In this episode of The BookFunnel Podcast, Damon Courtney sits down with Maxwell Salzberg, CEO of BackerKit, to talk about why crowdfunding has become one of the most exciting opportunities for authors today.
Max shares how BackerKit grew from managing the “back of the house” for crowdfunding campaigns into a full crowdfunding platform, and why authors are especially well-positioned to use crowdfunding as part of a long-term publishing career. Damon and Max also discuss the rise of special editions, superfan-driven campaigns, direct reader relationships, and why a successful campaign starts long before launch day.
Whether you’re thinking about your first campaign or looking for ways to turn your existing readers into a stronger community, this episode breaks down what authors should understand before they crowdfund.
In this episode, we talk about:
Why crowdfunding is really another form of direct sales
How authors can use crowdfunding to serve their superfans
Why your mailing list is the foundation of a successful campaign
The importance of “pre-live” campaign building
How to reduce the fear of public campaign failure
Why special editions, audiobooks, and premium products work well for crowdfunding
How smaller authors can think about campaigns without comparing themselves to Brandon Sanderson
Why peer collaboration can help authors reach new readers
What Bonkers Romance did well with community-driven campaigns
How BackerKit’s instant access rewards work with BookFunnel
How authors can use back catalog ebooks, audiobooks, bonus material, and samples to build campaign momentum
Key takeaways
Crowdfunding is not just for massive authors with giant audiences. Max and Damon emphasize that authors can start small by focusing on the next realistic milestone: one fan, ten fans, one hundred fans, and so on.
The most successful campaigns are not simply preorders. They become an event, a community experience, and an extension of the author’s world.
Authors should not wait until launch day to find out whether people are interested. A pre-live landing page gives authors a quieter, lower-risk way to measure demand, build momentum, and know whether they are ready to launch.
Mailing lists matter, but only if authors actually use them. Readers need to hear from authors regularly, not just when there is something to buy.
Superfans are the core of a campaign. When authors create something specifically for the readers who love their work most, those fans often help bring the crowd to the crowdfunding campaign.
Useful Links:
The Author's Guide to Crowdfunding webinar with Bonkers Romance: https://www.crowdcast.io/c/bonkers-romance
New Zealand