There has been some recent discussion about Patreon, mainly coming from +Erik Tenkar's end. I'll join his so his wife can send me some of his gaming stuff. muhaha
It seems many folks are very aware of Patreon and what it is. I was a fan of it before I got involved with my own. I can't remember who my first person I patroned, it was either +Dyson Logos or +matt jackson or very likely I may have discovered them at the same time. I thought what a cool idea. I didn't think it would come to much, but I thought it was a fun idea.
Wrong. I was very wrong.
People are making some serious money off Patreon. And despite what some folks say, THERE IS NOTHING FUCKING WRONG WITH THAT. I hope I didn't leave any gray area in my opinion.
The great thing about Patreon is the patrons have absolute control over how much they give. You can donate by project, the patrons can select one of the pre-selected pledge levels or you can adjust to the amount your comfortable with. And you can put a max amount per month so you don't go over your budget.
I back 8 or 9 projects (I forget the exact number) myself. I love giving these guys a little monetary motivation to do what they do. And the very cool thing is, they offer their stuff for free, just like I do. You don't have to get involved in their Patreon to enjoy what they do.
I offer the same for my micro-adventures. They are up for anyone to download. But I have a great group of folks who have backed me. It motivates me to push the boundaries, to do something new or put that extra effort in developing a project. For my higher patrons they get a 4" x 6" laminated version of the adventure. It's cool to do. Takes time and postage to do it, but I like the product.
I know I am preaching to the choir, so to speak, most folks understand Patreon and how it works. If you have the time browse Patreon, they have some great stuff going there. It's a ton of fun to just check out all the creativity being funneled through there.
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One of these days, I'll take the "Patreon Plunge." I'm just not ready to value my work, I guess.
ReplyDeleteDidn't you come out with a game you sold? Seems to me you can put a value to your work, take the next plunge.
DeleteStop being a cupcake and get in the ring.
DeleteI thought about taking the plunge too. But I would feel obligated to produce something on a regular basis. And I'm just not ready for that kind of commitment . . .
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure what I could do. In December I did not put anything out. Holidays and work maxed me out. On my page I say I try to put out 3 to 5 micro adventures a month. It's been more at 3.
DeleteI don't think there's anything wrong with patreon. It's people paying for something they feel like it's worthwhile to pay for. What the hell could be wrong with that?
ReplyDeleteWhat Trey said.
DeleteI agree with Trey, so I guess that means I have to agree with you to Chris. Man, this day just keeps getting worse.
DeleteI like Patreon because obviously there's room (and money) for it. Not setting one up because I need more time and effort to demonstrate a worthwhile commitment, but the fact that its working for some people at all is great. Also, because I can choose to ignore it with impunity if I so desire.
ReplyDeleteIgnoring is a beautiful option.
DeleteI think it's a good thing, too. I keep thinking if I should do it, but as soon as I turn my blog from "stuff I write because I want to write" into "stuff I write because my patrons expect a certain quality" I think I'll be trading stress for money. Right now, it's just me enjoying writing, with no one to answer to but myself. If I get monetary support, I feel like I'll start to worry about the quality of posts, the quantity, the nature of my posts, etc. . . . and have to answer to someone other than me.
ReplyDeleteThis doesn't mean I don't think Patreon is cool - I do, and I'm glad to see people using to support their creative work. I'm just not sure it fits me.
Absolutely, it's not for everyone. Especially if that pressure makes you lose your excitement for what you enjoy doing. However, I will say quality is not an issue with your posts. And there are so many options of ways to get paid or do projects you don't have to think of it in a one-way context. It's got lots of options.
DeleteThanks, I'm glad what I write is good. Of course, I already write and sell a lot of my stuff via official writing for SJG. The blog is basically for fun, not profit, and the stuff I can write for profit I write for profit.
DeleteMy MapForge Patreon is motivating me to get up and do something. Its quiet the rewarding time to explore new skills.
ReplyDeleteSorry to be the old-man-codger who jumps in with some ancient business advice, but: you can build and archive an entire portfolio prior to releasing it for commercial/rev-gen purposes. Rack a whole year's worth of material and you've got a year to create without the anxiety (unless you accept commissions) of timely delivery.
ReplyDeleteNothing kills creativity like being forced to create.
I'm no dungeon designer or map-man or illustrator but nearly anyone could pick a seaside town, add a brawling inn, drunken militia and winding path up into the wilderlands (sort of sounds like my house, now that I think of it) with assorted curses and legends and whispers. Break up the whole pie and release over time. Works for porn. Works for marriage. Works for new cars and trucks. No shortage of stupid, pointless new cell phones.
I worked in high-level journalism for thirty years and I can tell you (all), I have never seen a more concentrated pool of creative talent than within this D&D community. Asking for money makes it a job, I get it. But shit, what's the downside, wounded pride? Every married man in the world got over that, years ago!
Tim's right: Get in the Ring.
-Rick
I am never, ever one to fault someone else for making money. If you do that because of Patreon or selling stuff on Lulu or OneBookShelf then who am I to judge.
ReplyDeleteI think it is great to be honest. Of course the number of dollars in our little community here is finite so the more we have the less that can go around.
So I guess the advice here is if you are going to do it, do it now. Six month from now you might have better "product" but you will never make it for the time lost.
Me. I have no desire to Patreon my blog. I am perfectly happy with what I do. I can roll out a book every so often (The Witch and EW still pay for all the game books I want) or take the odd freelancing gig.
I might end supporting more Patreons in the future. Depends on what it is I am think I am supporting.