Crowdfunding

Day of the week effect and Kickstarter launches
Diving into my own Kickstarter data, and my desire to be a creative generalist not a creative specialist.
 • John Ward
Publishing frequency has no effect on backer patronage, so what does?
Findings from a study of Patreon data explored which creator-driven campaign variables are associated with higher levels of backer patronage.
 • John Ward
How do we overcome the creator+ paradox, where the way we describe ourselves is actually hurting our growth?
How a recent study on musicians and music creators reveals why your vulnerability is being monetized, and how to stop burning out.
 • John Ward
What 8 years of Patreon data reveals about creator success
Why comparing yourself to viral hits is misleading, why specialists churn faster than generalists, and what the data says about your actual growth.
 • John Ward
Who decides what's good? Quality in Crowdfunding
The gap between traditional gatekeepers and the crowd continues to diverge. What does the research evidence have to say about changes in taste and the…
 • John Ward
Subscription-based crowdfunding: what are the success factors?
Digging into the research evidence to identify factors associated with successful subscription-based crowdfunding campaigns - relevant for users of…
 • John Ward
What motivates backers in Subscription-Based Crowdfunding?
Platforms like Substack and Patreon allow creators to receive funding directly from their supporters. But what are the primary motivations that…
 • John Ward
Why I'm a hypocrite (and why you should be too)
This 2025 paper convinced me to turn on paid subscriptions on Substack.
 • John Ward
It's launch day!
Are you hungry for horror? Consumed is now live on Kickstarter.
 • John Ward
Are you looking for a new spooky season read?
Twenty-eight stories. One horrifying anthology.
 • John Ward
Longitudinal Kickstarter trends for different project categories
Research has treated project category as a monolithic variable, but there are many practical differences between campaign types that can impact success.
 • John Ward
Is your comic book Kickstarter not getting a massive day-one boost?
Research findings suggest day one funding decreases when you launch on a busy day.
 • John Ward
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