The Power of Testimonials in Crowdfunding Campaigns: How to Get UGC for Your Brand

Why Should Strangers Give You Their Money?

Let’s be honest—convincing people to fund your brilliant idea is like asking a stranger to lend you $50 with nothing but a promise. And in today’s digital world, promises aren’t worth much unless backed by proof. That’s where testimonials and user-generated content (UGC) come in.

Testimonials in crowdfunding campaigns are not just “nice-to-have” elements; they are the secret sauce that turns skeptical scrollers into enthusiastic backers. Studies show that 92% of consumers trust peer recommendations over brand messaging (Nielsen). That means your sleek, well-polished campaign video might impress people, but it’s the words of real users that will convince them to hit the “Back This Project” button.

So, how do you gather powerful testimonials and UGC to build trust, create buzz, and supercharge your crowdfunding campaign? Let’s dive in.

Why Testimonials Matter in Crowdfunding

Testimonials are more than just kind words from happy users—they are psychological triggers that build trust and reduce risk. Here’s why they work so well in crowdfunding:

1. Social Proof at Its Best – People follow the crowd. If others love your product, new backers are more likely to trust your campaign.
2. Reduces Perceived Risk – Crowdfunding isn’t like shopping on Amazon; it’s a leap of faith. Real testimonials provide reassurance.
3. Increases Conversion Rates – According to BigCommerce, reviews and testimonials can increase conversion rates by up to 270%.
4. Creates Emotional Connection – Personal stories resonate more than corporate pitches.

But a generic “I love this product!” won’t do. Your testimonials should tell a compelling, specific, and authentic story.

How to Gather Testimonials for Your Crowdfunding Campaign

Reach Out to Beta Testers

One of the best ways to gather testimonials before launching your campaign is by giving early access to beta testers. These could be:

• Influencers in your niche
• Existing customers (if you have them)
• Friends, family, and colleagues who genuinely love your product

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t just ask for testimonials—give them a structure. Instead of “Can you say something nice about our product?”, ask:

• What problem did you have before using our product?
• How did our product help?
• Would you recommend it to others? If so, why?

This results in testimonials that tell a real before-and-after story, making them far more persuasive.

Leverage Social Media for UGC

User-generated content (UGC) isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a trust-building machine. According to Stackla, 79% of people say UGC highly impacts their purchasing decisions.

Here’s how you can collect UGC effectively:

• Run a Pre-Launch Contest: Ask people to submit creative content related to your campaign in exchange for early access or exclusive perks.
• Create a Hashtag Challenge: Encourage users to share photos or videos with a campaign-specific hashtag.
• Feature Early Backers: The moment you start receiving pledges, highlight them on your page and social media.

💡 Example: When Pebble launched its smartwatch on Kickstarter, they encouraged early users to post photos wearing the watch with the hashtag #PebbleTime—generating thousands of pieces of organic UGC.

Partner with Micro-Influencers

Micro-influencers (with 5K-50K followers) tend to have higher engagement rates than big celebrities. Find influencers in your niche and offer them free samples in exchange for honest testimonials.

💡 Example: The Coolest Cooler (which raised $13M on Kickstarter) leveraged YouTube reviewers in the outdoor niche to generate buzz before launching.

Use Video Testimonials for Maximum Impact

Text testimonials are great, but video testimonials are even better. They:

• Build authenticity (real faces, real voices)
• Convey emotion effectively
• Increase engagement (people prefer watching over reading)

💡 How to Get Video Testimonials? Offer a small incentive (like a discount or early-bird perks) in exchange for a quick 30-second review.

Where to Showcase Testimonials & UGC in Your Crowdfunding Campaign

Now that you have powerful testimonials and UGC, where should you place them for maximum impact?

1. On Your Crowdfunding Page: Right below the “Why Back Us?” section.
2. In Your Campaign Video: A quick cutaway to a real user saying, “This changed my life!” adds credibility.
3. On Social Media: Regularly share testimonials, UGC photos, and influencer endorsements.
4. In Email Marketing: Adding a testimonial in emails can boost click-through rates by 34% (Campaign Monitor).

Mistakes to Avoid When Using Testimonials & UGC

Using Fake or Overly Polished Testimonials
People can smell inauthenticity from a mile away. Avoid staged or overly scripted reviews—raw, unscripted testimonials are more powerful.

Not Getting Permission to Use UGC
Always ask for permission before featuring someone’s photo or review. A simple DM asking for consent works.

Overloading Your Page with Testimonials
More isn’t always better. Too many testimonials can feel spammy. Instead, pick the most impactful ones that tell a compelling story.

FAQs

Build Trust, Build Backers

At the heart of every successful crowdfunding campaign is trust. Testimonials and UGC are the bridge between skepticism and belief—they turn curious visitors into committed backers.

So, as you craft your crowdfunding strategy, don’t just focus on the product—focus on the stories of real people who love it. Because in the world of crowdfunding, credibility isn’t claimed—it’s earned.