For many startups and growing companies, gaining marketing exposure and raising external funding from investors are first and second on their priority list. But, until recently, they were always separate activities - first you would raise the money, and then you would spend it on marketing.

The advent of equity crowdfunding means these two critical tasks can be done at the same time. This is a game-changer.

Unlike venture capital, the company founders get to set their own offer terms, retain their company culture, and bring on dozens, or even hundreds of shareholders rather than just a tiny handful - and gain all the promotional benefits that come with this.

And unlike the crowdfunding offered by sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, equity crowdfunding allows a company to offer shares in itself, instead of a pre-ordered product. This means equity crowdfunding can be used by far more types of businesses, and typically attracts a lot more money. Companies regularly raise hundreds of thousands, or even millions of dollars through equity crowdfunding.

This book will tell you how!

Equity crowdfunding offers amazing potential for startups and growing companies, but it is also a very steep learning curve. Many companies begin with no real idea of how to choose a platform, how to craft their pitch, or what they should be doing to drive people to their offer site.

In this step-by-step guide, you will learn:

• The forces which have brought equity crowdfunding to where it is today
• How to tell whether equity crowdfunding will be a good fit for your company
• The biggest mistakes that can kill an offer before it has even begun
• How to build critical momentum - one company raised £1 million in 96 seconds!
• How to construct a marketing plan to get people literally counting down to your launch