There has been a lot of talk about potato salad lately. Not because it’s summer time and everyone is planning their dishes for weekend barbecues. We’re talking about close to $50,000 potato salad. The Potato Salad Kickstarter campaign has made the news quite a few times this week. Kickstarter is a crowd-funding network. So what’s all the craze over potato salad about?
The campaign was started by Zack Danger Brown of Columbus, Ohio with an initial goal of $10. Brown had potato salad on his mind and realized that he had never made it before. So, a light bulb went off and he thought it would be fun to start a crowd-funding campaign on Kickstarter. Brown simply states, “Basically I’m just making potato salad. I haven’t decided what kind yet”. His straight forwardness makes the whole thing hilarious. However, this joke is actually a genius marketing stunt and here is why.
The Success of the Potato Salad Kickstarter
The idea was launched on July 3rd, a day before a huge US national holiday famous for picnics and barbecues which almost always includes potato salad. During holiday weekends people have more down time to surf the internet for interesting and humorous content. So his timing was perfect.
The ridiculousness of it has intrigued the interest of supporters all around the world. Most people said they had supported it to see if they would really get the bite of potato salad they were promised if they pledged at least $5 or more.
Crowd-funding makes people feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves. I think to those who have pledged, it would be fun to have had contributed to the most expensive bowl of potato salad ever.
Brown was short and to the point. He was able to get his message across. What’s more simple than “I’m making potato salad”?
I have to be honest, the photo he used made my mouth water. How you present your brand is so important. The image he choose was very eye catching.
How much potato salad can one make?
While Zack Danger Brown was able to raise almost 5,000 times more of his original goal he may have just created a problem for himself. How is he going to fulfill all of his pledges? What is he going to do with all of the money? He mentioned that he would have a potato salad party and the whole internet is invited. For lesser pledges he’ll send thank you cards and say your name as he makes the salad. He’s making imprinted hats and printed t-shirts. He’ll carve your name in a potato and he is writing haiku’s about potato salad! You can get a photo of him making the salad too. He also mentioned that he his trying to look for ways to put the money to good which seems like the most logical and ethical thing to do.
What can we learn about advertising from this potato salad adventure:
- When you keep things simple they can go a long way.
- A little humor is always a good way to keep your audience enthused.
- Timing your promotional campaign is essential.
- Choose eye-catching printed advertising materials that will make your client’s mouth water.
Would you ever make a pledge to something like this? Do you think Kickstarter should have allowed this type of campaign? Since Brown started this, other’s have tried to pull off the same stunt. What do you think those people will need to do to be as successful as the original Potato Salad Kickstarter? Why do you think it took off?
Do you have an Idea for a Fundraising Campaign?
This is hysterical Arleen. I really do not know why Kickstarter allowed it. That’s not their purpose according to my understanding.
But still, what a humorous story. And that is part of the lesson isn’t it? Keep it light in some ways? Thanks for the weekend fun.
Patricia Weber recently posted…Too Busy? Try 3 Tips To Streamline Your Blog Title
Patricia- Let’s face it a little humor goes a long way. Sometimes we just get too serious.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
Crowd funding is great! Went to a presentation by Funded By Me a Swedish crowd funding company to learn how it works. The system is exactly what’s described in your article. Mainly private investors pay small amounts of money and get something in return.
An acquaintance of mine did it. Talked to her about it, not least since she got more than she asked for. Not $50,000 though
There is a catch with it which is that you have to pay for a professional video to be shot and devote a lot of time to work on getting investors. So if you include what you could earn if you didn’t devote your time to getting crowd funding it comes down to an investment of around $7,000 to get people to invest in your idea. Have to admit that before I knew that, I was more positive to crowd funding than I am now for the simple reason that the majority of people who try it don’t get $7,000:-)
Catarina recently posted…Can you lead multicultural groups spread around the world?
Catrina- The movement is nothing new, but it seems to be gaining popularity — especially through social media. There are several types of crowd funding which can be equity-based, reward-based, donation-based and lending-based. Kickstarter is one of the better-known crowdfunding platforms. Zach convinced more than 5,000 people to donate to his potato salad campaign, it’s easy to see how enticing such campaigns can be.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
Absolutely hysterical! Why not? Think folks got a kick out of a kickstarter campaign for potato salad…I mean who doesn’t like potato salad???
Jacqueline Gum (Jacquie) recently posted…Idioms…Where’s The Justice?
Jacqui- I love potato salad. Maybe someone should try coleslaw.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
It’s hard to believe “the whole internet” is invited to such a crazy event!
What a hilarious thing to do: make a huge bowl of potato salad.
I think the guy bit off more than he could chew (no pun intended) and created so much more work for himself.
But hey, he raised a lot of money, so I guess it’s only fair that he give some of it back.
Lorraine Reguly recently posted…“RISKY ISSUES” IS OUT!!! (+ I have a new site!)
Lorraine- The internet had changed the way we do everything. I think if I made a large bowl of potato salad my family would have it eaten before I could do anything. It shows you to be creative and you never know what will happen.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
Clever. Seems like a lot of people are having fin with this. Potato salad appeal.
Leora recently posted…Pixel? My Image has Pixels?
Leora- Funny how something as simple as potato salad has gone viral.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
Gosh!!! when I clicked on your Post to read it – I was expecting a recipe for potato salad!! Still not a bad way to collect money for a good cause…Although he doesn’t seem to know what he’s going to do with the money!!
Mina- Isn’t interesting how an image has your mind thinking one thing. I am sure Zach will figure out a way to use the money.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
You have to love this story. It’s so silly and perfect. When I first read about this I had to keep looking to make sure I was reading it properly. It captures what makes things popular on social media. Accessible ideas, interactive, a sense of the ridiculous and of course, timing. 🙂
Debra Yearwood recently posted…Slow and Expensive
Debra- You hit the nail on the head about social media. I think this something we should think about when trying to make social media work for our business.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
This is hilarious. Just hilarious. Who would have thunk it? It’s amazing how many people are turning to crowd funding for projects (very serious ones and not so serious, like this one…). Great article!
Michele
Michele- It is just like the movie Gypsy. You have to have a gimmick. This gimmick worked.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
It certainly has become popular lately. Apparently a lot of people are willing to invest a little money without any promise of getting anything. It’s a lot more honest than the old scams where someone advertised that you could win something but didn’t give any details and people contributed anyway. It boggles my mind.
Beth Niebuhr recently posted…Confidence and How to Get It
Beth- Yes crowd funding is becoming more and more popular as we turn to social media for help and advertising. Social media is the tool of today. It will be interesting what is the tool in five to ten years.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
Crowd-funding is an interesting concept. It’s a good mechanism for people to fund projects people are interested in, but aren’t drawing the limited corporate and other support money available. I don’t have personal experience with it, but expect it is also a fair bit of work. On the down side, I’ve seen more and more frivolous and self-serving campaigns pop up. The potato salad campaign points out that side of it and I’m not sure I find it as funny as your other readers, especially when more legitimate campaigns struggled to raise less money than it has. I will be interested to hear what Zack Danger Brown does with all the money and how he handles the potato salad making.
Donna Janke recently posted…Wandering Through Gastown
Donna- I have to admit I thought the potato salad idea was just a little over the top. I liked what Tim suggested to give the potato salad to a food bank and have people donate because it is going to a good cause.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
Amazing what can happen when your audience is the entire world. Who knew there was so many people interested in a bite of potato salad. Very funny. Glad to hear he is going to use the money for a good cause. Maybe the food bank (Feeding America) would be a good idea as they can turn $1 into $6.
Tim recently posted…I’m NOT Buying It
Tim- That is a great idea to use the food for a food bank instead of having a taste of potato salad. I love your idea.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
Here is the website for Feeding America. They say $1 = 9 Meals. I would say that almost 300,000 meals would be a great use of the money raised from potato salad.
Tim recently posted…I’m NOT Buying It
Tim- The url did not show up.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
Hi Arleen – I had not heard of crowdfunding and good for Zack Danger Brown. You’re right that he had all the elements to make this a success and it sounds like he’s a pretty neat guy. I love the hat.
Lenie
Lenie recently posted…Sharing Rhubarb Know-How and…..a Great Jam Recipe
Lenie- It is coming up with something that is going to appeal to the masses through social media, and Zach did just that.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
I agree this is ridiculous. The money spent to make potato salad could have been used to more worthy cause. I am not sure who I am more disappointed in, Kickstarter or the people who contributed to potato salad.
William I agree it is ridiculous but it worked and that is what crowd funding is all about.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
This is unbelievable – it’s a good lesson in marketing, but I would never give money to someone who has no clear plan for what they are doing. More kudos to him for getting away with it I suppose though I do feel it’s basically daylight robbery.
A.K.Andrew recently posted…10 Ways to be Creative this Summer
A.K.- It all comes down to being creative and different and then let social media do its thing.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
The power of social media is amazing! It is very cool to see something as grass roots as making potato salad still gets people excited about doing “something”. Very cool post!
Thank you for sharing!
Mark Brody recently posted…Are you in pursuit of your dreams?
Hi Mark- Nice to see you stop by haven’t heard from you in a while. The internet keeps evolving and now social media is at the top of list. What Zach did was come up with something very simple that is loved by alot of people.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
Awwwww, i thought i’ll see a recipe on how to make potato salad. Already got my pen and paper ready. Lol.
Anyway, i think its a great fundraising campaign. Love the humor infused to it
Michelle Emiaha recently posted…Must-Watch Video: This is Why Africans are Always Late!
Michelle- Yes the potato salad looked pretty good and who knows maybe that help sell the idea. We all need a little humor in our lives.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
Hi Arleen, I was just today talking to a friend about how simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. I got a new phone and needed a cover and the shops have all these fancy covers with designs, but what appealed to me most was a simple black cover with nothing written on design. He got the formula right.
Welli recently posted…Lessons from Brazil 2014
Welli- I think we think that simplicity has gone out of style, if it had this idea would have never worked. Maybe it is time to go back to keep it simple.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
Hi Arleen,
What an interesting idea. The elements that went into the marketing were more important that what went into the potato salad, and all valid points.
Kind Regards,
Bill
William Butler recently posted…The Biology of Belief: Does What You Think Really Matter?
Bill- I agree it was about the marketing, not the potato salad except it was a simple idea that was appealing.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
I can appreciate the hilarity of this, but does KickStarter vet the campaigns that go up on the site at all? I guess if people want to give a guy money to make potato salad for the entire Internet, more power to them 😉
Jeri recently posted…#WriteTip: Plotters vs Pantsers by Michael Cairns
Jeri- I would think the KickStarter would have to approve the campaign in order to use their name. It was a different concept that did go viral.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
It’s funny to see promotions like this one and great to see people go mad over potato salad. I wonder if setting a limit would’ve stopped the madness for him or if Zack really wanted this to happen. Regardless, I’m interested to see how this plays out.
Carl recently posted…Korea Burn: Welcome Home
Carl- The potato salad idea was simple which is what I have taken away from this stunt. We try to make things more difficult and it really doesn’t have to be. Yes it will be interesting how this plays out.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
This completely baffles me! I wonder if we all have a little too much time on our hands, and too much money in our pockets, to make something like this happen. On the other hand, I think it’s hilarious, and you’re right that we can use these points in our own marketing efforts. I appreciate people with a sense of humor and adventure, and I think he can redeem the whole thing by using the money for a good cause.
Meredith Wouters recently posted…“Summer in a Glass” Lemon Iced Green Tea
Meredith- I have to say I do like the sense of humor of the idea. Maybe that is what is lacking in so many campaigns.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
Hi Arleen; I’m sure people are trying to copy him, but I doubt anyone else will achieve the perfect storm he did. Keep it simple is one of those things we can never be reminded of too often. and i sometimes wonder that even with help from sighted friends that I may be missing opportunities because of not being able to craft or fully participate in the development of visual images for my site. will continue to do my best with help from my friends, but i wonder. have you ever had a campaign catch on like his did? thanks for the education, max
maxwell ivey recently posted…using click to tweet adding google business pages and finding a pinterest work around
Hi Max- One never knows what is going to work. The idea of keeping it simple is a good idea so it appeals to everyone. No I haven’t had a campaign that has been this successful but I am always thinking of something.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
Hi Arleen; I must confess that my indiegogo campaign is no where near that successful. but i did have something happen this weekend that i thought was outside my abilities. I entered the online business superhero summit contest. You know how these things work its all about your network. well i figured with hundreds of people trying to win and many of them with larger networks i didn’t have a chance. I went from entering so i could watch the hangouts to shocked at being in the top ten to disbelief at being in the top five only to start thinking i could win and then today i did. finished in third but still got some cool training and a one on one with ryan levesque that adrienne said she is jealous of. although i did have some trouble with trying to claim my prize live. if adrienne hadn’t been there i don’t think they would have given it to me because you had to take part in a chat on a chat system that wouldn’t work with my screen reader. so not only did i win but they all know it was a blind guy who won. yay team ivey etall. hope it was okay to share since it was campaign related. 🙂 enjoy your weekend, max
maxwell ivey recently posted…First listings first big sale and first hard lessons
Max- That is wonderful and thank you for sharing. Good for you.
Arleen recently posted…How 3D Printing Will Change the Promotional Products Industry
I agree with many others that this is so hilarious if not just downright silly. I would’ve never even entertained the thought about starting a campaign for creating a dish…I’m not sure why I would need to? And now what is he going to do with all that money? I do believe that humor, creativity and originality is attractive and probably what made this so successful. I’d like to figure out a way to embrace those qualities in something a little more legitimate, with a bigger plan in place in case I raised that much money!
Pamela Heady recently posted…Peach and Jalapeño BBQ Sauce
Panmela- I guess it boils down the old adage “whatever the public will bear”. Look at the people that bought the potato salad. Not something I would do, but there are still lessons from others to be learned this stunt.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
It also goes to show, there is also a bit of randomness as to what goes viral. Great take though, I’ve always believed less is more and humor helps. 🙂
Hi Madge-Maybe we all need to be a little more random. I agree with you less is more.
Arleen recently posted…Potato Salad Kickstarter – Crowd-funding Campaign Raises Close to 5,000 Times It’s Goal
Hey Arleen,
I’ve actually seen this news everywhere and I thought it was really random but very a hilarious story. I also agree with the simple title with an eye catching photo, I guess less is always more 🙂
Pauline- One never knows what is going to go viral and become popular. It seems the simple works the best.
Arleen recently posted…How 3D Printing Will Change the Promotional Products Industry