How to Raise $100,000 on Kickstarter

August 6, 2012
Business journalist Steinberg takes readers through the in’s and out’s of succeeding with Kickstarter.com (launched in 2009): from the emotional investment through to the creation of a Kickstarter video. Numerous case studies highlight what could go wrong in this new world of “crowdfunding.” Steinberg, who interviewed artists and inventors, doesn’t sugarcoat the difficulties. As he notes, “Kickstarter isn’t a magical honey pot.” With an extended discussion about pledges and rewards and calculating an appropriate number as a fund-raising goal, Steinberg details possible pitfalls. For many budding entrepreneurs who are often in the dark, it comes as a great relief to find a book that explains impending dangers. Kickstarter is playing an ever-larger role in the business world, and Steinberg’s book meets a growing need.

October 15, 2012

Steinberg (Jokes Every Man Should Know) offers a largely uncritical exposition of the crowd-funding website Kickstarter. His tone has more in common with an enthusiastic self-help book--"What are you waiting for? Let's get this dance party started!"--than impartial how-to guide. He addresses the mechanics of running a Kickstarter campaign but maintains a thematic focus on the marketing and promotional aspects. Steinberg emphasizes the advantages of having experience building publicity and especially of having an existing fan base to bring to a project. The vagaries of whether a project submission will be approved by Kickstarter staff and a rundown of the associated fees get short shrift and are barely covered. The book includes anecdotal advice throughout from a small set of Kickstarter participants; although some will appreciate this vertical approach, others will wish Steinberg had drawn from a broader base of projects and personalities. VERDICT Readers willing to supplement their research by consulting either the wealth of online material on this subject or another book (such as Brainard Carey's New Markets for Artists) may find this title an adequate starting place.--Steve Wilson, Galen Coll. of Nursing, Louisville, KY

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.