Title: Find the perfect match: the interplay among Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn on crowdfunding success

Authors: Kaja Joanna Fietkiewicz; Carina Hoffmann; Elmar Lins

Addresses: Information Science Department, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany ' Manchot Graduate School, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany ' Riesner Endowed Professorship in Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Finance, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany

Abstract: Since crowdfunding emerged as a new funding channel for entrepreneurial projects, researchers focused on investigating factors that actually lead to crowdfunding campaign's success. Such tools for promotion of a campaign are, for example, social media. Like crowdfunding platforms they are also Web 2.0 applications, which changed our cultural norms and business praxes by creating the world where country borders became invisible and communication immediate. But how does the activity on social media affect the crowdfunder's decision to pledge money for someone's entrepreneurial endeavours? In this study, we take a look at the influence of electronic word of mouth (eWoM) via Facebook and YouTube, as well as the impact of social capital on the business oriented service LinkedIn, on the success of a crowdfunding campaign. We examine the interplay between these different platforms and propose social media strategies for entrepreneurs, which may increase their chances for being funded.

Keywords: crowdfunding; social media; Web 2.0; eWoM; Facebook; YouTube; LinkedIn.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2018.090332

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2018 Vol.33 No.4, pp.472 - 493

Received: 04 Apr 2016
Accepted: 30 May 2016

Published online: 13 Mar 2018 *

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