On patronage...

[the-vulture.livejournal.com]

For the last year or so, I've been pleased to serve as a patron for the work of ysabetwordsmith . I do so for a number of reasons. First, this is one of the ways that I try to keep creativity alive, especially when so many have to turn away from creative endeavours. Second, the relationship between us, as artist and patron, is one that has been fostered to provide mutual benefit and friendship. Finally, and perhaps most important, by not only giving action to my creative input (i.e., taking prompts for poetry), but also by inspiring and encouraging my own literary output, I'm allowed to taste a little of that creative magic.

Sometimes it seems like many forms of creativity are undervalued. Unless one happens to be exceptionally talented (and connected), it can be very tough to make a secure living on the proceeds of one's creative work, especially for those arts that fall outside of mainstream media (and, let's face it, it's hard to make it in those industries, too). So, quite often, many people, like myself, turn away from following their creative spirit in order to pursue lifestyles with a more stable income. (I'm quite attached to having a regular paycheque; I admit it.) IMHO, this isn't healthy for us as a whole; art, literature, music, dance... these are the stuff of our collective spirit and should be cultivated, allowed to blossom. To this end, I try, when I can, to support the creative arts. I'm nowhere near wealthy enough to fund an endowment, or purchase major pieces of art, but I can put a dollar or two in the hat of a busker, or purchase a piece of jewellery or craft-work (as a present for another) from a local merchant, put a tip in the jar for LJ crowdfunded projects, and (relevant to this post) serve as an LJ patron for a creative spirit. I may not be able to live my dream, but at least I can help a few live theirs.

However, when supporting the creative arts, the relationship between artists and supporters is often just mercantile in nature. You pay the busker to listen to his music, the crafts-person for her wares, and the LJ oracle for her reading and the transaction ends with a nod or a thanks. Not so between artist and patron. Here, a friendly, ongoing, mutually supportive relationship is fostered over time. I not only help to keep the ramen off her table, but I also provide ysabetwordsmith  with constructive feedback for her work. I've even begun to help in promoting it. In return, not only does she produce poetry that I enjoy, but explores topics of mutual interest through both conversation and her work. She even advocates awareness of a cause quite important to me. (I also admit I really like the way she shows her appreciation to her supporters, such as her donor perk posts or the anthologies of Poetry Fishbowl generated poems she's given to her major supporters.) 

But more than this, by interacting with her audience, encouraging input and feedback as she does, ysabetwordsmith draws us into the creative process. We are not mere observers, regarding a finished product we had no hand in, but active participants, providing ideas for her poetry through prompts and conversation. (I imagine that I'm far from the only participant in her Poetry Fishbowl events who takes great delight in seeing what poetry blooms from the seeds we provide.) Furthermore, this involvement inspires me to exercise my own poetic ability, on occasion, which she encourages through feedback. Beyond anything else, perhaps, this is the greatest benefit I derive from being a patron; in a lifestyle largely devoid of opportunity to do so, I get to touch the magic, too.



Edit: laffingkat  raised the excellent point that I neglected to invite others to express their own reasons for why they enjoy being patrons. In my defense, just look a the time stamp for when this post was originally written.  XD  So does anyone share the same kind of thoughts on patronage as I? Does anyone have any differing ideas? I'm also curious as to how many people in this crowdfunding scene are mostly patrons.

Comments

[jenny_evergreen]

I started being a patron because I had friends and friends of friends that were crowdfunding. My defining moment was when I made my first tip. At that point, I was truly (literally!) invested, and it felt GOOD; I was giving what I felt was a fair amount of money to someone doing something I valued in direct support, and that was eye opening. Taking away the "middle man" (any and all of them) opens up a very distinct direct experience; it really makes you FEEL like a patron, and allows you to take pride in that role.

Yes...

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

>>Taking away the "middle man" (any and all of them) opens up a very distinct direct experience; it really makes you FEEL like a patron, and allows you to take pride in that role.<<

I feel the same way. Buying a mass-market book, the money just gets smeared everywhere -- a few pennies to the bookstore, the distributor, the publisher, the author, the printing press, etc. But putting something in the jar for a new computer at Hunt Press -- SHAZAM! I helped make something happen.

Re: Yes...

[jenny_evergreen]

Thank you! I tried to describe the mass market thing, but couldn't find the right words; "smeared everywhere" is exactly right!

True!

[the-vulture.livejournal.com]

I agree; it's good to be able to give direct support, especially when it's to people you know or come to know.

[ellenmillion.livejournal.com]

Direct support is far more rewarding than going through a middleman; this is one reason I'm so in favor of this kind of capitalism.

[minor-architect.livejournal.com]

This is an excellent entry on the benefits of crowdfunding, given directly from the patron's perspective. I do wish more patrons would show up for this discussion, though, since the voices that make up the other half of this equation also need to be heard. How else are all those talented creators going to keep us around if we don't exchange our ideas? ;)

I've written more about my feelings in this post (http://minor-architect.livejournal.com/168015.html), if anyone is interested.

[laffingkat.livejournal.com]

I think this post may not have attracted many comments precisely because it is a post written from one patron's perspective. It does a great job of expressing the benefits that the_vulture has experienced as a patron, but what else is there to say? I suppose I could comment about how my own experiences have been similar or different, but without being specifically invited to respond, I don't necessarily feel comfortable discussing or commenting on a post about someone else's experiences (perhaps that's just my personal quirk, but maybe others feel the same).

Perhaps you've seen more comments on my later post because that was written specifically with the intention of starting a discussion, and clearly labeled and tagged as such, with questions for people to respond to.

[minor-architect.livejournal.com]

It does a great job of expressing the benefits that the_vulture has experienced as a patron, but what else is there to say?

It looks like you've provided some answers to that question already; other patrons could describe how their own experiences have been similar or different. Patrons could also discuss how one person's benefit is another's frustration, thereby creating a list of which crowdfunding techniques work best for different audiences. Unfortunately, not enough patrons have been inclined to speak up and start this kind of conversation.

Perhaps you've seen more comments on my later post because that was written specifically with the intention of starting a discussion, and clearly labeled and tagged as such

This is entirely possible. The comments to that post were an interesting read, partly because of their content and partly because so many creators participated as opposed to patrons (or people who are primarily patrons; I know some belong to both groups). That's another reason why I believed this issue needed a bit more attention and tackled it in my own journal.

[the-vulture.livejournal.com]

Here's a question: how many folk are just primarily patrons?

[minor-architect.livejournal.com]

*raises her hand*

[the-vulture.livejournal.com]

:D

BTW, I've put up a poll concerning crowdfunding demographics: http://crowdfunding.livejournal.com/304255.html

[laffingkat.livejournal.com]

Patron only.

[the-vulture.livejournal.com]

Kewl! BTW, I've a shiny, new poll concerning crowdfunding demographics over here: http://crowdfunding.livejournal.com/304255.html

Ooo...

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

That would make a terrific poll, or poll question, on the main community.

Re: Ooo...

[the-vulture.livejournal.com]

I hear and obey. *bows and departs*

Re: Ooo...

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! It really helps when other people pick up stuff like this.

[the-vulture.livejournal.com]

You make an excellent point. I failed to follow through on one of the key points for blog success; invite your readers to comment and discuss. In my defense, I put this post together after I got home somewhere in the very wee of the morning. :P

[laffingkat.livejournal.com]

Ooh, that's a useful lesson, isn't it? I decided that I was entirely too lazy to make any real effort at blogging, but if I ever change my mind, I'll have to remember that!

And color me very impressed if this post is an example of how you write in the wee hours! :)

[the-vulture.livejournal.com]

*chuckle* Thanks!

Thank you!

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you raised these points. I'm learning a lot about the perspective of people who are primarily or exclusively patrons (rather than mixed, like me). I kind of flooded your discussion on your blog, hope that's okay. I'd really like to get more patrons speaking up here in this community.

Re: Thank you!

[the-vulture.livejournal.com]

When have you known me to have minded extra conversation? :)


EDIT: Oops! I finally clued in that your remark wasn't intended for me. >.<

[minor-architect.livejournal.com]

I don't mind being flooded; the folks who visit my journal regularly are civil correspondents, so even the lengthy discussions work out pretty well.

The reason I didn't post my entry on crowdfunding patrons here is because it turned into a bit of a rant and I didn't think it would be fair for me to drop such a thing on this community. Especially when it's crowdfunding's turn in the LJ Spotlight this week! I want people to pull up a chair and stay a while, not run screaming into the night because I'm banging my fist on the table. ;)

At any rate, I have some replies I'd like to make to the comments you left in my journal but first I have library work to finish. So I'll get back to that as soon as I can.

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

>>The reason I didn't post my entry on crowdfunding patrons here is because it turned into a bit of a rant and I didn't think it would be fair for me to drop such a thing on this community. <<

Hmm ... it doesn't have any of my markers for "rant" (i.e. personal attacks, blaming, vulgarity) and it encouraged conversation. Perhaps you could simply retouch your points in a way that would make them feel more positive and inviting to you, and share them on crowdfunding (now or later)...?

>>I want people to pull up a chair and stay a while, not run screaming into the night because I'm banging my fist on the table. <<

I appreciate the thought. Having an argument in the community would be bad. But we're likely missing out on some people because they don't see the kind of patron presence that would attract them.

If nothing else, I am planning to pick up this conversation next week.

[minor-architect.livejournal.com]

Hmm ... it doesn't have any of my markers for "rant" (i.e. personal attacks, blaming, vulgarity) and it encouraged conversation.

That's a relief to hear, actually. Maybe my post wasn't as off-putting as I'd first thought. (That's me, always erring on the side of caution...!)

Perhaps you could simply retouch your points in a way that would make them feel more positive and inviting to you, and share them on crowdfunding (now or later)...?

I could do that, although I wouldn't be able to give you a revised post until this weekend at the earliest. Would that be all right?

Thanks for being so receptive to my opinions. :)

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

>>I could do that, although I wouldn't be able to give you a revised post until this weekend at the earliest. Would that be all right?<<

I'd aim it for Monday, actually. I want to line up some followup content for next week so that we don't go from great traffic to nada. Further discussions of points raised during this week's activity are ideal. Would that work for you?

Also for Monday, I'll pencil in my post about the "we want patrons to speak up" issue.

>>Thanks for being so receptive to my opinions. <<

You're welcome. Thanks for being open about your wants and needs.

[minor-architect.livejournal.com]

I'd aim it for Monday, actually. I want to line up some followup content for next week so that we don't go from great traffic to nada. Further discussions of points raised during this week's activity are ideal. Would that work for you?

That works fine for me; now I have the whole weekend to tweak that entry. And I agree, to go from a torrent of new content down to a trickle might encourage some of the people who found us during the Spotlight to wander off!

Yay!

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

>>That works fine for me; now I have the whole weekend to tweak that entry.<<

Okay, great. You could even show someone your rough draft and polish it further, if you're concerned about the tone.

>> And I agree, to go from a torrent of new content down to a trickle might encourage some of the people who found us during the Spotlight to wander off!<<

So far I have 3 things slated for Monday including yours, 1 each on Wednesday and Thursday, and I'm planning an interview for Tuesday. I have ideas for more stuff that's not slated yet.

[the-vulture.livejournal.com]

No doubt! I like buying direct when I can, too. It makes sense in a lot of areas, like buying one's food from the local farmer's market; by helping your neighbour, you're helping yourself. :)

[laffingkat.livejournal.com]

Well put. You've captured much of what I love about supporting crowdsourced and crowdfunded projects.

[the-vulture.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :)