Kickstarter FAQs

As many of you know, I launched my first Kickstarter project a little over a week ago.  I understand that many of my supporters are not familiar with Kickstarter, how it works and its purpose.  Let me explain.


I should be clear that the point of a Kickstarter project is to raise money from individual donors.  That means you.  If you are the type of person that would read my blog, then you are the type of person I would look to for support on my projects.  Any financial support, large or small, is more than appreciated.  In return you should expect to receive unique rewards, like a thank you note personally written by myself or a signed limited edition publication from the project or a framed, signed, and numbered print from the project or I might even take you out to dinner.  Its up to you.




Here is a video promo I made for this important project on the American West's Pine Beetle epidemic.

Click here to pledge.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions...

What is Kickstarter?

Kickstarter is a new way to fund creative ideas and ambitious endeavors.

We believe that...

• A good idea, communicated well, can spread fast and wide.

• A large group of people can be a tremendous source of money and encouragement.

Kickstarter is powered by a unique all-or-nothing funding method where projects must be fully-funded or no money changes hands.

Why do people support projects?

REWARDS! Project creators inspire people to open their wallets by offering smart, fun, and tangible rewards (products, benefits, and experiences).

STORIES! Kickstarter projects are efforts by real people to do something they love, something fun, or at least something of note. These stories unfold through blog posts, pics, and videos as people bring their ideas to life. Take a peek around the site and see what we're talking about. Stories abound.

Who can fund their project on Kickstarter?

Kickstarter is focused on creative ideas and ambitious endeavors. We're a great way for artists, filmmakers, musicians, designers, writers, illustrators, explorers, curators, performers, and others to bring their projects, events, and dreams to life.

We know there are a lot of great projects that fall outside of our scope, but Kickstarter is not a place for soliciting donations to causes, charity projects, general business expenses, or raising funds without a specific goal. 

How does funding work?

Every project has a funding goal (any dollar amount) and a time limit (from 1 - 90 days) set by the project creator. When the deadline is reached, there are either of two results:

1. Funding Successful: If a project has met or surpassed its funding goal, all backers' credit cards are instantly charged and funds go directly to the project creator. Project creators are then responsible for completing the project and delivering rewards as promised.

2. Funding Unsuccessful: If a project has NOT met its funding goal, all pledges are canceled. That's it.

How do I make a pledge?

To make a pledge to a project, click the green “Back This Project” button on any project page. You will be asked to pick your pledge amount and select a reward. From there, you will go through the Amazon checkout process. Note that you must finish the Amazon checkout for your pledge to be completed.

If I make a pledge, when is my card charged?

If the project you’re backing is successfully funded, your card will be charged when the project reaches its funding deadline. If the project does not reach its funding goal, your card is never charged. That's why we call them pledges.

If funding does not succeed, do backers pay anything?

Nothing. If funding fails, all pledges are canceled and that's that.

How does the money stuff work?

Amazon Payments processes all the pledges on Kickstarter. When you decide to make a pledge, we'll quickly send you to an Amazon Payments page to confirm. If you have an Amazon account this takes only a few clicks. If you don't have an Amazon account, Amazon will ask you to register during the pledge process — it's painless. You won't need to do anything annoying like stop in the middle and check your email.

Can I cancel a pledge?

By pledging, you are committing to supporting that person’s project; canceling that commitment is discouraged. If you must cancel, visit the project page and click “Manage My Pledge.” At the bottom of the next page you’ll see the “Cancel My Pledge” button.

Can projects be shared on other sites and social networks?

Absolutely. Kickstarter projects are all-or-nothing — they either happen or they don't. Every project depends on their backers' and creator's networks for its survival.

There are simple buttons for the major social networks in the share section of each project. Just look under the project video slot.

Is there a widget that can be put on other blogs and MySpace pages and other sites to promote a project?

Yep. You can find it right underneath the project's video/image in the share section: "grab the widget."

Is there a way to share a project on sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Digg or via email?

Yes. Click on the icons for email and the major social networks in the project page's share section.

Do projects have RSS feeds?

Each project has an RSS feed of its project updates. You can find it in the project's share section. (Note that backer-only updates are not included.)

More info can be found at the Kickstarter website here: www.kickstarter.com/help/faq#WhatIsKick

You may support my project by clicking here: http://kck.st/aOVzP9

Thanks so much!!!