You have a great Airsoft Idea, you have designed the next airsoft technology which you think will be a game changer as it will leave other existing airsoft technologies eating dust. You have an idea of using a disused public land or infrastructure as an airsoft playing centre so you can have kids and adults play rather than have then play airsoft wherever in your community, disturbing your community, and keeping cops busy rather than attend to more pressing problems. You have an idea for awesome airsoft event where you want to pull out all the stops to make it one of the best experiences for airsoft players in their lives.

Problem is you have no money.

That's always an issue when you have ideas, whether airsoft or any other business. Without the cash, a lot of people tend to abort their projects only to have someone else, especially bigger companies, take that innovation and build it into a business in which yourself will not earn from or even credit for. I have seen projects such as the ZM LR300 Gas Blowback Rifle by Primo, he wants to commercially produce it but due to lack of resources, his project is now gathering dust. It's frustrating, not being able to find that funding and I know it firsthand, and I'm sure a lot of creative and innovative minds in airsoft experienced that too.

Crowdfunding can be one great option to raise that money.

Crowdfunding is not really new, as people have been raising money for simple ideas even before the internet or that term was coined. Charity organisations are some of the best in raising funds from other people to use for their projects. Only the birth of the internet and the creation of the worldwide web, and the development of online payment systems have allowed for an even more efficient crowdfunding effort and a tapping a potential big number of people who might open their wallets to help you realise your dream.

How does crowdfunding work? In a nutshell:

1. You present your idea and benefits from it online, especially via a website or a crowdfunding service;
2. You set a clear amount of money that you need to raise;
3. You set a clear deadline for your fund raising appeal; and
4. You campaign online to have people find your project  and  support it.

Sounds easy? Not really.

Crowdfunding, while it is a great option to raise money for your airsoft project, is not a sure fire solution. It takes dedication and commitment to pull it through once you launch it. People are not that easily persuaded to part with their hard-earned money if they don't see value or appeal with your proposition. So before you start creating a crowdfunding campaign and appeal, you better make sure that you have very clear goals and compelling proposition that can tug people's minds and make them support you.

Sell yourself. Who are you? Why should people trust you. Be clear about your skills and capabilities in working on the project. If people realise that you're not up to it, no dinero for you.

Your idea should be very clear cut. You have to make sure that you have written about your project in a very understandable manner. If it's a new airsoft gun you have to show at least a prototype or an animation on how it will work. If it's a new airsoft event, then create a video where the event will be head, or a "video trailer" showing the story plot, plus whatever attractions that you think will make airsoft players sign-up. If it's an airsoft movie, create a teaser and an opening intro about the story that it will be based on. Spend on it, or take time making it.

From there, you have determine how much you need from idea to reality. Make a list of items for which the money will be spent on. This means all the materials you need, people that you need to pay, legal fees if you need to do some legal filings, rent money if you need to rent a workshop, place, or equipment. Determine the pricing of your airsoft product which will give you a good profit margin and provide the kick to get your business running for the long term.

Once finding how much money you need to raise, remember that people have different capacities in giving money. There are those who can give you some spare change, and there those who can give a lot without thinking twice. So you need to set amount levels and state the benefits for each amount. For lower amounts, they can get their names credited, or a t-shirt about the project sent to them. For bigger amounts, if it's an airsoft product, they get to be the first to receive the product when finished; and if it's an airsoft event, they get VIP treatment when they show-up. Some people will prefer to keep quiet about their support so you also need to tailor your benefits to ensure that they are taken care in a private way.

Setting a clear deadline will make you work hard to achieving your fundraising goal. If there's no goal for the campaign, people will shun it since they are not sure if funding will ever be achieved. It also helps provide you the metrics to see if your campaign is working effectively and adjust accordingly if need be.s to ensure that they are taken care in a private way.

Make sure you have a set of FAQs so you don't need to be answering people's questions all the time. Also ensure that you have a refund policy in case you haven't achieved your fundraising targets. But sometimes conditions change that the amount might have already been achieved early on, so you can inform your supports that you are already proceeding with the project.

Always start with your friends and family. They will help you spread the word out.

You're ready with your crowdfunding campaign, where do you go now?

There are already existing crowdfunding websites supporting product development, creative designs, campaigns, and events. All you need to do is determine which website can suit your needs. In terms of replica firearms, there are those which do not allow for such projects, but there are those which can. Make some enquiries about what types of projects they fund before creating your campaign page. It wouldn't hurt to be honest what's your project is all about.

As for the list of crowdfunding websites, are three:

• GoFundMe
• Indiegogo
• Kickstarter

You can find more crowdfunding services by clicking here.

Once you're all set to tap the internet crowd to fund your project, good luck! You will need a lot of that.