A huge startup hurdle! Any recommendations or advice?

[simpletonjames319]

Hello Mumsnet Community,
I’m a father of two DC, a 14 y/o DD and a 12 y/o DS. I got down with the acronyms before posting!
I am a parent just launching a business. Hilariously, I find myself needing to self-promote on the internet and I have for years suffered with ‘social media anxiety’, and anxiety in general!
My last post on FB a friend tells me, was in 2012 and so I am really unconnected to the modern ways of communicating. This week I have been focusing on growing the balls to change that, I’ve signed up to twitter, this, and considering a few blogs, now I know what they’re about!
Anyway, I’m doing a kickstarter campaign which I’m hoping to submit for launch on Sunday. My project is really cool and has focussed on child safety and education in sustainability. The schools in Norfolk ,where I am based, have really taken to it and some, including the Green Britain Centre in Swaffham intend on entering it into their’ curriculum.
I am informed by every article and video I’ve seen on the matter, that being interwoven with social media is the way to have success with crowdfunding. I’m not there. I’m looking for the help of some persons who are. Maybe just by retweeting for me or something, or whatever it is you do to get a word out. (I am grimacing at not understanding how this works! ).
If you would like to know what I am doing, please PM me, I don’t wish to spill the beans until it goes live.
Whatever you know about the internet will most definitely be more than me! So any ideas, info, gestures of; sharing, liking, retweeting, really anything is great!
Thank you for reading this, I really appreciate your time.
James

[Stillnoidea]

I think some of the crowdfunding sites have guidance on how to best promote your campaign - have you read these? have you looked at lots of other campaigns to see how they have done it?

but hopefully someone will be along who actually knows something soon...

[simpletonjames319]

Thank you so much for responding Stillnoidea!

Some of the advise is for campaign companies to take over the social media for you. I have written (snail mail!) to all of our customers and told them this is what we're up to so people are preparing in some ways, but only covering some bases. And spoken to friends who are tapped in to social networks.

I suppose I'm hoping for some good folks to come forward spend a few minutes; to tell people who may be tied into their existing networks.

I'm quite prepared to part with nice things in exchange for success. I just have no idea how to go about it. I think I'm beginning to understand RTtowin and all that, maybe I'm just a bit scared! Is it worthwhile?!

Thank you again :)

[RowRowRowtheFookingBoat]

In terms of comms on social media, think about who your audience is (e.g. Existing customers, organisations public/private, government bodies etc) and target towards them. Forget Facebook for now and concentrate on twitter and email campaigns.

I would spend time writing up a bank of tweets (always try to inc a photo and a link back to your website) and schedule them to go out at various times each day via a free website called tweet deck or similar.

The main thing is to have a plan of action and start engaging with your audience. Follow people on twitter, update your LinkedIn.. read blogs and other success stories and I would start with learning about digital marketing on skill share (lots of great videos/tutorials) or simply googling how to's!

Hope this helps

[delilahbucket]

I would say Facebook is a bit "yesterday" when it comes to marketing, I get very little from it and that is the way they want it unless you pay. I'm a retailer and I use Twitter and Instagram. I have mine all set up so I can share my Instagram posts straight to Facebook and from Facebook they auto share to Twitter.