Running a crowdfunding campaign as an independent musician is never easy, but returning to do it a fourth time? That takes real passion, grit, and a willingness to learn and adapt. In a recent follow-up interview on the PM Podcast Videos channel, artist Alicia Mathewson sat down with host Bree Noble to share her experiences and insights after completing her fourth Kickstarter campaign.
Watch the episode here
Listen to the episode here
Reigniting Artistic Engagement
For Alicia, this latest campaign was more than just a way to raise funds; it was a catalyst for reconnecting with her artistry and her community after some time away from the stage.
“I’ve been a little bit out of the game. I haven’t been gigging a lot and… I’ve been more of a full-time teacher,” Alicia explained. “I knew that part of what happens when you do a crowdfunding is I get pushed as an artist. I have to create content. I have to, I have to articulate. I did a new photo shoot. Like, suddenly for me as an artist, I’m like, oh, I have to show people who I am now.”
Crowdfunding, as she points out, is as much about artist growth as it is about funding a project.
The Power and Challenge of Community Buy-In
Alicia emphasized the importance of involving others in her creative process—and the reality that not everyone will engage the way you hope. During her campaign, she hosted a live Zoom for her 152 backers, but only 10 showed up. She reflected, “We’re living in a time where we are so distracted and there’s so much, you know, so there’s something really cool about being that focused for 30 days.” Yet, she acknowledges that engagement will always vary: “There are people that just want to support you… They may never even take you up on [the rewards] and that’s totally okay.”
Bree Noble echoed this, reminding artists that, “you will have those super fans that will come and it will be a smaller percent… There are people that just want to support you.”
Personal Growth Through the Process
One major takeaway for Alicia was learning not to take things personally. “I used to take it all so personally. Like, why aren’t they—why don’t they want this special sticker I made? They haven’t given me their address. You’re like, they don’t care. They just wanted to say, like, I like your music. Here’s your $21.”
Instead of focusing on who showed up or who cashed in on the perks, Alicia started to “honor the quality of work” she was producing. She reminded herself of the value in small gestures: “I’m actually going to write a hand thank you note to every single person, regardless of how much money, just as my practice, because we don’t do that anymore.”
The Emotional Stamina of Crowdfunding
Alicia admitted that running a campaign is exhausting emotionally as much as logistically. “I was like a full-time salesperson for 30 days. I will tell you that 90% of the people that backed my Kickstarter received multiple personal requests from me… It was full on.”
She also described the “behind the scenes” strategies, such as rallying a small support group and keeping in touch with potential big donors, recognizing their importance in getting over the final funding hurdle.
New Community, New Opportunities
Interestingly, Alicia pointed out that support often comes from new connections, not just longtime fans. “One of the biggest supporters of this campaign are people at the school that I teach at because I teach their kids… I have a lot of backers on this campaign that didn’t back any other campaigns because they didn’t know me.”
She advised fellow musicians: “You do have to allow the people that want to back you as who you are now versus what it used to be.”
Final Reflections
Alicia’s message to other creatives is ultimately one of hope and encouragement: “No matter where you are in your journey, you can always come into a new phase… People don’t care. They don’t ask, what have you done before? They just want to see what you’re doing now.”
Her journey shows that crowdfunding isn’t just about raising money—it’s about growth, resilience, and deepening your connection with those who believe in your work, wherever you are in your creative life.
