Calling for Year-End Reports and New Year's Resolutions

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

I'm working on notes for my year-end reports as well as for my 2012 plans and goals.  I'd like to invite other folks to share theirs too.

Creators:  Did you host a crowdfunding project during 2011?  If so, please consider posting a year-end report about what you did and how well it worked for you, along with any major news in project development.

Do you have plans for a new project in 2012, or expansions and refinements in a current project?  Share your creative goals here too.

Patrons and fans:  What crowdfunding project(s) did you support during 2011?  Are you looking for anything new in 2012?  Maybe someone else is thinking along similar lines.

Everyone:  What do you think about this community?  How well is it meeting your needs?  Are there things you'd like to see more or less of here?  Let us know what the crowdfunding community does for you.

Comments

[swirvel42.livejournal.com]

I'm new to crowdfunding, so I haven't done anything in 2011. However, I do have some ideas for 2012.

I'd like to put together a number of postcards or note cards for purchase in my etsy shop through the use of crowdfunding. I've got some killer ideas for incentives, but I'm not getting much feedback on the idea, so I'm a little wary about starting it.

I've been unable to contribute to other projects this year, but I do hope to be able to throughout 2012.

I like this community. I like what it offers and represents. I like that it's active, for the most part. I've only posted a few times, and I haven't received very much feed back on my posts. I don't know if that's due to the nature of my posts that others don't have any advice or input, or if this community is slow on the comments. I'm not saying this because I expect dozens and dozens of comments (I don't), I'm just bringing this up because not receiving very much feedback makes starting projects a bit daunting particularly for someone who's entirely new to this.

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

However, I do have some ideas for 2012.

>>I'd like to put together a number of postcards or note cards for purchase in my etsy shop through the use of crowdfunding.<<

Yay! This sounds like an interesting idea, though I've little money for shopping myself. I enjoy seeing people try new things with crowdfunding. You never know what will catch on.

>> I've got some killer ideas for incentives, but I'm not getting much feedback on the idea, so I'm a little wary about starting it.<<

Sooner or later, every creative project begins with a leap of faith. I think it's especially true for crowdfunded projects, which are a relatively new branch of business endeavor.

>>I've been unable to contribute to other projects this year, but I do hope to be able to throughout 2012.<<

I hope so too!

>>I've only posted a few times, and I haven't received very much feed back on my posts. I don't know if that's due to the nature of my posts that others don't have any advice or input, or if this community is slow on the comments.<<

I suspect it's because your project is different from what people are already doing. So that can make it more difficult for people to think of things to say. A project that resembles others more closely may get more feedback. On the other hoof, you've got a fairly open field -- it's not like you're competing against a bunch of very similar established projects. If yours is good, then you'll have the audience of "people who would like crowdfunded postcards" largely to yourself.

>>I'm just bringing this up because not receiving very much feedback makes starting projects a bit daunting particularly for someone who's entirely new to this.<<

Yes, that can be daunting. I try to encourage people to try new projects anyhow. Crowdfunding is new as a field; we don't know what-all it can do yet. The only way to find out is to experiment. I've tried a bunch of different things with varying degrees of success.

Re: Thoughts

[swirvel42.livejournal.com]

The idea is that with the use of crowdfunding I could get a surplus of items printed. Each person who contributed x amount would get a set number of the items (say 3-5 depending). The extra items would go up for sale in my etsy shop.

Note cards would probably be more popular, but the post cards are cheaper to get printed. The money raised through crowdfunding, would pretty much entirely cover the printing costs, which really aren't that much.

Hopefully within the next couple of months I will have a few ideas put together for designs, and then I can crowdfunding one.

[ankewehner.livejournal.com]

*goes back and re-reads your last post*

Maybe it would help if you included more of the creative side, rather than talking about nothing but money and materials. I can't even tell if the cards you're planning would use photos, or paintings, or vector art, or consist only of a typed quote, or what else. It'd be easier to get interested in a project of yours if there were samples of your work available. Also, would there be anything like prompts, polls, or other input from people regarding what motives (or whatever) you create?

I'm more interested in postcards, personally.

[swirvel42.livejournal.com]

I had not even thought about that.

The images would be mostly pen and ink, with a range of subject matter. Some might be vector or photoshop art.

I was considering doing polls to determine which image would be the next crowdfunded project. I would also be open to other input. Maybe a poll to pick a theme, and then another poll to pick which would be the final piece?

It's all still a sort of rough idea, as this is my first project. I honestly didn't mean for it to come off entirely as talking about money, I just wasn't sure what to say.

I guess I'll put together a more comprehensive post once I've thought about it some more.

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

>>The images would be mostly pen and ink, with a range of subject matter. Some might be vector or photoshop art.<<

That sounds interesting. I like pen and ink.

>> I was considering doing polls to determine which image would be the next crowdfunded project. I would also be open to other input. Maybe a poll to pick a theme, and then another poll to pick which would be the final piece? <<

Theme and then final piece would be a good approach to try. Maybe let everyone vote on the theme, but limit the final poll to people who already participated or donated?

>> It's all still a sort of rough idea, as this is my first project. I honestly didn't mean for it to come off entirely as talking about money, I just wasn't sure what to say. <<

It can be hard to figure out where to start, especially for a first project. Sometimes it helps to think out loud, jot down what ideas you have so far, and ask what could be added or what people are unclear about. That may fill in gaps as you go along.

[ankewehner.livejournal.com]

Might be a matter of contrast, as ysabet said. The projects I think of as prominent here - fishbowls and icon days and sketch days - rely on the audience to ask for what they want. :)

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

There are other models, and I've seen a lot of variation in the amount of audience interaction. I think some of our most vocal members are given to high levels of interaction.

Re: Thoughts

[ankewehner.livejournal.com]

True. I've seen projects that were stuff like "this comic is done, but we need people to chip in for printing".

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

>> Maybe it would help if you included more of the creative side, rather than talking about nothing but money and materials. I can't even tell if the cards you're planning would use photos, or paintings, or vector art, or consist only of a typed quote, or what else. <<

Yes, that's a good point. The more people know about a project, the easier it is to get a grasp of it, give feedback, and think about whether they'd like to follow it.

>> It'd be easier to get interested in a project of yours if there were samples of your work available. <<

Samples are often helpful -- even if they aren't directly connected to the new project, they can introduce the creator's ideas and style.

[ankewehner.livejournal.com]

I contributed to a few projects, though more frequently with prompts (and links) than money.

And I experimented with two projects.

Flash Fiction Fishbowl
I consider this a success so far, and would like to keep it going.

I'd really like to offer more tip or link incentives, but I'm running into problems coming up with ones... trying to crib from other people I see ones relying on having ongoing series (having to worry about continuity makes writing much more difficult), and promising to write more words, or stories to all of someone's prompts, makes me worry if I can actually do that.

Small Art
The second round was... no improvement from the first. I did not advertise it as widely as I had planned, and then I dropped the ball on getting images done as fast as I'd promised. Well, still got some nice art done, eventually.

I wonder about this project. It's traditional media and postcard size, because traditional media means you can at least potentially get the original, and postcard size can be mailed way more cheaply than even 5x7. I see that as a major plus when compared with digital sketches or the like.

On the other hand it limits how much detail I can put in and get the image done in a reasonable time (considering that it doesn't pay much, and since it's mostly character- or pet portraits, I don't really expect interest from people other than the one who requested an image, RE buying originals the requesters did not want, or buying prints, to be a bit mercenary.)

On the third hand just getting more practise would do me good. That mule was a challenge, and I was pretty happy with the result. XD

Ehwell.

General thoughts
Assuming I don't find a dayjob that takes up too much time and energy for this to be practical, I'd like to expand both writing and art.
What's important there is that it does not stress me out - I have a tendency to freeze up when I take on too much. That includes that I don't want to make things too complicated bookkeeping-wise.

Hm.

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

>>I contributed to a few projects, though more frequently with prompts (and links) than money. <<

Everything is helpful.

>>Flash Fiction Fishbowl
I consider this a success so far, and would like to keep it going.<<

I liked this.

>>I'd really like to offer more tip or link incentives, but I'm running into problems coming up with ones... trying to crib from other people I see ones relying on having ongoing series (having to worry about continuity makes writing much more difficult), and promising to write more words, or stories to all of someone's prompts, makes me worry if I can actually do that. <<

Maybe post sections of something you write in advance, for linkback perks? Or one extra story if a donation threshold is met? Some people have a drawing for an extra perk, rather than giving it to everybody, so that's less work. Then again, you might do something offset -- like if you set a theme, collect some postcards related to the theme, and send them to your donors.

After you've run a regular project several times, you can just ask your audience what they would like.

>>Small Art
The second round was... no improvement from the first. I did not advertise it as widely as I had planned, and then I dropped the ball on getting images done as fast as I'd promised. Well, still got some nice art done, eventually. <<

I know it can be frustrating if you don't get as much action as you'd like. But that does give you a chance to learn the project and make early mistakes without dozens of people watching you. I think the art turned out great, by the way.

>>I wonder about this project. It's traditional media and postcard size, because traditional media means you can at least potentially get the original, and postcard size can be mailed way more cheaply than even 5x7. I see that as a major plus when compared with digital sketches or the like.<<

I agree. I think it's an effective size. Also, it's bigger than what the Free Icon Day folks are doing, that's a very popular project type.

Re: Thoughts on Flash Fiction Fishbowl

[ankewehner.livejournal.com]

With the Flash Fiction I'll be trying to write some loosely connected ones in future, and see how it goes.

One perk I could offer that not all authors can would be adding an illustration to a story, or doing an illustration based on one of the other prompts, but I'd rather try that out without having promised it up front.

Postcards... If I already have a drabble or other very short piece that would fit the theme, I could make up genuine postcard fic to mail to donators. Or rely on writing one during the call.

I've also been experimenting with zine/chapbook making, but I want to test how much work it is first.
(I'm definitely going to use staggered tip thresholds for a resulting ebook - a relatively low one for a basic version with a text-only cover, a higher tip total gets a cover illustration added, maybe a third to add small inside illustrations/divider graphics. Another thing I need to figure out how much work it is first.)

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

>>On the other hand it limits how much detail I can put in and get the image done in a reasonable time (considering that it doesn't pay much, and since it's mostly character- or pet portraits, I don't really expect interest from people other than the one who requested an image, RE buying originals the requesters did not want, or buying prints, to be a bit mercenary.)<<

You might be surprised what people will like. I've sold poems that I thought were really personal -- to someone other than the original prompter. Then too, consider that you may pick up character portraits that already have an audience attached. I tend to spread out my requests across my series, but sooner or later I'm likely to ask for a portrait of one of my more popular characters, and then prints might be worthwhile. I'm not the only person running multiple series; you could well pick up someone else who is.

Notice that you're not in direct competition with anyone else. djinni is mostly doing icons. meeksp is doing whole scenes. You've staked out a small but not tiny character portrait size, and you're good at it and can do various styles; that's likely to catch on.

Another possibility, if you'd like to do some larger pictures, would be making that a perk or a donation option. Frex, you might say if you get 12 participants, you'll randomly select one to get a picture at the next size larger (whatever standard sizes you work with). Or you could just set a donation threshold for a larger size picture, maybe $20 since you already have one at $10.

>>On the third hand just getting more practise would do me good. That mule was a challenge, and I was pretty happy with the result.<<

I've found it highly valuable to set a combination of monetary and nonmonetary goals for my projects. Practice is often one of them -- frex, with Schrodinger's Heroes I started out practicing script writing as for podcasts (a format that never interested me before) and then got into exploring comics and how to write for those.

Maybe think of some techniques in art that you'd like to improve? Or set a theme for something you draw sort-of well to see if you can get the hang of it better?

>>What's important there is that it does not stress me out - I have a tendency to freeze up when I take on too much. That includes that I don't want to make things too complicated bookkeeping-wise.<<

Okay, so you know that and you can work with it. Ideally, goals should be where you can reach them with a bit of a stretch, not too easy but not daunting either. Then as you meet them, you can gradually raise the bar higher.

I try to keep my bookkeeping fairly straightforward, although it does add up. Some folks I know have marvelous but intricate systems that I could never handle. But that's okay. My system works tolerably well for me, so I know who's reached various donation thresholds. If you start simple you can let the system evolve along with your project; that seems to be the best way.

Re: Thoughts

[ankewehner.livejournal.com]

I'll be experimenting with how to add larger format things to the call, yep, thanks for the additional ideas.

I'm using a spreadsheet with name (and link to their request), amount donated and people referred. If I get more practise, I might add linkbacks, too, but I'm leaving that out for now.
I'm also counting referrals as an extra tip since that is easier than coming up and keeping track of a separate kind of perk.

I'm trying a few things for the "not wanting to get overwhelmed" bit: staggering plugs over a few days (so I can start on the first requests before the last come in, rather than having all of them up front), or this time not promising art by a date.

Thanks a lot for your suggestions and encouragement!

Re: Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you have some good plans in progress. I look forward to watching your projects develop.

[zeeth_kyrah]

I'd have to say that I've been getting reasonable attention with the divination I've been offering. I think that doing it more consistently every month will help a lot; people respond better to a fixed schedule they can get used to. If that means it eats into personal reserves of time and energy, I can always cut back on hours or adjust the schedule another way.

In any case, I'm happy to report that every month, there was someone who could be helped, and donations did pay for a few small things I needed to boost my energy and mood. Hopefully both participation and donations will increase next year.

Yes...

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

>>I'd have to say that I've been getting reasonable attention with the divination I've been offering. <<

That's good to hear.

>>I think that doing it more consistently every month will help a lot; people respond better to a fixed schedule they can get used to. <<

That fits my observations with my own projects and those of others.

>> If that means it eats into personal reserves of time and energy, I can always cut back on hours or adjust the schedule another way.<<

Right. As a project grows, it tends to take up more time. I crashed into that once this year when my fishbowl got out of hand, but I was able to figure out which things I could hand off to volunteers. You'll figure out what works for you. Some diviners limit the duration of a session, and others set a particular number of requests that they'll fill.

>>Hopefully both participation and donations will increase next year.<<

Projects do tend to build over time, if they're good -- and especially if they're unique. I don't know of anyone else doing channeling, for instance, so that's in your favor. Maybe consider perks you can offer for the things you most want to encourage people to do.