From a successful crowd-sourcer (crowd-sorcerer?) "Campaign" tips..

[Kris]

I was able to successfully crowdsource my book with Inkshares last year utilizing campaign strategies that I'd learned when running for elected office. I thought I would offer a few. Also, if you've any questions re. publication with Inkshares, while I know each experience is unique I'm happy to do my best to answer here. BTW, I'd never written any fiction prior to my Inkshares book—no short stories, no creative writing classes, etc. So be brave, if you think you can write, you probably can!! OK, now back to crowdsourcing:
First tip, mass emails and posts on social media have a low rate of engagement compared to individual communications— I recommend addressing an individual email to each person you know asking them to back your book. You can cut and paste 95% of the content, but if you have something personal you can add like "hope school is going well", that's a plus. For those with huge contact lists it may be worth getting a program like MailChimp, although I did all mine by hand, sending hundreds and hundreds to meet my goal.
Second, no hard sell— give your contacts an out, something like, " This may not be for you, but thanks for considering backing my book."
Finally, do not expect folks to back you based on the first email you send them-everyone's busy, and reminders can be a positive thing if done gently--you could even title it "A gentle reminder to consider backing my book..." Good luck! Kris

[Paul]

For the Sword and Laser Contest in the spring I had some success by getting out and talking directly to people, strangers even. I printed my book through one of these one shot printing companies and I let people hold it and look through it. Putting something in people's hands really let them know it was a REAL thing. Then, like John has said before, I tried to sell Inkshares just as much as the novel. I was sure to include that new users get a $5 credit and that makes the preorder ONLY $5 instead of $10.

Individualized email was a big help also. I highly recommend doing that. Personally, I messaged everyone I could on Facebook with an individualized message and most of them responded positively, and the majority of that positivity was translated into preorders. Be personal!

I will say that it is completely out of most people's comfort zone to do things like talk to strangers. Even mine, but I decided it was in my best interest to at least try. Also, the return rate wasn't great, but it did just as well as anything else. I think that all of the stuff combined may be the only way to make your campaign successful.

With that said, my current campaign for the Nerdist competition is going abysmally. But, that doesn't mean my campaign will end when the Nerdist contest ends. In fact, I'm going to really push through to the end. Ultimately, in any of these contest there can only be a few winners. This time the contest is completely saturated with great books. And I think that's good for all of us!

[Paul]

For the Sword and Laser Contest in the spring I had some success by getting out and talking directly to people, strangers even. I printed my book through one of these one shot printing companies and I let people hold it and look through it. Putting something in people's hands really let them know it was a REAL thing. Then, like John has said before, I tried to sell Inkshares just as much as the novel. I was sure to include that new users get a $5 credit and that makes the preorder ONLY $5 instead of $10.

Individualized email was a big help also. I highly recommend doing that. Personally, I messaged everyone I could on Facebook with an individualized message and most of them responded positively, and the majority of that positivity was translated into preorders. Be personal!

I will say that it is completely out of most people's comfort zone to do things like talk to strangers. Even mine, but I decided it was in my best interest to at least try. Also, the return rate wasn't great, but it did just as well as anything else. I think that all of the stuff combined may be the only way to make your campaign successful.

With that said, my current campaign for the Nerdist competition is going abysmally. But, that doesn't mean my campaign will end when the Nerdist contest ends. In fact, I'm going to really push through to the end. Ultimately, in any of these contest there can only be a few winners. This time the contest is completely saturated with great books. And I think that's good for all of us!