Fund the Forums: Patreon is LIVE

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Fund the Forums: Patreon is LIVE

Post by Big Boss (?) » Mon Nov 06, 2017 12:27 pm

Hi All,

As you may or may not know, forums are not free. For the past several years, ComradeCosmobot has been paying for them out of his own pocket, along with bronibooru offset by ads. Well, I am now paying for the forums, and while I do not mind spending the money, many members have put forward that they'd like to help the forum in some way.

Well, the solution to that is the forums/broni Patreon. It's not officially launched yet (but it will be Real Soon Now™) and the idea is to make the forums revenue neutral. The monthly cost is by my estimate around $50 for Linode, AWS, and misc (domains) and to allow for patreon fees/offsets. I intend for the forum to be revenue neutral and non-profit. If we did manage to make a surplus, the money would be plowed back into the forum in some way.

Patreon options will start out with:

$1/month
$5/month
$10/month

Right now, the current rewards are in flux. We're going to make special usergroups/icons for the $5 and $10/m tier so people know you're a subscriber for the forums, but I'd like to toss something extra for the :10bux:. I don't like gating features behind payments, but it is possible. It could be an even blingier special badge. Or I could say :10bux: entitles you to a funny username of my choice. I don't know. But suggestions are welcome. There's also the possibility of patrons having discord privileges, but that is a different kettle of fish. Suggestions are welcome, and if people really want a physical reward, I can send out convention merch.

edit:

Patreon is LIVE. 10bux bonus item to be determined later.

https://www.patreon.com/theroundstable

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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by The Ghost of Ember (?) » Mon Nov 06, 2017 12:40 pm

Individualized gangtags would sell like hotcakes
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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by Juju&Lulu (?) » Mon Nov 06, 2017 1:00 pm

If I can buy my way to getting a Sunset tag, then I'm game

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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by Adiwan (?) » Mon Nov 06, 2017 4:03 pm

Are people who back the patreon apple buckers?
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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by Dexanth (?) » Mon Nov 06, 2017 9:40 pm

Give the 5/10 tiers a different name color and maybe Idk a cutie mark like the mods have?

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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by Factory Factory (?) » Mon Nov 06, 2017 9:52 pm

$5 tier could get Silver Spoon's cute mark as a tag. $10 gets Diamond Tiara.
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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by Fizzbuzz (?) » Mon Nov 06, 2017 10:38 pm

Does Patreon give a convenient way of showing the total lifetime amount that any one person has given to the forums? Maybe once you've given $50 or $100 or some other suitably big amount, you're entitled to name a character (canon or OC) and have an official forum style made based on that character's colors.

Of course, this is assuming no one asks for Comic Sansa...
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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by SlateSlabrock (?) » Tue Nov 07, 2017 3:10 am

I understand that forum-linked benefits are tough to come up with in a Patreon context, but having lots of tiers for something people can drop at a moment's notice seems like a lot of administrative work.

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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by drunkill (?) » Tue Nov 07, 2017 3:19 am

This was discussed before but I think a badge/medal to show in the user profile beside posts is one way to go, maybe not as the main reward but as a nice token. Gold, Silver and Bronze levels for 10/5/1 donations plus we can have more badges for other events or forum milestones.

A badge/medal might work for the $1 tier but for 5 and 10 something extra may need to be included, which when it could be a monthly occurrence a user pip might not be worth it (unless that is permanent)
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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by West Filly (?) » Tue Nov 07, 2017 5:51 am

Access to a paying user only exclusive shitposting subforum where all threads are ironically about how donor users are better than everyone.

Rule 1: No crossposting from VIP subforum to peasant subforums.
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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by RIP Syndrome (?) » Tue Nov 07, 2017 5:54 am

drunkill wrote:
Tue Nov 07, 2017 3:19 am
This was discussed before but I think a badge/medal to show in the user profile beside posts is one way to go, maybe not as the main reward but as a nice token. Gold, Silver and Bronze levels for 10/5/1 donations plus we can have more badges for other events or forum milestones.

A badge/medal might work for the $1 tier but for 5 and 10 something extra may need to be included, which when it could be a monthly occurrence a user pip might not be worth it (unless that is permanent)
Actually, the tiers should be Gold, Platinum and Unobtanium
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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by West Filly (?) » Tue Nov 07, 2017 5:55 am

Rule 2: LYAT is a cool place for fun people to hang out...
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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by BackgroundPony (?) » Wed Nov 08, 2017 9:19 am

Yessssss this is something I've been wanting for ages. So much better than whatever convoluted ad-based system we had before. I already kick ~5$ a month to several random people on Patreon, and I'm happy to toss one more on the pile.

Rewards are not really important, imo. I think in the long term the reward is going to be that you're supporting the forums that you like. If you offer ongoing flairs and doodads you might create the idea in people's heads that they're paying specifically for that thing, and then they might decide it's not worth it.

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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by !saak (?) » Wed Nov 08, 2017 11:55 am

Random thought, instead of having to deal with tiers and rewards, make it PWYW?

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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by Dexanth (?) » Wed Nov 08, 2017 1:36 pm

!saak wrote:
Wed Nov 08, 2017 11:55 am
Random thought, instead of having to deal with tiers and rewards, make it PWYW?
You can PWYW in Patreon tho, no? So like it's just an extra little knicknack :-D

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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by The Doctor (?) » Thu Nov 09, 2017 3:56 pm

Dexanth wrote:
Mon Nov 06, 2017 9:40 pm
Give the 5/10 tiers a different name color and maybe Idk a cutie mark like the mods have?

I'd like this. :anticipation:

Hopefully not at the $10 tier, I don't think I can afford that.

Honestly, I'd like to see just one tier if it makes enough to keep the forums running. Have that custom cutie mark icon just be a note that this person supports the forums.

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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by Adiwan (?) » Thu Nov 09, 2017 4:04 pm

Let's say the forum has 150 users at the moment. Assuming only 5% of the user base (7.5 people) is willing to support the forum and pay the $50 server upkeep, then each user has only to pay $6.66.
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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by West Filly (?) » Thu Nov 09, 2017 5:06 pm

Scary accurate. It even accounts for the fact that I am only half a person :starity:.
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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by SlateSlabrock (?) » Thu Nov 09, 2017 5:21 pm

Adiwan wrote:
Thu Nov 09, 2017 4:04 pm
Let's say the forum has 150 users at the moment. Assuming only 5% of the user base (7.5 people) is willing to support the forum and pay the $50 server upkeep, then each user has only to pay $6.66.
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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by Adiwan (?) » Fri Nov 10, 2017 12:43 am

I forgot to factor in the little bit that Patreon and PayPal take from the donation.
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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by RIP Syndrome (?) » Fri Nov 10, 2017 8:42 am

I like the idea of giving donators a stupid pip and username color just so they feel extremely special. Maybe do something like, they'll only keep that for the months they're subscribed for, and then have some separate "I donated" badge or something in the profile to anyone who's ever donated and like, a bigger PM box or something equally inconsequential.

That way you're not gating meaningful features from regular users, but are giving something in return for the money, and also acknowledging both those who have donated as well as those who are active subscribers. I imagine we're a small enough community that no elitism is going to happen over this. Or if it does happen we'll probably laugh at anyone doing that.

e: The pip should be one of the post icons because :effort:
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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by West Filly (?) » Fri Nov 10, 2017 2:57 pm

Allow patrons to see the special archives where the mods put all the stuff they didn't want us to see.

Okay there's probably not a lot of that since the reboot. However, give it time...
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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by BackgroundPony (?) » Tue Nov 14, 2017 12:33 am

Allow patrons to access the special subforum where Wulfome was right

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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by Fizzbuzz (?) » Tue Nov 14, 2017 7:40 am

BackgroundPony wrote:
Tue Nov 14, 2017 12:33 am
Allow patrons to access the special subforum where Wulfome was right
But Wulfolme said the thread in question had to be posted in PPPP or DPC, and both of those are accessible without giving money.
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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by Octavia (?) » Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:51 am

If we do have a special Patreon only subforum, it needs to be called "The Ivory Tower" :snobtavia:
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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by BackgroundPony (?) » Tue Nov 14, 2017 9:29 pm

Fizzbuzz wrote:
Tue Nov 14, 2017 7:40 am
But Wulfolme said the thread in question had to be posted in PPPP or DPC, and both of those are accessible without giving money.
For now :evil: :money:

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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by RIP Syndrome (?) » Wed Nov 15, 2017 7:13 am

Wulfolme was right
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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by West Filly (?) » Wed Nov 15, 2017 3:36 pm

RIP Syndrome wrote:
Wed Nov 15, 2017 7:13 am
Wulfolme was right
In the moral sense of right
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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by BackgroundPony (?) » Fri Nov 24, 2017 6:27 pm

I don't wanna tell you how to take my money, but when can I give you my money?

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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by PhoolCat (?) » Fri Nov 24, 2017 6:55 pm

BackgroundPony wrote:
Fri Nov 24, 2017 6:27 pm
I don't wanna tell you how to take my money, but when can I give you my money?
yes this

and hurry before I spend it all on new laptops, xmas and tax
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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by Big Boss (?) » Fri Nov 24, 2017 8:02 pm

The patreon is pretty much ready to go but I haven't flipped the switch yet because we were hemming and hawing over rewards.

I know we're definitely giving forum flair so I might as well just launch it now.

https://www.patreon.com/theroundstable

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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by SlateSlabrock (?) » Fri Nov 24, 2017 8:46 pm

Rated 5, go hog wild

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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon is LIVE

Post by The Doctor (?) » Fri Nov 24, 2017 9:23 pm

$10 tier should only be available to one person, who at any time is allowed to set Cosmo's avatar to whatever the patron wishes. :excellent:

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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon is LIVE

Post by RIP Syndrome (?) » Fri Nov 24, 2017 9:29 pm

I'm really bothered with you posting this while I'm under the influence


Luckily I can't find my debit card
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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon is LIVE

Post by Adiwan (?) » Sat Nov 25, 2017 1:41 am

I just logged into Patreon and selected the 5 non-Euro-currency option. (Patreon takes 19% tax (the usual VAT in Germany) in addition to that)
So... where is the super special room with the super secret stuff for the super special super supporters?
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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon is LIVE

Post by PhoolCat (?) » Sat Nov 25, 2017 5:34 am

did a thimng :money:
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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon is LIVE

Post by Geomancing (?) » Sat Nov 25, 2017 10:08 am

Thing also done. Also I find it amusing to see what kind of 'the supporters also support these Patreons too!' shows. Chapo House, Tom Siddell of Gunnerkrigg Court, and Super Lesbian Animal RPG.

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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon is LIVE

Post by BackgroundPony (?) » Sat Nov 25, 2017 10:36 am

Geomancing wrote:
Sat Nov 25, 2017 10:08 am
Thing also done. Also I find it amusing to see what kind of 'the supporters also support these Patreons too!' shows. Chapo House, Tom Siddell of Gunnerkrigg Court, and Super Lesbian Animal RPG.
I was hoping for lots of embarrassing furry porn artists in the 'also supported' section, but I was disappointed.

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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon Incoming

Post by Blarghalt (?) » Sat Nov 25, 2017 10:40 am

Adiwan wrote:
Thu Nov 09, 2017 4:04 pm
Let's say the forum has 150 users at the moment. Assuming only 5% of the user base (7.5 people) is willing to support the forum and pay the $50 server upkeep, then each user has only to pay $6.66.
I knew there was something sinister about our userbase.

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Re: Fund the Forums: Patreon is LIVE

Post by Fizzbuzz (?) » Sat Nov 25, 2017 11:19 am

BackgroundPony wrote:
Sat Nov 25, 2017 10:36 am
I was hoping for lots of embarrassing furry porn artists in the 'also supported' section, but I was disappointed.
Does Patreon even allow NSFW content?
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