The best practice for hardware startups is to launch crowdfunding campaigns only after they have developed and tested their product, to avoid creating a negative reputation.

Using crowdfunding as a marketing and sales channel can be effective, especially if you've already sold a significant number of units before launching the campaign. We received feedback from about 1,500 eager individuals who were very open with their thoughts, allowing us to tune and tweak the Pebble product effectively.

Raising money through crowdfunding can lead to negative public perception if a product fails to deliver, making it a risky strategy for hardware companies.

Don't start online marketing until you have paying customers; many founders make the mistake of investing in ads too early.

If you're not confident in your ability to deliver a product within a certain timeframe, you should avoid using crowdfunding platforms that are heavily focused on shipping.

Crowdfunding can create significant challenges for hardware startups, as many founders lack a clear understanding of costs and timelines, leading to unmet expectations.

Before launching your product, focus on building quickly and optimizing for the next stage of growth, rather than trying to cater to a large user base right away.

Raising money too early can force you into a rush to pivot, which may lead to poor decisions; it's better to wait until your idea is working.

Focus on building a great product that customers love, as this is more important than over-optimizing your fundraising efforts.