Transitioning to a new tier system (PLEASE READ)

PLEASE READ THE WHOLE THING.

Hi everyone,

I want to warn everyone that I will be transitioning to a new tier system in which I'll have a $2 and a $5 tier, the former being treated more like a tip jar with discord and hangout access and the latter will have all the current benefits. I will also being doing more of the podcast (sorry about that), and I'll be introducing in the five dollar tier a video request on a new channel, titled Show Me Youtube, which will just be me responding to videos y'all can have me watch and react to. Dunno know how the breakdown will work, but I'll figure it out.

Now here's the thing - since you guys are on a $1 tier, it would be incredibly stupid and dickish of me to remove benefits, regardless of what they are. So here's how it's going to work - as long as you stay on that $1 tier, I will keep those benefits for you, and any new benefits that arise I will also add to the $1 tier. 

I am NOT going to force anyone who is already paying the $1 tier to pay a single penny more, this transition is for new patrons. Likewise, for anyone who is worried about leaving and coming back and being forced to pay more, DO NOT be worried - either let me know that you pledged in the past and I will try and move you to this tier, or I will provide the same benefits. If you aren't on the $1 tier, please select it as a benefit if possible before I unpublish it, it'll help me keep your benefits in one spot.

Why is this happening?

Patreon takes a pretty noticeable cut out of every dollar, so it becomes a situation where every individual backing becomes roughly 60-ish cents. Any amount is good, but it does make budget planning a bit tricky sometimes. Likewise, because I prioritize paying the people I hire first, it does make getting things (such as any colour printing or a lens or anything) take months. There's no way around it - the amount I'm making right now, while hugely - HUGELY - appreciated, is much smaller than it looks.

If I'm already pledging, what do I have to do?

Nothing! Just make sure you selected the $1 tier as your benefit, and you'll get everything (requests, music, files, everything) when I transition over. No need to add or change your value if you're already pledging.

Others do a $1 tier just fine, why are you transitioning?

Most people with a $1 tier survive primarily because they have a huge pool of patrons, or they have a supplementary form of income. Starting this September, I'll be doing Youtube "full time" while I look for work, but given the reality that is a COVID economy, I have to take Youtube and Patreon as a source of income much more seriously. $2 and $5 is the most realistic way to accomplish this because I don't think my content is worth more than $5.

When is this kicking in?

After my next major video, which will be about Japan Sinks 2020.

Wait a minute, you haven't uploaded X thing yet!

Sorry about that, I will get everything up as soon as I can. If you're already on the $1 tier, you're going to get it. Wallpapers, images, and everything in-between will be uploaded once the Japan Sinks 2020 video goes up.

Isn't this just a grab to get more money?

Yes, overall, but not because I'm trying to be some sort of greed-monger (at least I don't think, let me know if I'm wrong), but because budgets remain tight and I have to be realistic that I can't fall on the $1 sword. I'm very much grateful for anyone taking the time and money to donate to me. I just don't have the audience size for it.

How will the podcast work?

The podcast will be a discussion of what's going on, what videos I'm working on, general ideas and sentiments with what videos worked and haven't worked, and realistically incredibly minor stuff. There's not much I can really talk about in the usual breadth of my day, but I'll try and keep it as simple as I can. Think of it more like a work log or diary in the form of audio.

How do I select the $1 tier?

Just go to Edit Your Patronage and select the tier. There is no need to change the amount.

What will the $2 and $5 tier be?

The $2 tier will be discord, podcast, and general tip jar stuff. The $5 tier will be everything, including PSD files, editing index files, podcast, any consultation or feedback you need, as well as Skrullz' music and video requests for the new channel.

I have further questions.

Please let me know in the comments, I'm more than happy to answer them.