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looking for Thoughts on Doing Commissions vs Patreon
3 years ago
General
So I won’t lie, monetization of my drawings is something that’s been floating in the back of my head since early mid 2020, not in a sense that I’ve been looking to make money at this; but more that in late 2019-early 2020 I had one or two people ask if I took commission that made me realize I might be able to make some money from drawing, and if that was true it would arguably be stupid not to. Of course we are 2-3 years out from that and I haven’t really done that, this is due to a number of things (researching the commission process, trying and failing to cut back on doing requests, trying to figure out how to determine and set prices) but part of it also the fact that I have some reservations about the whole doing commissions thing. I had recently thought of Patreon as an alternative but the way I would probably end up running it might be counter productive ton making money, which raises the question of ‘why bother then’.
I had been thinking about putting something into effect on this front stating next year, but the more I think about it the less certain I am of how to proceed. So I figure since the general lot of you (that being my Watchers/Followers) all will probably be the ones who will end up being customers if anyone does, I figure why not see what get your opinions these options. So basically what I’m going to do is lay out my thoughts on each option (and how the Pateron option would work as well) and I want you lot to sound off with any thoughts, questions, or opinions you have in the comments.
So I despite thinking it over and researching for the last 2-3 years I don’t really have a solid Idea on price but rough ball park would probably be something along the lines of $35-$60 (USD) for a single character and basic/no background (e.g: Electra, Erika Yoo-jeong Park, DragOOn Cheerleader Mink, [https://www.furaffinity.net/view/38127781//]Moxie Malons[/url]) with proper backgrounds probably being an extra $8-$15 and extra characters being an extra $15-$30 each
1. My tendency towards doing request might give it away, but I like drawing other peoples ideas and doing stuff for people so Commissions feel like a logical option
2. This is pretty much the monetization option for artists online
1. So my enjoyment of drawing stuff for people is probably the best example of doing good things nice things for selfish reasons; I like drawing things that I wouldn’t think of and there are even some subjects (particularly macro and hyper) that despite liking them I don’t think of. Just by proxy of going from free requests to paid commissions I’m probably going to price out some people (and thus lose access their potentially interesting ideas)
2. The way that I like to handle requests is a bit different from how most artist handle commissions and probably is less professional in a way that is maybe not great when money is on the line; that said I like that way of doing things for a reason and changing from it while not undoable is not something I’m looking forward too.
3. Kind of a subset of two, but I have a tendency to take, my time with requests for various reasons and that time might be a problem when people are paying money.
So going this route would leave things basically the same and would keep/go back to doing request (doing the randomly chosen/wheel spin thing like I did for the DeviantArt 500 Watcher and Furaffinty 100 Watcher request raffles) with Patron’s having twice as much of a chance; essentially each patron’s request would take two slots on the wheel, so if there are 15 requests with 5 coming from patron’s each patron would have a 10% (2/20) chance while non patron’s would have a 5% (1/20) chance. Beyond this if I ever do any polls Patrons will end up similarly higher weighted, I might also add the option to make requests outside the normal raffles (acceptance of request not guaranteed and dependent on my interest in the request and my personal circumstances at the time).
1. The main pro here is that this pretty much directly address CON #1 about commissions (arguably my main concern about that) which is a big advantage
2. Things largely stay the same with no major changes or upheavals of things.
3. Could be beneficial long term to have a Patreon set up already for other not drawing related projects I would like to get to at some point
1. I’m not sure this approach will see any kind of success at actually making money, and while in either case the money is more a ‘cool thing I could that has benefits to it’ rather than a ‘I really need/want money’ but why go through the extra work of setting up a Patreon if it’s not going to make any money
2. Since requests would be a common occurrence, what would I do in special occasions like watcher milestones.
Ok this more a cop-out than actual choice, but it is an option and after writing all this; I’d be lying if I said it didn’t have some appeal to it. Also having to deal with self-employment taxes that would likely come form either situation has its own concerns.
Anyways pleas comment any thoughts, questions, and especially opinions.
I had been thinking about putting something into effect on this front stating next year, but the more I think about it the less certain I am of how to proceed. So I figure since the general lot of you (that being my Watchers/Followers) all will probably be the ones who will end up being customers if anyone does, I figure why not see what get your opinions these options. So basically what I’m going to do is lay out my thoughts on each option (and how the Pateron option would work as well) and I want you lot to sound off with any thoughts, questions, or opinions you have in the comments.
COMMISSIONS
POTENTIAL PRICES:
So I despite thinking it over and researching for the last 2-3 years I don’t really have a solid Idea on price but rough ball park would probably be something along the lines of $35-$60 (USD) for a single character and basic/no background (e.g: Electra, Erika Yoo-jeong Park, DragOOn Cheerleader Mink, [https://www.furaffinity.net/view/38127781//]Moxie Malons[/url]) with proper backgrounds probably being an extra $8-$15 and extra characters being an extra $15-$30 each
PROS:
1. My tendency towards doing request might give it away, but I like drawing other peoples ideas and doing stuff for people so Commissions feel like a logical option
2. This is pretty much the monetization option for artists online
CONS:
1. So my enjoyment of drawing stuff for people is probably the best example of doing good things nice things for selfish reasons; I like drawing things that I wouldn’t think of and there are even some subjects (particularly macro and hyper) that despite liking them I don’t think of. Just by proxy of going from free requests to paid commissions I’m probably going to price out some people (and thus lose access their potentially interesting ideas)
2. The way that I like to handle requests is a bit different from how most artist handle commissions and probably is less professional in a way that is maybe not great when money is on the line; that said I like that way of doing things for a reason and changing from it while not undoable is not something I’m looking forward too.
3. Kind of a subset of two, but I have a tendency to take, my time with requests for various reasons and that time might be a problem when people are paying money.
PATREON
HOW IT WOULD WORK:
So going this route would leave things basically the same and would keep/go back to doing request (doing the randomly chosen/wheel spin thing like I did for the DeviantArt 500 Watcher and Furaffinty 100 Watcher request raffles) with Patron’s having twice as much of a chance; essentially each patron’s request would take two slots on the wheel, so if there are 15 requests with 5 coming from patron’s each patron would have a 10% (2/20) chance while non patron’s would have a 5% (1/20) chance. Beyond this if I ever do any polls Patrons will end up similarly higher weighted, I might also add the option to make requests outside the normal raffles (acceptance of request not guaranteed and dependent on my interest in the request and my personal circumstances at the time).
PROS:
1. The main pro here is that this pretty much directly address CON #1 about commissions (arguably my main concern about that) which is a big advantage
2. Things largely stay the same with no major changes or upheavals of things.
3. Could be beneficial long term to have a Patreon set up already for other not drawing related projects I would like to get to at some point
CONS:
1. I’m not sure this approach will see any kind of success at actually making money, and while in either case the money is more a ‘cool thing I could that has benefits to it’ rather than a ‘I really need/want money’ but why go through the extra work of setting up a Patreon if it’s not going to make any money
2. Since requests would be a common occurrence, what would I do in special occasions like watcher milestones.
LEAVE THINGS AS THEY ARE
Ok this more a cop-out than actual choice, but it is an option and after writing all this; I’d be lying if I said it didn’t have some appeal to it. Also having to deal with self-employment taxes that would likely come form either situation has its own concerns.
Anyways pleas comment any thoughts, questions, and especially opinions.
