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'Pick and Choose' vs 'First Come First Serve' Commissions
7 years ago
Something that's been on my mind lately, and I was curious about you guy's thoughts on it. Mainly this is about artists who take commissions where they choose which prompts they want to do from a pool of potential commissioners versus artists who take commissions from the first few people who contact them. I think both methods have their pros and cons, and I'll share some of my thoughts on them. (I might've also gotten this idea from someone elses journal, if you're reading this, you know who you are haha xD)
I'm normally a 'first come first serve' artist, but the last time I took commissions a few months ago I did the 'pick and choose' method, just to try it out. I got about 20+ apps in but only chose 8. I liked the fact that i had the freedom to choose, however, I couldn't help but feel that I might've made some of the people I didn't choose a bit jaded. Like maybe they thought I didn't like their idea? (which is NOT true at all, in fact there were a ton of good ones, which made it that harder to choose |D) I also felt like this method may have scared off a few potential clients as well (like people who don't take rejection well?).
On my side, I have tried commissioning 'pick and choose' artists myself and out of all three times that I did, I wasn't chosen for any of them. I did feel a little hurt, mostly cause it gave off the feeling that like they didn't like my idea/characters, but then again, I might never know the real reason. (then I try to make myself feel better by saying "at least I saved money haha")
I used to think that this way would be fairer to people who live in different time zones? But at the same time an artist's biases could probably make it not. Like maybe they only like characters with a certain aesthetic or maybe the commissioner has a lot of followers, so they want that exposure.
The only way I can see 'first come first serve' being a problem is if someone lives in a different time zone than the artist and the artist only opens a few spots at a time (like maybe 1-3) But for the most part it seems like the easiest, most straightforward way. No hurt feelings here haha. :'D
If I do take commissions again, I'll probably resort back to 'first come first serve'. Last time it took way longer than it should to choose people and I'd rather not deal with the hassle of that xD plus I don't want to potentially upset anyone, heh.
So which do you prefer when commissioning artists? What are your thoughts?
I'm normally a 'first come first serve' artist, but the last time I took commissions a few months ago I did the 'pick and choose' method, just to try it out. I got about 20+ apps in but only chose 8. I liked the fact that i had the freedom to choose, however, I couldn't help but feel that I might've made some of the people I didn't choose a bit jaded. Like maybe they thought I didn't like their idea? (which is NOT true at all, in fact there were a ton of good ones, which made it that harder to choose |D) I also felt like this method may have scared off a few potential clients as well (like people who don't take rejection well?).
On my side, I have tried commissioning 'pick and choose' artists myself and out of all three times that I did, I wasn't chosen for any of them. I did feel a little hurt, mostly cause it gave off the feeling that like they didn't like my idea/characters, but then again, I might never know the real reason. (then I try to make myself feel better by saying "at least I saved money haha")
I used to think that this way would be fairer to people who live in different time zones? But at the same time an artist's biases could probably make it not. Like maybe they only like characters with a certain aesthetic or maybe the commissioner has a lot of followers, so they want that exposure.
The only way I can see 'first come first serve' being a problem is if someone lives in a different time zone than the artist and the artist only opens a few spots at a time (like maybe 1-3) But for the most part it seems like the easiest, most straightforward way. No hurt feelings here haha. :'D
If I do take commissions again, I'll probably resort back to 'first come first serve'. Last time it took way longer than it should to choose people and I'd rather not deal with the hassle of that xD plus I don't want to potentially upset anyone, heh.
So which do you prefer when commissioning artists? What are your thoughts?
But I'd say go with what is easier and works best for you. c:
from an artist's point of view, i like picking my commissions. i don't usually get enough interest that i have to narrow it down TOO much, but i like being able to say "YES!" to a character or idea that i really like, and "no thanks" to content i don't want to work with, instead of just taking whatever's offered up.
I can understand the argument that it’s unfair to people who are often busy and it makes it challenging to grab slots but it’s really hard to please everyone.
In the end I do think it is up to the artist and I know commissioners probably have their preferences as well but at least for me I very much prefer FCFS ^^
Honestly if an artist has high demand and they want to be fair for everyone, I say a raffle would be best! That way people can have time to write up what they want (and the artist could even choose a couple they REALLY like) and then the rest of them they'd raffle to see who gets it! I think that way a person would only feel down about not being lucky (which is the same for first come first serve if they are at a different time zone, anyways).
I just /now/ remembered that option. So if I had a high demand of people wanting commissions, I'd go that route. XD
My main issue with first come first serve when it's high demand, you get no time to think about what you want. You gotta claim RIGHT THEN AND THERE. Like especially when artists have you fill out a form elsewhere. I've felt SUPER stressed filling out those forms cuz I couldn't take time to make sure that's what I really wanted. I had to have it finished within a few minutes instead of thinking over a few hours!
I think it would be better if they just had it so people would comment "I want one!" or to some extent, and then have the person fill out the form with them knowing they got the slot.
and if the artist can't work with that slot, they can let the client know!
Raffle sounds like a good compromise!
With that last paragraph, yeah thats why when I do FCFS, I let people claim the slot first and then give them time to figure out what they want later. xD I would never expect someone to fill out what they wanted immediately, thats stressful af haha
Nothing really stops you from making most of your slots first come first served and opening a second smaller window later on for some that you'd like to pick, perhaps you like an idea a lot or want to work with someone but they never get through, or simply want to make a commission for a friend.
I prefer First come first served but they are nearly impossible to get on the most popular artists, don't get me started on those people who god knows how they have no life beyond refreshing FA.
PS. I personally ignore 100% of raffled slots. If I'm looking to spend money I'm not looking to play a game of luck.
I personally avoid commissioning artists who pick and chose myself too honestly, unless I REALLY really like the artist, then i might go for it haha.
FCFS gets grindy if you fail constantly or if the artists opens slots very rarely; if the artist takes too many slots at once too you're screwed for a while. Same goes with waiting lists and dumb ideas like those.
The issue with 'Pick and Choose' is that you'll see most people in favour of it tend to be 'niche' followers, therefore their chances are usually higher than an average person with an all-rounder artist if that makes sense. But as you've experienced, failing to get in on those will quickly make you question if you're the one at fault.
For example if you're into vore you're obviously more likely to get chosen by someone who's a very vore-friendly (or known) artist; same goes for any kink and sometimes species. Also applies to clique-ish people and similar things. Their perspective doesn't really fit the average commissionee/artist in my opinion.
Everything has downsides, I guess it's more important to feel comfortable with what you decide while at least thinking what might be fair; it's also better to be open to trying out different methods until you find the right fit.
I honestly prefer FCFS when there's high demand, but with smaller amounts of slots per opening; I rather see open slots often even if they fill up faster than once in a blue moon if I know it's going to be very tough to get in.
A few people think that advertising the hour the openings will occur makes it more fair but really I don't think it does, it just increases the number of people who will be left out in my opinion - if someone can't usually be online at that time, there won't be a difference whether it's advertised or not, if that makes sense? And think about those who made the exception of making themselves available and still miss out - Realistically if you're at a disadvantage against the typical person who's already used to F5'ing all day, you're at a way bigger disadvantage when they have a warning on when to show up.
I'm more of the all-rounder type of artist, so when I do 'pick and choose' I tend to choose characters and ideas that are completely different from each other. I dont like being stuck doing the same things over and over, so I tend to value variety vs what I'm comfortable with. I'm hoping that way it seems a bit more fair than just favoring a certain niche.
Normally I dont make announcements beforehand cause I dont like to bother making so many journals xD So my openings are kinda random. But I liked the idea of people telling me to try opening a few slots during different hours of the day.
But then again, I don't think I've ever not been picked when I applied during an open slot where they pick and choose, so I suppose I am jaded.
If you have a bit more, reserve them a place on for the following month(s). Well sure if its something you do and the one who ask did read your TOS.
In my opinion I generally like Pick and Choose since if selected I know at least the artist is looking forward on doing an idea. Also, the way Lemoncore runs FCFS through their preorder system is quite nice as well -- it's known how many slots for the upcoming month there are and you sign up as you'd like with a brief idea of what you want to do.
First Come First Serve works best if the artist is willing to blindly get into a commission. I don't mind missing out on the chance, but if an artist prefers the full idea spelled out at the time of slot-claiming, it limits what can be organized, especially if there might be multiple commissioners involved.
It's usually more upsetting to miss a slot only due to the fact sleep, work, and other responsibilities get in the way.
If you want to avoid the hassle of picking and disappointing folks who cant remain online all the time:Go with a raffle system, like suggested earlier. Open up entries for a certain amount of time and let people take a chance. This shifts the luck from being online at the right time to an RNG system. If you want to reward people for lining up multiple times, you can possibly give weight to consecutive raffle participants until they're selected.
I like that system! I personally can't guess how many commission I can always take every month tho, since it varies all the time for me. I just try to finish my commissions as soon as I can so I dont keep people waiting too long haha.
Yeah I never got why some artists expect people to write out their ideas at the same time to claim the spot? Seems kinda stressing on the commissioner, unless they already have ideas written down somewhere beforehand.
Yeah the raffle idea sounded nice! I might try that haha.
But picking and choosing I feel would get rougher. XD I can see plenty of reasons to NOT be hurt about an artist not picking ya, but I feel like it's also a natural reaction, especially if you really like your character and spent a lot of time on the application. It's pretty great for the artist though, I'm sure, and I don't blame anyone who enjoys using the method themselves! :P
But FCFS just results in commissioners mashing the SUBMIT button without even thinking their form through or reading the TOS. I nearly drove my car into a ditch trying to submit a form first.
So I dunno?
Oh gosh, careful dude x'D No commission is that important!
It gives both sides a chance, not everyone can be here for first come/first serve, it isn't super fair to only do that imo. Also as an artist it is nice to choose projects that click with you. I rotate between choosing and FCFS so people can't complain...too much ;) If I plan on only taking 5 slots, I'll cut the form off at 10 just so there is less people to turn away. You can't please everyone no matter what you do so just do what works best for you!