Turning the side-hustle into the Dream; 10 Top Tips from the #Backherbusiness campaign
Turning the Side-hustle
into the Dream!
Ten Top Tips from #BackHerBusiness crowdfunders!
Female Founder Month at the Holly & Co Workshop
What links a tuk tuk, some vegan friendly lashes, virtual socialisation, a launchpad and me? One hashtag #BackherBusiness.
In the last month, BLUE DAISY Pavement Pâtisserie, Reelash, inc360communities, MUBO and me have been on the roller coaster journey; Crowdfunding to turn the side-hustle in to the dream!
‘A Roller coaster’ is the best description. Messages from my fellow #backherbusiness peers include the words ‘Draining, blinking exhausting, burnt out, tiring’, together with ‘Amazing, love, happy, rewarding and exhilarating’. The perfect beginning to life as a business owner.
I first came across the scheme when I heard Holly Tucker talking about the Natwest programme to support women in business and thought this could be the perfect thing to turn my ‘seed of an idea’ in to the Dream; to make coaching accessible to ALL parents. And it worked - the reward and elation you feel when Natwest match fund your project and all your supporters donate is incredible. Not just only knowing that your idea will become a reality, but that there is a whole community people behind you too.
However like all crazy rides - the gift of hindsight is a beautiful thing! So together with my fellow #BackherBusiness sisters here are our Top Tips to launching a crowdfunder campaign.
10 Top Tips From #Backherbusiness crowdfunders
1. GET COACHED
The starting point! Take advantage of all the #BackherBusiness support, guides and events. Both Anna & Chloe (Crowdfunder coaches) helped validate my idea, while supporting me to mould it into something that was sustainable and would make an impact. This gave me the confidence to start!
Liz (Dot Dot Dash Coaching)
2. HAVE A PLAN BEFORE ‘GOING IN
‘Write down everyone you know who might donate in order to create an idea of who you can contact and ask for donations, as well planning social media/content to make sure people are aware of your campaign. It's a tiring, but rewarding time so being prepared beforehand can really help!’
Steph & Reema (inc360communities)
3. PREPARATION & VISION
‘Have your whole business figured out before starting, you can then form a conceptual & visual identity, a recognition value and marketing strategies. All of the above will make your brand look professional to potential investors’
“who do I know that would buy me a coffee if we met up?” Ceri from MUBO
4. WARM UP THE CROWD
‘Start getting friends and family onboard in advance about what you are doing regarding your crowdfund. Get their early buy in and commitment to keep sharing with others! This ensures a certain level of guaranteed ‘backers’ and it can also helps with the headcount (everyone) within a household being able to pledge.
5. THE COFFEE QUESTION!
‘The one thing that really got my campaign rolling was to think, “who do I know that would buy me a coffee if we met up?” And I asked them to donate that coffee (or £3) .. This REALLY worked for me. I think it got me over the fear of asking people for money and to give at an accessible amount. I think it was a quirky way of making it make sense and it ended up being my most popular donation amount and people shared the heck out of it online for me’
Ceri (MUBO)
6. COLLABORATE
‘This was my favourite part, which probably also gave me the best results. I asked 4 amazing artists to design Reward cards, had a friend make my film and got top quality advice from a business expert. These people then came along with me on my journey. In addition to their creative inputs I also interviewed them, which made my campaign more interesting as it wasn't just about me (plus it is easier to advocate for other people!). Liz (Dot Dot Dash Coaching)
“Make it personal so people believe in your dream”
7. KEEP IT PERSONAL
From Ceri’s coffees, to 360’s lovely rewards, ReeLash’s eyelash tutorial, to sharing the tuk tuk ‘Blue Daisy’s first coat of paint – all the campaigns kept their supporters in the loop with their unique story and how far they had come.
8. GET IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA
As awkward and uncomfortable as it is – this one is a winner.. from videos, scary ‘Lives’, events, pieces to camera and photos this always have good results at reaching people.
9. CONNECT
Steph and Reema from inc360communities offered to call me and offer tips. This wasn’t just helpful, but comforting to have someone to chat to - being part of a club of female entrepreneurs is pretty cool! I learnt from them, was inspired, supported and will now grow with them as we realise our dreams all around the UK.
10. COMFORT ZONE
Step out of it.. As ReeLash says ‘If you don’t try, you’ll never know’
Find out about all the wonderful #BackHerBusiness campaigns & their work here!
BLUE DAISY Pavement Pâtisserie - Converting a Tuktuk into a mobile café in London! Raised £10,145 with 123 supporters
Reelash - Vegan Friendly Lashes. Raised of £5510 with 124 supporters target
inc360communities - Tackling youth loneliness & isolation through immersive videos of community events. Raised £8,335 with 138 supporters
MUBO - Helping parents in Wales start and build brilliant businesses. Applications are now open for The Mubo LaunchPad Aug2020
And mine too! Raised £2839 for the Dash Fund project with 62 supporters in 28 days! My mission was to make coaching accessible to all parents.
By removing the financial barrier, providing vital support for everyone - wherever and whoever you are. The money raised will allow me to offer free coaching sessions to parents that need it, run a free coaching course and produce tailored parent resources.
Click here for more info. Please get in touch if you are interested by emailing liz@dotdotdashcoaching.co.uk