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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

Russell, can you tell me more about Kickstarter? I have toyed with the idea of starting one for my memoir-in-progress (to raise funds for it) but I haven't looked into it deeply. You mention it here, as if it's part of a built-in aspect of our publishing ecosystem, and I'd like to hear more about that, since it's new to me.

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Russell Nohelty's avatar

I have written 2 books on Kickstarter, a basic course on Kickstarter, and a master course on Kickstarter. All of which are available to members.

Book - https://www.theauthorstack.com/s/how-to-launch-your-book-on-kickstarter

Intro course - https://www.theauthorstack.com/s/fund-your-book-with-kickstarter-course

Master course - https://www.theauthorstack.com/s/kickstarter-launchpad

I've also talked about Kickstarter in a dozen other articles in the archives and had a podcast called Kickstarter Your Book sales, where I talked about Kickstarter.

TAS archive - https://www.theauthorstack.com/archive

Podcast - https://www.writermba.com/s/kickstart-your-book-sales-podcast

I have a book about Direct Sales that talks about Kickstarter, too.

https://www.theauthorstack.com/s/direct-sales-strategy-for-authors

You are also welcome to book a consult to talk about Kickstarter.

http://russellnohelty.com/schedule

If you want to hear what I have to say about Kickstarter for books, I am the definitive expert on that subject, and I have extensive resources on it, but I'm not going to do so here. Sorry.

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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

Thank you for this, Russell, and for your personal email! I appreciate both.

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Clarissa's avatar

This seems like a really powerful model and I can see how most of the parts would all work together. The point where I'm struggling is the difference between the CRM and the subscription. You're funnelling people from reading your book to subscribe, so there has to be enough value there for it to be worth signing up, but then what's the difference between what you send through the CRM and the subscription platform? Or are your emails purely sales to your next launch and all the commentary/idea generation content is here? Thanks!

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Russell Nohelty's avatar

I think I might see what you mean. So, I would consider a CRM anywhere that collects FREE subscribers, like Substack, or Patreon, or Mailchimp, or Kit, or...well any number of things. This is different from continuity, where people are paying.

So, the PAID members are CONTINUITY, the FREE are in your CRM. Your PAID MEMBERS are also in your CRM though, as it's short for Customer Relationship Manager.

It's the money that forms a foundation, but both free and paid are part of your CRM, as are people that buy other products. Does that make sense?

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Russell Nohelty's avatar

I don't quite understand your question. These aren't discrete things. They all funnel into each other. A CRM could be Substack, but it can also be Kit or some other place that you collect emails. The people you bring into your CRM will be the same people who would buy your subscription, and your Kickstarter. Can you please clarify what you mean? It seems like you are thinking of these as discrete objects, instead of an ecosystem.

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