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How to Ask Strangers to Finance Your Dreams

This Tyee Master Class will teach you the basics of crowdfunding. May 30, enrol now.

David Beers 25 May 2015TheTyee.ca

David Beers is the founding editor of The Tyee.

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"Crowdfunding has proven itself an incredibly successful platform," says filmmaker and activist Ian MacKenzie.

Seven years ago, when Kickstarter.com and Indiegogo.com launched, skeptics scoffed that anyone might raise significant money for their projects just by asking strangers in cyberspace to help out.

Ian MacKenzie is one who proved the skeptics wrong. The filmmaker and media activist tapped crowdfunding to back initiatives including Velcrow Ripper's acclaimed documentary Occupy Love, which MacKenzie produced, and his own viral short film Sacred Economics. By now, he has helped raise over one million dollars with more than 40 crowdfunding projects.

On Saturday, MacKenzie will conduct a day-long Tyee Master Class telling you all you need to know to get the most out of today's burgeoning crowdfunding opportunities.

The class will take place in The Tyee's new classroom in downtown Vancouver. The $200 registration fee includes coffee, lunch and a bit of B.C. beer.

Creative economy emerging

MacKenzie said crowdfunding, in its short existence, has blown past most expectations. ''In less than seven years, Kickstarter has raised almost $2 billion for more than 85,000 campaigns. That's a huge leap for this concept, as many people have been saying for years that no one would pay for anything online unless forced. Crowdfunding shows otherwise."

When he isn't putting together his next media creation, MacKenzie is in demand for his hard-won advice on how to successfully seek crowdfunding. The biggest misunderstanding he encounters is "that crowdfunding is the same as charity.''

"There's a general sense that the project creator is unable to raise their funds through traditional sources, therefore, you're 'helping' them out," he continues, adding that "crowdfunding actually is much more akin to the 'gift' -- you are fostering a relationship between the contributor and the creator that extends beyond the completion of the project. You are taking an active role in supporting projects that you want to see in the world, just as you may ask for the same support in the future."

MacKenzie stressed that crowdfunding is not going to replace other ways of funding creative projects and campaigns, but understanding its power is vital for today's social entrepreneurs.

"Crowdfunding has proven itself an incredibly successful platform," he noted. "Splinter sites have already emerged to cater to different audiences, from scientific research, to journalism, and beyond. I see this trend continuing as more people become normalized to the idea of crowdfunding. Yet it's important not to abandon traditional sources of funding that remain crucial for services and projects not suited for the crowdfunding model."

Your crowd on Saturday?

What will you learn if you attend MacKenzie's Tyee Master Class on Saturday, May 30?

As the Master Class website explains:

"After exploring numerous real-world examples... by the end of the day, you will have the concrete structure of your campaign and the confidence to launch. Woven between the strategy is Ian's signature insight and heart -- we promise to leave you inspired and ready to launch your campaign.''

Come and spend an enriching day in the company of the guy Indiegogo's Kate Drane called "a crowdfunding master.''

Ready to learn more? Enrol in the Tyee Master Class now.

Registration is limited. To learn more about this Tyee Master Class, go here

This article was updated from an earlier piece describing MacKenzie’s 2013 Master Class.  [Tyee]

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