99% Breaks 200%
Back in April, I discovered Roman Mars’ podcast, 99% Invisible. While I was away on vacation last week, Roman launched a Kickstarter campaign. As he explained in a recent episode, he reached his goal of $42,000 in one day, even before he had a chance to release a podcast announcing it.
If we meet the goal, we will cover all the basic expenses for one-year production of the show (salaries, freelancer fees, podcast hosting, graphic design, equipment, research materials). Plus, we will use funds to hire a producer at least ¼ time to help fund raise, promote and produce the program. Fund raising and outreach will help secure the long-term viability of the project.
A season is 30 episodes, each one released every 10-14 days.
But of course, it doesn’t stop there. As of this writing, the campaign has raised nearly $90,000, over twice the original goal. That’s giving him the opportunity to hire someone, increasing production to 35 episodes per year, and with a few hundred dollars more, he’ll be working with ZeroOne Productions to produce one video episode.
Once again, Kickstarter is providing the means by which talented people with good ideas can really make a go of it. I’ve decided that Kickstarter is going to play a significant role in my class this coming semester. I will be teaching my course on product and service innovation through design process. It will not surprise me in the least if one or more of my students end up launching their own campaigns.
If you have not already done so, I encourage you to lend Roman your support. His radio show is truly exceptional.
