Smarty Girl Leadership

My WordPress Blog

  • About The Editors
    • About Erica
      • Erica on Fashion/Tech in Vegas
  • Home
    • Tech News
      • Wired’s Clive Thompson Interview
    • Entrepreneur Tips
      • CEO Beer Summits
    • Entertainment
      • Live Concert Review
      • Book Reviews
  • Dating & Other Sports
    • Dating Soccer Players
    • Bicycling
      • Bike Pretty Blogger Melissa Davies
  • DIY
    • Photo Editing Tutorial
    • Fitness Tips
    • Healthy Eating
    • #FilmRace
  • Audio Scriptwriting and Video Storytelling Services

An Interview with Kickstarter Author Katie Kiesler: How to Explain the Heart Behind Your Project for Crowdfunding

June 5, 2013 by smartygirl Leave a Comment

Guy Kawasaki called enchantment a business imperative in Forbes. How does he define enchantment as a process? Delighting people with a product, service, organization or idea. 

Photo Credit: Missy Woodward on Coffee and Tattoos



What is an entrepreneur’s goal? Not primarily to make money off others or get people to do what you want but to delight them. Check back at the end of this month for Associate Editor Erica Tyler’s interview with Guy Kawasaki. 

Photo Credit: Katie Kiesler Tattoo Seek Justice Love Mercy

SmartyGirlLeadership (SGL) interviewed Katie Kiesler by GoogleHangout web conference with a follow-up by email. Find out below and borrow some thought-starters of your own.

Photo Credit: Katie Kiesler

Likewise, how did Katie Kiesler’s book ideas fill such others with delight? What are some of her secrets of staying motivated as a Creative and inspired to be no one but herself? If you feel that you are a kindred spirit with Katie or others SGL has interviewed, please comment below.


1. What is key to gaining crowdfunding for your creative book project via Kickstarter or other portals?

Photo Credit: Katie Kiesler Katie’s Journal
For me, I think the key to getting my project funded was having friends who were passionate about the topic and message of my book – seeking to honor the Lord through a difficult season of my life.

On a more practical level, I also think creating a video that captivates your target audience and explains the heart behind your project is super important. Why should someone invest in you? Show your passion and your creativity!

 2. How did you know that you had a story worth sharing in My Problem with Grace and 22 & Single?

Photo Credit: Facebook Katie Kiesler via Sophia Parkison

I honestly wasn’t sure that I had a story “worth” sharing. I think sharing anything you’ve written or created is a risk because you can’t be sure people will love it – and there is always a possibility they might hate it. 


However, I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is that you can’t create for the approval of others or for the sole purpose of achieving culture’s idea of success. You have to love the process and care about what you’re writing or creating so much that the “doing” in and of itself is life-giving and rewarding enough. A positive response and reaction of others should be icing on the cake. If success or approval is your goal, you will become discouraged, feel defeated, and most likely give up within a few short months, maybe weeks. 

3. Why did you start a collaboration project called Coffee and Tattoos?

Initially, I just wanted a place where I could post photography and poetry, sort of as a trial/sounding board.Katie‘s Journal, my flagship blog, has a tone and voice that appeals to a specific audience. Through Coffee & Tattoos I wanted to expand into a more arts-focused community. 
Also, over the past year, I’ve met some amazingly talented writer/artist friends. The Lord put it on my heart to reach out to them as I love the idea of encouraging one another and collaborating together. I hope Coffee & Tattoos is a place where people of all walks of life can awaken the world to the beauty found in simple moments. 

a.What’s next for you?

I’m not sure on the specifics of what’s next, but I have a lot of exciting ideas in the works – including a dream of incorporating fiction into future projects. 

b.What keeps you motivated as a writer and entrepreneur? 

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life
Photo Credit: Anne Lamott Bird by Bird on Katie Kiesler’s GoodReads

“This is what separates artists from ordinary people: the belief, deep in our hearts, that if we build our castles well enough, somehow the ocean won’t wash them away. I think this is a wonderful kind of person to be.” 
― Anne Lamott
Photo Credit: Katie Kiesler’s Coffee and Tattoos May 2013 Newsletter 


My greatest source of motivation and inspiration is my relationship with God. He is constantly teaching me new things – or at least trying to. I’ve come to realize that when I’m not writing, I’m not learning. As I spend time reading God’s Word – the Bible, I can’t help but wonder, process, and create. 


Also, the encouraging words from those who read my blog, books, and poetry spur me on. When I feel defeated or am not sure anyone cares to hear about my life – an encouraging comment or message means the world. Knowing God is using me to draw people closer to Himself is the best motivation I could ever receive. 

Lastly, my friends keep me incredibly motivated. They are so creative, talented, and driven. Their passion and gifts push me to dig deeper, try new things, and love more extravagantly. 

Any fitness tips for the summer to give fellow writers?

I truly believe that readers are leaders and writers are readers. They are all connected – if you want to be a great writer, you must keep reading and ultimately, learning from those who have gone before you. Then you will become a leader whose writing can impact the world for good. 

So, this summer I would encourage you to set a few goals. Perhaps you could brainstorm five books that you’ve been saying you’ll read, plan out a reading schedule and actually read them. Grab a friend and then take an hour or so each week to discuss your thoughts, the insights each character reveals, and the overall significance of the book’s message. 

Also, I would so encourage you to get outside and enjoy creation. Nature is in itself a book to be absorbed and experienced! 

Filed Under: 22 & Single, business grants for women, business ideas for women, crowdfunding for women, Katie Kiesler Coffee and Tattoos, Kickstarter Katie Kiesler, small business ideas

Indie Filmmaking

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Connect with me

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Twitter

Subscribe to new post alerts

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Popular Posts

Meet Team Tacoma: The 48 Hour Film Project Seattle

By smartygirl on July 25, 2014

  My white Nokia smartphone is smeared with mini chocolate donut and I couldn’t be happier. Why? Tonight was the kickoff production meeting for The 48 Hour Film Project Seattle. These are a few of production crew who aren’t camera shy. From left to right: Jon Spieth, Iver Nitz, Serena Berry and Greyson Boevers. I […]

Stunts, Safety & Saving Innocence: An Interview with Stuntwoman Emily Hopkins

By smartygirl on September 16, 2013

Associate Editor Erica Tyler is in charge of identifying 20 Ordinary Heroes in the Community this fall. At the end of the summer the Editor-in-Chief stumbled upon a league of such in West Los Angeles. Would you like to know one of them? She works on the team of Saving Innocence as an Intake and […]

How to Light a Kid’s Bedroom When He or She is Bullied at School

By smartygirl on October 21, 2011

According to Nicole Gordon Levine of Beautystat.com, 48% of young adults age 17-22 experience or witness bullying at school or at work. Levine approves of Secret deodorant’s campaign, “Mean Stinks!” I reflected upon this and reviewed a lesson plan that I created in October 2002. My ninth graders were given the scenario, “What if you […]

Filthy Friends’ “Emerald Valley” Music Review

By Kai Shuart on August 1, 2019

Filthy Friends’ Songwriter Corin Tucker Identifies with The Underdog Photo Credit: American Flag, Crying Child and Rotting Fruit by Unsplash         They say that, professionally speaking, it is difficult to review an artist of whom you are a fan. It compromises your objectivity and makes you an unreliable source of authority. Well, in the spirit of […]

Embed Our Badge

Smarty Girl Leadership

Archives

  • August 2019
  • May 2018
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • July 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011

Copyright © 2021 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in