How do you turn your backers into advocates and ambassadors for your brand and product?

1 Engage with your backers

The first step is to communicate with your backers regularly and transparently. Update them on your progress, challenges, milestones, and feedback. Respond to their questions, comments, and suggestions. Show them that you care about their opinions and input. Make them feel valued and involved in your journey. This will build trust, loyalty, and enthusiasm among your backers.

2 Reward your backers

The second step is to reward your backers for their support and contribution. Besides delivering your product or service as promised, you can also offer them some perks and benefits. For example, you can give them early access, exclusive discounts, free upgrades, bonus features, or referral incentives. You can also create a loyalty program, a VIP club, or a gamified system to reward your backers for their engagement, feedback, or referrals. This will increase their satisfaction, retention, and advocacy.

3 Showcase your backers

The third step is to showcase your backers and their stories. You can feature them on your website, social media, newsletter, or blog. You can share their testimonials, reviews, photos, videos, or case studies. You can also invite them to join your podcast, webinar, or live event. You can highlight how they use your product or service, how they benefit from it, and how they spread the word about it. This will boost their ego, recognition, and influence.

4 Empower your backers

The fourth step is to empower your backers to become your ambassadors and evangelists. You can provide them with the tools, resources, and incentives to promote your brand and product to their networks. For example, you can create a brand kit, a referral program, a social media campaign, or a contest. You can also encourage them to create user-generated content, such as blog posts, videos, podcasts, or infographics. You can also ask them to join your affiliate program, your ambassador program, or your advisory board. This will motivate them to share their passion, expertise, and experience.

5 Collaborate with your backers

The fifth step is to collaborate with your backers and co-create value with them. You can involve them in your product development, improvement, or innovation. You can solicit their feedback, suggestions, or ideas. You can also invite them to participate in your beta testing, user testing, or focus group. You can also co-design your packaging, branding, or marketing. You can also co-host your event, webinar, or workshop. This will foster a sense of ownership, partnership, and community.

6 Celebrate with your backers

The sixth step is to celebrate with your backers and show your appreciation and gratitude. You can thank them personally, publicly, or creatively. You can send them a thank-you note, a shout-out, or a gift. You can also host a party, a meetup, or a webinar. You can also feature them in your success story, your case study, or your press release. You can also acknowledge their achievements, milestones, or impact. This will strengthen your relationship, reputation, and referrals.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?