All right, I have a question for you all. This is something that has been on my mind for a number of weeks now, ever since I heard Chris Oatley's podcast, which you can listen to here. For those of you who do not have the time to sit down and listen to an entire podcast (which I totally understand), Chris and his guests talk about a new crowdfunding site called Patreon. It works similar to Kickstarter, except instead of funding one particular project with a definite beginning, middle, and end, it is similar to pledging to NPR or PBS, where you're supporting the work of the artist(s) in question on a continuing basis. The larger the donation totals get per month, the more added bonuses would be unlocked on the MeatShield site for everyone's enjoyment.
I am seriously thinking about doing this for MeatShield. Don't worry, the comic strip would still be free regardless. I am simply exploring avenues to enable me to help support my family, as I would like to be cartooning professionally full-time. I would like to get your thoughts on this before I go ahead with it; whether you feel it would cheapen the site or that it would provide you an opportunity to help support a strip that you love and that I've loved (and still love) making for you all over the past 4+ years.
Let me know what you folks think in the comments below. Thanks. :)
~Rob
I’ve know a number of creators that use it. It sounds like a great system.
I have a friend using it for his webcomic, and he seems to be liking it so far. He’s only been using it for a couple of months I think, though.
A lot of well-known webcomics have been using sponsorship programs in exchange for premium content for a while, such as Sluggy Freelance’s Defenders of the Nifty, and I don’t think anyone’s ever objected to that. This is if anything a step or two back on the “selling out” ladder – more support means you can produce more, but you’re not locking anything behind a paywall.
Some extra content would be nice. I don’t think it would hurt to try it out.
Most of the comics I got to daily are already on there. Go for it, man!
That crown seems to make the wearer highly suggestable and regress the wearer to child like thought.
Glad I am not using it.