The Art of Crowdfunding for Social Change from Udemy

The Art of Crowdfunding for Social Change is a workshop for filmmakers, musicians, artists, activists, entrepreneurs, inventors, designers, lovers, and anyone who wants to make their idea, dream, or vision a reality through crowdfunding.

Taught by filmmaker & media activist Ian MacKenzie (Occupy Love, Sacred Economics, Amplify Her), he demystifies the world of crowdfunding and the specific storytelling strategies that will help you tap into the revolution.

After exploring numerous real-world examples (from 'Who Gives A Crap' to 'Taking My Parents To Burning Man'), by the end of the course, you will have the concrete story structure of your campaign and the confidence to launch. Woven between the strategy is Ian’s signature insight and heart – with the promise to leave you inspired to create a future that works for all life.

Note: This online course is based on a workshop recorded in front of a live audience.

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to run a successful crowdfunding campaign
The difference between kickstarter & indiegogo and other platforms
How to effectively harness the of myth and storytelling

Understanding the role memes and how to use them
How to build true relationship with your funders

How to run a successful crowdfunding campaign
The difference between kickstarter & indiegogo and other platforms
How to effectively harness the of myth and storytelling
Understanding the role memes and how to use them
How to build true relationship with your funders

Syllabus

The Overture

A short introduction to the course.

Learn more about why I created this course and the journey we're about to go on.

Build out your campaign using the attached template for guidance.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores the use of myth and storytelling, which can help campaigns connect with funders on a deeper, more emotional level

Examines real-world examples, which provides learners with concrete strategies and inspiration for their own campaigns

Teaches how to build relationships with funders, which is essential for long-term success and community engagement

Based on a workshop recorded in front of a live audience, which may lack the interactivity of a live, in-person experience

Covers alternate platforms like GoFundMe and Patreon, which broadens the scope beyond Kickstarter and Indiegogo

Reviews summary

Crowdfunding storytelling for social impact

According to learners, this course offers a powerful focus on the storytelling and narrative aspects crucial for crowdfunding social change projects. Many found the instructor, Ian MacKenzie, inspirational and engaging, highlighting his insights into myth and meme and the relevant case studies as particular strengths. It's often described as providing a strong foundational understanding and building confidence for launching campaigns, especially for artists, creators, and those with mission-driven ideas. However, some feedback suggests it can be light on practical implementation details, like budgeting, marketing tactics beyond storytelling, and platform specifics, feeling more like a motivational framework than a detailed step-by-step guide. Recent reviews indicate a general positive trend.

More inspiration than detailed guide

"It feels more like a motivational workshop than a comprehensive 'how-to'."

"Good for beginners looking for inspiration and a foundational understanding."

"The course is inspiring and provides a good framework, particularly the storytelling elements."

Examples are relevant & actionable

"The case studies were highly relevant and actionable."

"I appreciated the examples."

Helps build confidence to launch

"I feel much more confident launching my own project now."

"It gave me the confidence boost I needed."

Instructor is inspirational & knowledgeable

"Ian is an amazing storyteller and teacher."

"Absolutely loved this course! Ian's passion is infectious."

"Ian is a brilliant instructor. The material is presented in an engaging way."

"The instructor is knowledgeable and engaging."

Deep dive into narrative & myth

"This course completely changed my perspective... His insights into the 'myth' and 'meme' aspects of campaigns were eye-opening."

"The focus on storytelling is a major strength... the core message is valuable."

"Absolutely loved this course! The focus on the 'why' and the narrative behind a campaign is crucial and often overlooked."

"Excellent course for understanding the heart and soul of a crowdfunding campaign. The focus on connecting with funders..."

Light on execution & marketing tactics

"I was hoping for more detailed, step-by-step guidance on the technical side of platform setup and marketing tactics beyond storytelling."

"However, I felt it was a bit light on the actual practical implementation details required to run a campaign, like budgeting, promotion strategies..."

"Honestly, I was disappointed... I expected more practical steps and tools for actually running a campaign."

"As someone who needs practical guidance, this didn't meet my expectations... felt too philosophical and not hands-on enough."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Art of Crowdfunding for Social Change with these activities:

Review 'The Art of the Start 2.0'

Show steps

Learn the fundamentals of launching a successful venture to better prepare for crowdfunding.

View Art of the Start 2.0: The Time-Tested, Battle... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book, focusing on sections about pitching and marketing.
Take notes on key strategies and tactics.
Reflect on how these strategies apply to your crowdfunding campaign.

Review Storytelling Principles

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Strengthen your understanding of storytelling to craft a more compelling crowdfunding campaign narrative.

Show steps

Review online resources on storytelling techniques.
Analyze successful crowdfunding campaigns for their narrative structure.
Practice crafting a short story based on your project.

Review 'Crowdfunding for Dummies'

Show steps

Gain a solid understanding of the crowdfunding process and best practices.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book, focusing on sections about campaign planning and marketing.
Take notes on key strategies and tactics.
Reflect on how these strategies apply to your crowdfunding campaign.

Four other activities

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Develop a Campaign Pitch Outline

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Structure your campaign pitch to maximize its impact and persuasiveness.

Show steps

Identify the core message of your campaign.
Outline the key points you want to communicate.
Craft a compelling opening and closing statement.
Refine your outline based on feedback.

Practice Pitching with Peers

Show steps

Refine your pitch and receive valuable feedback from other aspiring crowdfunders.

Show steps

Prepare a short pitch for your campaign.
Find a partner or group to practice with.
Deliver your pitch and receive constructive criticism.
Provide feedback to your peers.

Create a Meme Related to Your Campaign

Show steps

Learn to harness the power of memes to spread awareness and generate excitement for your campaign.

Show steps

Research popular meme formats.
Brainstorm ideas for memes related to your campaign's message.
Create a meme using an online meme generator.
Share your meme on social media and track its performance.

Build a Social Media Following

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Establish a strong online presence to amplify your crowdfunding campaign's reach.

Show steps

Identify your target audience on social media.
Create engaging content related to your project.
Post regularly and interact with your followers.
Use relevant hashtags to expand your reach.

Career center

Learners who complete The Art of Crowdfunding for Social Change will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Entrepreneur

An entrepreneur launches and operates their own business, taking on the risks and rewards associated with the venture. This course is well-suited for the entrepreneur who needs to raise funds for their business. The course's instruction on building a campaign from the ground up, distilling values, and crafting a compelling story is directly applicable to securing funding. The real-world case studies presented in the course will be of great use when modeling a crowdfunding campaign. The course’s guidance on building a pitch, creating a video, and managing the life of a campaign will prove incredibly valuable to the entrepreneur looking to secure financial support for their vision. The lessons on creating a myth and using memes will also help an entrepreneur to communicate the uniqueness of their brand. This course is an excellent fit for an entrepreneur.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Fundraising Specialist

A fundraising specialist develops and executes strategies to secure financial support for organizations and projects. This course, focusing on crowdfunding, directly aligns with the core responsibilities of a fundraising specialist, particularly the ability to craft compelling narratives and utilize storytelling to attract donors. The course's emphasis on real-world examples and case studies, such as 'Who Gives A Crap', provides practical insights directly applicable to building effective fundraising campaigns. Understanding how to leverage myth and memes, as this course teaches, can also help a fundraising specialist reach a broader audience and create a deeper connection with potential donors. The course’s teaching on developing a concrete story structure is essential to creating effective pitches. Taking this course will empower the specialist to engage funders and realize their fundraising goals.

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Nonprofit Program Manager

A nonprofit program manager oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of specific projects and initiatives within a nonprofit organization. This role often involves securing funding to support these programs; therefore, a course on crowdfunding can uniquely position a program manager for success. The course's emphasis on constructing effective campaigns and its exploration of various crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo makes it highly relevant. The lessons on building relationships with funders, paired with the exploration of effective storytelling and myth, can aid a program manager not only in obtaining resources for their projects, but also in building a strong community of supporters around their work. The detailed look at campaign strategy, from story structure to post-campaign execution, provides insights into the full lifecycle of a fundraising project, making the program manager better at executing a campaign. A program manager would benefit significantly from this course.

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Social Media Manager

A social media manager is responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring a company’s social media strategy to increase brand awareness, improve marketing efforts, and boost sales. The course helps build a deeper understanding of how to use memes and storytelling to connect with an audience, a key skill for a successful social media manager. The course's exploration of case studies and real-world examples of innovative fundraising campaigns provides a framework for crafting engaging content on social platforms. Learning to create a compelling story, as emphasized in the course, is useful in driving engagement and building a community around a brand. A person who takes this course will see the power story plays in online campaign strategy, a useful lesson for a social media manager.

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Community Engagement Coordinator

A community engagement coordinator focuses on building and maintaining relationships between an organization and the community it serves. The principles of crowdfunding taught in this course are directly applicable to building a strong network of support for an organization or initiative. This role involves activities such as organizing events and developing communications strategies to foster community involvement. The course’s emphasis on crafting a compelling campaign story and the process of building relationships with funders provides a solid basis for connecting with community members. Understanding the power of myth and the use of memes is an extremely effective approach to fostering a sense of shared identity among a community. This course may prove especially useful for a community engagement coordinator.

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Project Coordinator

A project coordinator assists in the planning, execution, and monitoring of projects, often focusing on logistical details and communication. This course is helpful for the project coordinator who wants to explore the project funding facet. The course’s focus on campaign structure, storytelling, and building relationships with funders will help a project coordinator launch a funding campaign. Understanding how to distill values and the importance of building a strong project narrative, as taught in this course, can help the coordinator improve their project pitch. A project coordinator who is familiar with the process of crowdfunding can better communicate the need and goals of a project to internal and external stakeholders. This course may prove useful to a project coordinator who wishes to improve their project presentation and funding strategy.

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Marketing Associate

A marketing associate supports the execution of marketing strategies and campaigns, often by implementing the ideas of a marketing manager. This course is useful for a marketing associate who wants to understand the power of digital outreach, particularly when it comes to fundraising. The course’s focus on storytelling, along with the exploration of how to connect with an audience through memes and myth, helps a marketing associate craft engaging campaign material. The course’s real-world case studies of successful crowdfunding campaigns will help a marketing associate in identifying best practices for project promotion. Learning how to craft an effective pitch video, as taught by this course, will help the marketing associate create content that can be used across various platforms to reach target audiences. A marketing associate in a small business may be called upon to generate funding, and this course can help build a solid foundation.

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Communications Specialist

A communications specialist is responsible for crafting and disseminating information to various audiences, both internally and externally. This role involves activities such as writing press releases, creating website content, managing social media accounts, and preparing presentations. Skills taught in this course, especially those related to the power of myth and storytelling, are incredibly useful for a communications specialist. The course’s detailed look into crafting compelling campaign stories and effective pitches gives the specialist new tools to engage target audiences. Understanding the importance of building trust and relationships with funders, as taught by this course, is crucial to building trust and relationships with an audience. This course is helpful for a communications specialist who is looking for new ways to make communication more effective.

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Public Relations Specialist

A public relations specialist manages the public image of an organization or individual, which includes developing media strategies, writing press releases, and organizing events. The lessons taught in this course on how to build a compelling campaign from the ground up are very useful for a public relations specialist. The course’s instruction on understanding myth and crafting a narrative will help when curating the public image of a client or organization. Learning how to distill core values and build relationships with funders will also enhance the specialist’s ability to connect with various stakeholders. This course may be useful for a public relations specialist who wants to better understand how a campaign can create impact with a creative approach to the public.

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Independent Artist

An independent artist produces and promotes their own creative works, often working outside of larger institutions or companies. The course's focus on crowdfunding is central to an independent artist's ability to realize their projects, specifically within the realm of storytelling. The course's content on building a campaign structure, creating a pitch, and understanding the best platforms to use is invaluable for an independent artist. Gaining mastery of the storytelling strategies that the course covers can help artists create a deep connection with their audience. A person who takes this course will grasp the importance of building a relationship with funders, which can be essential for their creative output. This course may serve an independent artist well.

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Content Creator

A content creator develops engaging material for various platforms, such as social media, websites, and blogs. This course is useful for a content creator who wants to explore story structure. The course’s lessons on the art of storytelling, specifically how to leverage myth and memes, are extremely useful for the content creator seeking to engage with their audience. The course's emphasis on crafting compelling campaign narratives will also help the content creator with idea generation, and its instruction on building relationships with funders will serve them well as they work with clients. Content creators who want to push their audience engagement strategy may find this course useful.

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Grant Writer

A grant writer is responsible for researching, preparing, and submitting grant proposals to secure funding for organizations. The storytelling skills taught in this course will help the grant writer write a more engaging proposal. While grants are not the same as crowdfunding, there are similarities in the strategic storytelling needed to secure funding. This course’s instruction on building a compelling campaign and presenting core values, along with its exploration of real-world case studies, will help a grant writer create project pitches that resonate. This course may be useful for a grant writer looking to hone their pitch and make it more compelling to their audience.

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Event Planner

An event planner organizes and coordinates events, managing all aspects from logistics to marketing. This course may be useful for an event planner with a cause or mission. The course's focus on building campaigns from the ground up and on building relationships with funders will be useful for event planners looking to secure financial support for their events. The course’s emphasis on the power of myth and storytelling will also be helpful when marketing an event. Learning about how to create a great pitch video, as taught by this course, can also help an event planner present their vision to potential sponsors. All event planners can benefit from more robust communications skills, and this course may help them become better at articulating their vision.

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Business Development Associate

A business development associate identifies and generates new business opportunities by establishing relationships with potential clients or partners. The ability to build a compelling pitch, a core skill taught by this course, helps a business development associate effectively communicate the value proposition of a product or service. The course’s instruction on the power of myth and storytelling will also help the associate create engaging presentations. The course's lessons on building relationships with funders will also serve them well. This course may be useful for a business development associate who is looking for more effective ways to communicate with potential clients and partners.

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Academic Researcher

An academic researcher conducts research, often in universities, and may be looking for funding avenues to help support their research. This course may be useful for an academic researcher looking to supplement their grant funding with crowdfunding. The course’s emphasis on campaign building, storytelling, and building relationships will help the academic researcher create a funding campaign to reach an audience. The course’s instruction on how to present values and craft a pitch will also be useful. Lessons on understanding the importance of myth and how to engage with an audience may be relevant as well. While a researcher may not be the typical audience for this course, it may provide a useful tool for securing additional funding.

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The Art of Crowdfunding for Social Change

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Crowdfunding storytelling for social impact

Activities

Career center

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