Crowdfunding pitch outline builder: how to write your campaign page

How the outline is built

Someone reading a campaign page asks the same questions, in roughly the same order. The outline answers them in that order, one section each:

1. What it is. Whether to keep reading is decided here, so it comes first.
2. Who it's for. The right people see themselves in it early.
3. Why it matters. The story behind it. People back people.
4. What backers get. Each reward, as it will arrive.
5. Where the money goes. It shows the goal is real.
6. When it happens. The steps from the goal to delivery.
7. Who's behind it. Why you can make it happen.
8. What could go wrong. The real risks and your plan, once the reader cares enough to ask.

Each section holds your own words under a heading, with one line on what that part of the page is for. Nothing is rewritten, scored or suggested. A question you skip keeps its heading and its line, so you can see what's left.

Copying takes the outline as plain text: each heading, then your words. Where you haven't written anything yet, it takes that section's line in square brackets instead, as a note to yourself.

Your answers are saved in this browser as you type, so you can close the page and pick up where you left off. They're never put in the page's link and never sent to us or anyone else. Start over clears them. If this browser doesn't let pages keep anything, the builder still works and says so: copy your outline before you leave.

End the page with a thank you and one simple ask: to back it, or to share it with someone it's for. Running a campaign covers the goal, the reward and the page itself.

What it doesn't know

• Your project. It puts your words in order. It doesn't judge them, fix them or write anything for you.
• Your numbers. The goal, the rewards and what backers pay are for the goal planner, the reward tier planner and the fee calculator.
• Whether it will fund. A clear page helps people decide. No outline can promise they will.
• Your promises. Every reward and every date you write is a promise you'll have to keep. What you owe backers once the goal is met explains why.
• Another phone or browser. Your draft lives in this browser only. Anywhere else it starts empty, and clearing this browser's data removes it.

Questions

What should a crowdfunding campaign page include?

The answers to the questions a backer asks, in the order they ask them: what it is, who it's for, why it matters to you, what they get, where the money goes, when it happens, who you are and what could go wrong. Keep each part short and specific, and show the thing itself if you can.

How long should a crowdfunding pitch be?

Short enough to read on a phone in a few minutes. A sentence or two on what it is, a paragraph for the story, and a short, specific line for each reward, date and risk. Every section should earn its place: cut what a backer wouldn't miss.

Should a campaign page talk about risks?

Yes. Saying what could go wrong, and what you'll do about it, is what makes the rest believable. Many backers have seen a project run late, and a plan for that is a reason to trust you.

Does CoFunders see what I type here?

No. Your answers stay in this browser. They're never in the page's link and never sent to us or anyone else.