Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Web
  3. News

Looking to fund a project on Kickstarter? Keep these trends in mind

By

amazon kickstarter site logo large
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Depending upon the whims of the public to bring your dreams to life can be a bit daunting, but with a trendy and compelling enough dream, you just might strike gold on a crowdfunding platform. A new report from Agency 2.0, a crowdfunding agency that makes use of data-driven marketing strategies to create, design, and accelerate campaigns on both Kickstarter and Indiegogo, has revealed the six most salient trends of 2016 when it came to winning over public opinion. So put your thinking caps on, friends — this just might be where you get your million dollar idea.

First, according to Agency 2.0, “In key urban markets such as San Francisco, New York City, and Boston, cheap, portable means of transportation are in high demand.” Sure, Uber and Lyft have the ridesharing game nailed down, but there are alternate methods of transportation just waiting to be discovered. Got an idea for an electric bike, scooter, or even a battery that can make for longer operation times? That may strike a chord with backers.

Recommended Videos

Wireless earbuds have also proven to be popular items on Kickstarter. Now that Apple has done away with its headphone jack, there’s a growing need for cord-cutting in the headphone space. “There is a growing market for portable, Bluetooth options that can both play music and answer calls,” the agency found.

But it’s not just tech that has proven popular on Kickstarter. Innovation in some more traditional spaces also appears to be an attractive option, with Agency 2.0 noting, “New and innovative features are taking the apparel industry by storm.” Take, for example, the Baubux hoodie jacket, which boasts more than 15 features, including an inflatable neck rest and built-in gloves. Following this multi-purpose trend are various bags, suitcases, and totes that combine sleek design with useful functionality.

Speaking of multifunctionality, the agency also noted that “consolidation of … products and efficiency of use is of utmost importance.” That is to say, if you can design an all-in-one product that combines the functions of 10 different objects into one, you’ll probably find backers beating a path to your door.

Of course, computer and phone accessories remain as desirable as ever, with charging banks and second screens proving their mettle this year. And finally, with the boom in smart home and connected devices, the Internet of Things has become an increasingly hot space. “The new age of smart devices and security systems for the home are DIY, have a simple setup, and beat high home security subscriptions that traditionally dominate the market,” Agency 2.0 said. “With the growth of Amazon’s Echo and the new Google Home, there’s a new market for these types of devices.”

So if you’re looking to take a project to Kickstarter, keep these trends in mind.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Lulu Chang
Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
How to change margins in Google Docs
Laptop Working from Home

When you create a document in Google Docs, you may need to adjust the space between the edge of the page and the content --- the margins. For instance, many professors have requirements for the margin sizes you must use for college papers.

You can easily change the left, right, top, and bottom margins in Google Docs and have a few different ways to do it.

Read more
What is Microsoft Teams? How to use the collaboration app
A close-up of someone using Microsoft Teams on a laptop for a videoconference.

Online team collaboration is the new norm as companies spread their workforce across the globe. Gone are the days of primarily relying on group emails, as teams can now work together in real time using an instant chat-style interface, no matter where they are.

Using Microsoft Teams affords video conferencing, real-time discussions, document sharing and editing, and more for companies and corporations. It's one of many collaboration tools designed to bring company workers together in an online space. It’s not designed for communicating with family and friends, but for colleagues and clients.

Read more
Microsoft Word vs. Google Docs
A person using a laptop that displays various Microsoft Office apps.

For the last few decades, Microsoft Word has been the de facto standard for word processors across the working world. That's finally starting to shift, and it looks like one of Google's productivity apps is the heir apparent. The company's Google Docs solution (or to be specific, the integrated word processor) is cross-platform and interoperable, automatically syncs, is easily shareable, and perhaps best of all, is free.

However, using Google Docs proves it still has a long way to go before it can match all of Word's features -- Microsoft has been developing its word processor for over 30 years, after all, and millions still use Microsoft Word. Will Google Docs' low barrier to entry and cross-platform functionality win out? Let's break down each word processor in terms of features and capabilities to help you determine which is best for your needs.
How does each word processing program compare?
To put it lightly, Microsoft Word has an incredible advantage over Google Docs in terms of raw technical capability. From relatively humble beginnings in the 1980s, Microsoft has added new tools and options in each successive version. Most of the essential editing tools are available in Google Docs, but users who are used to Word will find it limited.

Read more