3 responses to “”

1. 

   Samantha Ellithorpe

   May 19, 2025

   Hi Freddy,

   I really liked the way you framed a Kickstarter campaign as more than just a method of selling a product; it is an invitation for others to believe in your vision and actively take part in bringing it to life. That mindset shift is so powerful, especially in how it reframes the relationship between creator and backer from transactional to transformational. When you talked about the ecosystem that forms between the creator, backer, platform, and reward, it suggests that successful launches are not built in isolation, but that they are cultivated through connection, transparency, and mutual investment.

   While I am not currently planning to launch a Kickstarter or use a crowdfunding platform, I am preparing to introduce a new process that will require buy-in and engagement from the people who will use it. Your post helped highlight that, like a Kickstarter creator, I need to build trust and alignment before asking others to support or adopt the change. For me, that means involving users early on, listening to their input, communicating the “why” behind the process, and showing them how their feedback shapes the outcome. It is about creating a shared sense of ownership.

   Your post also ties in with something I have been thinking about a lot lately since writing my essay on engaging professional marketing services. It is so important to lead with purpose. Studies indicate that 70% of consumers favor companies that have a clearly defined purpose and have strong missions and values that reflect their own (Uduchukwu, 2024). Storytelling allows businesses, and even internal change agents like me, to communicate that purpose in a way that builds emotional connections and fosters trust. But a powerful narrative is more than just a marketing message; it should be a reflection of your core values, which are then lived out consistently through action and your messaging. Whether you are launching a product or a new organizational process, the story you tell and how you live it can be the deciding factor in whether people choose to follow.

   This book, and your reflections on it, are a great reminder that whether we are pitching a new product or proposing a new way of working, people support what they help build. Trust is not just earned at launch; it is cultivated long before you ask for support.

   I am curious to hear your take: how do you personally navigate the balance between refining your vision and staying open to input from early supporters? Have you ever had to adjust your core idea because of feedback from the audience you were building trust with?

   References
   Uduchukwu, C. (2024, Aug 13). The Power of Purposeful Partnerships: Why 70% of Consumers Prefer Mission-Driven Companies. Retrieved from Alter New Media: https://www.alternewmedia.com/the-power-of-purposeful-partnerships-why-70-of-consumers-prefer-mission-driven-companies/

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   1. 

      Fredesvinda

      May 19, 2025

      Hi Samantha,

      Thank you so much for this thoughtful response. It truly means a lot that the ideas in my post resonated with you, especially the reframing of Kickstarter as a deeper invitation into shared purpose rather than just a transactional sales platform. You put it beautifully—transformational, not just transactional. That mindset shift really is where the magic happens, and I’m glad it sparked some reflection around your own work introducing a new process.

      I really appreciated how you tied it back to your own efforts in building engagement and ownership around organizational change. That parallel is powerful—and spot on. Just like in crowdfunding, change in any context needs a foundation of trust, shared purpose, and ongoing dialogue. The fact that you’re already thinking about involving users early, sharing the “why,” and creating that emotional connection speaks volumes about your leadership approach.

      To your question about navigating the balance between refining a vision and staying open to feedback—what’s worked for me is making sure I have confidence in my vision first. That means being crystal clear on what my vision is, why it matters, and how it connects to the audience I’m trying to serve. I believe it’s crucial to know your audience well because when your purpose aligns with theirs, most of the feedback you get won’t require a complete overhaul. Instead, it helps you fine-tune or clarify your path, which is invaluable.

      That said, I know that meaningful feedback can challenge even core ideas. While I haven’t experienced a moment where I’ve had to drastically pivot based on input, I do think the key is staying open-minded and kind—to yourself and others. Not taking feedback as a personal attack, but as insight from someone who cares enough to want your vision to succeed, is how trust grows even deeper.

      And I completely agree with your point about storytelling. It’s not just about crafting a message—it’s about aligning that message with lived values. Whether you’re leading a team through change or launching something new, people support what they feel connected to. They support what they help build.

      Thanks again for engaging so deeply—it’s comments like yours that make writing feel like a real dialogue.

      Best,
      Freddy

      Reply
2. 

   Bridgett Librado

   May 22, 2025

   Hey Freddy,
   I really enjoyed your reflection on Chapter 1 of the Stanislovaitis’ book! Your insight about trust being the foundation of crowdfunding rather than technology is so accurate. I liked how you connected your personal experience of hesitating to back projects with the broader challenge entrepreneurs face in building credibility. The Pebble example reinforces your point about preparation and audience understanding. Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful take on what makes crowdfunding campaigns successful beyond just having a cool product!
   Bridgett

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