Adjustments to the Rewards.
Added 2019-09-03 13:32:44 +0000 UTCSince last couple of months, I think I owed you an explanation of what's happening and why I need to adjust my rewards.
First let me give you some background to all the situation. When I started this Patreon, I was eagerly looking for the chance to start creating my comics. It's a wish I had for years and years. So, I threw myself zealously into the project, by offering more rewards than what the money earned through Patreon could cover. Sadly, having a family, caused me to put the need of money before the pure enjoyment of creating. This means, I can't really draw anything for the pleasure of it, unless I've already covered for my monthly expenses before. And given how tight expenses have been recently, my "free time" has been reduced to a minimum.
So, by offering more rewards than what I could afford, and so little free time to work on them on the side, I caused a gap in my finances that I haven't managed to recover yet. I did it for a good while, with the expectation that maybe, it would attract more patrons on the long term. Sadly, the financial situation around the world seems to have caused trouble to many. Most Patreon accounts I follow have also stagnated or have lost supporters like I did during July and August. So, I can't really keep up with offering more reward than what I can affford, with no real hope of new pledges appearing in the near future.
This sadly means that, I need to reduce my rewards to the maximum I can afford with the earnings obtained through Patreon. That doesn't mean that I'll stop searching for other rewards that I could offer, that would take less time to create. But at least for now, it means a reduction of the rewards. I know this has the potential of causing me to lose even more patrons, but I do hope to have everyone's understanding under these circumstances.
So, based on the votes you kindly offered me in the previous polls, here's how the rewards will be:
- The comic Moonlace with 48 votes in total, was the top voted and will become top priority in this Patreon. Most likely new rewards will focus on expanding this comic. Right now, the new tier is adjusted to reflect that. Giving Moonlace a third update each month, once we hit the next milestone.
- Pinups were the second top voted with 39 votes total. This means I'll also give pinups priority, probably turning to two potential pinups in one month, instead of one as it was done before.
- Bethellium was voted third with 36 votes total. That means that Bethellium will keep updating twice a month for some time.
- Fourth top place is shared by C-chan's a Catgirl! and the private Streams with 12 votes. In regard of C-chan, I'll most likely remove it entirely from this Patreon and move it to a donation platform such as Ko-fi, and create a new strip only when the milestone is reached. I'll share with you the link once I have it.
- I'll also most likely make the Streams not a regular reward anymore. Meaning that, I'll still open streams, but only when circumstances allow it and not as a mandatory reward every month. I'll probably also stream other stuff in public sometimes, such as commissions and such. So I'll let you know when I stream in the future, only it won't be that common.
- Fifth place was the Questions and Answers with 9 votes. And Sixth place was the Art Lounge with 6. This means both Q&A and Art Lounge will be put on the back burner for a bit, to wait and see if support at Patreon rises in the future.
- Sneak peeks and youtube videos will remain as a reward for $5+.
- Art Sets now focusing on pinups, and hi-res versions of everything, will remain $10+ rewards. I'm considering leaving pinups completely exclusive for $10+ patrons too.
- Alternative versions, cameo chances and spotlight for suggestions, will remain as $20+ rewards. I'm thinking of including an "Ask the Creator" reward too, that would require me only to sit and write stuff instead of drawing.
- Commission spots will remain as $40+ rewards.
- I'm also considering, based on multiple suggestions, to make $1 pledges only a tip jar, and moving early access as exclusive to $2. If I do, I'll do it until next month, so if you're a $1 patron, you still have early access during September.
Hope all the text above made sense. If you have suggestions, opinions or any idea you want to share, please let me know.
I'm also posting soon of other ways you can support me, if for any reason Patreon does not suit you entirely or if they continue declining your payments for no reason. Rewards would be delivered through my website as if you were a patron.
Many thanks again for your attention and understanding. I still want to offer you, the best stuff I can. Only I need to put my feet on the ground and start working based solely on what I can afford.
It goes without saying, I'm always very very grateful for the support and trust you put in me every month. Many many thanks guys, from the bottom of my heart! :D
Comments
This is something that so many artists on Patreon have had to wrestle with, and you're going about it in a very sensible way! Please take care of yourself.
James Birdsall
2019-09-05 02:36:00 +0000 UTCit's ok, please keep some time to yourself.
Synariel
2019-09-03 14:41:12 +0000 UTCUnderstandable thing to do. I'll keep being a pledge and I hope you get the fun in drawing back soon!
Nero
2019-09-03 13:42:19 +0000 UTC