I Said "Patreon" Out Loud...

[blairmacg]

As in, I mentioned in public that I'm considering Patreon. So in between coaching my nephews through schoolwork and chores -- hours during which absolutely nothing creative can occur -- I read through all the How It Works stuff on the Patreon website, poked around different creator projects to get a feel for things, and sketched out some notes

Comments

[medicmsh]

I generally back creators rather than specific content. Accordingly I would back a Patreon based on the fact that it is/was BY YOU rather than backing specific content thereon.

That said, the level of backing for me reflects my perceived value of the projects being undertaken (largely regardless of the extent to which the projects make themselves visible in the site content).

Since I like being able to direct potentially-interested-parties to cool content, I am not-quite-but-almost-opposed to "locked" essays, articles, and things I read and want to say "ooo! ooo!" read this about -- but can't because they are only available to backers. ("Read this cool thing! I support it and I'm sure you'll want to support it!" [CONTENT IS LOCKED] "Awww...") My opinion.

Now... higher-value backer awards... "Higher-value backers! This month I will post my thoughts on Fighting A Bear! OR, a Werewolf! OR, three asthmatic walruses and a squad of ninja penguins! YOU CHOOSE WHO I WILL FIGHT at least conceptually!" Yes, I would pay extra to vote on that panel. Admittedly it may make you somewhat uncomfortably similar to a gladiatorial combatant. *cue soundtrack to "Gladiator" and Blair staring down the crowd of Patreon patrons: "ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!?"* Well anyway. A passing thought; just not necessarily a GOOD thought...

Maybe another approach would be to make "Tier goals" for the entire group to achieve collectively? "When backing gets to $100 per month, I will purchase a pogo stick and devote one hour per month to practicing Pogo-Kata! At $200 per month, I will fight a cardboard box full of pudding with a chainsaw! $350 per month and I will be able to pursue my lifelong dream of ____! When backing reaches $500 per month, I will seek out a master of the Dyspeptic Goldfish school of ninjutsu and report on my conversation with them ("Bloop, blorp, , blub-bloop")! $1000 per month? VIDEOS of the pogo-kata!" Etc...

But anyway, I'd back a Blair's Combatant Patreon just because I like the self-defense writing you do and would like to support not just the writing but the continuing training and teaching that underlies the writing. Please take my money! *waves fistful of banknotes from various failed nation-states plus a couple of mass-transit cards*

[blairmacg]

Thank you! :)

Interesting point on the locked-content. I personally have NO investment or interest in making content exclusive for long periods of time, but mentioned it because I perceived exclusivity as being a backer's preference. Maybe a you-see-it-first sort of short-term exclusivity to ride the middle ground?

This gives me a great deal to think about--including pogo-kata. I mean, I can pogo like nobody's business, but segway-kata might provide a more effective training protocol.

And we've already covered the chainsaw-wielding bears, so... :)