Transparency
Added 2019-01-02 00:10:56 +0000 UTCIn light of recent events and I'm 100% positive that I really don't need to do this, but because I have applied ARMY values to EVERYTHING in the creation of this book. I'm going to clear the record and set everything straight.
Budget:
Inks: Luigi lives in the Philippines and so his portions is $1.5k a month. This comes out of my pocket and is completely separate from Patreon Pledges / subscriptions.
Colors: $500 (436.23 Euro /a month)
Cover art: Depending on the artist around $500-1k is invested in locating artists that are affordable and are able to deliver on time.
Printing / Shipping:
This is where the majority of the money goes to. Printing itself can be anywhere from $100-2000+ depending on tier rewards.
I have this calculated down to the last dime.
So basically'
$1500 => Luigi (Brian covers this.)
$500 =>Capucine (Brian covers this)
$2,000 =>Printing
$2k+ shipping P(Patreon funds.)
Royalties: %10 of all sales (retail)
Comments
I understand running all of this is hard. If you guys don't want to do things after Rags, then I could understand that. Patreon going a little crazy isn't helping things either. Like I have said before, whatever you guys do in the future I will probably back you up. Mainly because I respect people who make things for arts sake, and not make things just to make money. I know other people creating at cost, and you can't accuse them of being motivated by greed, they aren't sellouts. Not everbody can do that, but I won't deny a genuine motivation behind your work. Just do what you feel ethically comfortable with.
H.B.
2019-01-03 08:27:11 +0000 UTCI appreciate your honesty but honestly it isnt nobodies business. Everyone supporting the patreon is in turn supporting the book but are getting what was promised to them via the tiers. So with that said you should be making alot more money. The purpose of goods and services is to provide such in exchange for some type of currency. You are providing books which in turn people can collect for their PC or to flip for more. If you were pocketing the cash, so what, that's what you should be doing. Now with that said, looking at what you posted, you're going to have to cut corners. Even if you arent in this for money, that's the purpose for a business venture which this is. 1 super exclusive patreon cover for month, complete with bells and whistles, all numbered 1/400, 1/100 etc should lower printing and shipping costs. It will also make the book rare, which in turn will make the patrons happy and more people wanting to sign up. It's like going to clubs, folks wanna get in where all the cool kids go and not everyone can get into. So lowering shipping and printing, next see if Luigi can take 1k instead of 1500, hes doing great work but hes making more than the creators. Cant have that, If not there are hungry peeps that will do it just to get some work. I know it sucks and it isnt what you want to do, but like I said you gotta make some money. If you keep going upside down, your baby will die. You gotta break bread to make bread and rinse and repeat.
Adan Rivera
2019-01-03 08:13:00 +0000 UTCSo guess your going to do the kickstarter stuff since this Patron thing is just ehh... Shit
Mitchell Coleman
2019-01-03 06:00:38 +0000 UTCWell then there must be another way that we can contribute and give our support even though you are so generous and don't want to ask for it. We want you to continue to exist, and the more funds you have the longer you'll be able to entertain us and even inspire us. Maybe if us Patrons buy some merch or even order some extra comics to pass along to some friends, we would do our part by putting more money into the future of Rags, and advertise for the comic and creator in which we love and why most of us Patrons are here.
Dawn Dukes
2019-01-02 05:20:48 +0000 UTCDawn, you're a sweetheart. Don't worry about the back end costs we're footing. Making a profit never was a part of making this book. Our motto has always been: "Is this fun?" I personally do not feel right passing the costs off to you guys. The goal of this book at the end of the day is to simply exists. As long as that happens...we're good.
RAGS
2019-01-02 02:37:05 +0000 UTCOkay, so to be blunt.... Are we fucking helping at all? Because I felt super bad reading that break down on cost for you. I mean, seriously.... $2k+ for shipping for all of us every month, that's bs! And I feel like even more of a bitch for requesting the books that I didn't get last month. Ugh So hating myself right now. But seriously, you guys have done and are wanting to do more and more for us, yet we're not doing anymore for you. I would charge us for shipping! We're getting so much with whatever teir we're in, so what's a few bucks for us to seriously complain about for shipping cost. Especially since you guys are going to start using the MORE EXPENSIVE gemini mailers. If other Patrons on here disagree with me, then that's straight up greed!
Dawn Dukes
2019-01-02 02:14:09 +0000 UTCYou are right - you are under no obligation to break things out like this. The way I look at it, if you tell someone that for tier X they’ll get benefits Y, and you deliver on it, and they’re satisfied, that’s it. If they’re not satisfied they can nope out any time. Anyone who thinks they’re entitled to bitch about how much scratch you may be making or how you’re spending it can eat a bag of dicks. It seems that a lot of people of a younger generation than me seem to think they have some say over the amount or disposition of profits of the companies & people they buy from, and that’s collectivist cancer bullshit. I hope you can find a way to really grow your revenue (and yeah, price is on the table) because you’re producing a high quality product that clearly has some strong demand. Happy New Year and I hope it is more successful than ever.
Galactus Planeteater
2019-01-02 02:11:50 +0000 UTCNo need to worry on my end, at least. I feel very well taken care of and that you're on our side. So well taken care in fact, that pretty soon, an entire wall of my study will be dedicated to Rags!
Darkprophet232
2019-01-02 01:30:37 +0000 UTCCouldn’t you put some away in a rainy day fund, any unexpected price increases or other surprises could ease the strain on yourselves. Just to have a cushion area for expenses.
Invisible Grunt
2019-01-02 01:27:27 +0000 UTCWell if you do decide to raise the monthly cost just remember it's well deserved! I'm not ass kissasin, I'm for real! You guys made something to be proud of!
Tracy Forrest
2019-01-02 01:02:58 +0000 UTCSome people only see money. Personally, I have something different in mind.
RAGS
2019-01-02 00:50:08 +0000 UTCWe just want to deliver a quality product and ensure that people get their money's worth. We also keep alot of things close to chest and this is one of those things. But in light of recent events we figured its best to just lay it all out there and if people want to call bullshit they're free to do so. Just hopefully, I pray that the Partons know that I will always err on their side to ensure that you and your dollar are getting the most for your money. For some creators its about the money. For Trent and I, its scratching a line off the bucket list and hoping that everyone else enjoys the ride we're on.
RAGS
2019-01-02 00:40:33 +0000 UTCOur main issue was that Trent and I felt people were being preyed upon either due to ignorance or by greed. We realize that we can't stop greed, but also that we probably should distance ourselves a bit and be businessmen. Hard to swallow, but for me and Trent, its all about the experience.
RAGS
2019-01-02 00:37:29 +0000 UTCAny money I get gets reinvested into the Comic. That money I made from P.O.D sells? That either got donated to charity or was used to cover costs for alibi shipments / damaged books.
RAGS
2019-01-02 00:32:43 +0000 UTCI would personally be much happier if more was going into your pocket. That’s what upsets me most about this.
J. Bozlinski
2019-01-02 00:31:37 +0000 UTCMost people would, but honestly the intent of this book is NOT to make money despite most assumptions.
RAGS
2019-01-02 00:31:29 +0000 UTCNo cookies until you make money. I think that's how that works
Kyle B
2019-01-02 00:30:41 +0000 UTCas long as Jackie makes me cookies....
RAGS
2019-01-02 00:30:07 +0000 UTCI agree with Kyle B. This isn't Kick Starter where the idea is that 100% of proceeds go to the product. I look at Patreon as more of a group employer, which means there should be some amount hitting your pocket book. Let's be honest, a ton of people on this platform don't deliver nearly this level of quality tier rewards of as Rags, yet have many, many more patrons. I couldn't give 2 shits about getting a private invite to watch you play Cards against Humanity on Skype, for instance. If you increased Operator level to $50, it would still be a good quality investment (please don't take this as a suggestion, I don't need the hate!) in my eyes.
Darkprophet232
2019-01-02 00:29:46 +0000 UTCcovered under cover art actually.
RAGS
2019-01-02 00:29:19 +0000 UTCProbably still makes me and the rest of the shed sad
Kyle B
2019-01-02 00:27:08 +0000 UTCMeh I'll be fine.
RAGS
2019-01-02 00:26:32 +0000 UTCIt so much does, but you'll find out, lots of Indie Creators, especially the organizers (which are also often the writers) Take the first brunt when other things need $. I know this well myself XD Someday soon tho, Brian will have no excuse not to make BANK.
IronVerse Comics
2019-01-02 00:24:59 +0000 UTCI appreciate the breakdown also but I think the issue was that we (fans) could all see that you were upset with people selling you're book on eBay or privately. I enjoy your book and the only way I got it was through eBay but now I'm a patron! I couldn't get the book through AP because it was out of stock. I didn't know what Patreon was at all. I really didn't trust the organization until I saw your recent YouTube interview. I feel that I'm an investor! I am investing my money in your product! I believe in your work, and if all goes well I hope you remember us!
Tracy Forrest
2019-01-02 00:24:21 +0000 UTCI expected them to pocket some, good work deserves good pay.
James K Trammell
2019-01-02 00:19:38 +0000 UTCMakes me sad you don't make anything
Kyle B
2019-01-02 00:18:53 +0000 UTCYou didn't include commissions done for the patreon rewards. Also, nobody here would poo poo on Rags if you made money on this.
OptimusSpider
2019-01-02 00:17:23 +0000 UTCAppreciate the breakdown but honestly as long as the books come out I don't care if the money goes to beer and video games.
James K Trammell
2019-01-02 00:16:42 +0000 UTC
