I decided to try Kickstarter as an author and here’s what happened… [KICKSTARTER VLOG]

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

PREORDER THE QUEEN'S RISE (all 3 books in 1) here: books2read.com/thequeensrise

[@sophielafleche3803]

I think it would be great to see the rest of the journey of the kickstarter! Bringing all the elements together and sending the orders out!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yay! I'm excited to share those videos too for sure! :D

[@shebreathesingold8043]

YES, can you please document the actual journey of delivering on kickstarter? I've never seen that and it would be so useful for newer writers.

[@Ohemaamary]

I have done Kickstarter and it’s good if you have a bigger following but if you don’t then getting backers is hard. No one tells you about the people that come in your messages trying to sell you their services to get more backers only for it to be a scam.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

I have done a kickstarter twice when I had only a very small following like I mentioned in the video and they were both successful! I think it’s more about how invested the people following you are.

[@strangedays871]

@@BethanyAtazadeh You're basically a good marketer because people like your personality. That won't work for most people.

[@d.c.contor]

Personality has something to do with it, sure, but she also has worked her tail off. Don't discount that.

[@Ohemaamary]

@@d.c.contor I’m not discounting anything I was just saying my experience with kickstarter being someone that doesn’t have a lot of following like under 500 subs makes it ten times harder.

[@alesswonderland]

I think Emily McCosh didn't have too big of a following when she released her first kickstarter/debut but I'm not sure. She has a video on it plus all of her kickstarters since.

[@sophielafleche3803]

OMG your son singing in the car! Sooooo cute. I think it is the first time I hear about your previous ventures in music. Your voice is lovely. Congratulations on the incredible success of the kickstarter!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Haha thank you, his singing is my favorite! :D And I appreciate that, thank you!

[@amyprokopis2391]

I loved seeing this process! I'm in the middle of planning my own Kickstarter for my book and it's so helpful to see how others do it and what was successful for them. Fingers crossed that all goes well 🤞

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yay thank you! So glad it was helpful!

[@authorjoannawhite]

Man I wish it was this easy to get so funded. It took me a month just to get 500 bucks for my author website. Like whaaaat? I wish I could do this for my books so bad 😢

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Mmmmm I definitely wouldn't call it easy haha, there were hours upon hours of hard work put into this including tons of research, plus this is not 100% going into my pocket-if I'm lucky I'll get to keep about 10% after all is said and done.

[@sarahfenlonfalk]

Yes, it was Create Space! Wow-seems so long ago! Good for you and all your success, girl!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much! :D

[@AlexVeeGee]

Yay! Super congrats!! Thanks for sharing. I would love to see more vlogs; you receiving the books, the art and the map, and signing! I can't wait to get my copy in the mail! ❤

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yay! Thank you! I’m so excited to share more vlogs, it’s so much fun!

[@SylviaCollins-p4o]

Congratulations Bethany on a brilliant Kickstarter and thank you for sharing it with us. Please have a good rest and regain your energy. I look forward to hearing how the fulfilment went. I plan to do a Kickstarter for my first novel but as life has happened big time, I'm not going to rush into it. Autumn would be nice but next year is okay. By then I may have the second book ready. It is written and needs editing. Love your course on Self-publishing (WMA). Enjoy your adorable son and thank you for showing him in this video, your best ever. Wishing you a brilliant few months.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much, I'm excited to do another vlog on fulfillment for sure! And good luck with kickstarter if you decide to give it a shot, but yes definitely don't rush it, that'll just make it stressful and it's better to be ready. :) And thank you, so happy you enjoy the course too!

[@sarahfenlonfalk]

Okay, that’s so smart!! The kickstarter as your street team! Wow…

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thanks Sarah! I'm super excited!

[@BelleGardener]

Wow! Your voice is lovely!!! Just absolutely lovely! *back to finish the video*

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much!!🥰

[@davinacampbell3129]

first😍🥰 always love the effort you put into your content. I'm currently working on my first book, and you've been such an inspiration for me with your videos.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yay! Thank you so much! And you’ve got this! 🙌🏻

[@AuthorDLTillery]

Congratulations!! My Kickstarter launches on the 12th! Fingers crossed 🤞 😊 and your videos are always so helpful. Thank you!!❤🎉

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yay! Thank you so much, and congratulations, you've got this!

[@FirstOfHisName392]

Congratulations on your success as an author. I can see kickstarter has done tremendous things for you. I will be for sure doing a kickstarter for my 1st book as well

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you! It’s tough but an awesome experience!

[@IlseMulAuthor]

It's so great to see your excitement and enthusiasm on your kickstarter project! Congratulations on reaching all those stretch goals as well! That is awesome!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much!

[@AMG_Creates]

This was such a great kickstarter! I'm so happy that you had a big enough following to make it that far. Watching you freak out over it is so much fun.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yayyy thank you! It was so much fun haha, I’m definitely very blessed to have gotten a chance to experience that, it blew all my other kickstarter experiences out of the water!

[@76kilosofshade81]

I know I'm late to watching, but just wanted to add 1) congrats for the KS success and 2) I love how you always respond to your comments. It's great to see such engagement from authors.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

I appreciate that, thank you! ☺️

[@judyprescottmarshall4713]

You are my favorite Queen of KZbin and NOW Kickstarter! Thank you so much for sharing your writing world.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Aww thank you so much!! ☺️

[@timhouser]

I wonder of sharing some of this content during the Kickstarter would have been good. Never thought of sharing the Kickstarter journey, but it sure was good to see this much of yours. Thanks for sharing.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

I did share some of it during the kickstarter as well, in a separate video, on social media, and in my newsletter ;) glad you enjoyed!

[@tomaria100]

Best wishes - happy for you, Bethany! Watching this taught me how Kickstarter can work for readers and authors.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much!

[@bodine219]

Amaaazing!! I'm so happy for you. As someone getting ready to launch my own author career (pen name, detached from this youtube account) you are one of a handful of authors who inspires me the most.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yay thank you so much! And you’ve got this! 🙌🏻🥳

[@timofeevbooks]

Yes, please! I would love to see this all the way to the end!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

You got it! First video in the fulfillment series just went live today! kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6W9iWeZqbqdfpY

[@timofeevbooks]

@@BethanyAtazadeh can't wait to watch

[@taniascott452]

I'm so pleased this went well for you and thanks for the information! And who knew you had such a lovely voice too!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much! ☺️

[@Avionne_Parris]

Congrats again on your Kickstarter, Bethany :) Yours was my first and it was so exciting seeing the process in real time and now knowing your thoughts along the way. Funny enough, I thought of you yesterday because you and I have a lot of parallels in terms of our writing journey. I started wtiting seriously in 2017 while you started in 2019 (I think). But unlike you who's published 20+ books (I think), I have yet to publish anything. I know comparison is the thief of joy and all the stuff you say to motivate myself to keep writing and never give up but yesterday I was ready to give up. While you're a type 3, driven and goal-oriented, I'm a type 2 with a 3 wing so taking care of others, sacrificing my own needs usually trumps everything else. All that being said, your journey isn't my journey (and neither are your blessings). I am grateful for this video (and all your others) as I'm inspired to succeed in my own time and in my own way. Scratch that, in God's time and in God's way. I will be a writer one day :) Zion is a lil cutie and that place you stayed for your vacation with the hubby was divine! I love the beach :) As an island girl, the water calms me and nothing screams "vacation" like the sand and the sea. Can't wait for this next Kickstarter phase, Bethany :) I'm so inspired now. P.S. I always love seeing the clips of musical KZbin days :) I write my own songs too and was training to become a gospel singer - vocal coach, studio time, the works. And yes, it's quite expensive :)

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much Avi, so happy you got to be a part of it too! And yes exactly don’t compare because no one’s journeys are the same and you’re also only seeing the highlight reel of peoples lives online, I promise I’ve been through insane trials as well. I wish we could live on an island that sounds so beautiful and warm compared to frozen Minnesota haha. Thanks for the encouragement and excited to share more about kickstarter for sure!

[@claricesmyth]

SO AWESOME CONGRATULATIONS🥰 Excited for you. You have worked so hard and deserve this so much. Blessings

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much!! ☺️

[@marygracewriting]

It's so fun to watch your excitment. I am so happy for you. Well done!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much!

[@helenatrooperman4923]

Thanks so much for sharing your journey❤ and congratulations, you worked so hard!!!!! You deserve this win. I look forward to the fulfillment vids. Wow! Just being able to make all that cool stuff for readers will turn them into huge fans…unimaginable opportunity for authors. I do hope you get some of the payout - that’s what we’d all love to see as well. I think this is a huge learning curve and you rocked it!🎉🎉🎉

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much! It’ll be a blast to fulfill the rewards and I’ll definitely vlog the process to share! :)

[@PrincessKJBunni51819]

Congrats on this accomplishment. Thanks for vlogging your process, it’s really helpful. I can’t wait to read it.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much! And so excited for you to read it! 🥳

[@cdmbooks1493]

You are so talented, Bethany. I love the Kickstarter concept and wish you much success!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much!!☺️

[@ProfessorBurlingame]

Very, very cool. Congratulations! I'm sending you lots of good vibes for all the fun things you need to plan and execute now.🙂

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much! 😊 I appreciate that!

[@ruth5862]

What a wonderful result! Congratulations on the Kickstarter success. x

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@kathywerebwrites]

So excited for you Bethany! ❤

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you Kathy! 🥰

[@AMRevere]

I am so happy for you, Beth! Congratulations!!!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much!!

[@AC-eb5wj]

Hi Bethany, congrats! If you'd like to share where you decided to get your kickstarter merch produced, that might be super helpful and interesting to hear for folks.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you! I definitely share in an upcoming video, I think a couple of them actually, so hope you enjoy!

[@makennazornes]

You have such a pretty voice!! (And I love The Civil Wars!) is your album up anywhere?

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thanks Makenna! I love the Civil Wars too, wish they were still a band! And I don't sell the album anymore but thank you for asking! :)

[@23Raymond22]

Hello Bethany. What do you use to write your books?, im starting writing myself (Dutch Books, New Adult/Adult: Target Audiences) As for me, i use Google One Drive. Greetings Ray

[@EilieTorchOfLight]

Could you make a video on designing the website?

[@AuthorColeTyler]

I have a question about doing kickstarter and print editions. If you do the kickstarter and use kdp for ebook and paperback and then use 48hr books for the hardback is one of them a second edition?

[@Higgy6203]

I might have missed it. Do you have any videos on the business side of being an author? For example should one set up an LLC, or be aware of any taxes, or considerations that we need to keep in kind? Or info on copyrights?

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

You can search my name plus author business and at least one should come up but I don't really do much on that topic honestly.

[@Higgy6203]

@BethanyAtazadeh I think I found it, I appreciate it! It's just another side of it I wanted to learn more about. But your videos are great and very helpful!

[@1QueenMovie]

Congratulations on your success!! So does Kickstarter print your books with the foils etc and the swag or they just give you the money to get those things done?

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you! Nope they don’t do a thing except take 10% in fees and the rest of the money is for me to use to purchase all the books, rewards, and shipping.

[@gamexpress111]

Would you recommend doing a kickstarter? I'm doing a series and I just finished writing my book #1 of the series, would you recommend it? I don't have a lot of readers as of yet so I'm curious if this would be a good option 😅 and how do you draw a map for your world? Like, I can't think of a way to vision my map and how did you do the puzzle for your character? Where do you hire for the puzzle? Are these copies still availabl?

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yeah I think so, as long as the author is aware that it's equally as much work as a regular release to be successful haha... It's very intense but worth it! For the puzzle, I searched custom puzzle and researched the companies that came up, and for the map I hired someone! :) None of the kickstarter rewards are still available though sorry :(

[@gamexpress111]

@@BethanyAtazadeh ok, thank you!

[@Musikchic47]

Did I miss it, or did you share what company you are using for your Kickstarter book? I don't know where to start when it comes to doing books that have special dust jackets, gold foil, etc.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

I can’t remember if I shared here or in a different video, but I’m excited to work with 48 Hour Books! They are print run only (so can’t do print on demand with them) but I’ll def share my experience in a video when I get to that point! :)

[@LostinMemory]

You're super talented.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much!

[@AuthorColeTyler]

I have a question about kickstarter and print editions. If you do a kickstarter and use kdp for ebook and paperback and then use 48 hour books for the hardback edtion is the hardback a second edition?

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Not if it's the same content. This might help a little - it doesn't matter where the book is printed when it comes to 2nd editions, all that matters is did the content change in some way (different cover, interior changes, etc)

[@stephenlewis9436]

Hey Bethany! First of all thanks for all the time and hard work you put into training all of us. I am a disabled Air Force Veteran that runs an online ministry. I Have written poetry as well as inspirational writings. I would like to purchase copies of my poetry book and need to find a company that will make copies for reasonable prices. I do not need to be on amazon on any sites for sale. I will be sharing the copies with Family and Friends as well as asking for donations for my books as a ministry. Who do you recommend for a reasonable price? Thanks for any help you can give me. Stephen Lewis - Relevance For Today

[@kayweda5929]

you have an amazing voice!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you!

[@christinawhisler]

You have a beautiful singing voice.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you ☺️

[@woodlandlady7011]

Congratulations, Bethany🥳🎉🎊I couldn't stop smiling all the way through your video. 😁You did such a fantastic Kickstarter and reached your

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much!! That means a lot! ☺️❤️

[@stewartpalmer2456]

👍👍 Well done. Akerace Drill.

[@amberdeyoung2919]

Not me crying with you 😅🎉

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

🥰🥰🥰

[@fionahowellwrites5302]

I've been thinking about doing one but it is stressful if it doesn't go well....

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

I hate to say it but it’s stressful no matter what haha… but check out the Kickstarter for Authors group on Facebook for a ton of helpful info on how to make it successful!

[@fionahowellwrites5302]

@@BethanyAtazadeh Thanks! I will check it out! Definitely trying preorders for my next book. 🙂

[@shemiahwalker]

How about soft cover books?

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

What about them?

[@judyprescottmarshall4713]

Can I ask who did your map?

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Previously I did the maps, this time around I hired someone and will share more about that soon! :)

[@DreamStudioCompany-Mark]

Who did your Kickstarter

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

me

[@TheRealPrinceClub]

Your son has good taste in music, K-love or a CD?

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thanks! I can't remember which song, but typically we listen to youtube or it might've been from epidemic sound

[@RitaSlanina]

my goodness! i keep hearing about kickstarter... might try to actually get into this platform! Have you tried "Buy Me A Coffee?" I signed up for that one but I'm just so terrible at marketing myself to get funding for my projects. Definitely a weak spot I'd like to investigate + get some growth this year! Thank you for sharing your experience + as always, you're fabulous! xoxo LOVE the MUSIC side of you! For Camp NaNoWriMo I'm writing a new music album! (I've also been in music business and had some successes but for me, bc of the predatory nature of the industry, I just wouldn't compromise certain things to "get to the next level"... (I know. dun-dun-dun) lol Thank you for sharing! Adore you!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

So glad you enjoyed it! I’ve never tried the coffee one, I think because I’d feel a little weird asking for that personally-and that could be why you aren’t loving it too. I’ve found marketing things is always way easier when I know and believe it’s mutually beneficial, cause then it’s more like telling a friend “hey you’ll love this!” :) and yay music is so fun too, that sounds awesome!