A Proposal to Anyone who Has a Patreon Account

[Tieback]

I was brainstorming ways I could better market my comic, and I started thinking about my Patreon account. I’ve had it for about 6 months, and only have one supporter so far…. Thank you one supporter! Still, I was trying to think how one could gain a larger following, and a thought occurred to me. I think, psychologically, people are more likely to provide a pledge to someone who already has a decent following. I think it feels “safer” to be with a group. So I thought, what if two Patreon creators help build up each others support base by giving a monthly pledge to each other? If I were to provide mutual support to 3, 5, or 10 people, that would help build up a decent following for everyone. Then, when someone new comes along, they will be more likely to think, “Hey, several other people like this, I bet I might too, I’m going to make a pledge.” (This might be wishful thinking, but I’d like to give it a shot.)

So here is what I am proposing. Anyone here who is an active Patreon creator, and is willing to provide mutual support to other Patreon creators, leave a comment with the name of your comic and a link to your Patreon page. Then if you see a comic or several in this forum that you would like to support, LIKE that creator’s comment. If that creator also wants to support you in return, that creator will like your comment back. If two creators both like each other, they agree to provide a monthly support to each other through Patreon. It is up to each individual how much they want to support, since everyone has different tier system. If there is a LIKE match, each creator should start Patreon support in a timely matter. If either creator decides they need to end Patreon support in the future, please let the other creator know beforehand, so they can decided if they wish to end Patreon support as well. This proposal is not about building one’s Patreon earnings, it is about increasing the number of patrons one has, which I believe, will make your Patreon page much more appealing. As a side note, please don’t be offended if someone doesn’t like your comment back. Everyone is allowed to support what they like. This is purely a marketing effort to mutually help comic creators.

The Archer and the Squirrel

https://www.patreon.com/Tieback

[UrMom]

I wouldn't mind doing something like this to an extent, I love supporting artists but two things:

1. I'm not comfortable with someone giving me money, even just a dollar, if they don't really like what I create.
2. I am desperately poor at the moment and can't afford to even pay the one person I made the mistake of supporting.

I can't contribute to anyone elses, but I will share other artist's pages on Twitter. That will at least give someone a dollar until next month, or whenever they collect their money.

Edit: Eh, why not. My Patreon page isn't the most conventional, it doesn't have a tier system, sooooo...

[Tieback]

Thanks Bloomer for offering to help artists promote via twitter That's very kind of you! To address your first concern, this forum is designed for creators to choose if and whom they'd like to support. You can post your patreon link here, and if you don't find anyone you'd feel comfortable supporting, you don't have to LIKE anyone's comment. Just by commenting here, your not obligated to support anyone, unless you like them. It's true that the idea for this proposal has more to do with networking and marketing, then straight up "I really love your work and want to support you!" However, I think this forum provides an opportunity for people to do both, if that's what you want. If you just want to find a fellow creator to mutually support. That's fine. Or if you want to see if you find a creator you really like here, and then support them mutually, that's fine to. It's possible two creators might end up supporting each other for different reasons, but it's still artists supporting artists. This proposal is what you make of it.

[efdvorsky]

You're right on the psychological thing. A good way to gain more people is to ask family and friends if they can donate a few dollars for the first few months while you get off the ground. Supporters will start feeling more comfortable helping you out. It worked with me and my patreon has been growing slowly, but surely! (Actually Patreon recommends this)

As is, I wouldn't mind doing this since it would pretty much be a give/take concept, and you don't lose nor gain anything necessarily, right? So it helps promote this network of artists. (I'm sorry if I sound kind of cheap? I don't mean it, I'm just going through a big economical blow right now and I'm playing it safe)

[Rueleer]

This is a helpful idea, and I'll second confirming that this is a legit psychological effect on people! (The same rule applies when busking, for example.)

I just wanted to point out that there's a little flaw in the method, which is that Patreon takes a small percentage of your pledges as a fee for its usage. So unfortunately it's not a loss-less situation. qwq

[keii4ii]

I have to question the effectiveness of this strategy for Patreon. With something like Kickstarter, people are reluctant to back a project if they think it's probably not going to make it. But with Patreon, there's this: "wow, how is this awesome creator only making this little? THIS IS WRONG! I'M GOING TO GIVE THEM MY MONEY!" (That's how it works for me at least...)

My guess is that if you are making like... less than $15 per month, this may help so your account doesn't look too empty. But there might be a certain point after which "empty support" starts to work against you. I'm no expert, though, so take it with a grain with salt.

[Tieback]

efdvorsky, you did a great job on your Patreon page! The video was a great touch, and it was nice to actually hear your voice. It felt very personable. I remember reading that Patreon suggested creators get their family members to start them off with some pledges, and I think that is a great idea that will work for most people. I'm kinda in an odd boat, since I don't have many family members, and most of them I'm not close enough to ask. But that's why I'm looking for other ways to start off, like this Forum! I'd love to mutually support you and your comic! My lowest tier is $2, so I'd like to match you for at least as much. Thanks for partaking. See you on Patreon!

[Tieback]

You are correct, Patreon does take a cut. For example, the one patron I have pledges $5 a month, but only $4.37 of that gets to me, the creator. So it's true this system of mutual patronage will result in some cents being "lost" to Patreon fees. It's a trade off that I'm ok with, but it's good to make that clear in case anyone here didn't know. Thank you for bringing that up!

[briadawson2014]

I'm in the same boat you're in and I wouldn't mind supporting others if so many things, like money weren't in the way. If prices are good, I could support. I want to market mines too but since my following is so small, it's hard to do so. Here's mines: https://www.patreon.com/kitsunoni

[dojo]

I don't mind if people want to advertise mine, but I won't be participating because I can't really afford to lose money right now (kinda in job limbo again and I need to hang onto all the money I can. Once that changes, I don't mind tossing a few bucks here and there) https://www.patreon.com/dojo I haven't posted anything on it in awhile but a lot of that is because it really is just my dad and a couple friends supporting it and they already hear most of the stuff I'd have to say so it felt like a waste at the time to keep trying, but now that I'm starting to get readers that aren't family and friends I'm going to change that since I figure people would feel better throwing their support at something that doesn't seem dead, HAHA

[UrMom]

Pff sure, I'll just edit my previous post.
I do have to agree with the psychological thing, I myself don't like to participate in things if I'm the first or only one to do it. What really sucks for me about the asking for friend and family support is that I don't share my work with family and I don't have friends. Lol, I'm screwed.
Like I said before, I don't think I can participate fully since I'm broke as hell, but I'll still share stuff.

[efdvorsky]

I get you on the family thing, I actually got help from my friends, but if you need help with anything let me know, k? This also goes out to everyone else here; if they'd like to do a video or smth and need help, lemme know!

https://www.patreon.com/Tieback

Done and done! C: Also like...your art is REALLY good, so I'll start getting the word around regardless C: you deserve a lot of support!

[Tieback]

Thanks efdvorsky! I think your artwork is great too! Artist supporting Artist! Yahooo!

[the_elven_starship]

I like the idea, but now I can't help :/

I'm following you in Patreon. When the things comes better to me, I'll start to help

[Tieback]

thank you so much! I'm glad you like the comic!

[hisameartwork]

Hi! I'm still new trying to find my way around the forum here. So I like your comic style a lot, where can I read the pages here on Tapastic?
Also I I would like to support you as well on Patreon . I can't give much but I think it's important to support original content.

Take care,
Hisame

[Tieback]

Welcome to Taptastic's Forum! It's a fun place Also I'm so happy you like my comic The Archer and the Squirrel!

If you want to read my comic on taptastic you can read it here:
https://tapastic.com/series/thearcherandthesquirrel

However, if you really like the comic, you might prefer to read it on my main site. The main site will always have more pages up then Tapastic, plus it also has more info about the comic and fun things to check out:
www.archerandthesquirrelcomic.com

To support me on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/Tieback

Thanks again Hisame! Hugs!!!

[aspiderjonny]

I'm ok with doing this kind of thing when it's something like the votes on TopWebcomics, but I'm a little skeptical when money's involved. I'm just afraid that this will quickly go from supporting 3 artist a month for $1 each to spending $50-70 on many comics I don't regularly read. I also feel odd getting undeserved money from people who also don't read my work.

I'm more then happy to promote other people's patreons though Tap or Twitter or the like. And it would be a huge help if people would share my Patreon. Maybe offer ways of how to improve it. Sharing money seems like too big of a gamble for me, and I see other people have expressed this concern too. I think we should start with just sharing our pages. Maybe then, people could think about whether they want to support it or not.

[hisameartwork]

Sure I'll go to the main site I have a blog for updates too: https://hisameartwork.wordpress.com/ But I know Tapastic gives adrevenue and activity on your comic will increase visibility.

Ok, tea cookies, let's read "The Archer and the Squirrel" ^u^

And you got a new Patron :3 see you on Patreon