Project, Crowdfund Thyself

Neuroscientist Stephen Larson wanted to make OpenWorm, the world's first open-source digital organism, available for Web browsers. So he and a small team of scientists turned to crowdfunding. With four days left in a 30-day funding window, things looked grim: The project was only halfway to its $120,000 goal, and falling short would mean getting no money at all. The team rallied supporters, obtaining more than a pledge per minute in the campaign's final hours. Below, three lessons to keep in mind for your own crowdfunding projects.

Timing is everything. Galvanize support through social media at the beginning and end of a campaign, when most people are paying attention.

**More time ≠ more money. **Extending a funding window only lengthens the lull in pledges seen in the middle of most campaigns.

It's not over till it's over. Really. Hang in there.