A line of Bison enjoy the early morning in Grand Teton National Park.
I recently stumbled upon a project called Kickstarter. Termed “a new way to fund creative ideas and ambitious adventures” Kickstarter works on the premise that “a good idea, communicated well can spread fast an wide and a large group of people can be a tremendous source of money and encouragement.”
The site allows artists, entrepreneurs, inventors, and other creative minds to create a “project”, market this project to a diverse group of people, and possibly get the project entirely funded via the internet. In fact, it’s get the project entirely funded or nothing. Kickstarter works on an all-or-nothing funding basis. Project creators pick a goal amount for their project. If they are able to secure pledges to fund the entire amount by a certain deadline, the project is a go. If they fall short of the goal amount, the project does not happen. People who have pledged money are not charged and the project is back to stage one.
Creative minds are seeking more and more unique ways to fund their projects. I know of several fellow photojournalists who have used Kickstarter to great success. One photographer funded a humanitarian story in Guatemala. Another raised money to chase a story here in the U.S. Her project was completely funded within the week.
We have to get more creative these days to make a business work. There has been a lot of whining and complaining coming from the lower tier of the creative industry. Notice there has been little or no whining coming from the upper tier – the professionals.
It’s because they are out there doing things. Making it work. Accomplishing their goals. They are too busy to sit and mull over how bad things can seem.
They’re out there making it happen.
Tags: News
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