S3E3 | Navigating Crowdfunding and Community in Publishing: Lessons from Leslie Jonath

In this episode of Creatively Speaking: Beyond the Binding, we are joined by Leslie Jonath from Connected Dots Media. During our discussion, Leslie shares her journey in the world of book publishing, from traditional methods to crowdfunding and custom publishing. The main focus of our conversation surrounds Leslie’s successful Kickstarter campaign for 'Feed Your People' and how her experience can inspire your own creative projects. Leslie highlights the importance of community in bringing a book to life, exploring its various roles and the network it creates. She also offers insights on using Kickstarter to build a community and maintain engagement beyond the book's release. Lastly, Leslie provides practical advice on running a successful crowdfunding campaign, emphasizing the importance of planning, engaging the audience, and staying customer-focused. Whether you're a creative or an author, this conversation provides valuable guidance for leveraging the power of community to accomplish your goals.

Key Takeaways:

1. First and foremost, community support is invaluable in fostering creative endeavors.

2. If you’re considering utilizing a crowdfunding platform to fund your project, consider the pros and cons of Kickstarter, while also exploring other avenues such as community building, events, and spending the time and money needed to procure valuable marketing assets for your project.

3. Success in crowdfunding campaigns hinges on key factors such as understanding the audience, creating quality assets, setting strategic goals, meticulous preparation, and fostering post-campaign connections.

4. Remain customer-centric and adaptable in the book creation process as you navigate challenges and integrate community feedback into your work.

5. Develop your own definition for success as your work to achieve your crowdfunding goals. This metric will be invaluable as you pursue community building, allowing you to set realistic expectations and leverage platforms like Kickstarter more effectively.

You can find Leslie Jonath at www.connecteddotsmedia.com. You can also follow her @lesliej or @connecteddotsmedia on Instagram.

#Crowdfunding #KickstarterCampagin #Self-Publishing #CommunityBuilding #ProjectFunding
Interested in self-publishing work of your own? Great news! You can follow this link to schedule a free call with WSD to learn more about the process or visit www.wellersmithdesign.com!