Managing Backer Updates & Notifications
Keeping your backers informed is one of the most critical aspects of running a successful crowdfunding campaign on RaiseIt. This guide covers how to draft, schedule, and send updates, configure notification channels, manage backer preferences, and follow platform best practices to maintain high engagement and trust.
1. Creating & Publishing Updates
Updates appear on your campaign page and are automatically delivered to backers based on their notification preferences. Use the RaiseIt Dashboard to manage them.
- Add a title, content, and up to 10 high-resolution images
- Embed videos (YouTube, Vimeo, or direct MP4)
- Tag updates as "Milestone", "Shipping", or "General"
- Save as draft or schedule for future delivery
Always include a clear subject line and opening sentence. Backers often preview updates in their inbox, and strong first lines increase open rates by up to 40%.
2. Notification Channels & Settings
RaiseIt supports multiple notification channels. As a creator, you can configure which channels your updates are sent through:
- Email: Primary channel. Supports HTML formatting, campaign branding, and automated unsubscribe links.
- In-App / Dashboard: Appears in the backer's RaiseIt feed and mobile push notifications (if opted in).
- SMS: Optional, available for campaign-critical alerts (e.g., manufacturing delays, shipping windows). Requires explicit backer consent.
To toggle channels, navigate to Campaign Settings > Notifications > Output Channels. Note: SMS costs $0.05/msg and is billed directly to your payout account.
3. Managing Backer Preferences
Backers control how they receive updates via their profile settings. You cannot force notifications, but you can encourage opt-ins:
- Include a polite request in your campaign page FAQ
- Use the "Reminder to Enable Notifications" block in early updates
- Offer exclusive early access or digital rewards for opted-in backers
RaiseIt strictly adheres to CAN-SPAM, GDPR, and CASL regulations. All updates must include a visible unsubscribe link, your physical campaign address, and cannot be sent without prior consent. Violations may result in campaign suspension.
4. Best Practices for Timing & Frequency
Consistency builds trust. Here’s our recommended cadence:
- Pre-Campaign: 1–2 updates to build hype and share progress
- Active Campaign: Every 5–7 days, or immediately for major milestones
- Post-Funding (Production): Monthly, or immediately for delays/supply chain changes
- Shipping & Fulfillment: Weekly tracking updates until 95% delivered
Avoid sending multiple updates within a 48-hour window unless addressing an urgent issue. Use the "Schedule" feature to space updates evenly.
5. Tracking & Analytics
RaiseIt provides real-time engagement metrics for every update. Access them via Updates > View Performance:
- Open Rate, Click-Through Rate, and Unsubscribe Rate
- Device breakdown (Mobile vs Desktop)
- Top-referring backer tiers
If your open rate drops below 25%, consider refreshing your subject line style, shortening content, or switching to a different send time (Tuesday–Thursday, 10 AM–2 PM local time typically performs best).
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but only within 24 hours of publishing. After that, you can add a new update with corrections, but the original will remain visible for transparency. We recommend using the "Draft" mode to review before sending.
Use the "Urgent Announcement" template in the update editor. It automatically highlights the post on the campaign page, prioritizes it in inboxes, and triggers a push notification to opted-in backers. Always provide a clear timeline and next steps.
Common reasons include: inbox filtering/promotions tab, opted-out notification preferences, invalid email addresses, or temporary provider blocks. Use the "Resend to Failed Addresses" tool in Campaign Settings, and always encourage backers to whitelist @raiseit.io addresses.
RaiseIt supports tiered updates. When creating an update, toggle "Target Specific Tiers" to send exclusive content (e.g., prototype videos for higher tiers, or tracking info for specific fulfillment groups). This keeps backers engaged without overwhelming unrelated supporters.