Three counterintuitive ways to boost engagement during your crowdfunding campaign
Try these three unconventional crowdfunding strategies to engage readers, attract passionate backers, and create lasting success for your book.
Hi,
Most writers jump into crowdfunding with high hopes. We want to connect with our audience, rally a tribe of enthusiastic readers, and raise enough funds to bring our books to life. The standard approach is to make a polished pitch, share your campaign link, and hope your community grows. Yet despite good intentions, it can feel like your efforts fall flat. The marketplace is crowded, your inbox is quieter than you’d like, and those well-meaning “launch day” posts often slip by unnoticed.
What if the key to success is not about being more polished, but about embracing a few tactics that feel a bit odd at first glance? What if being raw, transparent, or even a bit vulnerable is what truly captures people’s attention? Sometimes the best way to stand out is to go against the grain. In my experience, there are three unusual strategies that spark a different level of engagement. They might raise eyebrows at first, but they often lead to the strongest sense of community and the most enthusiastic backers.
Below, we will explore three ways to stir up meaningful connections in your crowdfunding campaign. They are not typical approaches, and that is precisely why they work.
1. Show your work in progress to strangers
It might feel risky to share unfinished stories, half-baked drafts, or raw ideas. Many writers want to wait until everything is perfect before letting anyone take a peek. In the world of crowdfunding, however, inviting strangers into your creative process can be one of the best ways to stand out. People love to see how the sausage is made. They appreciate being part of the journey and not just the finished product.
Most of us prefer to polish our manuscripts before anyone else sees them. We want our best foot forward at all times. Yet, when it comes to crowdfunding, there's something magical about giving people a peek behind the curtain. An unedited draft or a rough character sketch can make your audience feel like they're part of the journey instead of just spectators.
It also shows that you're human, and readers connect with vulnerability. When you say, "I'm still working out this plot hole, what do you think?" it invites real conversation. That kind of open dialogue helps build a sense of community around your project. By the time your campaign goes live, you won't be pitching to strangers. You'll be pitching to a group of people who feel like they're cheering on a friend.
How to do it: Pick small portions of your project that are interesting but not spoiler-heavy. You can share early sketches of a character design, the first few paragraphs of a draft, or a rough outline of your plot. Make it clear you are looking for honest reactions and feedback. This helps backers feel like they have a real stake in your creative process. The result is a powerful connection that goes well beyond a simple campaign link. By the time you launch, your followers will be cheering you on because they have already shared in your creative wins and challenges.
Why it feels counterintuitive: Many authors worry that early drafts will turn off readers who see flaws or underdeveloped ideas. In reality, most people relish that personal touch. They get to say, I remember when this was just a rough sketch. Now it is a finished piece on my shelf. Sharing behind-the-scenes updates also shows humility and invites your audience to root for your growth. This bond is exactly what helps your campaign gain momentum.
2. Ask for Participation in Ways That Alter the Story
Writers usually like to maintain full control. After all, it is your book. Why would you hand over any piece of it to your readers? The truth is that letting backers shape the work in small but meaningful ways can turn onlookers into superfans. If someone helps name a character or gets to pick an aspect of the worldbuilding, they will want to see how it all turns out.
This can feel like giving up control, but it can also create the most passionate fans you’ll ever meet. Imagine if one of your reward tiers lets a backer name a side character or influence a small detail of the world you’ve created. That might sound terrifying if you’re a perfectionist about every plot point. But backers who get to leave a personal stamp on your book will turn into lifelong supporters.
If letting someone pick a character name is too much, go smaller. Maybe they can choose a pet’s name or suggest a minor detail that appears for just a scene or two. The important thing is that they see their idea in your final product. They’ll tell friends and family, “I helped make that happen.” That is genuine enthusiasm, and it lasts far beyond your campaign.
How to do it: Create a reward tier that allows contributors to influence a minor element of your story. You can offer a package where top-tier backers name a side character or decide a pet’s breed or color. If you have a children’s book, you could let someone rename the hero’s best friend based on a loved one. The goal is to give backers a sense of ownership over a specific part of your story.
Why it feels counterintuitive: It can be nerve-racking to give away creative control. Yet in many cases, these personal touches make the story feel more alive. Readers who see their ideas woven into the book are more likely to rave about your work because they feel deeply connected to it. They are not just backing a campaign. They are contributing to the book’s DNA.
3. Nurture a Small, Dedicated Community Instead of a Large One
Most authors want the biggest crowd possible. Conventional wisdom says a larger audience means more support for your crowdfunding goal. A devoted community of 50 or 100 might bring you more success than an indifferent mass of thousands, though. Smaller groups foster genuine friendships among members. This leads to the kind of word-of-mouth support that can spark significant growth later.
Big audiences look impressive, but they can be surprisingly quiet. A small circle of 50 or 100 people who truly care about your project will often create more buzz than thousands of casual followers. When you have fewer people, you can get to know them as individuals. You can remember their names, see their questions, and respond in a personal way.
That sense of closeness turns casual fans into friends. They’ll share your project with their circles because they’ve built a genuine relationship with you, not just seen a few promotional posts. These personal bonds lay the foundation for future campaigns. If you ever run another crowdfunding initiative, they’ll be the first ones to come back, spread the word, and support you.
How to do it: Instead of worrying about hundreds of likes or follows on social media, focus on building a tight-knit space. This can be a dedicated subreddit, a private Discord server, or even a small Facebook group. Make sure everyone feels seen. Respond to comments quickly and ask for feedback on details that matter to them. If your community is small, it is easier to show up often and build those personal connections.
Why it feels counterintuitive: It is natural to want as many followers as possible. Yet when you are crowdfunding, genuine engagement is more powerful than the appearance of popularity. A close-knit group of fans is more likely to share your campaign and support future projects. It might seem like a small number now, but that loyal core can be your best asset when you are ready to launch.
Crowdfunding success is not about following the most polished strategies or chasing the largest audience. It’s about fostering real engagement, building relationships, and making people feel like they are part of something special.
By inviting backers into the creative process, allowing them to contribute in small but meaningful ways, and focusing on a dedicated core of passionate supporters, a campaign becomes more than just a fundraising effort—it becomes a movement.
These tactics might seem unconventional at first, but they tap into something fundamental: people want to be seen, valued, and included. When a campaign goes beyond transactions and instead becomes a shared experience, it creates a level of enthusiasm and commitment that money alone can’t buy.
The best campaigns are built on trust, collaboration, and the willingness to show up authentically. Those who embrace this mindset will not only run a successful campaign but also cultivate an engaged community ready to support future projects.
What do you think?
What’s the most unexpected tactic you’ve seen work in a crowdfunding campaign?
How do you make your backers feel like part of your creative journey?
Let us know in the comments.
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