Austen Admirers, Start Spreading the News!

Hello, Everyone!  My name is Angie Kroll, and I'm the techie Janeite behind the Austen Admirers Kickstarter Campaign.  To find out how I became a fan of Jane Austen, please visit Mary Simonsen's blog and Darcyholic Diversions.  Today, I want to go into more detail about Kickstarter, how it works, and why I'm using it for Austen Admirers.  

Kickstarter is a website that was formed in 2009 to fund creative projects. If you go to Kickstarter.com, you can see all sorts of projects from novels, films, web series, etc. that people post to see if they can get outside help funding their dreams. The key is that what your venture must have a creative value. 

The Austen Admirers Kickstarter Campaign had to meet all Kickstarter's requirements in order to go live.  Jane Austen lovers accessing their favorite blogs and authors in a smartphone app fit the criteria!  Also of note, whatever you raise in Kickstarter funds, 5% goes to Kickstarter.com and 5% goes to Amazon.com who handles all of the monetary issues for them.

What happens if I cannot meet my funding goal?  Kickstarter works is through all or nothing pledges. If I cannot make my goal, then no one pays anything - even if they have already pledged. I'm only out my time invested in the project, and those who have backed the project are out nothing.  Would you like to know more?  Check out Kickstarter.com's FAQ for stats. 

To help raise funds, Kickstarter recommends a pledge structure much like PBS does when they have their drive. Each level includes incentives or 'thank yous' to those that have pledged to support the project.  For the supporters of Austen Admirers, those levels are:

Pledge of $1 or more - You will receive a heart-filled 'thank you from @AustenAdmirers via Twitter

Pledge of $5 or more - Receive a personalized Social Media Calling Card (SMCC) on Twitter and Facebook thanking you for your support and an Austen Admirers bookmark in the mail.

Pledge of $15 or more - Receive twenty printed SMCC, and an Austen Admirers bookmark mailed to you, along with your digital SMCC. (add $2 shipping outside of U.S.)

Pledge of $25 or more - Receive a $5 Amazon Gift Card and a personalized SMCC

Pledge of $50 or more - Receive one box of Bingley’s Teas ($11.95), twenty printed SMCC, and an Austen Admirers bookmark mailed to you, along with your digital SMCC.

Pledge of $100 or more - Receive one year’s individual U.S. membership to JASNA ($30), twenty printed SMCC, and an Austen Admirers bookmark mailed to you, along with your digital SMCC.

Pledge of $500 or more - Receive two boxes of Bingley’s Teas ($11.95 each), one Jane Austen Couples and You - 8x10 Personalized Wall Decor ($12.99), one year’s individual U.S. membership to JASNA ($30), twenty printed SMCC, and an Austen Admirers bookmark mailed to you, along with your digital SMCC.

Pledge of $1000 or more - Receive one lifetime U.S. membership to JASNA ($350), two boxes of Bingley’s Teas ($11.95 each), one Jane Austen Couples and You - 8x10 Personalized Wall Decor ($12.99), twenty printed SMCC, and Austen Admirers bookmark in the mail, along with your digital SMCC.

How can you support Austen Admirers?  For now, I need your help getting the word out.  Tweet, Share, Email - send the news by post!  Would you like to know more?  Please check out the Kickstarter Campaign site, Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/AustenAdmirers, Follow on Twitter @AustenAuthors or @AngieKroll, or contact me directly at adkroll95 (at) gmail(dot)com.

Thank you to P.O. Dixon, the Duchess of Diversion for asking me to guest post on your blog today!