elventower
patreon
New fees update and plans
🕑 Added 2017-12-09 15:46:35 +0000 UTC Update on the new fee system. There is a big uproar and a revolt of people leaving Patreon, both creators and supporters. Really bad rep for the site IMO. Just so you know, Jack Conte, Patreon's CEO, has declared he is aware of the big problem and they are reviewing things. They will come up with something next week apparently.Not to get anyone's hope's up though. They might roll-back this completely, or lessen it a little. Either way we're all preparing for the worst. My commitment is to you, my loyal Patrons. I didn't like this change to begin with and while we're talking about a few cents or dollars here, it's not the amount that has most people angry, it's the contentious and unfair way this is being passed. But I have a plan, a work around to lessen the fees, stick with me.
The change hurts "per creation" accounts more than others. As it is now, you'd be charged the 2.9% (no escape there) plus 35 cents for every map I post. To be honest, there's no way for me to know how many posts you pay per month, only the pledge-per-map. Assuming you paid the 10 I post monthly. Under the current model you'd pay 10 + 2.9% (29 cents) + 3.5 (35 cents per map) for a total of $13.79.... abominable, ludicrous, ridiculous....
If this was a monthly-contribution account, for the same 10 dollars you'd pay: 10 + 29 cents + 35 cents, for a total of $10.64. That's better!
It seems like we're all being driven to change to monthly accounts. I'd do that but being honest, this patreon account amounts to a big chunk of my household income. I left my day-job to work on this so I can't make a change like that because all people's current pledges would become monthly (instead of "per map") and my income would drop drastically. I am really sorry to talk about numbers like this, I'd rather write about fantastic locations.
So here's my plan.
We can change to a monthly scheme and pay way less in fees but we have to do it gradually. What I can do is set up some new pledge levels of support for you to switch. Like I said, I don't know how much each of you pledge, only you know how much you pledge monthly to me, so you'd be able to chose a pledge level of say: 5 dollars, 15 dollars, 30 dollars. Whatever is your current contribution and then set it as a one-paid post per month.
My account would still be working as "pay per map" but when you switch and set it to only one map, you can rest assured you'll be charged only that one and a lot less fees. It's important that you set it up because only you can do it.
Since the month already started I can't do this now, I can set it up to work for January. There's still a chance that Patreon rolls these changes back , please bear with me and this situation and let's wait for next week's news about the current fees.
Please tell me what you think about this.
Comments
Christian 'Chrras' Petersen
As a student I can't contribute much, but I'd be willing to change to whatever subscription solutions suits you best :)
Good luck)
Elven Tower
yep, seems like the best option. I won't do anything yet since there's still chance they make a change. But i'll keep you posted.
Joel McKinnon
I'm all for a set amount per month - having multiple options to factor in the current payment methods seems to be what a lot of map creators are moving to.
No they are not recurring. People chip in when they want. Usually after someone sees a video where I shw them how to fix something they own, and they follow the directions and fix their unit. I get 50.00 and sometimes more all the time. When I save someone spending a few hundred fixing something they are most grateful
Elven Tower
I have a question about your paypal contributions. Are they recurring? as in a monthly payment? or whenever people choose to chip in?
Patreon has been a total joke for me. In the last year I have made a grand total of 377.55 and that is before paypal sucks their 1% off that. I make more than that every day at my day job. Since this announcement hit I have lost patrons too, and I expect I will loose the remaining 40 that I have. By comparison I get closer to 500 a month from direct paypal sponsorship. Still far less than I make from youtube from my 27K subscribers, but it is still not much considering the time I put into putting together videos and answering all the questions that people post. I figured if patreon had generated a few thousand 1.00 donations from the 27000 subscribers it would be worth it, and even made some patreon only content, but it didn't attract enough of a monthly gain to make it worthwhile. Personally at this point I really hope everyone yanks all their patreon accounts and sends patreon a message so they end up like vidme. Gone. Good riddance.
Elven Tower
That's certainly the opinion of many people. Also be on the lookout for Drip upcoming platform.
Elven Tower
Thank you Leticia. I appreciate the support and comprehension. I'll let you know what happens.
Elven Tower
Thanks Derek, I'll let you all know.
Patreon can blow me. I'm done. Moving back to direct support on paypal from my supporters.
I'd be willing to switch to a monthly fee if that works better. :)
Derek Burge
Really hoping they roll it back, but I'm with ya, monthly or per post. Chart the course, Derek, and we'll follow.
