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General FAQs
What is IndieGoGo?
IndieGoGo provides tools for fundraising, promotion, and discovery. The platform enables people to showcase their work, mobilize fans, and DIWO (Do-It-With-Others!). Click here to learn more about us.
Who can use IndieGoGo?
Anyone can use IndieGoGo. If you're a filmmaker, musician, video game programmer, writer or creative production company trying to get a project started, finished, marketed or distributed, or if you're a fan eager for more personally relevant and interesting media, IndieGoGo is where both can take action and influence what projects are brought to life.
My project has already been completed. Can I still use IndieGoGo?
Yes! You can raise money for distribution, marketing or other post-completion expenses too. Or you can use IndieGoGo to share and promote your project. IndieGoGo is a resource for you to connect with, build and engage your project's fans.
What actions can I take on IndieGoGo?
People can raise money and awareness, find cast and crew, and gain credibility through the help of their number one resource, the fans. As a fan, you can contribute, share, follow, comment, and get VIP perks.
Is signing-up free?
Yes.
How do I verify my IndieGoGo account?
After signing-up, you will receive a confirmation email. Click on the link in the email to verify your account.
I never received a confirmation email after I signed up. What do I do?
Sometimes our emails go to SPAM folders. Add noreply@indiegogo.com to your address book to prevent this. If that doesn't work, please email us at support@indiegogo.com.
I forgot my password. What do I do?
No problem. Go to the Forgot Password page and we'll email you a temporary password. If that doesn't work, you can always email us at support@indiegogo.com.
Can I change my username?
Of course! Just go to MyGoGo > Account. Note that username changes are limited to once every 6 months so choose wisely!
Project FAQs
What is a project profile?
A project profile is free real estate on the web to showcase a work-in-progress or completed creative project. The profile includes a pitch clip and basic information about the project, its team and its community. It showcases a live feed of fresh content (new videos, images, files & announcements), the project's twitter mentions, as well as all DIWO (Do-It-With-Others!) activity (i.e. contributions, shares, comments, etc). The project profile is also the interface through which fans take those actions.
How do I post a project profile?
Go to the HOME page and click on "Post a Project" in the Getting Started box. Complete the INFO, PICTURE, TEAM, EVENTS, MEDIA, TWITTER and PRIMARY ACTION sections. Return often to update your profile with announcements and new media in the UPDATES. If you want to fundraise, complete the FUNDING & CONTRIBUTIONS section as well.
How do I edit my project profile?
Go to your project profile and click on EDIT. Click on the respective section you'd like to change, and update accordingly.
I've posted a Project Profile. What now?
You're now ready to DIWO (Do-It-With-Others)! Here are some Tips to get you started.
Who can post project profiles?
Any individual, organization or company can post a project. Project status can range from the idea stage to complete. Project needs can range from funding to promotion to recruiting. If fundraising, "Use of Funds" raised can range from development to marketing to distribution expenses.
Who can view project profiles?
Anyone can view project profiles. However, no one can take action on a project profile without registering with IndieGoGo.
What are GoGoWidgets?
A GoGoWidget is a great tool to find new fans online and drive them to your project profile where they can take action. Specifically, GoGoWidgets are project-specific pieces of html code that look like little clickable bumper stickers when embedded in emails, websites and blogs. These bumper stickers include basic information about the project and link directly to the project's IndieGoGo profile. (Learn more HERE)
How do I use the GoGoWidget?
You and your fans can place your project's GoGoWidget on blogs, websites, and emails. To get your project's GoGoWidget, click on the "Share" icon in the "Take Action!" section of your project profile. Follow the directions on how to use the widget and start finding new fans!
How do I add team members to my project?
Go to your project profile and click on EDIT. Click on the TEAM section. Then fill in the fields as appropriate. When you click SUBMIT, each team member will receive an invite to join your project's team.
How do I add an event?
Go to your project profile and click on EDIT. Click on the EVENTS section. Then fill in the fields as appropriate.
How do I customize my Twitter feed?
Go to your project profile and click on EDIT. Click on the TWITTER section. Then update your Twitter term.
Fundraising FAQs
If I don't need to fundraise at this time, can I still use IndieGoGo?
Yes! Whether your project is completed or you're not quite ready to raise money, use IndieGoGo to showcase your project, build an audience and promote your project. No matter what stage your project is in, it never hurts to have a built-in fanbase!
How do I start fundraising?
Go to your project profile and click on EDIT. Click on the FUNDING & CONTRIBUTIONS section. Select your payment options and fill in the FUNDING section. Projects with a U.S. bank account are eligible to enable the Amazon Payments option. As a project administrator, you will be redirected to Amazon Payments to setup your project's Merchant account. Make sure to check for an email from Amazon to complete the setup. (Learn more HERE) All projects are also eligible for the direct credit/debit card payments option on the Contribute page. (Learn more HERE)
Upon payments setup and the completion of your FUNDING section, your project will be "Open for Funding". You can then start sharing your project and receiving contributions! Contributions made through Amazon Payments will be deposited directly into your project's Amazon Merchant account. Other contributions will be sent via bank account or international wire transfer. We will notify you to add your project's bank account information and disbursement preferences once your project receives its first contribution. Funds will be disbursed the Friday immediately following the point your disbursement preference criteria are met. If you need your funds before reaching your base disbursement level, you can request an early disbursement by emailing support@indiegogo.com.
For additional fundraising and promotional tactic guidance, check out our DIWO Tips and dial-in to DIWO Live! to ask questions and get real-time advice from IndieGoGo's founders.
Why do I need an IndieGoGo Merchant account with Amazon?
For projects with a U.S. bank account, this allows contributions to be deposited directly into your project's Merchant account. (Learn more HERE)
Is there a time limit for funding?
No. A funding period ends once the project has reached its funding goal. IndieGoGo recommends project administrators break down their project's total funding goal into mini-goals and raise money in rounds to show progress to fans and build credibility through a track record of successful fundraising and execution.
What happens when a project reaches its funding goal?
IndieGoGo records and displays the fundraising success on the project's profile. The project administrator then brings the next phase of the project to life with the funds just raised and delivers the VIP Perks. We encourage project administrators to share the progress of their project with fans by blogging in the Announcements section and posting fresh content (new videos, dailies, bloopers from the week, interviews with the press, etc) to their UPDATES section. (Announcements are automatically sent to the project's community via email or RSS if selected.) The project administrator can also set a new funding goal to raise money for the next phase of the project.
What happens if a project does not reach its funding goal?
The funding period remains open and project administrators continue to receive contributions until they notify IndieGoGo that they would like to stop receiving contributions for their project. To stop contributions, please email support@indiegogo.com.
What are VIP Perks?
VIP Perks are a project's way to engage their fans, build trust and provide an opportunity for fans to be a patron or feel like a part of the project's team. Project administrators should identify their project and team's assets and offer them to encourage contributions. VIP perks can correspond to different levels of support. Common VIP Perks include credits, party invites, "extra" roles, one-on-one lunches with team members, characters named after contributors (if a film or book) and more. Be creative!
How do fans contribute?
Fans contribute to projects securely using their credit/debit card. If the project is setup for Amazon Payments, contributions are eligible to go directly to the project. Otherwise, contributions are disbursed to the project administrator based on the project's disbursement preferences.
Can fans contribute anonymously?
Yes. Fans can choose to make their identity or amount of contribution anonymous on IndieGoGo. Only the project administrator will know the identity or amount of an anonymous contribution.
Are contributions tax-deductible?
If the project has 501c-3 non-profit status or has fiscal sponsorship, the contribution can be tax-deductible. Supporters should contact the non-profit or fiscal sponsorship organization directly for instructions on getting a receipt for tax purposes, and consult their tax advisors about deductibility.
Are contributions refundable?
No, refunds are not possible as the contributions are disbursed immediately to the project as the funds are raised.
Can projects use IndieGoGo for equity investments?
At this time, we are not offering equity investments.
Can the VIP Perks change during the funding period?
Yes. Project administrators can change the VIP Perks during fundraising. However if a VIP Perk is removed or adjusted during fundraising, the project administrator is still responsible for delivering the VIP Perk in its original form to contributors who selected it before it was removed or adjusted.
How do I know who contributed so I can deliver my VIP Perks?
Project administrators can view a list of their contributors and their respective contribution amounts and selected VIP Perks in the FUNDING section of their project profile. Project administrators will also receive a confirmation email for each contribution which includes this information.
How much does fundraising cost?
IndieGoGo is free to signup and a majority of the core actions are free to use (i.e. post, contribute, share, discover, follow, tag and comment). IndieGoGo charges a 9% marketplace fee on funds raised. Projects are also responsible for 3rd-party payment processing and disbursement fees.
Does IndieGoGo ever own the copyright of any projects on the site?
No. IndieGoGo does not take any ownership in the projects the platform services. IndieGoGo only requires that project administrators acknowledge IndieGoGo by including IndieGoGo's logo in their project's credits/acknowledgements.
What is fiscal sponsorship?
Many funding sources - including foundation, government, corporate and private donors - will give only to nonprofit organizations with IRS tax-exempt status. Since acquiring this status is a lengthy, involved and costly process, filmmakers often enter into a fiscal sponsorship contract with a nonprofit to receive tax-exempt status for a specific project or event.
How do I apply for fiscal sponsorship?
Please see the Fiscal Sponsorship Resource
People FAQs
What are people profiles?
People profiles are individual and organizational profiles for project administrators, team members, fans and organizations to tell the world about themselves, their interests and associated projects.
Who can post people profiles?
Any person, company or organization can post a profile. IndieGoGo is a transparent community-driven site, where independent projects are brought to life with the support of fans. People profiles are the vehicles through which actions are recognized.
Resources FAQs
What is a resource?
A resource is a useful tool, site content or application that helps project administrators, teams and fans get projects get made. If you have a suggestion for a cool new resource, please click here and let us know.
MyGoGo FAQs
What is MyGoGo?
Go to MyGoGo to accept friend requests, monitor your projects and forum discussions in which you've participated, or change your login or password.
Who sees MyGoGo?
Only you will be able to view your MyGoGo section.
How do I cancel my registration?
If you would like to cancel your registration and remove your individual and project profiles, please email support@indiegogo.com from the email address registered on IndieGoGo. Please type "Cancel Registration" in the subject line. We will send you a cancellation notice to confirm. Also, any feedback as to why you are canceling would be great too!
Does IndieGoGo share my personal information?
No. See our Privacy Policy here.
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