FAQ: 'Why is this so short?!' THREE Questions Answered
Today we share our thought process on why we decided to make the current HEIRS OF ISILDUR campaign the shortest we've ever run, and we give you some food for thought to apply to your own endeavors
Had a longtime supporter of our projects ask a question over the weekend, and it inspired us to put out a Blog on the topic, because many of you might be wondering the same thing.
Her simple question was: 'WHY IS THIS CAMPAIGN SO SHORT?' (RE: HEIRS OF ISILDUR only being 16-17 days this time, (our shortest ever)).
Here are THREE reasons why:
(1) LONGER ISN'T ALWAYS BETTER ON KICKSTARTER
While this might seem counterintuitive, the design of Kickstarter makes longer campaigns have a more difficult time with 'backer retention'. Although the site allows for 60 days, the default 'run time' for a campaign is 30 days. The vast majority of comic/graphic novel campaigns (by the most successful and influential) mid-to-high level creators are running shorter durations, so we are following suit. Granted, there are some at the highest levels that are 'duration immune' (meaning they are so successful at what they do, that no matter the campaign length they'll see pledges roll in like a tsunami), but we aren't at that level... yet ;-). Many have settled on 17-23 days as the optimal time, so, for the time being, that’s where our campaigns will reside.
(2) KICKSTARTERS ARE KNOWN TO HAVE A MIDDLE 'DEAD PERIOD'
Regardless of the length of your campaign, there's a middle section where getting any type of traction is difficult. Statistically, most campaigns see the highest levels of activity at the very beginning and the very end, and so by shortening the campaign, you decrease that middle 'dead zone'. This also allows us to focus our time more efficiently, which brings us to point #3…
(3) WE HAVE *MANY* PROJECTS WE WANT TO GET TO IN 2025!
By trimming some time off campaigns, the 'cycle' shortens, and we're then able to get the project into production and most importantly, into YOUR hands, QUICKER. We can then get the NEXT project in full swing soon after.
What are those projects you might ask? We intend on announcing the next TWO before this campaign finishes on January 30th! Exciting times!
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That being said, for NOW, all of our focus is on THIS campaign, for HEIRS OF ISILDUR: The Perilous Prospects BOOK FOUR. There are just TEN days left, and (at the time of this blog) we’re a little over $600 away from MINIMUM FUNDING.
We hope you’ll come check it out here: www.tinyurl.com/heirstpp4 ! There are multiple variant covers, metal cover options, shirts, socks, poker chips, and a whole host of items you can get in catch-up and completionist tiers! And don’t forget about our METAL TRADING CARD cross promo with STABBITY BUNNY’S Stabbity Ever After #1 (link and info on this are on the campaign page).
Most importantly, this issue starts the FINAL ACT of the HEIRS OF ISILDUR: The Perilous Prospects story arc saga. We are so excited to finally start harvesting all the crops from the seeds we’ve planted throughout, and we hope to bring as many of you along for the ride as possible!
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ICYMI we added some sample pages over the weekend (from Issue #1, so those new to our title can see the full sequential art and lettering style). See all SEVEN full size pages on the campaign!
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Now that you have this information, will you considering adjusting the run times of your projects? Why or why not? We’d love you know your thoughts!
That’s all for now! Let’s continue pressing forward!
Matt & Steph
#TeamINSYM
www.linktree.com/insymmetrycreations
Hi, the only thing I worry about is missing a campaign. Because my inbox is so very full, I've missed a few shorter campaigns, but it helps that you include previous issues I may have missed. I've also found that the Best Way not to miss a campaign is when y'all give us a Date of the Start so I can put it in my calendar & highlight it! I haven't missed a single one that way. 😸