Livestream Preference

That sounds awesome - I checked out the 12/30 stream and found the YouTube comments to be overwhelming. It would be great to take ?s from the Patreon feed so we can watch from here and avoid the YouTube trolling. I'm all for open access for content, though!

I think making it available publicly in general would be best. I think most of us are supporting you so you can reach even more people and keep doing what you're doing more comfortably. I think as someone else said, knowledge should be free. I'm happy to support you if that means more people can see your amazing content.

What they said! In the long run, when patreons see that their contributions pays off in how you are able to make content, that in it self is more rewarding than artificial perks, in my opinion. I'm not supporting you enough, my contribution is only useful if enough people join me. So it is in my interest that you reach as many people as possible! So open rather than close! Now, had I've been pledging $100, maybe I would've felt differently, and would have expected more exclusive access to you. But for my small contribution, the fact that you answered my introduction message is more than enough!

Agreed. Conversely to what some believe Patreon is "about". I fully agree THIS is the best option. Logically, THIS option makes being a contributor more *attractive* than just PLEASE pay anything regularly for things you may or may not watch. noting a few of the comments in the main thread, people don't seem to grasp really what this KIND of "exclusivity" (appreciation/attraction) is about 🤔

Yeah this is a really good idea. As much as I like the idea of keeping live streams open, public YouTube chat always seems so awful and it discourages me from participating in the stream. I think a closed live stream will provide more meaningful engagement, without locking everyone out.

Yeah, I cant speak for anyone else obviously, but for myself, I *never* Patreon for "exclusive patreon-ness". I support creators to keep doing what they're already doing with more financial security, which increases the chance they'll be able to keep making the content I'm interested in. That's all!

This would be my vote as well

I think the stream and replay should both be public as well as the interaction with the viewers. I'm in the fortunate position to support some people on patreon with a bit of money but I do that so they can do their thing more freely and for the public benefit. I like the idea of opening the stream with patreon questions though just to have a nod at the patreon and that it exists so some people might think about supporting your work.

Splinters

That's a fantastic idea.

geekpower

also in support of this, though i’m not motivated by exclusivity it just seems like the absolute best way to balance free knowledge vs incentivizing new patrons

sweeterthananything

public, non-exclusive, free replays - information wants to be free

Khaargh

just chiming in in favor of no exclusivity whatsoever. the way i see patreon is it's support from those who are able so those who may not can enjoy your work.

msx

yeah i think if there's going to be any exclusivity i think this is the best opt ion

msx

Another idea, since the majority seems to prefer public/exclusive replay. How about I answer the Patron questions asked in the comments of the stream announcement here, on the stream as a beginning segment?

Benn Jordan

I’m with Jon Craven (really not bothered about any form of exclusivity), but I like Matthew’s or Keenan’s suggestions - exclusive livestream with public replays or non-exclusive livestream with exclusive Q&As. I feel like it’s important that non-patrons have access to the educational benefit.

*This* ... I think that's the best option. Retains the exclusivity initially with the public option open for learning and later reference.

Jon Harsem

I would be fine without any exclusivity, other than perhaps patrons jumping the queue in Q&A. I’m a patron because I find the channel entertaining and informative, so I want to support it. The perks are nice but I wouldn’t want too much to be in a walled garden, to the point where it might slow growth of the channel. (Like, if I were donating to PBS it’s because I want more kids to see Reading Rainbow, I’m not that concerned about the quality of the tote bag.)

Jon Craven

Option 2 seems to give Patrons a good USP with access to the recorded version (and you could take questions via messaging etc beforehand from patrons who cannot be there at the Q&A) but you and private companies would get publicity from the public livestream and it might attract more Patrons from the public livestream for your brand. Just my two cents guys - Whichever way works best for Benn is kinda the optimal outcome from my pov.

John Williams

Another option could be to have a public livestream but only interact with/take questions from the discord. I've seen other people do this and it lets you reach the most people while keeping interaction to a manageable level for the streamer.

It's not listed but generally I prefer exclusive livestreams that are later made public for replay. That way the Q&A is exclusive but the stream reaches people later who can learn from the discussion and who might want in on the Q&A next time

Matt Jones