The easy way to get started in crowdfund investingCrowdfund investing (CFI) is going to be the next big thing onWall Street. U.S. investment banks, brokerage houses, and lawfirms are gearing up for the creation and regulation of newfinancial products that will be available to the general publicstarting in early 2013. The introduction of these productswill revolutionize the financing of small businesses and startupsfor these key reasons:* Entrepreneurs and small business owners, who have haddifficulty obtaining capital through traditional means (such asbank loans and angel investors) in recent years, will have accessto investors around the world through social media.* For the first time, investors (so-called unqualifiedinvestors) will be able to purchase an equity stake in abusiness or new investment vehicle.The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is overseeing thecreation of online portals that will allow entrepreneurs and smallinvestors to connect. When these portals go live in 2013,Crowdfund Investing For Dummies will be on the front line toeducate business owners, other entrepreneurs, and investorsalike.Crowdfund Investing For Dummies will walkentrepreneurs and investors, like yourself, through this newinvesting experience, beginning with explaining how and why CFIdeveloped and what the 2012 JOBS says about CFI.Entrepreneurs will find out how much funding they canrealistically raise through CFI; how to plan and launch a CFIcampaign; how to manage the crowd after a campaign is successful;and how to work within the SEC's regulations at everystage.Investors will discover: the benefits and risks of CFI;how much they can invest; how a CFI investment may fit into abroader investment portfolio; how to provide value to the businessor project being funded; and how to bow out of an investment whenthe time is right.Crowdfund Investing For Dummies is an indispensableresource for long time investors and novice investors alike.

Introduction 1Part I: Tapping the Potential of Crowdfund Investing 7Chapter 1: The Crowd's in Your Corner: Funding or Investing in a Business 9Chapter 2: Tracing the Origins of Crowdfund Investing 23Chapter 3: Raising Capital for Your Startup or Small Business with Crowdfund Investing 41Chapter 4: Becoming Part of the Crowd: Investing with Caution 67Part II: Planning Your Crowdfund Investing Campaign 83Chapter 5: Defining Your Goals and Financial Needs 85Chapter 6: Focusing on Your People: Building Your Crowd and Your Team 109Chapter 7: Picking a Powerful Crowdfund Investing Platform 127Chapter 8: Networking Your Way to Successful Funding 141Part III: Managing Your Crowdfund Investing Campaign 155Chapter 9: Making Your Pitch 157Chapter 10: Troubleshooting Campaign Problems 177Chapter 11: Moving Forward When You Reach Your Funding Target 191Part IV: Running Your Business with Your Investors in Mind 207Chapter 12: Communicating with Your Investors 209Chapter 13: Crowd Mentality: Staying Afloat in the Face of Investor Revolt 219Chapter 14: Knowing Your Options If Your Plans Go Astray 231Part V: Becoming a Crowdfund Investor 243Chapter 15: Evaluating Crowdfund Investing Opportunities 245Chapter 16: Committing Your Capital 259Chapter 17: Adding Value: Playing the Right Role as an Investor 271Chapter 18: Exiting a Crowdfund Investment 283Part VI: The Part of Tens 293Chapter 19: Ten Best Practices for a Crowdfund Investing Campaign 295Chapter 20: Ten Reasons Every Country Should Consider Crowdfund Investing 301Chapter 21: Ten Crowdfunding Cases 309Chapter 22: Ten Stories That Inspire 315Appendix: Resources 321Index 325