[Writing with an Editor] #4. Post-Story Reflections
This is Episode 4 of the <Write with the Editor> series.
Don't forget to check this out!
- After your project is first unveiled through funding, be sure to use the “Reviews” section when you return.
- The cheers and feedback from other supporters can become content in itself.
- Once you’ve submitted your satisfaction rating and review, you’ve successfully completed the “Review” stage!
Wadiz Story’s Best-Sellers: Reviews Edition
# If you’re a “Encore” project maker, please take note.
As an editor who monitors dozens of projects every day, I’ve noticed that more and more projects are returning for “encore” campaigns.
- While some encore projects raise more than double the amount of their first funding campaign,
- while others end up raising less than half of the funding they received in their first project.
# If you’re a maker running a brand, please take note.
The same goes for projects where brands introduce new products on wadiz. There are cases where a brand that was completely unknown makes a name for itself through funding, while a famous brand that everyone knows sometimes fails to live up to its reputation. What creates this difference?
# The key to “encore” funding lies in the reviews.
The most powerful weapon for an encore project is leveraging “reviews” from previous supporters. Encore projects that simply copy and paste the same story from their first successful funding campaign, or stories that rely solely on a famous brand’s name recognition, are unlikely to be compelling. (After all, it’s a story that’s already been told.)
The most powerful content that can make that crucial difference is reviews.
When you look at actual funding reviews from previous supporters, you see that the Rewards have been verified, and at the same time, seeing others praise the project stimulates a new desire to purchase.
What kind of story do makers preparing an encore project or those seeking funding under their brand name need? Let’s write it out step by step starting now. Here’s a guide to writing stories: How to Write a Review-Based Story.
01. Start with a thank-you message
If your project is an encore funding campaign, be sure to thank the supporters who made your previous success possible. They’ll be delighted to see that “the project I funded has succeeded and is back!”
If you’re updating or revamping an existing product and launching it on wadiz for the first time, it’s a good idea to express your gratitude for the interest shown inthe original product.
If your encore funding campaign is identical to your previous funding story, it’s hard for supporters to feel that it’s anything new, and it can undermine your credibility as a maker. A thank-you message is a quick and easy way to convey both warmth and a sense of something new.
02. Feel free to showcase positive reviews
Now that you’ve reached out to your supporters, it’s time to listen to what they have to say. Share the reviews your supporters have left for your existing product.
Many of them have likely left positive reviews saying they loved the product. Those reviews were probably the driving force that enabled you to launch this new project. Positive reviews are content that showcases the product’s appeal on their own.At this point, it’s essential to blur out supporters’ usernames and profile pictures! No matter howgrateful you are to them, you must ensure their personal information isn’t exposed.
Were there any supporters who pointed out areas for improvement in your previous product? Be sure to collect those reviews as well. When you relaunch the product, you can highlight, “We’ve taken these comments to heart and returned with an even better product!” If you’ve actually revamped the product based on inspiration from those comments, that’s even better!
03. Clearly Highlight the Changes
Are there any improvements in this new product? If so, focus on explaining the product’s details by highlighting those improvements!
If you number these points step-by-step at the beginning of your Story, it will serve as a guide for readers as they go through the longer explanation that follows.Images or video content comparing how it differs from the previous product will be a great way to highlight these changes.
"My product is exactly the same as the previous version—what should I do?"
If you add new photos to the model shots or staged shots, your supporters will think, “Oh, I haven’t seen this photo before!” and find it refreshing.
"I don’t have enough time or budget for a new photo shoot."
I also recommend adding images that capture the seasonal vibe appropriate for when you launch your encore funding campaign.
04. Please provide detailed specifications for the Rewards.
Just because it’s an encore funding campaign, don’t assume supporters will know everything without you telling them! Clearly listing the product sizes is an absolute must. If the sizes have changed, you’ll want to highlight that even more prominently, right?
In an encore project, both existing and new supporters are equally important.
It’s crucial to captivate both existing and new supporters. Why not try to win them over by showing how much you’ve grown based on their feedback and how you’ve improved the product? That way, existing supporters might say, “The Rewards have gotten even better!” while new supporters might think, “I’m the only one who didn’t know about this!” :)
<Write with the Editor> Series
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