launch advertising.

But If you did run pre-launch ads, your launch advertising spend could be whatever you want it to be.

Just ensure you’re getting a good return on ad spend (ROAS).

Launch ads are more straightforward because you can see your direct ROAS and quickly determine if your advertising is working.

To profit from your campaign, consider your cost per backer and the cost of goods sold.

Your cost per backer is the amount of money you spend on advertising to get one backer, and your cost of goods sold is the amount it costs to make and ship your product.

So, the breakeven point is when your cost per backer = price of product – cost of goods sold.

Pre-Launch Ads vs. Launch Ads

Pre-launch ads are ads you run before your campaign launches to generate buzz and interest.

These ads can include social media posts, email marketing, and influencer partnerships.

Pre-launch advertising aims to build an audience and generate leads that will convert into backers when your campaign launches.

Post-launch ads run during your campaign to drive traffic and convert leads into backers. They, too, can include social media ads, display ads, and influencer partnerships.

Post-launch ads aim to increase the number of backers and total funds raised.

Pre-launch ads are crucial for building an audience, reaching your funding goal quickly, and improving your Kickstarter ranking and conversion rate.

When people ask how much it costs to run a crowdfunding campaign, they need to consider the cost of advertising and its critical role in funding a Kickstarter campaign.

Advertising is an essential part of the process, and it’s important to budget for advertising accordingly.

Pre-launch and post-launch ads are both critical, with pre-launch ads being especially crucial to building momentum and reaching your funding goal.

When it comes to budgeting for advertising, it’s essential to remember your goals and metrics and the costs of different advertising channels and methods.

With the right strategy and budget, advertising can help you achieve a successful Kickstarter campaign and take your project across the finish line.

Hiring a Kickstarter Agency to Help Manage Your Campaign

So, maybe you’re reading all of this, and you’re feeling pretty overwhelmed.

We get it.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could just hire someone else to handle all of it for you?

Well, you can.

Hiring an agency to manage your Kickstarter campaign can be an excellent choice for those who want to ensure they have the best chance of success.

An agency can help you with every aspect of your campaign, from finding the right photos and creating a video to developing your Kickstarter page and managing your advertising.

However, like anything else, there are pros and cons to working with a Kickstarter agency to manage your crowdfunding campaign.

One of the most significant advantages of hiring an agency is having access to a team of experts with experience running successful Kickstarter campaigns.

They’ll be able to provide valuable advice and guidance and help you avoid common pitfalls that can derail your campaign.

Additionally, an agency will have a dedicated team of copywriters, designers, and other professionals who can help you to create a compelling campaign page and advertising materials.

How Much Does a Kickstarter Marketing Agency Cost?

One of the principal drawbacks to hiring a crowdfunding marketing agency is the amount of money it can add to your Kickstarter campaign costs.

There is no denying that hiring an agency to manage your crowdfunding campaign costs significant money.

A good agency typically charges at least $25,000 for their services, and you’ll also need to budget at least $25,000 for advertising spend to qualify for their services.

Why is it so expensive?

Well, consider that you’re not just paying for the agency’s expertise but also for the labor of their entire team.

Review our list of essential elements for a crowdfunding campaign and how much it can cost to hire individual professionals to handle those varying aspects. You’ll realize how quickly it can add up.

Kickstarter Marketing Agency Alternatives

Finding some middle ground is an excellent way to reduce your crowdfunding campaign costs and Kickstarter fees.

There are alternatives available for those who want the expertise of an agency without the high cost.

One option is to find an agency that offers an in-between approach, where they work with you to create and manage your campaign rather than doing all of the work for you.

The Launchboom Accelerator program is an excellent example of this option.

We designed the Accelerator program to help you launch a successful Kickstarter campaign by providing the guidance and support you need to succeed.

With our Accelerator program, you’ll have access to a team of experienced professionals who can help you with every aspect of your campaign, including creating a compelling campaign page and advertising materials.

Rather than doing all the work for you, our team works with you to help you create and manage your campaign.

The program is an affordable alternative to the services offered by traditional Kickstarter marketing agencies without the high Kickstarter marketing agency cost.

At the end of the day, hiring an agency to manage your Kickstarter campaign can be an excellent choice, but it’s not for everyone.

Before deciding whether or not to invest in an agency to manage your crowdfunding campaign, you must carefully weigh your options.

Our Accelerator program may be ideal if you’re looking for an agency that can provide you with guidance and support without the high cost.

Want the complete guide to Kickstarter?

In this Kickstarter Masterclass, you’ll learn everything you need to launch a successful Kickstarter this year.

How Much Does It Cost To Run A Crowdfunding Campaign? The Bottom Line!

So, let’s get back to those two questions we promised to answer at the beginning of this article:

• How much does it cost to start a Kickstarter campaign?

• How much does it cost to run a Kickstarter campaign?

The answer to the first question is a no-brainer.

The answer is nothing.

Zero.

Zilch.

Nada.

That’s right; it costs nothing to start a Kickstarter campaign.

The answer to the second question, as we’ve demonstrated throughout this article, is a bit more complicated.

On the one hand, you can run a Kickstarter campaign with little to no money.

So, the more important question to ask is this,

Can you run a successful Kickstarter campaign with little to no money?

Well, it’s not impossible, but it’s pretty unlikely.

It will require some type of investment to provide all the critical elements necessary for a successful crowdfunding campaign, whether it’s high-quality photos and videos or the design, development, and messaging for your Kickstarter page.

Of course, don’t forget about the critical element of advertising.

Whether it’s during the pre-launch phase of your crowdfunding campaign or launch, advertising costs money.

The good news is that you can significantly reduce overall costs if you are resourceful and have the time, energy, resources, and knowledge to manage certain aspects or even all aspects of your campaign on your own.

Considering the options and methods outlined in this article, your Kickstarter campaign costs can be as low as $0 or as high as $50,000 or more.

It’s really up to you.

Are you still unclear on Kickstarter costs and campaign execution?

We’re pretty confident that LaunchBoom can help!

Schedule some time to chat with us here