[Rewards Project MAKE OVER #2] Designing Events to Encourage Supporter Participation

This content is part of
<REWARDS Project MAKE OVER>
series.

Don't forget to bring these!

• Once you’ve used subheadings to create a story that’s easy to read, it’s also important to spread the word about your project.
• We’ve prepared a wide range of strategies, from events that use wadiz features like notification sign-ups and Pledges of support to other methods.
• Don’t miss the essential event requirements and tips on how to choose gifts that will entice your supporters.

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1. Event Notification Sign-up

What is the “Notification Sign-up” feature?

This feature lets you bookmark projects you’re interested in while viewing projects that are launching soon before the main funding campaign begins. Once the campaign starts, supporters who have signed up for notifications will receive an SMS alert.

Why are “Notification Sign-up” events important?

This is so that supporters who receive the notification can immediately log in to wadiz and participate in the funding campaign. The more people who sign up for notifications, the more it helps boost the initial funding rate.

Here’s how to design a “Notification Sign-up” event

• Launching Soon StoryAdd details about the “Notification Sign-up Event” to your “Upcoming Story.”
• Once the funding begins, please announce the winners via the “News” section.

Methods	Those who clicked “Subscribe to Notifications” supporter Send gifts to [Number] supporters	Click “Sign Up for Notifications” and + Participate in this funding campaignhave Send a gift to OO supporters
Expected Results	This approach can help increase the number of people who sign up for notifications, regardless of whether they participate in the funding campaign.	You can increase the number of people who have signed up for notifications while also encouraging them to participate in the funding campaign
Example

2. Pledge of support event

What Is a Pledge of Support?

This feature encourages supporters to share the maker’s project directly on their social media or in Communities. Friends of supporters who see the project in their feeds will click the shared link to visit wadiz.

Why Is a “Pledge of Support” Event Important?

This allows you to promote your project even to people who haven’t visited wadiz or aren’t familiar with the platform. The more supporters with large social media and Community followings participate in the “Pledge of Support” event, the faster and farther your project’s word-of-mouth will spread.

Here’s how to design a Pledge of support event

• Launching Soon & Main Funding StoryAdd details about the “Pledge of Support Event” to the “Upcoming Launch & Main Funding” section.
• Facebook shares must be public and include the designated search hashtags. 
• As the promised announcement date approaches, please announce the winners via the “News” section.
• Clicking the clapping icon in the project story automatically generates a Pledge of support. Be sure to emphasize how easy it is to participate.

Method	Pledge of supportto OO supporters Send gifts	Clickand Pledge of supportSend a gift to OO supporters who signed the petition	Subscribe to NotificationsClick Pledge of support, and participate in this funding campaignSend a gift to OO supporters
Expected Results	You can spread the word about your project through supporters who enjoy participating in events.	You can attract supporters who are hesitant to engage in funding for the project while also reaping promotional benefits.	You can secure die-hard fans who will participate in the funding as soon as it launches .
Example

3. There are also various other methods.

If the project is still ongoing, hold a social media sharing event

If you want your project to be featured on image-focused social media platforms like Instagram rather than Facebook, we recommend actively utilizing them. A common approach is to share the funding project link on Instagram or upload a review, offering a giveaway through a random drawing. 

If the project has already ended, run a survey event

You can also run an event where you gather valuable feedback from supporters who have received Rewards and send out gifts via a raffle. Supporters’ feedback will surely help with product development for your next funding campaign, right? 

4. Essential Event Details: Make Sure to Include These!

• When will the winners be announced, and when will the prizes be sent out?
  
• How many winners are there in total?
• I don’t want others to see this—can I share it privately?
• Do I just need to participate in the event, regardless of whether there is funding available?

Since the whole point of an event is for everyone to have fun, you don’t want to be overwhelmed right from the start. Make sure to carefully check all the essential items so that supporters who see your event announcement can participate right away without hesitation. If all the required event details aren’t filled out, wadiz may ask you to make corrections.

	Sample notification text (Feel free to customize this based on the maker's preferences and circumstances)
Participation Requirements	Only available to supporters who have participated in the funding process for the campaign This is also available to supporters who only made a Pledge of support without funding the project Only supporters who made a Pledge of support and signed up for notifications when the project is launching soon are eligible Only supporters who signed up for notifications about launching soon and participated in the funding campaign are eligible, etc.
Winner Announcement Format	We will contact each supporter individually using the information provided during wadiz registration Alternatively, through News (notifications are sent to supporters who participated in funding the campaign or clicked “Like”)
Important Notes for Participation	If shared as a private post, it’s difficult to determine whether you’ve participated in the event Or, guidance on the importance of including requested text or hashtags, etc.
How to Participate	Please sign up for notifications and participate in the funding campaign Or, sign up for notifications, share the Pledge of support, and post the link in the comments Or, share on social media with the hashtags #ProductName #Company #funding Or, please make a pledge of support using the hashtags #ProductName #Company #funding, etc.
Gift Delivery Method	We’ll include it with your Rewards when it’s shipped Or, we’ll send you a mobile coupon using the information you provided when you signed up for wadiz

5. Event Prizes: Here’s How to Prepare Them

Rewards for ongoing funding campaigns

If your rewards come in a variety of colors and sizes, you can give supporters the option to choose, or you can offer them randomly depending on your situation as a maker. For events where winners are announced before the funding period ends, provide gifts as rewards and collect supporter reviews to share in the News. This could be the key to winning over supporters who are still on the fence about backing your funding campaign.

Other products from our company

If you give away other products from your company in addition to the rewards currently being offered in the funding campaign, it can serve as another opportunity to promote your brand. It’s a way to indirectly show that you also make these kinds of products. Try to give away products in the same category whenever possible to pique supporters’ curiosity. Surprisingly, gifts provided through events often receive a very positive response from supporters.

Collaboration merchandise with other makers

Another option is to partner with a maker running funding around the same time to host a collaborative event. An unexpected combination can bring fun and a fresh perspective to your supporters. Even if it starts as a one-time event, it could lead to formal collaborative funding in the future—so the anticipation of future collaborations is an added bonus.

Gift cards 

If you’re a maker whose rewards are still in mass production or who is launching your brand for the first time through this funding campaign, I recommend using gift cards. Food and beverage gift cards may be small, but they’re definitely one of the most useful gifts you can offer. Providing seasonally appropriate gift cards—such as cold drinks or ice cream in the hot summer, or hot drinks in the winter—can be a great way to encourage event participation.

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[Rewards Project MAKE OVER] Series

• Creating eye-catching, colorful subheadings to grab supporters’ attention
• Designing events that encourage supporter participation