BackerKit Cross-Collab Campaign

What is a Cross-Collab Campaign?

Cross-Collab Campaigns are crowdfunding projects where two creators launch two separate campaigns concurrently. Each project has its own concept and funding goal, but both collaborate on an exclusive incentive (e.g., a special reward) that unlocks when both campaigns are funded. To earn the reward, backers must pledge to both projects.

Requirement: Both projects must launch on BackerKit Crowdfunding. Start your campaign here.

Why Cross-Collab Campaign?

More fans. Share your audience with a partner. Some campaigns saw 80% of backers pledge to both projects.
More funds. Cross-promotion helped one creator raise 33% more funds from their partner's backers.
And way more fun. Partner with a creator you admire to create something unique while running side-by-side campaigns.

Case Study: How a BackerKit Cross-Collab Got Key & Crow Studios and UltraInfinite Their #1 Most Funded Projects

Incentive Examples

Backers who support both campaigns and meet funding goals will receive a collaborative reward. Examples:

Physical Items: enamel pins, art prints, custom dice, patches, etc.
Digital Items: PDF supplements, wallpapers, crossover stories, or exclusive audio files.
Cross-Category Ideas:
- Plushie + Pin: Exclusive stickers.
- TTRPG + Comic: A mini comic featuring game characters

Past Examples:

Foxwright Apothecary: Pride Potions x Pride Angels
- Both projects offered a freebie pin as their collab reward (2 free pins). Each creator will deliver their own pin to that backer.
MAZES City of Skull x Vast Grimm Horde: No Safe Haven
- Both projects offered a patch (2 free patches), when you connect the patches together, it would complete the "powersword" patch!
My emotional support Sugarbell Pals x AuDHD creatures plushies + more!
- Both projects offered a free sticker (2 free sticker packs total).

Requirements to Participate

Launch a new project on BackerKit Crowdfunding that adheres to guidelines.
Publish and share a BackerKit Teaser Page.
Build an audience and validate your concept.
Collaborate with your partner to create, produce, and distribute the incentive.

Participation Perks

Access to expert resources and BackerKit staff on how to run a successful crowdfunding campaign.
Access to our private Cross-Collab Campaign Discord channel to connect and trade advice with fellow participants and the BackerKit team.

How to Showcase Your Cross-Collab Campaign

Once your projects are connected, there are two places you should highlight your collaboration:

1. BackerKit Teaser Page + Email Communications

For the BackerKit Launch Teaser page, follow the instructions here.

2. BackerKit Campaign Page

You'll need to edit two sections to inform your audience about your collaboration and the incentive you’re offering:

a. Cross-Collab Widget: You will see a widget under each campaign’s navigation bar on the right side.

b. Story Section: Create a story section to market the collaboration incentive you are offering with your partner. Add a description and visual of the incentive, some information about your partner, and a link to your partner’s campaign page.

You can create a story section here.

Real Examples:

Example A:

MAZES City of Skull and Vast Grimm Horde: No Safe Haven ran their own campaigns. If a backer backed both their projects, they would receive one free patch from each creator (two free patches total). When you connect the patches together, you're left with the "powersword" patch!

They communicated this in their collab sections: MAZES City of Skull description and Vast Grimm Horde: No Safe Haven description.

Example B:

Foxwright Apothecary: Pride Potions and Pride Angels ran their own campaigns. If a backer backed both their projects, they would receive one free pin from each creator (two free pins total). Each creator will deliver their own pin to that backer.

They communicated this in their collab sections: Foxwright Apothecary: Pride Potions Description and Pride Angels description. Example below:

What Makes a Great Cross-Collab Partner?

The beauty of running a BackerKit Cross-Collab Campaign is that your partner can be anyone! If you know creators that you would love to partner with that are currently not in the BackerKit ecosystem, we welcome them as well. Here are a few traits that we’ve noticed made a great collab pair:

Someone that you can make a fun cross-collab incentive with that both your audiences would enjoy.
Someone who you trust is a team player and will work hard to make sure that each other's campaigns are a success.
Someone who has already spent time working on building their audience and validating their own project’s concept. Note: If you or your potential partner have not spent enough time building your audience, and especially if this is your first time crowdfunding or have not launched a successful campaign yet, hold off on partnering with another creator.

FAQs

Does the cross-collab incentive need to match my project category?

No. Choose a reward that’s relevant to both audiences, regardless of categories.

I am worried that the incentive will be too much trouble logistically to produce or ship.

You should select an incentive that won’t burden you both. The incentive should be a value-add to your campaigns, simple enough for you to produce, and easy to fulfill.

How will I be able to know who pledged to both our campaigns?

After the campaign, in your pledge manager, you can use an advanced segment action to generate a list of backers who backed both projects.

When can I launch?

You can launch anytime that works for you and your partner. We recommend having the same launch and end date, but if this is not possible, having as much overlap time as possible.

Is it necessary to build an audience before asking a creator to run a Cross-Collab Campaign? I haven’t started growing my audience yet and think a Cross-Collab Campaign could help.

Before collaborating, focus on building your audience until you’re confident you can fund your project with your email list. Preparedness from both collaborators is crucial for effective collaboration. Discussing mutual support and benefits is key for a successful Cross-Collab Campaign.

Here are some resources on how to build your email list:

Should I partner with a creator with a similar audience size?

This is completely up to you! This will be a personal choice and a discussion that you will need to have with your potential partner of how you want to approach this collaboration and what your goals are.

Can I partner with someone launching on a different platform than BackerKit Crowdfunding?

Unfortunately, no. BackerKit Cross-Collab Campaign Beta only works with campaigns launching on BackerKit Crowdfunding.

I do not see anyone on backerkit.com that I would like to partner with.

While Cross-Collab Campaigns must launch on BackerKit, creators don’t need to already have a BackerKit account. If you have a collaborator in mind who isn’t on BackerKit Crowdfunding yet, they can sign up for BackerKit Crowdfunding here.

Should I match with a partner in the same category as me?

There are no rules that you must find a partner that is in the same category as you! Collaborating with a creator that is outside of your category could lead to interesting cross-collab rewards and sharing of audiences. Here are some cross-category collab ideas:

Plushie x Pin: Stickers
TTRPG x Comic: 4-panel mini comic featuring game character(s)
Music x Publishing: Exclusive downloadable track based on book
Socks x Illustrator: Exclusive illustrated socks incentive

What happens if one campaign reaches its funding goal and the other does not?

If one campaign fails to meet its goal while the other succeeds, backers supporting both projects will miss out on the rewards from the unsuccessful campaign and the advertised cross-collab reward. In the event of a campaign not reaching its funding goal, the creator who reached their goal must inform their backers that the collab reward won't be distributed due to the other campaign's failure.

Help! I need assistance in finding a cross-collab partner!

You can connect with other creators who are looking for partner in our Matchmaking Discord Channel. To get there, just go to the Cross-Collab page in your BackerKit creator account, and click on the link!

How to Connect Your Cross-Collab Campaign with Your Partner

Create a new project in BackerKit Crowdfunding.
Go to the Cross-Collab page from the sidebar.
Click the Generate Invite Link button.
Copy the generated link and share it with your partner.
Once your partner clicks the link, they will see their live and upcoming projects that they own and they will choose who they want to partner.
You (the inviter) will receive an email once the invite is accepted by your partner.
Your projects are now connected!
You both must publish your teaser pages before you can save edits.

How to Shout Out Your Cross-Collab Partner?

Now that you have a Cross-Collab partner, regularly highlight them in your project emails and updates—both before launch and during the live campaign. Showcasing your collaboration and the free incentive for backers who support both projects will help maximize engagement and interest.

We've put together sample templates for both Launch Emails and Project Updates below.

🔥Tips:

We recommend adding your personal touch to any of these templates to make it more you!
We recommend always attaching images of the cross collab incentives so backers can see what they would receive for free if backed both projects.
We recommend adding ref tags when linking to your partner creator’s campaign teaser page (pre-live) or campaign page (live). This allows you to track how many pledges your shoutouts helped generate for your partner. Check out this help doc on how to ref tag links and be sure to share the ref tags with your partner creator so they can track them on their dashboard.

Pre-Live Launch Email

Example 1, Example 2

Hi,

We're excited to launch our next project: Add Project Title.

As a fan of ours, we want to ask for your commitment to pledge on day ONE so that we can have the strongest launch possible.

Recommended: Mention your funding goal for the first 48 hours, note any incentive for committing early (offer BackerKit credit, free item, etc)

Also, I've teamed up with (insert name and link to cross collab partner teaser page) to create the free (insert name of incentive 1) and the free (insert name of incentive 2)!

If BOTH projects are funded, backers who supported BOTH projects will get these 2 cross-collab incentives for FREE!

(insert image of cross collab incentives)

Both of our campaigns launch on (insert launch date), can we count on your pledge?

Signup for notifications so you don't miss our awesome campaigns :)

Click here to count yourself in!

Thanks!

Add Sender

Live Launch Email

Example 1, Example 2

Hi,

Thank you so much for your support! We are X% funded as of today and we couldn't have done it without you 🎉

I am so excited to share with you the following new designs that are unlocked! Check them out.

Also, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to also back my cross collab partner’s (insert name of cross collab partner campaign) campaigns to receive 2 free collab (add incentives) from us. You can find the designs of the freebies below:

(insert image of cross collab incentives)

Click here to pledge today!

Thanks!

Add Sender

Last 48 Hours Launch Email

Example 1, Example 2

Hi,

We are in the last 48 HOURS for [(insert name of campaign) by (insert name of creator).

Add anything else you’d like to share with your backers about the campaign including new unlocked rewards, freebies and other milestones.

A friendly reminder, if you also back (insert name of cross collab partner campaign), you get 2 free collab pins from us!! Check out these awesome designs for the free incentives!

(insert image of cross collab incentives)

Click here to pledge before time runs out!

Thanks!

Add Sender

Live Project Update

Example 1, Example 2

Hello everyone,

Thank you so much for your support! We are X% funded as of today and we couldn't have done it without you 🎉

I am so excited to share with you the following new designs that are unlocked! Check them out.

Add detailed info on any unlocked rewards, freebies and milestones. Attach a poll or community achievement to continue to get backers and followers engaged in the campaign.

(insert image of cross collab incentives)

Click here to pledge today!

Thanks!

Last 48 Hours Project Update

Example 1, Example 2

Hello everyone!

Thank you so much for your support — we couldn't have done it without you 🎉

There are 2 days left to go in the campaign and if you were on the fence or have friends who would like to back the campaign, now is the time to do so.

Add anything else you’d like to share with your backers about the campaign including new unlocked rewards, freebies and other milestones.

A friendly reminder, if you also back (insert name of cross collab partner campaign), you get 2 free collab pins from us!! Check out these awesome designs for the free incentives!

(insert image of cross collab incentives)

Click here to pledge before time runs out!

Thanks!