Pre-Launch Outreach Scripts – The Vandalist

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The Pre-Launch Outreach Scripts That Raised My First $30K

Copy-paste templates for getting your inner circle to back your project on day one.

Thomas Percy Kim

Sundance/TIFF/HBO Max writer-director

Adapted from The Ultimate Crowd-Equity Playbook

The Head Start Is Everything 🚀

Campaigns that raise 20-40% of their goal in the first week are significantly more likely to succeed. When a stranger lands on your page and sees you've already raised $50K with 30 investors? FOMO kicks in.

Compare that to landing on a page at $100 raised. They're just looking for reasons to say no.

Below are the exact outreach scripts I use to lock in early backers before going public. Copy, paste, personalize, send.

The Outreach Scripts 📝

Script 1

The Close Friend

For people who already know about your project and will say yes if you just ask.

Hey! So I'm finally doing it — launching the campaign for my [feature film / short film] on [date]. Would mean the world if you could back it in the first 48 hours. Even $[amount] helps so much with early momentum. [Link] Appreciate you always 🙏

Why it works: Short, direct, no overthinking. You're not selling, you're asking a friend to show up on day one. The specific dollar amount removes decision paralysis.

Script 2

The Family Member

For aunts, uncles, cousins, parents' friends — people who care about you more than your film.

Hi [Name]! Hope you and [family member] are doing well. I wanted to let you know I'm launching a campaign [next week / on date] for a [feature film / short film] I've been working on. It's called [Title] — a [genre] about [one sentence]. Would you be willing to support it? Any amount helps, and I can send you the link when we go live! Thank you so much ❤️

Why it works: Warm, respectful, gives them a heads up before asking for money. The "I can send you the link when we go live" line turns it into a two-step commitment. They say yes now, you follow up on launch day.

Script 3

The Old Acquaintance

For people you haven't talked to in a while but who would still respond to a text from you.

Hey [Name]! Long time — hope you're doing well. I'm reaching out because I'm launching a campaign for a [feature / short] film I'm making. I know we haven't talked in a while, but I'm trying to build early momentum and thought of you. Would you be down to back it in the first few days? Totally understand if not — just wanted to share it with people I know 😉 [Link]

Why it works: Acknowledges the gap honestly. The "totally understand if not" gives them an easy out so they don't feel trapped. People respect the honesty and often surprise you.

Script 4

The Colleague / Professional Contact

For coworkers, former bosses, LinkedIn connections — people who know you professionally.

Hi [Name], hope the new gig is treating you well! Quick ask: I've been working on a [feature film / short film] on the side, and I'm launching a campaign for it on [date]. Would you be open to backing it? Early support makes a big difference. Here's the link if you want to check it out: [URL]. No pressure either way — appreciate you! 🙌

Why it works: Professional but human. The personal touch at the top ("hope the new gig is treating you well") shows you're not mass-blasting. Swap in whatever's relevant to their life.

The Reminder Cadence ⏰

Most people won't back you the first time you ask. Not because they don't care, but because life got in the way. Here's when to follow up:

5
days

First heads up

Plant the seed. "Hey, launching my campaign next week — would love to have you as a day one backer!"

2
days

Warm reminder

Share the preview link if your platform offers one. Let them see the page before it's live. Makes them feel like insiders.

1
day

Final nudge

"Going live tomorrow morning! Here's the link — would mean a lot to have you in the first wave."

🚀

Launch day

Text everyone who said yes. "We're live! Here's the link, [Name]. Thank you so much for being one of the first." Don't assume they'll remember. Make it easy.

The Math

If your inner circle is 150 people and you convert 30-40% at an average of $100, that's $4,500-$6,000 on day one. That's your head start. That's the proof that makes strangers pay attention. I turned $30K from my inner circle into $400K and then $1.6M because momentum compounds.

Handling "Soft Yes" Responses 🤝

Some people will say "That's awesome, I'll check it out!" but never actually back you. These are soft yeses. Don't let them slip. Wait 3-4 days, then:

Hey! Just checking in — did you get a chance to check out the campaign? No rush, just wanted to make sure the link worked! [Link]

If someone says no: Respect it immediately. "Totally understand, no worries at all! If you're able to share it with anyone who might be interested, that would also be a huge help." Then move on. Never follow up again asking for money.

Want the Full Fundraising System? 🎯

These scripts get you to 30%. Closing investors from your outer circle and cold strangers takes a full system. I'm hosting a one-time free live masterclass on the entire crowd-equity fundraising process.

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