Patreon Update

Hello my incredible patrons!!

I wanted to really sit down and give you guys a big, detailed post of exactly how my use of Patreon has evolved over the past few months and how I will continue to use it.  I want to make sure you know EXACTLY what you’re putting money towards and where it's all going.  At the end I have a question to start a conversation, so be sure to read the whole thing.

WHAT VIDEOS ARE PATREON VIDEOS?

This depends.  Because of my available resources, some of my videos have zero budget whatsoever other than my time and energy (and sometimes the time and energy of very gracious friends that just feel like helping out).  Other videos I actually employ people to work on, like in arranging the backing track, mixing the music, cinematographers or subtitling.  I’m fortunate enough right now to be working with some truly incredible collaborators for some very exciting videos in the next few months, so I want to be sure I can support that and give them the compensation they deserve. 

I am now making a video every week.  But that does NOT mean they are all Patreon videos, in fact only 1-2 of them are (never any more than that).  And those are the ones that I will send to you via Patreon and $5+ patrons see early, etc.  They will be always either a translate or a music video.  I may still release other translates or music videos on my channel that I don’t send you, and those are ones that just happened to not have a budget at all.  I will usually stick to a pattern: in a given month there is one Patreon video, the next month there’s two, next there’s one, and so on.

WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING?

-As I said, first and foremost the money goes into production- paying those who work on the video, paying for any licensing I may need, any costumes needed, etc.  By putting more into the production value my content will hopefully get steadily better and more exciting!

-Second is equipment.  Good quality equipment allows me to translate (lol pun) the art that I do into a form of consumable content that matches the quality of the art itself.  That’s why it’s important.  A recent purchase based on a goal was a vlogging camera (I’m working on content for my second channel) in order to expand my presence and brand on YouTube, a move that will hopefully enhance the work I do on my main channel as well.  Future purchases include a steady cam and a second condenser mic.

-Third, and one people don’t always think about, the money from Patreon goes towards voice lessons.  I have an incredible teacher, Carrie Manolakos (look her up), and she has been helping me like CRAZY so that I can grow and develop as a singer, and as a result my recordings and live performances are getting better.  So often YouTubers and musicians can get so tied up in production and marketing that we forget that at the end of the day, we have to be really bloody good at the craft itself.  So that is a major thing I’m working on, along with developing my piano/guitar skills.

-Finally, the money goes towards special projects like the Ashinaga Foundation (they have new shoes!!).  These will only occur when I discover something so worth supporting.  But every once in a while I will divert my funds from a specific video to such a project, and make that very clear in the video itself.

WHAT IS NEW IN REWARD LAND?

Because I am now starting to vlog, you all are going to get waaayyy more behind the scenes footage.  But I am trying to figure out ways to engage with you all even more (without spamming your inboxes).  I’m thinking a live stream this month? :)  Finding a system where you can always submit suggestions for videos and have me see them immediately?  (That’s something I reeeeeally want and I’m trying to figure out the best way to do that.)  I also know starting in December and January I’m actually going to release a whole series of exclusive content, as in live music videos, etc., for $10+ which should be way fun.

HOW WILL MY USE OF PATREON CHANGE?

Actually this is something I want to ask you all about.  Right now I’m personally assessing which video is a Patreon video and which isn’t based entirely on need.  That may not be the way to go, because Patreon also has a MONTHLY option.  I’m in a bit of a limbo right now where if I change to monthly, I won’t be able to support what I do at the level I want to be able to do it.  However in the end, ALL of my music videos, not just the Patreon ones require my time, energy, and dedication, which is a big part of what you all are supporting, and I’m aware of that.  So a monthly system makes more logical sense, but not quite financial or creative sense at the moment.  What do you all think about that?

Finally and most importantly, thank you so immensely for sticking with me all this time.  I’m just starting to find a groove where I am putting out content consistently, finding my identity as a musician and a YouTuber, and becoming more and more obsessed with this job.  I’m in love with it.  Being able to make music on the internet fills me with more joy than I thought imaginable.  And because of you all I can still do it.  Thank you. <3

Lots of love and gratitude,

xxMKR

ps- Here’s one of my new non-Patreon videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onzFIl-AbT0

pps- I added an inspirational poster to my merch.  I love my inspirational posters as you probably know, so I had to make one myself xD https://www.districtlines.com/Malinda-Kathleen-Reese

ppps- If you don’t know my vlogging channel, here it is: https://www.youtube.com/user/the20sprojectmkr