Kickstarter Fulfillment & Product: A story of dogfood and data validation(fredbenenson.com)
fredbenenson.com
Kickstarter Fulfillment & Product: A story of dogfood and data validation
http://fredbenenson.com/blog/2012/07/23/kickstarter-fulfillment-and-product-development-a-story-of-dogfood-and-data-validation/
3 comments
They seriously had not heard of the leading zero zip code problem until now?
The bold print blames Google Docs or Excel for interpreting the ZIP as a number and dropping the leading 0. You can fix this in Excel by right-clicking the column, choosing "Format Cell" then under the Special section click Zip Code. You can even do this after you've pasted the data. In Google Docs you have to select the column and change the type to Plain Text before you paste the data. Either way not too hard to fix.
The bold print blames Google Docs or Excel for interpreting the ZIP as a number and dropping the leading 0. You can fix this in Excel by right-clicking the column, choosing "Format Cell" then under the Special section click Zip Code. You can even do this after you've pasted the data. In Google Docs you have to select the column and change the type to Plain Text before you paste the data. Either way not too hard to fix.
It would be good if KickStarter offered shipping of shirts and other tchockies at standard costs automatically for certain levels. For $10 we will make, handle, & ship to each person who selects the option level you have added it to.
That would make it easier to estimate costs vs rewards for each level and provide a guartanee for KickStarter users. KickStarter as fullfillment would make everyone happier.
That would make it easier to estimate costs vs rewards for each level and provide a guartanee for KickStarter users. KickStarter as fullfillment would make everyone happier.
Fulfillment is really complex. I work for Fangamer, who is shipping the Double Fine Adventure posters and shirts. We built out our own tech to get postage printed (and confirmation emails, accounting handled, etc.) to be able to ship everything. It's been a project to ship ~13k items.
This article had a ton of great minutia in it so thanks for that! Many times people gloss over the fine detail which is really the important stuff.
Question: Bringing in $3600 and only profiting $400; was the whole thing worth it in the end?
Question: Bringing in $3600 and only profiting $400; was the whole thing worth it in the end?
I'd say so. Considering lots of creative endeavors end up a big loss, even breaking even is a great accomplishment.
Fulfillment is KS's big hole, and an opportunity for them to make even more from projects as an optional service. I have done this kind of stuff before so was able to plan my mailing week fairly well, and KS do have a good list of tips on the site.
But too many projects crash on these rocks. Sourcing, packing, and shipping are hard work and can be a distraction from the real goal, which is whatever it is you just got paid to make.