12 Things You Must Do Before Launching on Kickstarter

Your ready to share your idea with the world—we understand! But before you run to hit that big green launch button, let’s make sure everything is set up for success.

Better to be safe than sorry so this checklist is here to help you tick all the right boxes—from making sure your bank details are in order to double-checking your campaign messaging—so you can launch with confidence and give your project the best shot at funding success.

If you found this article helpful but want even more guidance, check out Learning Lab—our step-by-step video series where our campaign strategy team walks you through every phase of the crowdfunding process.

Enough talking; it's time to dive into these 12 steps.

1. Set Up Your Kickstarter Account Details

First things first—before you do anything else, make sure your Kickstarter account is set up correctly.

• Bank account info: Get this verified early to avoid any payout hiccups later.
• Identity verification: Kickstarter needs to confirm who you are before you can launch. Do this ahead of time to prevent delays.

2. Make Sure Your Project Video is On Point

Your video is basically your project’s first impression—so make it count!

• Upload it early to check for any weird formatting issues.
• Keep it engaging, clear, and under 2 minutes—short and sweet wins here.
• Watch it on desktop and mobile to make sure it looks solid everywhere.

How To Make an Awesome Video

If you’re like us, the first thing you do when visiting a project page is click play. A video is by far the best way to get a feel for the emotions, motivations, and character of a project. It’s a demonstration of effort and a good predictor of

Kickstarter Blog: Crowdfunding Tips, Stories & InsightsKickstarter Staff

3. Plan Your Launch Strategy Like a Pro

A little planning goes a long way. Before you go live, think about:

• The best time to launch: Mid-week is usually better than weekends.
• Your initial outreach plan: Who are you telling first? Friends? Family? Your social media crew?
• Who’s doing what: If you’ve got a team, assign roles so everyone’s clear on their tasks.

4. Double-Check Your Campaign End Date & Time

By default, Kickstarter sets your campaign end time to match your launch time. But if you want it to end at a different time of day:

• Click “End on date and time” under Funding Duration.
• Manually adjust the Time box to your preferred time.

5. Make Your Title & Blurb Search-Friendly

Your title and blurb are like your campaign’s elevator pitch. They also help people find your project, so:

• Use keywords people might search for.
• Keep it clear, catchy, and no weird symbols.
• Make it short but compelling—grab attention fast!

6. Check (and Double-Check) Your Funding Goal

Once you hit launch, your funding goal is locked in—so get it right the first time!

• Make sure your goal covers everything—production, shipping, Kickstarter fees, and a little buffer.
• Check out similar projects to set a realistic goal.

7. Proofread Your Copy & Reward Tiers

Nothing kills credibility faster than typos or broken links. Before launching:

• Read through your project page carefully (or ask a friend to do it).
• Double-check reward tiers—once someone pledges, you can’t change them.
• Click every link to make sure they actually work.

8. Get a Second Opinion with a Preview

A fresh set of eyes can catch things you might’ve missed. Before going live:

• Share the preview link with a few trusted people.
• Ask for feedback on clarity, pricing, and messaging.
• Make any last-minute tweaks before launch day.

9. Figure Out Shipping & Fulfillment

Shipping is one of the trickiest parts of crowdfunding, so don’t leave it to the last minute:

• Clearly set domestic vs. international shipping options.
• Include domestic shipping in reward prices to keep it simple.
• Research shipping costs ahead of time so you don’t undercharge.

10. Make Sure Your Project Image Pops

Your project image is the first thing people see, so make sure it’s eye-catching:

• Check how it looks behind the play button.
• Use a high-quality, high-res image.
• Make sure it looks good in different sizes and formats.

11. Don’t Get Stuck in Kickstarter’s Review Queue

Kickstarter reviews some projects before launch, so don’t wait until the last minute:

• Click “Continue” at least two business days before launching.
• If you get flagged for review, contact Kickstarter’s support.
• You can still tweak things while waiting for approval.

12. Have Your FAQs Ready to Go

You can’t add FAQs until your project is live, but that doesn’t mean you can’t prep them ahead of time!

• Write answers for common questions about your project.
• Cover shipping, timelines, and product details.
• Be ready to update FAQs as needed once people start asking things.

Final Thoughts: Ready, Set, Launch!

Launching a Kickstarter project is both exciting and nerve-wracking. But with this checklist, you’re covering all the important stuff so you can hit that green button with confidence.

To help you further feel free to download this launch checklist so you can keep it handy before your next campaign.

Once you’ve checked everything off, it’s time to go live and make it happen!