Want to turn your audience into your first customers? This guide breaks down how creators can use Kickstarter to fund, test, and scale creative products—directly from Brett Dashevsky, who leads the creator strategy at Kickstarter. From viral launches to sustainable businesses, this episode is packed with insights that can transform your next big idea.

🚀 Top Takeaways for Creators

  • Creators are already on third base: Your audience is primed to support you—Kickstarter just gives you a way to activate them.
  • The first 72 hours matter most: Momentum early in your campaign is the biggest predictor of long-term success.
  • Your audience wants more from you: Don’t be afraid to sell. Just align your product with their interests and your content.
  • Anything is possible: From board games to scientific documentaries, creators are using Kickstarter to fund wild, aligned ideas.
  • Kickstarter is a launchpad, not the finish line: Use it to validate, fund, and build excitement—then continue selling on your own site or platform.

🎙 What You Can Learn from Brett Dashevsky

1. Creators Are Uniquely Positioned for Kickstarter Success

According to Brett, creators—especially YouTubers—are “already on third base” because they’ve cultivated a loyal audience. That audience can become your early customers and supporters. Unlike other crowdfunding campaigns, creator-led launches already have trust, attention, and community.

2. Why Kickstarter Works for the Creator Economy

Kickstarter isn’t just for physical products—it’s a playground for creative ideas. Examples include:

  • Elizabeth Zharoff raised funds to conduct vocal science research and produce a documentary.
  • Critical Role turned a single animation project into a multimillion-dollar Amazon Prime series.
  • Simone Giertz launched quirky inventions like folding coat hangers and a habit calendar.

What unites them? A strong audience, a great story, and a product that reflects their brand.

3. Kickstarter Isn’t “Just Launch It”

A successful Kickstarter launch takes months of prep. Brett recommends:

  • Teasing the project early and often
  • Creating a compelling pre-launch page
  • Engaging your audience directly (e.g., livestreams, exclusive updates)
  • Building a tiered reward structure to “monetize the depths of fandom”

4. Post-Campaign = Business Building

After a successful campaign, creators can:

  • Fulfill backer rewards
  • Launch e-commerce stores (like Simone Giertz did)
  • Reuse momentum to launch future products, stories, or even media franchises

5. Brett’s Personal Journey Fuels His Mission

Brett didn’t land at Kickstarter by chance. He built Creator Economy NYC from a bar meetup into a thriving community and met Kickstarter’s CSO at one of his events. His passion for helping creators launch meaningful products is matched by deep industry experience and a love of creator-led storytelling.

🧰 How to Apply These Lessons to Your Own Creator Business

Step 1: Identify Your Moonshot Idea

Ask yourself:

  • What have I always wanted to build but didn’t have the time, resources, or confidence to pursue?
  • How does it align with my audience and content niche?

Step 2: Validate with Your Audience

Run informal polls, DMs, or focus groups. See what excites them most.

Step 3: Prepare for Launch

Brett’s Kickstarter Readiness Checklist:

  • âś… Clear idea that aligns with your audience
  • âś… Tiered reward system (not just a product, but experiences, shoutouts, exclusive content)
  • âś… Pre-launch hype strategy (emails, videos, teaser posts)
  • âś… Day-of momentum plan (livestream, launch email, social blitz)
  • âś… Post-campaign plan (e-commerce, late pledges, fulfillment strategy)

Step 4: Execute and Engage

Use Kickstarter’s tools + your content to drive momentum. Treat your backers like collaborators.

📓 Brett Dashevsky’s Creator Playbook

Framework for a Successful Kickstarter Launch

  1. Have a bold, aligned idea
  2. Test it with your audience
  3. Design strong tiered rewards
  4. Build anticipation and hype
  5. Crush the first 72 hours
  6. Leverage the campaign as ongoing momentum for your creator business

Mindset Shifts

  • Don’t just rely on brand deals—build long-term revenue.
  • Your audience wants to support you—invite them in.
  • Kickstarter isn’t the end—it’s the start of your creator product journey.

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