Housekeeping - updating Patreon reward tiers - need your feedback

*please comment, and please read the entire post before commenting*

Hi folks!  I have a few things to talk about here, and I would really like to hear your opinions on some things.

First off, I've been waiting to update reward tiers until I had time to make a new video, but I just haven't had time.  One of the biggest changes I need to make is make is to make the language clear that all the various rewards are voluntary, as in if you want to design a creature for instance, you can reach out to me and have a convo.

I've actually gotten feedback from people that they wanted to pledge more, but didn't because they were afraid I would /require/ them to give me their input.

When I first started this page, I had no idea how much sheer time it would take to manage admin stuff like this.  I really gave it a try at first, but it was taking time away from writing to the point where readers told me to stop, and most didn't care about rewards anyway.

All of this Patreon stuff had been super humbling, by the way.  First, I had no idea I'd have this many fans when I had first started out with a website and a dream.  Second, the fact that some of you just...support me, without any expectation to get anything back from it other than fun stories floors me every time I think about it.

...So I think what I'll do is update the reward tiers ASAP (since what's actually written right now makes me a lying liar) and make a shorter, more manageable video instead of a longer one to replace the old one.  

RE: The video: Believe it or not, that piece of crap currently on the page took me a couple of days.  Sad, right?

Second, the actual pricing for the lower tiers is a little messed up right now.  For those who haven't been here from the beginning, the original tiers for reading started at $2, and $4 for art...but this was back when my process was still being done with cups and string.  I spend more on art now than the entire Patreon used to deliver per month!

Anyway, to kind of address this in the past, I made a new tier for reading at $3, and art at $5.  I left the $2 and $4 tiers to reward folks who were here from the get-go, and I made the number of slots limited...but I haven't kept up with it.  As a result, folks have left, then been replaced by new readers.

***Now I am thinking that all of this stuff is needlessly complicated.

So here's my thought (and what I most want your opinion on):  What if I made all tiers start at $3, and /everyone/ can see art?  Then if folks want to give more, like $4 or $5, it's voluntary.  I don't want to feel like I'm fleecing anyone or letting anyone down--this is very important to me.

I was thinking that if I made these changes, I could finally get around to linking the Discord (sorry I haven't done that yet!) and making the various tiers read properly, too.

In addition, I have been toying with the idea of changing the reward to better reflect stuff you all actually want.  I've gotten feedback that something I don't offer that lots of people actually care about is having their name listed in a thank you in my books.  Is this true?

I know that talking about money can be a super icky subject, but everyone here is a fan, and has blown me away with their kindness.  I'm thinking I can discuss this stuff with you because:

A. I don't want to let everyone down
B. It seems that you all seem to be aware that I am really good at some things, and really clueless at others
C.  Everyone seems to understand that running a Patreon actually costs me some time and money.  This page is about giving back and rewarding all of you more than anything else.

So what are your opinions?  I don't want to seem greedy, or to disappoint you, but I definitely need to make sure I'm at least breaking even with Patreon or I'm afraid I'll start feeling resentful about it...and nobody wants that.

I'm kind of hoping that raising the base rate pledge but eliminating the paywall for art will communicate where my head is at on all of this.

Thoughts?

-BC

PS - Please don't be afraid to voice your opinions.  I see this page as a collaborative effort, not a dictatorship.  Your input has truly helped me in the past.

...just please don't be too mean. :  ) I'm still stinging a little bit from losing money on Cole Blooded.