Where am I going wrong.

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Holz Mechaniker

Holz Mechaniker

Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2011
Messages
922
Location
Albion, MI, 49224
The past few months I have had a Go Fund Me Site. I am at a point of just deleting the blooming thing. Anyhow I figure it would perhaps help with others eyes seeing what I am say or not saying... Thank to all that provide input. IF you feel that it is to harsh, just shoot me a PM.

Again Thank you.
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Have you thought of Kick Starter as well? That's the one I've heard of the most.

Also maybe a less expensive option(s) may help. Sierra style, bottle stopper etc. Good looking pens, hope it goes great for you!
 
People are being hit from these crowd funding sites left and right these days. In my opinion, you have a business running with the equipment you have. Traditionally, you made money until you could fund bigger tooling, but you want people to give you money so you can get the tooling faster. I don't see a great need, and I suspect other people think the same way.
 
Hi I checked out your site and here is some feedback just from a quick look.

1) More detail on everything. Your history, what you want to do, where you want to take your woodturning business. From reading your pitch I basically got that you are a vet looking for a bigger lathe. Expand a little more on what you want to do. What have you done since leaving the service? How old are you? What is your business like now? What besides tables do you want to make and where do you want your business to go? Maybe show more of your current work. Let's face it, people are giving you money for a good story.

2) Add more levels for donation. I would start around $25, maybe even lower. You can come up with some smaller rewards: pendants, refrigerator magnets, small bowls, ornaments, etc.

3) I tried finding your site from the home page. I searched for woodworking, penturner, and woodturner in both the creative arts and business categories and your page never came up. Not sure what you can do, but there must be more key words that you can add to your description so that you get more hits when someone searches.

4) Post more often. Show what you turned today. Activity makes your page more interesting. Also gives the impression that your busy and the money is going to a good cause.

Hope this is of some help.
 
Contact Watch_art on this forum. He got started in the Kick Starter program. He's an art teacher that makes custom fountain pens. He had a good story to go with the program. For every pen he sells, he makes a pen for a student. Maybe offer something similar. For every pen you sell, make one for the troops.
 
There an old saying " I'd rather have a fast nickel than chase a slow dime."Smaller amounts will add up faster. Another thing,you look mad in the picture. you can leave the one up, but put up 3 or 4 more with you smileing.or a baby in your arms.
 
Holz Mechaniker said:
The past few months I have had a Go Fund Me Site. I am at a point of just deleting the blooming thing. Anyhow I figure it would perhaps help with others eyes seeing what I am say or not saying... Thank to all that provide input. IF you feel that it is to harsh, just shoot me a PM.

Again Thank you.
Click to expand...
I posted it on facebook as well.....
 
Kickstarter has it's pluses but it has even greater minuses. 1) All are to be approved by a board of some kind. Most don't get in. 2) Ones goal amount if it isn't obtained then it is all returned to those that sent money. You can be as little as one penny off and it all poofs away. With the Go fund me. whatever amount you get you get. Some had say $10,000 then ended up with a crazy insane amount of over $100K.

New Question? Did anyone read the Review by Pen Paper Ink Letter Blog?


I want to thank Seamus and Smitty for posting to Facebook, I honestly didn't expect that Thank you Again!!!!!

So at this point, lower gift amount and/or have lower gifts levels.. (Brass, tin, aluminum???:confused:)
 
By the way, thank you for your service!

I think others have hit on it. The story isn't compelling (detailed) enough and there could be smaller buy ins. It's two different things to get people you know to help vs strangers.

Also, many people seem to offer things that they need the new equipment for. Maybe that's kickstarter more. But you could consider offering something that could only be made on the bigger lathe.

Are you trying to make a living with woodworking? Funding a career vs a hobby is different.

Here is the real question I have: why do you really need that lathe? I'd love to have one too. Really.

There is only one reason and one reason alone I can think of ( there probably are others I can't think of) to need that lathe - turning bowls and hallow forms over 12" in diameter. Everything else is very effectively turned on a jet 1221vs (with a relatively inexpensive extension if you want to turn table legs, bats etc)
 
I'm no pro at these, but my understanding is the people donating want to feel like they got a deal on the reward item. If at $500 they get a fountain pen and a watch, but at $1000 they get 2 pens and no watch, is that a better deal than 2 $500 donations? Or better yet, they could donate $750 and get a fountain pen & rollerball AND the watch, more than the $1000 reward for $250 less. Is the cigar pen at $100 less than what it would sell for on your site? If so, explain the retail price points and what the advantage is for buying through your campaign.

Other's have said the other points I would bring up. Lower price points, story, etc. Good luck!
 
Dan Masshardt said:
...Here is the real question I have: why do you really need that lathe? I'd love to have one too. Really.

There is only one reason and one reason alone I can think of ( there probably are others I can't think of) to need that lathe - turning bowls and hallow forms over 12" in diameter. Everything else is very effectively turned on a jet 1221vs (with a relatively inexpensive extension if you want to turn table legs, bats etc)
Click to expand...

Good points, the main reason is that I want the Nova vs just getting a bed extension is that What I have is a General International and trying to locate a bed extension is nearly impossible. The Nova has 1.75hp on 120v power. the General only 1/4hp sustained and 3/4 peak which is what it is advertised for even stamped on the motor itself saying 3/4th.. I feel very taken or conned by them.
(I don't want this to continue to sound like a ad for Nova BUT...)
Other points as to why the Nova;
I don't have to get a 220v outlet to run it
The footprint is smaller than a big old Powermatic 3520B or Oneway 1224.
If I wish to forgo the base legs it will sit on my bench with no worries.
No Friggin' belts!!!!! to swap on pulleys or can break right at the wrong time.

I want to do hollow forms other than ornaments, Big table posts, what are identified as candle tables and the driving force as to why a larger lathe, You will have to watch this video to understand I reckon. Oh and watch it now before Popular Woodworking buys it to sell also it would be wise not to let your significant others NOT view it especially if they do needlepoint work. Here is Part 2
 
Since you bring up the Nova lathe again, I've been wondering how you can spend $5,200 on that machine? Acme Tool has it for $1,939.99 and free shipping right now. I know it's possible to spend that money if you buy all new tools, several chucks, legs, etc.....but since you are asking people for help, maybe you don't need that many "accessories" at the instant you have the lathe.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom