Day Two

Yesterday was a very busy day on the project. I did manage to contact GoFundMe support and they were VERY responsive. They adjusted my balance from 25000 to 2500 and the campaign is good to go. I should have posted a Day One post, because we met our opening funding goal, but I was so busy that at the end of the day I just couldn't keep my eyes open and the blog was neglected.

We met our Day One Goal of $100

 This was important because with GoFundMe there are over 1000 projects submitted daily. Automated processes only index projects into the Search Directory when they reach funding of $100. So even though the project page is not setup, and channels not yet branded, no video, etc., I am live on the platform and in the directory. This allows me to 'troll' for supporters over the next week or so, giving me time to work improving the lure as we go along.

In fact, it turned out that releasing a week early and accidentally extending to 30 days instead of 21 days actually helped to keep the schedule right on track while giving me extra time to work out these kinks.

When you are doing what is right, the entire Universe sometimes conspires to help you.

Current Status

Everything is still out this week. We have an initial draft of the press release and have submitted revisions. We have received the sample logo and formatted a reply for final edits. I wanted to get community feedback on the logo, but most the early supporters are close friends so I already know what they think (lol), plus there just isn't time.

We also sent off the rough story-line for the professional video, but I am going to simplify and change focus on my original instructions. The original goal was to use the story of 'Stone Soup' to describe how communities can build value online. However, I've decided a straight explanation comparing virtual to real-estate would be the best approach and simpler to convey. I also need to work on my own 'amateur' video that I am going to put up as a placeholder in the meantime.

We have 10 likes on our Facebook fanpage. And Youtube, Twitter and all Facebook page and group is ready to receive branding.

Weekend To Do:

• Amateur Video script / record / publish
• New Profile Picture 
• Submit final logo directions
• Another take on the Press Release
• Identify Press Release Distribution Channels

Next Week Goals

Not all these will be accomplished, but this is what I am at least hoping to attack this week and check off as much as I can, but everything depends on the logo completion:

• Complete Logo
• At least get branding setup / instructions Facebook / Twitter / YouTube
• Setup Invite-and-Win on Facebook
• Raise page likes from 8 to 16
• Raise at least $100 more on campaign
• Have new website setup, or at least ready to migrate
• Re-Check all links to ensure nothing is broken
• Prepare for the following week and the 'real' kickoff

GoFundMe Pre Launch

Here is a link to the project:

http://www.gofundme.com/DarkLabyrinths

GoFundMe Pre-Launch Stumble! Yet Early Enough to Recover?

Yes sports fans, the kicker WAY overshot the endzone with this kickoff. Whereas my plan called for me to ask the community for $2000 (practically ensuring funding), I mistakenly put in an extra zero, and somehow managed to also transpose a five! What does this mean? Well it could spell disaster for the first phase of my project. And if I do not raise the $25k, then I get nothing, leaving me weakened going into the Indiegogo stage. Man, this was supposed to be textbook and already out of the gate the first big mistake.

But fortune favors the bold, or so they say. So if by chance this funding did succeed, then we're doing much better in terms of success than I would realistically assume for projections. Nevertheless, it is possible, and let's hope probable! This may actually turn out to our benefit. And if it costs this battle, then it's certainly not the war. It's not like I accidentally pulled this mistake in my final rounds.

We're golden. I'll just keep telling myself that as long as there's hope at this point :)

I just hope the GoFundMe crowd is enthusiastic in their support. This could still turn out good, but oh what a doozy...i'll let it go now. I'm taking the break I should have taken before I hit the 'I'm ready to go live' button. Well, better late than never. I think I'll go watch a movie, unwind and analyze any repercussions in the morning. Really there's only one way...through.