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rajarjit

6 karma · joined August 21, 2018

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rajarjit··on Rocket Deck got 200% funded on Kickstarter
Happy to take any questions and feedback. This is my third attempt. The previous two attempts failed miserably. AMA.
rajarjit··on Tell HN: Failed two times on Kickstarted – successful on third attempt
The product offering was different. I agree. But seeing from where the majority of backers came from (my Instagram and email lists), I strongly believe it would have failed without it.
rajarjit··on Tell HN: Failed two times on Kickstarted – successful on third attempt
Can anyone explain to me, why my post is marked as [Flagged]?
rajarjit··on Tell HN: Failed two times on Kickstarted – successful on third attempt
The first question I answered to others. Would you mind checking that?

My total spend was - 1. $5 in prototyping. 2. 6 months time in marketing (I didn't pay myself. So, zero)

So, yes 186% covers several folds of my costs.

rajarjit··on Tell HN: Failed two times on Kickstarted – successful on third attempt
For the first hour of launch, all traffic came from email-lists. For the next 4-5 days, it was Instagram.
rajarjit··on Tell HN: Failed two times on Kickstarted – successful on third attempt
I answered to "g3houdini". Is it okay if you check that?
rajarjit··on Tell HN: Failed two times on Kickstarted – successful on third attempt
Understanding that product success = Product X Marketing

Great product X low marketing = Win (Tesla, SpaceX) Great product X Great Marketing = Super Win (Apple)

Normal product X Poor Marketing = My previous two attempts Good product X Good Marketing = My third attempt

rajarjit··on Tell HN: Failed two times on Kickstarted – successful on third attempt
No project is unique in true sense. Mine is an educational designer cards. A lot of designer + educational playing cards exist.

But for the community I built over social media, yes, the project is unique. It is designed specifically for them.

rajarjit··on Tell HN: Failed two times on Kickstarted – successful on third attempt
I don't know if it is allowed. This is my my first post on HN. You asked so posting.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rajarjit/the-rocket-dec...

rajarjit··on Tell HN: Failed two times on Kickstarted – successful on third attempt
Very sorry for being late. Got a call.
rajarjit··on Tell HN: Failed two times on Kickstarted – successful on third attempt
In terms of paid marketing - zero. In terms of time spent - 6 months.

I spent lot of time in building a 69k strong community over Instagram. No ads, no shoutouts from influencers, no usage of promotions from others.

Added valuable posts every day. Interacted with fans regularly. Cared for them.

In previous attempts I was in the false illusion of "make it and they will come".

rajarjit··on Tell HN: Failed two times on Kickstarted – successful on third attempt
Realized two things -

1. I don't have money for investing in marketing and paid-advertizing.

2. Importance of building a dedicated audience/community.

What I had was time. So, I spent 6 months on Instagram building a community without any ads and totally relying on organic reach. Added ton of value. Build an email list of 500 people.

Also little things

- having an email list where every subscriber is double opt-in, helped in increasing the opening rates 10X.

- getting the subscribers after showing the product increased the final conversion rates 30X. Earlier I just asked for an email subscription for notification of new blog posts. Then mailed all of them the Kickstarter link. Two people backed.