ArloStuff
patreon
Patreon Changes
🕑 Added 2017-09-26 22:14:46 +0000 UTCHey! How's it going?
I don't have a ton to report on right now, but mainly I just wanted to let you know I updated my Patreon profile. It was about time, too, as things have changed drastically since I first wrote all that stuff. Giving it all a read-through will fill you in on everything, but let's touch on the key changes.
I changed the main description to reflect the nature of my videos. I did once plan on making most of my content "timeless," but due to popular demand I now do regular reporting and whatnot on topical subjects. But most importantly I explained how I know I don't offer as much in the way of rewards as a lot of folks on here, but it's because I just don't have enough time. As such it's really important that anyone supporting me here legitimately wants to help keep the channel alive, and isn't relying on a bunch of stuff in return.
And believe me, I hate that it has to be this way, but I've just got to be realistic about how much time I have. Now, this isn't me saying "No more blogs! No more ArloCasts!" I'm still going to try my best to deliver this extra stuff just as frequently as I have been. I think I just needed to get this all out there so that I can stop feeling constant guilt about not doing enough for my awesome Patrons. Like really, I'm ALWAYS feeling like junk because I want to give back, and some of you guys have given so much, but the extra stuff is just so irregular. And I also feel guilty that I'm not able to do more for my $20+ patrons, and have resorted to using what I'm now calling the "Wall of Patrons" instead of a verbal shoutout.
But I don't want to feel bad about it anymore... Okay, well I'll always WISH I could do more, and maybe someday I'll be able to, but I feel better now that this is all out in the open. I've changed all the reward tiers to more accurately describe what you get when you pledge. I've also deleted my profile's final "goal," which was $2000 to start Youtubing full time. I got rid of it because I really don't know how much it will take to make such a huge change in my life. And I really can't think of any other goals, because again, I just don't have the time to do fun extra stuff without it impacting my regular content. Yeah, I know it's not as interesting, but again I'm trying to be realistic and not over-promise. I'll do what I can for my patrons, but I have to hope that when patron perks are sparse everyone is still happy just knowing they're making a difference.
One other large change is that I've once more made my total pledge amount visible. I originally made it private for two reasons. Firstly, being visible seemed to put a cap on how much I could make. Every time I hit $1000 I lost a ton of patrons, I assume because they felt that that was a good milestone and that I no longer needed the help. As you know, any and all reasons to pull your support are good reasons, and I fully encourage you to only support me if you're ABSOLUTELY 100% willing to, and every single individual person who's pledged even as little as one dollar LIFETIME is SUPREMELY AWESOME! (I just had to make that clear. I'm terrified of sounding ungrateful. XP) But time and time again I crept up to $1000 then dropped well below it, and it was hindering my growth, so I thought I would try making the amount invisible as an experiment. Sure enough, I was able to creep past the milestone. The second reason I made it invisible was because I guess I just thought it was a little classier. It felt more professional...or something? I don't exactly know.
BUT I changed it back because in the end I think it just makes sense. Most other folks on Patreon have it visible, and really if you're donating to something you deserve to see how much that thing is already making. I mean, would you want to donate to a Kickstarter if you didn't even know what the goal was or how close it was to reaching it? So it's visible again. Yeah, maybe I'll have the same milestone issues, but that's life. Better to be transparent so everyone knows exactly what they're giving toward.
Lastly I took down my welcome video. It's a bummer because I love the jokes in it, but it just wasn't accurate anymore. Hopefully I'll be able to make another one someday.
But I think that's it for Patreon changes! I'll be back soon (hopefully) with a bigger and more accurate list, but right now I'm working on a video talking about Nintendo's current relationship with indies/third parties. The Nindies Showcase and Nintendo Direct had some really great announcements, so I thought it would be fun to talk about them.
I played a few hours of A Hat In Time, though I'm not sure yet if I'm going to be able to do a full review. Beyond that I'm going to do a video about the game that scared me the most. I can't remember if I've talked about that one yet... But if I haven't, we'll have to touch on it later!
A million thanks to any and all new patrons since the last blog! You're beautiful!
See you soon!
Comments
Good to know. I really hope you review A Hat In Time!
Evan
Hey Arlo, I was thinking about this again today, and specifically about your video's "timelessness" I think the majority of your videos are timeless, but not always In the same way as maybe your sketches. I think "timeless" was the word you picked (a good choice!) but I don't know exactly how you categorize that. A video like Metroid and the Art of Supporting a series is totally timeless!! But also topical? Your let's play of Rabbids may not be as timeless. Yet the Switch's Unique Opportunity is also a video I'll refer to for years. Your discussion videos are timeless for their nuanced and original perspectives, I hope you still intend to do those?
Arlo
That's the way they taught me to do it in school, and it was only a few years ago that I even realized that it wasn't a universal thing. Like I just never noticed before. Now it's a force of habit!
Shawn
Arlo, Thanks for the update. It's good to be clear on where you are in your thinking. Many of us support you because we want the main videos, not for bonuses, But it's nice to have the blog and cast. But honestly, if that takes away from videos, I could do without them. RE: YouTubing full time I expect you to go through some transition if your Patreon support levels increase. It sucks to hear you had a hard time passing $1000. Right now, YouTube is a side project. When it reaches half of your income, I wonder if you might be part time regular job, part time YouTubing. I feel like your regular job is a gig based work contracts and not 9-5. So That might be possible? side job (passion project) -> part time YouTube -> full time YouTube. Right now it's a passion project, and you are doing great. Re: Timeless Videos I admit, I want both. I love your timeless videos and want more of them. I wouldn't stop them all together. In fact, they may be what makes people want your opinion on stuff. But as I rewatch them a bunch, I'm sad they aren't what drive your views. I hope they will come back in fuller force as you go part time or full time, whenever that happens. Your content makes me feel happy and full of joy. Keep it up. Ps. If you cannot do review videos on some stuff, the 5 minutes for 5 reviews format was cool in your older videos.
‘Leigh
Your videos just plain make me happy, and that's better than any patron perk. That's why I've been and will continue chipping in, I simply want MOAR ARLO! ^_^ (At a sustainable pace, of course!)
If only I didn't live all the way off in SC, I would be coming to Arlopalooza!
Phendan
I don't think you have much to worry about. I'd be willing to guess that by far most of us who support you on Patreon don't expect things in return. Well, scratch that. We expect you to make the stuff you want to make and just want to help you create as much of it in as high a quality as possible. The far more pressing issue is this: why do you separate your sentences with two spaces?
I'm glad you made that update. I can totally understand the feeling to give back for what you get. I can only speak for myself but I think most if not all people think the same way and I'm 100% satisfied with the among of content and other stuff you make. So no need to worry from here. Just be yourself and stay awesome/healthy.
Arlo
Ooh, thanks.
I found a typo in your new description: whatever I feel like" sprinkled in. You're either missing a quotation mark, or accidentally added one.
yumehop (no. 1 ol' cobb fan)
Love you arlo, and the changes are good because they reflect your channel and what you make now. I'm happy that its accurate
Alina Marquardt
<3, Arlo, <3!
Arlo
Right now unfortunately it's all about the money. Getting help with editing is the only other help-related thing that I'd like to do in the future, but I don't think I'm ready for it yet.
Arlo
YOU'RE wonderful!
Obviously speaking for (just) me here... but sleep well Arlo. I'm here to support you, the artist, and want to be a small contributor towards your full-time goal. Your content is wonderful. I thank you!
Evan
Do you need help in anyway? I'd be happy to help keep this channel going in any capacity? Other than financially I mean
Arlo
Well thanks! Also AUGH I want to play it so bad, and I want to review it, but Samus Returns really got in the way! Now I feel like it's too late for the video to be relevant. It's still not off the table entirely though!
Robert Slaid
I’m so glad I discovered your channel and I’m happy to support you. You provide great content and a enjoy your humor. Keep up the good work and stay awesome, as usual. On a side note, since you are a fan of Metroid games, and I assume by extension a fan of Metroid style games, have you played Steamworld Dig 2 and are you planning on reviewing it? Just wondering what your thoughts are on it.
Don’t worry arlo! I don’t expect much here, as long as you are happy with your work I am happy. Keep up the good work! (No pressure)
