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Easy way to make money in this fandom
14 years ago
People interest me, the way they act, react, and think. And also, the things that cause those behaviors as well, I suppose that's why I've spent the past 5 years of my life studying the science of psychology.
Anyhow, being in this 'fandom' for quite a few years now I've seen a lot of things that people participate in that I really just don't understand or get. But whatever, to each their own as long as no ones getting hurt (only if they don't like it x3), hell I know I'm into a lot of weird stuff but that's not what I'm writing about now.
These past few months I've been seeing people spend inordinate amounts of money on things simply for what I see as no other reason than to blow money burning a hole in their pocket.
___________________
1. donations
This seems to be popping up more and more. I've even seen people make journals publicizing that they are accepting donations when they are in no dire straits, just generating free money more or less. And what amazes me is that people actually donate. First off, if you want to donate money terrific. But I'm sure there are better things for you to be supporting than some fat persons ice cream allowance, use your money on some orphans or something like that.
___________________
2. character auctions
These really get me. From what I've seen, and comes as no surprise, artists generally enjoy drawing when there are no restrictions placed on them by commissioners. And commissioners themselves are typically annoying to deal with, furries aren't the greatest customers obviously. So an artist draws up and colors a single character and designs it with pretty colors and all, submits it, and has people bid over it for a set amount of time.
Of course when you have 10k watchers you're sure to generate some competitive bidding. What astounds me however is the amount of money people are willing to toss on things like these. I've seen things like this ballpark anyhwere from $100 all the way up to $500. Are you fucking serious? You can literally commission that same artist for 3 or 4 colored/shaded/whatever for cheaper than you're getting a single piece of art.
Now I get you're also paying for the "design" but... seriously...?
___________________
3. "this can be you" auctions
Kind of the same deal above, but instead of paying for a character design you're paying for an artist to finish something they've already started on for an incredibly inflated price. A week or two ago a very popular artist I watch was offering something like this, being interested I checked it out. Within 3 hours the bidding was already over $150. Not worth it to me, but clearly it is to others, all the way up to over $200 which is 200% what the artist normally charges for a full blown commission. Again, I don't get why people are so willing to part with money like that especially when I see that the winner is like 19.
___________________
4. Icon/art templates
Usually these come about during the holidays. Christmas, New years, Halloween, etc. Where someone will make a generic template for icons and color them according to the commissioners specifications. All good, I'm just amazed at how fast people eat these up. at $10 a pop with like 10 slots filling up in a matter of a few hours you're making good money considering all that needs to be done is color. And once the first batch is done people just can't get enough. As more and more people get those icons, more people see them and want one as well. Eventually it seems to just snowball to the point where the artist has to refuse production of anymore lol. Crazy to me.
___________________
5. make fursuits
Maybe not as easy in terms of the time/money ratio but not far behind once you get rolling. Also, not calling anyone out or trying to hurt the feelings of anyone but clearly there are bad and good fursuits. Some have a 3 inch pile all over (including the head), slack jawed, skewed eyes, excessively baggy, I can go on and on. But despite all those obvious downfalls, some still are willing to fork out hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. I know not everyone can afford a well made suit tailored by the talented few in this community but you'd probably be better off and happier saving for an additional year to get a nice suit you can feel happy with. You will also spare the poor kids who run to their just as shocked parents when you walk around at cons. In the end, you get what you pay for.
___________________
So there you have it, 5 ways I've seen to make quick and easy money in the furry fandom. I should also add something that makes me laugh. People who spend all their money on #2, 3, 4, and 5. Then resort to #1 to fund themselves again, and people still give xD. There's a difference between being generous and helping and getting taken advantage of. Sadly, few seem to be aware of the difference.
Also, no offense given to anyone participating in these types of things. It's smart marketing is all and if you're making good money from it, I salute you.
Anyhow, being in this 'fandom' for quite a few years now I've seen a lot of things that people participate in that I really just don't understand or get. But whatever, to each their own as long as no ones getting hurt (only if they don't like it x3), hell I know I'm into a lot of weird stuff but that's not what I'm writing about now.
These past few months I've been seeing people spend inordinate amounts of money on things simply for what I see as no other reason than to blow money burning a hole in their pocket.
___________________
1. donations
This seems to be popping up more and more. I've even seen people make journals publicizing that they are accepting donations when they are in no dire straits, just generating free money more or less. And what amazes me is that people actually donate. First off, if you want to donate money terrific. But I'm sure there are better things for you to be supporting than some fat persons ice cream allowance, use your money on some orphans or something like that.
___________________
2. character auctions
These really get me. From what I've seen, and comes as no surprise, artists generally enjoy drawing when there are no restrictions placed on them by commissioners. And commissioners themselves are typically annoying to deal with, furries aren't the greatest customers obviously. So an artist draws up and colors a single character and designs it with pretty colors and all, submits it, and has people bid over it for a set amount of time.
Of course when you have 10k watchers you're sure to generate some competitive bidding. What astounds me however is the amount of money people are willing to toss on things like these. I've seen things like this ballpark anyhwere from $100 all the way up to $500. Are you fucking serious? You can literally commission that same artist for 3 or 4 colored/shaded/whatever for cheaper than you're getting a single piece of art.
Now I get you're also paying for the "design" but... seriously...?
___________________
3. "this can be you" auctions
Kind of the same deal above, but instead of paying for a character design you're paying for an artist to finish something they've already started on for an incredibly inflated price. A week or two ago a very popular artist I watch was offering something like this, being interested I checked it out. Within 3 hours the bidding was already over $150. Not worth it to me, but clearly it is to others, all the way up to over $200 which is 200% what the artist normally charges for a full blown commission. Again, I don't get why people are so willing to part with money like that especially when I see that the winner is like 19.
___________________
4. Icon/art templates
Usually these come about during the holidays. Christmas, New years, Halloween, etc. Where someone will make a generic template for icons and color them according to the commissioners specifications. All good, I'm just amazed at how fast people eat these up. at $10 a pop with like 10 slots filling up in a matter of a few hours you're making good money considering all that needs to be done is color. And once the first batch is done people just can't get enough. As more and more people get those icons, more people see them and want one as well. Eventually it seems to just snowball to the point where the artist has to refuse production of anymore lol. Crazy to me.
___________________
5. make fursuits
Maybe not as easy in terms of the time/money ratio but not far behind once you get rolling. Also, not calling anyone out or trying to hurt the feelings of anyone but clearly there are bad and good fursuits. Some have a 3 inch pile all over (including the head), slack jawed, skewed eyes, excessively baggy, I can go on and on. But despite all those obvious downfalls, some still are willing to fork out hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. I know not everyone can afford a well made suit tailored by the talented few in this community but you'd probably be better off and happier saving for an additional year to get a nice suit you can feel happy with. You will also spare the poor kids who run to their just as shocked parents when you walk around at cons. In the end, you get what you pay for.
___________________
So there you have it, 5 ways I've seen to make quick and easy money in the furry fandom. I should also add something that makes me laugh. People who spend all their money on #2, 3, 4, and 5. Then resort to #1 to fund themselves again, and people still give xD. There's a difference between being generous and helping and getting taken advantage of. Sadly, few seem to be aware of the difference.
Also, no offense given to anyone participating in these types of things. It's smart marketing is all and if you're making good money from it, I salute you.
You're not terrible, it's a smart way to give yourself artistic freedom doing something you want to do. All the while getting paid to do it, it's great :D
"Donate $10 for a chance to win art/comic role/etc." That's a pretty mean move... all the people that don't win just waste their money... it's a bit heartless...
I do find the character auctions ridiculous when they get really expensive, too.
I do have lots of unfinished sketches and wanted to maybe turn them into commissions, but I didn't want it to be an auction. If anything it'd be a bit cheaper than my normal price. Or the same... since sketching is the easiest part of the commission for me. :P