Crowdfunding
In 2015 I launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise $19,750 to complete the Byron Trails book. 6 weeks later the campaign finished having burst through its goal by reaching $22,500! Byron Trails was a long awaited resource.
What is crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is a way to raise money, awareness and support for great ideas. It allows lots of people to give small or large amounts to your project because they like the look of it and want it to happen.
It’s a way for independent artists and small businesses to fund their project while remaining independent! What’s more each pledger gets all sorts of interesting and exciting rewards to thank them for their support. It’s a win-win creation.
Sponsors
Santos Organics
Santos Organics is an institution in Byron Bay. It’s a local community owned health food enterprise with a strong mission and a solid history. Santos employs an Ethics Co-ordinator to check out the integrity of every product that gets sold in their shops so that you don’t have to! Santos have stores and cafés in Byron Bay & Mullumbimby and a warehouse and café in Byron’s Arts & Industry Estate.
blk
blk. is a fulvic mineral water that seems to have taken America by storm, possibly due to it’s unique colour. It’s black! The water has organic trace minerals that make it hydrating and alkaline. You can try blk. out at Green Garage in Byron, Peace & Love Vegetables in Byron, Herbal Wisdom Holistic Centre in Bangalow, Go Vita in Ballina, Pottsville Health Foods, Uki Supermarket, Healthy Life Kingscliff and Healthy Life Tweed Heads.
Crystal Castle
Crystal Castle is a short scenic journey from Byron Bay, nestled in the heart of the Byron Hinterland. The Crystal Castle has it’s own little network of short walks through buddha gardens and crystal labyrinths. One of the most recent editions to the place is a Kalachakra World Peace Stupa that’s been blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The Kalachakra World Peace Stupa is the only one in the southern hemisphere.
The Bay Retreats
The Bay Retreats is a holistic rehabilitation retreat centre for addiction and mental health issues. The Bay is unique in that it uses evidence-based treatments and incorporates the healing power of nature in its healing programs. If one-on-one nurturing and care is what you’ve been craving then this could be the place for you! The Bay is based in Byron Bay.
5 things I learned about crowdfunding
1. It’s is a great market research tool
One of crowdfunding’s most under-rated advantages is that it lets you suss out early on whether there will be enough interest in your project to warrant all the hard work you’re going to put into it.
2. Crowdfunding is a lot of fun
It’s also a lot of work. But mostly crowdfunding is a lot of fun. It introduced me to lots of wonderful and interesting people that I wouldn’t have otherwise met.
3. It pays to be well prepared
Some of the most successful crowdfunding campaigns (our local Flow Hive being one of the best examples) do enormous preparation before they ever launch their campaign and this preparation pays off once the crowdfunding campaign is off and running.
4. Know who you want to talk to
Having an idea of who might be out there looking for the very thing you are producing is really important. If you can reach the people who are looking for what you’re offering, you can save them the hard work of trying to find you. Who wouldn’t be grateful for that?
5. Keep going
Crowdfunding campaigns are hard work, and it takes a lot of energy to maintain their momentum. Even so keep going, even when the energy flags. It’ll be worth it in the end!
A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors