If you use something like Patreon to fund your projects (whether art, technical, or otherwise), or any other form of "regular donations by individual people for the stuff you do", I want to hear from you:
What is it like for you? Do you prefer it over a salaried job? Why or why not? What are the stress factors, and are they better or worse than the other options you have available for income?
(Please answer also if you don't get enough donations to replace other forms of income, including if you have a salaried job *in addition to* your donations! I just want to get a feel for how folks experience the differences)
@joepie91 I have a Patreon and it isn't enough to support myself with but I do like keeping it somewhat active. My patrons are fun and supportive so the experience itself is a delight. I've changed what and how I post since AI became a point of concern.
I know if I had to really grind to make content, market it and grow my audience rapidly I would need to make a lot to feel like its worth it. I'm not really sure if I'd prefer that vs salaried work as both have their issues.
@joepie91 I should add that, Patreon and Ko-Fi are nice ways to offer people who want to provide some financial support an avenue to do so without having to buy physical goods.
It feels more like a tip system than a way to fully support yourself. And, I prefer to look at it like that because unless you happen to gain momentum or hit a very specific desire culturally, it requires a lot of extra work to make that into a living that pays well per hour invested.
@clarablackink The "lot of extra work" bit - what sort of work are you thinking of here?
@joepie91 It can all line up well but it generally takes years to really build the loyalty and the content to make a living.
Most really successful content that becomes popular fast follows a formula. And, that's totally cool, there is a market and it takes a certain talent to tap it. But, its just not why I make stuff.
I still find the platform useful for my more modest usage.
@clarablackink Thanks, this helps a lot!
@joepie91 The marketing part is more work than people anticipate.
Plus, there's experimentation with what content brings in clicks and doesn't, so you shift from making work (for me, writing and art) to figuring out where to find people who will subscribe at higher tier levels and what content will keep them subbed.
I've done marketing before so its doable but it is less "fun" with my own work because then I'm thinking content not art.