Kickstarter supporters—also known as backers—are the lifeblood of every crowdfunding campaign. These passionate individuals believe in big ideas and small creators, helping bring everything from smart tech gadgets to comic books to life. Whether you’re a first-time founder, a game designer, or an indie filmmaker, your project’s success often depends on how well you connect with these early believers.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through:
- What Kickstarter supporters are,
- Why they matter more than just raising money,
- How they help at every stage of your project,
- What creators must do to attract and keep them happy,
- Plus real tips and strategies that work (with examples).
You’ll also learn:
- How to build trust with supporters,
- What makes people decide to back a campaign,
- And how to use their feedback and loyalty to grow your brand long-term.
Table of Contents
What Are Kickstarter Supporters?
Kickstarter supporters are special people who give money to projects on Kickstarter, which is a big platform where creators ask for help to make ideas real Kickstarter BlogKickstarter Support.
- They are also called backers.
- They choose how much money to give.
- They often get rewards like a copy of the product, a thank-you note, or extra special perks.
They don’t get paid back like a loan. Instead, they support the idea because they believe in it Fung Institute+13Kickstarter Support+13ScienceDirect+13ResearchGate+2SAGE Journals+2LaunchBoom.
Why Do Kickstarter Supporters Matter? 🚀
1 Help Ideas Grow
- Supporters are the first to fund a project.
- Their support helps creators pay for materials and work.
- Without them, many projects would never happen.
2 Build Trust and Momentum
- When many supporters join early, others see the project and want in too.
- A successful early start encourages more backers—this builds momentum WikipediaMedium.
3 Create a Community
- Supporters feel involved.
- They follow the updates, comment, and share ideas.
- That creates a friendly community around the project reddit.com+12ResearchGate+12TCF Team+12wired.com+15Fung Institute+15Medium+15.
4 Drive Repeat Support
- People who supported one project often support others by the same creator. They back early, helping the creator succeed again Medium.
How Kickstarter Supporters Decide to Help 💡
Why people give money:
- Because they like the idea.
- Because they want to support creative people.
- Because they want something special in return (reward).
- Because they want to be part of something new LaunchBoom+4TCF Team+4Kickstarter Support+4.
Things that help supporters decide:
- A clear project page with a video and pictures.
- Honest updates and communication.
- Realistic funding goal and timeline.
- Good reward levels.
- Trustworthy creator history.
Kickstarter help pages say: “Read the comments, updates, and creator’s other work before backing” Medium+15Kickstarter Blog+15ucladatares.medium.com+15Fung InstituteResearchGate+12Wikipedia+12LaunchBoom+12.
How Projects Succeed Because of Kickstarter Supporters?
Kickstarter supporters play a big part in helping a project succeed. Their support isn’t just about money—it’s about trust, excitement, and teamwork. Let’s see how they help projects grow and get funded.
1. Early Support = Strong Start
Studies show that if a project reaches 50% of its goal early, it has a much better chance of reaching 100%. This tells other people the project is popular and worth backing.
2. First and Last Week Matter Most
Most projects follow a “bathtub” pattern:
- Lots of backers in the first few days
- A slower time in the middle
- A big jump again in the last few days
This pattern shows how supporters create excitement at the start and push projects to the finish line near the end.
3. Updates Bring Backers Back
When creators send updates with news, photos, or behind-the-scenes info, supporters feel connected. These updates:
- Remind people to share the project
- Encourage new pledges
- Build trust during the campaign
4. Supporters Share with Others
Many Kickstarter supporters tell their friends or post about the project online. This word-of-mouth support brings in new backers and helps grow the project faster—without paid ads.
5. Helpful Feedback Improves the Project
Supporters often give suggestions or ask smart questions. This helps the creator:
- Fix problems early
- Improve the product before launch
- Build a better version of the idea
6. Repeat Supporters Keep Coming Back
People who had a good experience with a creator will likely support them again in the future. These loyal supporters give new projects a strong start right away.
7. Stretch Goals Get Unlocked
Once the first goal is reached, many creators add “stretch goals” (extra features or upgrades). Supporters get excited and help spread the word to unlock these new goals.
8. Big Backer Count = Social Proof
When a project has a high number of supporters, it shows new visitors that lots of people trust and like the idea. This makes others feel safe to back it too.
9. Campaign Algorithms Reward Popular Projects
Kickstarter’s own system often promotes projects that:
- Have many supporters
- Reach goals fast
- Get lots of updates and shares
So more support = more visibility on the site, which brings even more backers.
10. Backer Comments Create Community
Backers talk in the comment section. They ask questions, cheer each other on, and share tips. This makes the campaign feel more active and fun, which draws in more people.
Summary Table: How Supporters Help Projects Succeed?
Action by Supporters | Result for Project |
---|---|
Pledge early | Gives project strong beginning |
Share with friends | Brings in new backers |
Ask questions or give ideas | Helps creator improve the project |
Join in last few days | Boosts final goal and unlocks stretch goals |
Leave comments and reviews | Builds community and trust |
Back future projects | Gives creator support beyond one campaign |
Kickstarter supporters do much more than just give money. They are the heart of every campaign—sharing, cheering, fixing, and funding all the way to success.
How Kickstarter Supporters Help at Each Stage?
Stage of Campaign | How Kickstarter Supporters Help | Why It Matters |
---|---|---|
Pre‑launch | Wait for project to start and ready to back early | Gives project an early boost |
Launch (first week) | Many supporters pledge early | Creates momentum |
Mid campaign | Some watchers get nervous if pace slows | Creator needs to engage them |
Final week | Many supporters and new people pledge to reach goal | Deadline brings urgency and help |
After funding | Supporters share, give feedback, spread word | Helps creator fulfill promise & market |
What Creators Must Do to Keep Kickstarter Supporters Happy
Be Clear and Honest
- Share real plans, risks, and shipping times.
- If there are delays or changes—tell supporters right away Medium+1Kickstarter Support.
Give Fast Updates
- Send short news like “video done” or “shipping soon.”
- Keep supporters in the loop with clear info Kickstarter Blog.
Reward With Meaning
- Rewards should excite supporters.
- Can be physical goods, digital downloads, or special experiences TCF Team+1.
Build Trust
- Honest communication and responding to questions builds trust.
- Supporters share trust with others and help the project grow reddit.com.
Community Engagement
- Ask supporters to share the project.
- Let them comment, suggest, or be part of early decisions.
Why Kickstarter Supporters Are a Goldmine for Creators
Long-Term Fans
- Many backers become loyal fans and buy from the creator again.
Free Word-of-Mouth
- Happy supporters talk to others, boosting visibility.
Feedback Loop
- Supporters give feedback during creation that improves the project.
Credibility
- A high backer count helps future projects look credible.
Expert Tips: How to Attract and Keep Kickstarter Supporters
Step‑by‑Step Plan
- Plan Before Launch:
- Build an email list or fans.
- Tell them when the project will launch.
- Use social media to share sneak peeks.
- Create a Smart Campaign Page:
- Use video, pictures, and clear text.
- Share your story and why you care.
- Set a realistic funding goal and timeline.
- Offer Good Rewards:
- Early-bird specials or limited editions.
- Simple, exciting reward tiers.
- Balance reward cost and delivery ease.
- Update Often:
- Weekly or important milestone updates.
- Use TL;DR bullet lists for easy reading, Kickstarter Blog+2TCF Team+2Fung Institute+1Wikipedia+15LaunchBoom+15wired.com+15TCF Team.
- Respond to Questions:
- Answer comments and emails quickly.
- Be polite and open—even with critics.
- Encourage Supporter Action:
- Ask them to share the project.
- Offer bonus content if they reach share goals.
- Celebrate Together:
- After funding succeeds, thank all supporters personally.
- Share progress, failures, fixes, and successes.
Common Problems and How to Solve Them
Here’s a table of problems creators might face and how to solve them with supporters in mind:
Problem | Fix with Kickstarter Supporters |
---|---|
Slow start (few early backers) | Share early updates and exclusive previews to boost interest |
Support drops in mid campaign | Run mini‑challenges or reveal new reward tiers to re-engage |
Supporters ask questions | Answer honestly and quickly to build trust |
Risk of delays or shipping issues | Communicate early and offer transparent timeline updates |
Hard to deliver rewards | Simplify reward tiers and focus on fewer, high‑value items |
Real Examples: Why Supporters Matter
- Pebble Time smartwatch got over $20 million and tens of thousands of backers because people believed in the idea and wanted the product early. The VergeTCF Team+2LaunchBoom+2ucladatares.medium.com+1.
- Exploding Kittens card game got 219,000+ backers. Supporters helped it go viral with their enthusiasm ucladatares.medium.com.
- When Oculus VR was acquired by Facebook, many original Kickstarter supporters felt disappointed, showing how invested backers feel about creative independence, time.com.
Two Helpful External Links
For more expert advice:
- Kickstarter’s own Backer Guide, explaining how supporters choose and what they expect: [Kickstarter Backer Guide] Kickstarter Blog
- Kickstarter blog on building strong community, showing how creators can engage supporters best: [Essential Tips for Backer Community] Kickstarter Blog
FAQs
Who are Kickstarter supporters?
Kickstarter supporters are people who give money to help bring a project to life. They believe in your idea and want to see it succeed.
Why do people support projects on Kickstarter?
People support because they like the idea, want the product, or want to help someone reach their dream.
Do supporters get something in return?
Yes, many supporters get rewards like early products, thank-you notes, or special gifts from the creator.
How do Kickstarter supporters help creators?
They give money, share the project with others, and give feedback to make the project better.
Can supporters ask questions or give ideas?
Yes! Supporters can leave comments, ask questions, and share ideas. This helps build trust and improves the project.
What happens if a project doesn’t reach its goal?
If a project doesn’t meet its funding goal, supporters don’t get charged, and the project doesn’t move forward.
Summary in Simple Words
- Kickstarter supporters (also called backers) give money to help creative projects become real.
- They matter because they bring funds, trust, feedback, and visibility.
- Projects succeed when creators treat supporters well: honest updates, exciting rewards, and clear communication.
- Supporters often back again and tell others, growing a community around the project.
- With the right planning and action, supporters help ideas turn into real things.
Final Tips from Five Star Coder
At Five Star Coder, we believe every great idea deserves a chance to shine. Whether you’re a first-time creator or a seasoned innovator, your journey becomes easier when you have the right tools, team, and strategy. That’s where we come in.
We’re not just coders—we’re your creative partners. If you need help:
- Building your Kickstarter campaign page that captures attention,
- Designing eye-catching visuals and promo videos,
- Writing clear, persuasive project descriptions,
- Creating regular updates to engage and inspire Kickstarter supporters,
- Or even planning your pre-launch and post-campaign strategy…
Five Star Coder is here to help you bring your dream to life—with style, structure, and strategy that works.
We know how important your supporters are—and we’ll help you speak their language, earn their trust, and turn them into your biggest fans.
You’ve Got This
Thank you so much for reading our full guide on “Who Are Kickstarter Supporters & Why They Matter?” We hope it gave you the clarity, confidence, and insight you need to launch your project the smart way.
Kickstarter success isn’t just about funding—it’s about people, passion, and purpose. When you connect with your supporters in the right way, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. If you have any questions, want one-on-one help, or just need honest advice, don’t hesitate to visit us at FiveStarCoder — let’s build something amazing together.