Ep. 219 - Marty Tate:The Biggest Misconceptions Founders Still Have

Test. Optimize. Scale.

Most founders underestimate how much strategy, preparation, and marketing it actually takes to run a successful Reg CF or Reg A+ crowdfunding campaign. Legal compliance matters — but according to attorney Marty Tate, one of the most respected experts in regulated investment crowdfunding, momentum and marketing ultimately determine whether your raise succeeds or fails.

In this episode of Test. Optimize. Scale., Marty breaks down the real mechanics behind Reg CF, Reg D, and Reg A+; the timelines founders should expect; what derails campaigns; and why only a small percentage of issuers ever hit seven figures.

Whether you're exploring your first crowdfunding raise or preparing to scale into a larger Reg A+, this conversation will help you set your campaign up the right way and avoid the costly mistakes first-time issuers usually make.

🔍 What You'll Learn in This Episode

How Marty went from corporate finance to helping shape the JOBS Act The rise of peer-to-peer lending, the ICO boom, and how crypto influenced crowdfunding What founders MUST do before launching a Reg CF or Reg A+ Why half of campaigns stall under ~$114K — and how the top 10% break through How optics, traction, social proof, and audience strategy influence conversions Why success requires both strong legal setup and a real marketing plan What to do when a campaign launches slow The future of liquidity, exits, and investor success stories in crowdfunding

⏱️ Chapters

Introduction & Guest Background — 00:00 How Marty Tate Got Involved in Crowdfunding & Crypto — 00:48 The Setup and Compliance Process for Reg CF, Reg D, and Reg A+ — 05:25 Timelines, Traps, and Key Considerations for Each Regulation — 05:38 The Importance of Marketing and Momentum vs. Legal Checkboxes — 13:21 Common Misconceptions and Success Metrics in Crowdfunding — 21:31 Building the Right Team: Lawyers, Accountants, and Marketing Partners — 33:25 Optimizing Campaigns: Testing, Data, and Adjusting When Things Are Slow — 39:11 Investor Success Stories, Liquidity, and Industry Evolution — 47:19 Final Tips, Success Stories, and How to Connect with the Guest — 49:33 Closing Remarks — 52:43

Website and Socials: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martytate/ Website: https://kba.law/