I've also been making and posting completely free content for over 8 years now. It's becoming less sustainable over time. About 3 months ago I talked about my shitty financial situation and lack of success getting a SubscribeStar where people would be able to help fund me to make more work. After languishing in a year of no contact from SS, I was finally successful in getting one after making a brand new application.
I've had to spend more time working since the year started (which has been depressing, as much as I like my job) and has left me with less time and energy to make things. I really hope this can be an opportunity to change that, though it depends upon how much support I get from you!
I have a ton of over-anxious and neurotic thoughts about this but I'll try to keep it brief. I've spent a lot of time sort of playing out different scenarios in my head of what the options are in terms of what is sustainable to offer, what people get for supporting me, and how different options sit with me. The meaning and joy I get from making things depends heavily upon people getting to see what I create. I've tried my best to settle on the most appropriate middle ground.
Here's what I've decided: - Tier 1 (Owen Tier): I want to post the true/canon/base versions of everything I make. If you've been enjoying things like Ben and Andy (and Owen), I don't want anyone to miss out. So, tier 1 supporters at any level will get to see future content a month or so early, but all the important stuff will get posted publicly eventually. - Tier 2 (Ben Tier): I often go nuts making naked/hyper alts to things, so any of these I make will now be an exclusive to my tier 2 supporters. - Tier 3 (Andy Tier): Tier 3 supporters will get to vote on something each month related to what I make, and have access to a streaming channel I'll use once in a while. - Every level of supporter gets access to a private Discord server. - There are a couple of higher tiers for people who really want to support me that you can look into on my page if you really want to help me out.
I want to really emphasise one thing. I'm not being hyperbolic in saying that if you like my stuff and want me to continue making it, I'm going to need support. The money I can make from this will directly enable me to spend less time working my real job and more time doing what I really want to do. For all the perks I'm able to offer, that's the biggest one — just more of what I've been doing, giving you what you want to see, making what I want to make.
