It’s pretty much a given that a successful Kickstarter campaign includes a great project description, outreach plan and a solid community of backers. Of equal importance are the updates that creators send their backers. Project updates don’t just appear on each project page, they’re also delivered directly to backers’ inboxes, and can be a powerful tool for engaging backers and motivating them to share a project.Think of project updates as a window into a project’s development, featuring images, video and the ongoing story of the project. (Tip: We also consider a project’s updates when choosing whether or not to feature it or make it a Project We Love.)

There’s no magic to the right number or frequency of updates; we recommend posting consistently and often, and to start brainstorming and even drafting updates before you launch. Fun fact: Creators on Kickstarter send about 6,000 updates a week. Here’s a list of fifty ideas for inspiration!