Initial thoughts is you might run into issues using the exact "kickstarter" name. Maybe change it to a more generic "crowdfunding" or something similar.
Not "might" run into issues, rather "definitely". This is blatant trademark violation. "Kickstarter" is a registered mark[1]. Given that trademark law requires the holder to defend the mark or risk losing it, this is like painting a target on your back.
They ship the t-shirts directly to my backers. That's a huge weight off my shoulders and lets me focus on writing the code instead of stuffing envelopes.
Interesting, this is like the second Kickstarter support company I've heard of in as many days - a KS I supported is using BackerKit[1] to help manage their fulfillment.
There's also Topatoco's Make That Thing[2], though that's currently invite-only, mostly to people who're already part of the Topatoco empire.
This is definitely a new flavor of B2B service opening up. If I wasn't so busy working on the content for my next comic-book kickstarter, I'd be trying to see if I can come up with a spin on it myself...
This is a nice niche to cater to. Now, what I would like to see is someone go to conventional businesses (banks, pizzerias, etc) and sell them on the idea of giving their customers "rewards" like these. There is a huge industry for this sort of thing, but everything seems to be centered about Pens, and mouse pads. Hell, I wish I could upload a t-shirt design to you, then through an API tell you to print them on demand and ship them off to my clients.
There are some price points where it is less expensive to buy more quantity. For example, buying 23 1-color shirts would cost us$249.09. Buying 34 1-color shirts will cost us$247.52.
Anyone else getting tired of this general trend with KS? If I've giving money because I want to see something magic happen. not to get ancillary crap. I've seen some where there's gotta be 30%+ of the budget going in to the "rewards".
Although I agree with you 100% on "hey, I have enough junk!"....
I think there's a great (ok, obvious) reason to ship t-shirts to early backers. It's essentially marketing, as you figure a good portion of those early backers are proud, & will wear it around publicly, & then your company gets talked about in new places.
For many Kickstarters whose main goal is not to deliver physical products and even for those that do, offering tangible rewards is still essential to getting backers. I don't see that changing.
If you give 'em your email they show you a price list for t-shirts, and say "Contact us for 3D prints, postcards, stickers, posters, hats, …". They're not a one-stop fulfillment shop.
[+] [-] baby|13 years ago|reply
Now you're on good tracks. The idea is great as well as the potential. What's the best way to advertize to KickStarter users though?
[+] [-] irollboozers|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] mherdeg|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] gcb0|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] joelrunyon|13 years ago|reply
Initial thoughts is you might run into issues using the exact "kickstarter" name. Maybe change it to a more generic "crowdfunding" or something similar.
[+] [-] saidajigumi|13 years ago|reply
[1] http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4808:va...
[+] [-] calvin|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] joelrunyon|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] unknown|13 years ago|reply
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[+] [-] MicahWedemeyer|13 years ago|reply
They ship the t-shirts directly to my backers. That's a huge weight off my shoulders and lets me focus on writing the code instead of stuffing envelopes.
[+] [-] egypturnash|13 years ago|reply
There's also Topatoco's Make That Thing[2], though that's currently invite-only, mostly to people who're already part of the Topatoco empire.
This is definitely a new flavor of B2B service opening up. If I wasn't so busy working on the content for my next comic-book kickstarter, I'd be trying to see if I can come up with a spin on it myself...
[1]: https://www.backerkit.com [2]: http://makethatthing.com
[+] [-] tehwebguy|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] kondro|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] orangethirty|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] stbtrax|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] unknown|13 years ago|reply
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[+] [-] jkhanlar|13 years ago|reply
Thus, I prepared this data: http://pastebin.ca/raw/2379519 - also http://filebin.ca/htp59WvLcjl
[+] [-] teelaunch|13 years ago|reply
[email protected]
[+] [-] shloime|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] k-mcgrady|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] TylerE|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] johnvschmitt|13 years ago|reply
I think there's a great (ok, obvious) reason to ship t-shirts to early backers. It's essentially marketing, as you figure a good portion of those early backers are proud, & will wear it around publicly, & then your company gets talked about in new places.
[+] [-] frakkingcylons|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Mz|13 years ago|reply
(I am not asking idly. I am contemplating doing a kickstarter and I need to research how, etc.)
[+] [-] dakrisht|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] nodesocket|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] darklajid|13 years ago|reply
The site states
[+] [-] 6thSigma|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] unknown|13 years ago|reply
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[+] [-] _wesley_|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] egypturnash|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] teelaunch|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] hgezim|13 years ago|reply