building a kickstarter - rocket mass heater jamboree movie

Hi Beau.  

I agree with your assessment.

The question I asked myself when I looked at the teaser is:  who is *really* going to buy the video? Even more, who will buy it in great quantities?     I watched most of the other RMH videos, and they are VERY interesting to me, but they are self-limiting as to sales/views because they are neither technical/instructional (how-to) nor empirical (benefits) nor emotional.   Kind of like the videos of your kid's dance recital; interesting but only to a limited audience.   edit:  the existing videos are not instructional in terms of step-by-step for folks like me, not that they aren't instructional/technical for folks who "get it."

So I asked myself a different question:  what would generate a lot of interest/demand for RMH?   A lot of interest/demand for RMH in general will have a trickle-down effect and therefore generate demand for content.    

Full marketing program: yes a LOT of work, needs an expert.
Not-for-profit:  whooeee yes a lot of work, needs an expert.
Short video: The optimist in me thinks time to produce a single short video with a laser-focused marketing objective would theoretically entice someone to THEN purchase the video the kickstarter currently proposes.

i think you can see stuff here ....

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/free-heat

This is apparently the "pre-launch page".   You can see how many people are waiting for the project to go live.


To see the details to see how the kickstarter page is shaping up, use this link

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/free-heat?ref=e86d5d&token=16fbdfcb

Reminder for those just arriving to the pre-kickstarter feedback soiree -

When you go to the kickstarter preview, use the notifcation button at the upper left so you know when the campaign goes live.  It looks like this:

I am thinking that if you're working for a bit of coin to get you by, and not worried about NEW eyes, then you'd show a lot of the video from the new builds.    

If you want to jolt people into digging further, then the focus and content of the video would be quite different.  And it would likely be much shorter.  

Beau,

Does the "remind me" button work now?

paul wheaton wrote:Beau,

Does the "remind me" button work now?

No - it hovers this image.  At least for me . . .   Anyone else having a different experience?

Another update to the video with feedback applied!


I still need to upgrade the quality for one image :) the vid has also been updated at the KS draft page.

0:05  take the past kickstarters to full screen for a moment?

0:17:  the nuclear plant shapes put out steam ...   it could be a green-ish steam ...    and the white smoke stacks can put out more dark smoke that kinda fills the top of the screen ...  The white and red smoke stacks can put out some black smoke too ...  

0:48   can "knowledge" be bolder?

0:54  nice!


In hindsight I wish the video mentioned more products.  That's on me and I think we are too far along now to make that sort of change.  We will need to make up for it in "the story"

0:05  take the past kickstarters to full screen for a moment?
Yes can do

0:17:  the nuclear plant shapes put out steam ...   it could be a green-ish steam ...    and the white smoke stacks can put out more dark smoke that kinda fills the top of the screen ...  The white and red smoke stacks can put out some black smoke too ...  
Adding smoke, cough cough.

0:48   can "knowledge" be bolder?

Yes.

0:54  nice!

:)

In hindsight I wish the video mentioned more products.  That's on me and I think we are too far along now to make that sort of change.  We will need to make up for it in "the story"

Maybe we can still do it. How about a bit for the rocket food builds (Lorena and Solar food dehydrator with assist?) All I’d need would be your narration presenting them, between five and ten seconds would be best.

I want to add the lorena.  But I also need this to be on rails and done so the kickstarter isn't held up.  Further, I am trying to accomplish too much, so even an extra 7 seconds of voiceover is too much right now.  Plus, the sound quality on that sort of thing never matches right.  

If you can find a way to add the lorena somewhere (smoothly), that would be nice!  And if you can't, we will make the best of it.

paul wheaton wrote:I want to add the lorena.  But I also need this to be on rails and done so the kickstarter isn't held up.  Further, I am trying to accomplish too much, so even an extra 7 seconds of voiceover is too much right now.  Plus, the sound quality on that sort of thing never matches right.  

If you can find a way to add the lorena somewhere (smoothly), that would be nice!  And if you can't, we will make the best of it.

Understood. Working on the new feedback.

The updated video is really nice. It is more clear.

I watched the video, read the words, and got sad that I had to wait to give you my money.

I've listened to the podcasts and you were really excited about the event, so I know the material in this kickstarter will be good. Right now I don't have the time (or brain space) to offer up detailed advice or suggestions as others have (sorry!) But, maybe I can just offer encouragement. I did like what I saw and now I'm just waiting for launch so I can put in my $100.
When you get tired or stressed remember you've got people rooting for you. I've enjoyed your kickstarters, your podcasts, your YouTube videos, and your presentations. You always give me things to think about (and have even convinced me to change my mind!) Here is one brain you have successfully turned on to permaculture.

New update to the video!



Video has also been updated at the KS draft page :)

I just posted a massive update to the story on the kickstarter page, giving a heap of details about all the reward tiers.  

Pictures will be added in the next hour or so, but in the meantime . . .

Come find my typos!  Tell me what doesn't make sense!  Be ruthless!  Your critical eye will make this campaign awesomer!  

new, spinny images!

Andres,

I think the kickstarter video is ready!

If you can think of a way to squeeze in a lorena thing, that might make it 9% better!  :)

Everybody please go to this link and click on "notify me on launch"

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/free-heat

Currently at 108 ...

paul wheaton wrote:Andres,

I think the kickstarter video is ready!

If you can think of a way to squeeze in a lorena thing, that might make it 9% better!  :)

9% is a big improvement! I will find a way

Button for notification worked for me!

James Sullivan wrote:Button for notification worked for me!

Now at 112!  Progress!

Hi.  Looks like you could have a seperate “heating the space” and “heat for cooking” (which would include the solar boost) movies.  Or a “basic principles” then the two others.  It would give you options later for people who want to start one or the other as a project.  That might also bring in a larger audience who then may try the other heating project.  And make it more affordable for people without much money.  

New update to the KS video including the rocket cooktop with Lorena option:


You can see it right after the juice box shot that says “Lots of experiments”. I’ve also updated the video at the ks draft page.

Ryan Haffele wrote:I watched the video, read the words, and got sad that I had to wait to give you my money.

I've listened to the podcasts and you were really excited about the event, so I know the material in this kickstarter will be good. Right now I don't have the time (or brain space) to offer up detailed advice or suggestions as others have (sorry!) But, maybe I can just offer encouragement. I did like what I saw and now I'm just waiting for launch so I can put in my $100.
When you get tired or stressed remember you've got people rooting for you. I've enjoyed your kickstarters, your podcasts, your YouTube videos, and your presentations. You always give me things to think about (and have even convinced me to change my mind!) Here is one brain you have successfully turned on to permaculture.

Ryan this is how I felt. I was like. I want to push that button.

Andres!  Looks great!  Is it on the kickstarter page?

Also, I need an hd version to push up to youtube.

D M MacRae wrote:Hi.  Looks like you could have a seperate “heating the space” and “heat for cooking” (which would include the solar boost) movies.  Or a “basic principles” then the two others.  It would give you options later for people who want to start one or the other as a project.  That might also bring in a larger audience who then may try the other heating project.  And make it more affordable for people without much money.  

That could be a path.  Kinda like what we did with the rocket oven movie?

This time we are trying the "put everything into one movie" combined with something where there is the "full event" with all the detailed footage.

118!

paul wheaton wrote:Andres!  Looks great!  Is it on the kickstarter page?

Also, I need an hd version to push up to youtube.

Yes, this version it’s up at the ks.

Im still missing to retrace the shot for the couch scene cause inadvertently reduced the quality when creating the image for the ks. It’s in my to do list and I’ll be sending you the super hd file tomorrow morning :) oh should I add a little more time maybe an extra ten seconds of black screen at the end? In order to include the link to Ks.

Andrés Bernal wrote:

paul wheaton wrote:Andres!  Looks great!  Is it on the kickstarter page?

Also, I need an hd version to push up to youtube.

Yes, this version it’s up at the ks.

Im still missing to retrace the shot for the couch scene cause inadvertently reduced the quality when creating the image for the ks. It’s in my to do list and I’ll be sending you the super hd file tomorrow morning :) oh should I add a little more time maybe an extra ten seconds of black screen at the end? In order to include the link to Ks.

Good thinking!  6 seconds of black stuff please!

Beau Davidson wrote:I just posted a massive update to the story on the kickstarter page, giving a heap of details about all the reward tiers.  

Pictures will be added in the next hour or so, but in the meantime . . .

Come find my typos!  Tell me what doesn't make sense!  Be ruthless!  Your critical eye will make this campaign awesomer!  

Ok, I think I found a few...
-First paragraph isn't indented like the rest of them
-First sentence has "affect" in it properly (I think).  But it keeps poking my brain making me wonder if "effect" is right.  I don't think it is but it might poke lots of people in the brain and distract them right when you don't want to distract them.
-"What's that, you ask?  What is a rocket mass heater, anyway?" seems klunky.  How about "What's a Rocket Mass Heater anyway?".  Or "Huh?!?  What's a Rocket Mass Heater anyway?"
-I think the ... is spaced away from the "is" instead of being tight to the "is" and spaced away from the "knowledge" --> "The only barrier to this solution is  . . . knowledge."
-The white space between the paragraphs isn't consistent
-I think this might be smoother if changed to "This is a basic and yet incredibly high performing system."
-"heats a flame-embedded pot super fast"
-need a comma after Gamera "Installed the Gamera a commercial"
-not sure "Basic" should be capitalized in "The Basics of RMH design"
-I think this needs an s   "is one of the key linchpins in people's ability"
-"Everything you need to know to get started on cooking with a rocket oven!"
-I think it needs a capital W   "This is a 37 minute tour of 12 rocket mass heaters at Wheaton labs, with commentary by some of the builders!"
-People may not want to have to google another word "embedded within a hugelkultur garden bed!"
-Seems like the "will" has been done and this could say "The solution: We have a plan to create built a greenhouse that requires no heat,"
-Since it's a podcast, maybe shorten this run-on sentence by not mentioning the graphics people can't see anyway "Through this book, he shows his methods and techniques that which will inspire all of us to think twice on about those old failed solutions for how to solve drought issues which are all aided with illustration, graphs and pictures."
-I think this needs a comma "because, according to Holzer,"
- Needs lowercase o   "2017 Permaculture Design COurse and"
-Should either capitalize Permies or lowercase it in the following sentence "“Kickstarter Backer” icon on permies.com by your name"
-Need a link here?  "Check out the thanks page from the Better World Book kickstarter."
-Is this supposed to be "candy frosting"?   "Think of it as a bit of "thanks" frosting on the THANKS cake!"
-Need a " at the end of "the full movie "Fire Science
-Weirdness in the middle of this sentence.  Seems repetitive too, as if the footage is recycled a lot.  Maybe change the order to match the format in the paragraph below cuz that one sounds better.   "This is the same as the first of the four movies  in "Wood Burning Stoves 2.0" which is also the first of the  of eight in "Better Wood Heat: DIY Rocket Mass Heaters"."
-maybe add an it   "AND it includes everything"
-might people think they get double the Thanks stuff with this wording "AND includes everything included at the lower levels (THANKS & CANDY)."  Maybe just say it includes Candy (which then by default includes Thanks)
-Same for all the levels.  Might want to not mention Thanks in the inclusions since it's covered by Candy.  Maybe?
-I think this is the way young kids indicate sarcasm as they type "aNiMaTeD,"
-I think this should be "hunger and a myriad of greater problems."  But I could be wrong...

Yes the notify me in the Upper Left Corner is functional

the remind me button is not functional

Remind me button not working. Only shows "You can save this project after it has launched."

paul wheaton wrote:

Leif Ing wrote:
Maybe instead of DVDs, a thumb drive could be offered for an extra amount? I’m not a big fan of downloads or streaming personally due to at times having limited/slow bandwidth.

For the 177 hour stuff, we were contacted by a guy who said he was gonna sell thumb drives of it.  So we put a lot of time and expense into getting him a copy of the HD stuff.  And never heard from him again.  

We did a thumb drive thing once and about half the people put up the actual coin.  So I got kinda burned on that.  And it took a lot of work.  So I'm not super keen on doing it again.

Curious... who did you try to go through? i'm in the digital marketing space and might be able to help... or at least find out...

The prepper in me wants hard copies of everything... i buy digital then buy physical books once i know the content is solid... as a back up...

Andrés Bernal wrote:New update to the video!

Video has also been updated at the KS draft page :)

I really like this one!  It hits all of the marks from earlier suggestions and really brings it together.  Great job!

paul wheaton wrote:It is super critically important to me to infect millions of brains with rocket mass heater stuff.  So as my mind buzzes with how to do that, I keep coming back to the idea that kickstarter stuff does seem to reach more people.   Further, I will be emailing 105,000 people about this.  For the SKIP kickstarter, I emailed about 100,000 and 2,575 backed the kickstarter.  Why wasn't it closer to something like 80,000?  What does it take to get a person to go from not backing, to backing?  how heavy do I need to load THANKS and CANDY?  How heavy do I need to load THANKS and CANDY so that people will share links to it and we get a half a million backers?  

your total conversion rate is 2.58% and dude... that is amazing... what you need to do is test more... hooks... headlines... offers...

there is some guys that send out 1000 email batches and test headlines on them in the morning and the ones that get the best result the send to the whole lists in a few hours... so maybe more testing is in order...

but man... 2.58% conversion rate on an email that resulted in any action... let alone money leaving someones pocket is amazing...

but if you want everyone to burn clean renewable sustainable energy...

Get more people on your list...

Get better at making offers...

imho the only job of an email is to sell the click to the offer... and build good will...

but for my sake and anyone that has done any kind of marketing be content with that conversion rate... it's time to optimize not criticize... :) just my 2 cents

I sent an email to the weeklyish last night and now we have 170 people watching the kickstarter!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/free-heat

Nic Nose wrote:Curious... who did you try to go through? i'm in the digital marketing space and might be able to help... or at least find out...

The prepper in me wants hard copies of everything... i buy digital then buy physical books once i know the content is solid... as a back up...

This was our jump drive thing

https://permies.com/t/31822/podcasts-videos-jump-drive

Nic Nose wrote:your total conversion rate is 2.58% and dude... that is amazing...

??

So what is up with the 97%?  I'm thinking that the offer is so sweet that surely I could do far better.

??

I like the speed now and it seems clearer and less cluttered. On the part about what you think it can eliminate there is too much too fast to follow. If you cut the words down which appear on the screen it would help. I would cut repeating eliminate and just put up what you are believing would be eliminated.
 Looking forward to this! It's a good idea both as a kickstarter and as a project. Hubby and I can't make it there to take part in these rmh builds but could get lots of great info from the recordings! Thanks for this!!

The button, it works! I am happy to see this project.