How to pitch your idea on a crowdfunding site without giving the idea away?

9 replies
I have an extremely good idea for an online business, and am preparing to raise capital for the expenses. I am considering using crowdfunding service in an effort to generate the money needed, but I cannot think of a way to pitch the idea to potential donors/investors without laying the whole concept out there for someone to steal. I have done a fair share of research, and I have yet to find a website that offers the same thing that I am envisioning.

Does anyone have any recommendations on how to create copy for something like this that sells the idea without giving it away? Any recommendations for a writer here on WF that has done copy for crowdfunding campaigns? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
#crowdfunding #giving #idea #pitch #site
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    Marketing is not a battle of products. It is a battle of perceptions.
    - Jack Trout
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    • Profile picture of the author wordwizard
      Not so sure about Joe Golfer's suggestion.

      I'm of the 'better safe than sorry' school...

      You're right - you're in a real catch-22.

      It's your judgment call. Is the idea that unique that someone ripping it off could hurt you?

      Then you might look for alternative financing.
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  • Here, check this out for a more cautious approach:
    Using crowdfunding sites could destroy your nascent business idea | Media Network | Guardian Professional

    Do you really need crowdfunding capital? Can you start a smaller version of the idea on your own to test it and get some customer feedback?
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    Marketing is not a battle of products. It is a battle of perceptions.
    - Jack Trout
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  • Profile picture of the author James Clouser
    You're asking the wrong questions. Pre-sell your idea and make some money first.

    All the funding in the world won't help you if you don't know how to sell & market your stuff. Just sayin'...
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    • Profile picture of the author sethczerepak
      Originally Posted by James Clouser View Post

      You're asking the wrong questions. Pre-sell your idea and make some money first.

      All the funding in the world won't help you if you don't know how to sell & market your stuff. Just sayin'...
      Thank you. If you can't sell it to people when you have no capital, hundreds of thousands of dollars in capital isn't going to help. Then again, if you're 100% confident that you've got a winner, why not take some money from your personal savings (or use a credit card) to patent/copyright the idea first?
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      • Profile picture of the author SEO4hire
        Originally Posted by sethczerepak View Post

        Thank you. If you can't sell it to people when you have no capital, hundreds of thousands of dollars in capital isn't going to help. Then again, if you're 100% confident that you've got a winner, why not take some money from your personal savings (or use a credit card) to patent/copyright the idea first?
        Without going into too much detail, personal savings or a credit card is not an option. This is one of the main reasons why I am strongly considering a crowdfunding site.
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      • Profile picture of the author BrianMcLeod
        Originally Posted by sethczerepak View Post

        why not take some money from your personal savings (or use a credit card) to patent/copyright the idea first?
        Because you can't just "patent" an idea. The patent process takes years and thousands of dollars - assuming you even have something patentable.

        And that's not even getting into the discussion of trying to enforce patent rights. An infringement suit can take years and cost a fortune to pursue... on the patent holder's dime.

        Anyway, that's why.
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  • Here's some more tips.

    How to Market a New Product Without Getting It Ripped Off | Chron.com

    It might make sense for you to talk to an attorney. Look up a warrior with user name "kindsvater."

    In the end, though, James is right--ultimately, you want to make some initial sales to make sure the market thinks your idea is as valuable as you do.
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    Marketing is not a battle of products. It is a battle of perceptions.
    - Jack Trout
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  • Profile picture of the author ECTally
    Originally Posted by SEO4hire View Post

    I have an extremely good idea for an online business, and am preparing to raise capital for the expenses. I am considering using crowdfunding service in an effort to generate the money needed, but I cannot think of a way to pitch the idea to potential donors/investors without laying the whole concept out there for someone to steal. I have done a fair share of research, and I have yet to find a website that offers the same thing that I am envisioning.

    Does anyone have any recommendations on how to create copy for something like this that sells the idea without giving it away? Any recommendations for a writer here on WF that has done copy for crowdfunding campaigns? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
    For a start, don't use Kickstarter. The site is infested with opportunistic vultures.
    Consider Fundageek. Your ideas will only be pitched to members. Signing up require agreeing to an NDA that prohibits members from using, publishing or copying anything they read from the site.

    However, if you must go the Kickstarter way, then at the very least, file a provisional patent application here. "Provisional applications are not examined on their merits," and the objective here is just to provide you with a measure of IP protection.

    The filing fee is between $65 and $130, and will last for 1 year before you are required to file a proper application - plenty of time to develop your ideas.

    Good luck.
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