Why does YForce need Patreon?

Recently, on many other webcomics, forum and discussion boards, I have come across this topic:

Why does something FREE (webcomics, stories, art...etc) have to be funded?

Here are some of the arguments presented in view of the statement made:

1. If something is stated as FREE, shouldn't it not accept a single cent?

2. It feels like I am subscribing to it with a monthly fee while others are leeching off my subscription by tuning in free.

3. If I am funding it, it means I am paying for that product. It should not be free.

4. So, instead of this project paying the artists, I am now paying the artists?

After contemplating for some time, here is my two cents' worth on the topic, and seeing as I am a creator who seeks funding for my project as well, the counter-arguments below are also my viewpoints as a creator.

Many projects started out without any crowdsourcing platform, be it in kickstarter form where it's a one off support, or like patreon, where you are supporting on a monthly basis. Many creators want their voice to be heard in the form of their creations, and in YForce's case, a webcomic. Prior to the webcomic being launched, there definitely are years spent into making this project a reality. For YForce, that meant daily research into mythology, looking for references and sketching out character designs, creature designs, planning room layouts...etc, writing out tons and tons of stories, constantly tweaking and fine-tuning them.

When those are deemed acceptable, I started looking for an artist who could help bring my designs to live. When the artist is hired, the artist did not just jump straight into the comic pages. Instead, the artist must get acquainted with the characters and the plot, and this means that the artist has to render those sketches into digital art. Once that is completed will the artist proceed into creating the pages.

Time and effort were put into YForce way before its release, and money was already spent in paying the artist for creating page after page of the comic. There are hidden costs too - setting up the website, paying for advertising...etc.

In a way, you can see this as an investment, a business opportunity. Before a business plan takes off, a certain amount of investment is needed, before you start reaping in the profits. However, if you see it as that, you will then definitely see funding as a payment mode, which in the eyes of the creator, is not. Because if YForce is seen as a business, then definitely, it is a failing one and would be discountinued. However, it continues to be uploaded week after week, because I, the creator, see it as a dream, one that allows as many people to share in its joy as much as possible.

So why do I need funding support?

Of course, it can be a huge struggle for any creators like myself to pay the artists for their work, and yet having to have enough to support myself and my family. The idea of being funded is not so that I can use this funds for my own personal use (not in that way). The funds will go entirely into the YForce project, which means mainly to pay the artist for their work. The more funds we get, the higher the possibility that the artists can be paid more or at a faster rate, which equates to having more pages created.

In this case, my own savings or earnings can be put into other areas, such as more advertising, more artists to do other work (like Patreon rewards, filler or back stories...etc) and also, to really save up and start printing the actual comic itself! This would not be possible if we were to go back to the original cycle of earning -> paying artists. With more funds, the dream could be realised sooner, and that really, is the ultimate goal of any creator.

Also, when you support YForce or any other project, you do get certain rewards! So, you are not really paying for the "product", which is to read the webcomic itself. You are still entitled to reading the webcomic for free, but your monetary support grants you additional benefits!

As a creator, I am very thankful for having so much support from readers. I have come across many supporters who refuse any rewards. They were people who were able to break free from the mentality of "I am paying for..." when they fund a project. Of course, those who retain their status of accepting the rewards are not greedy despite me saying that. They are of course, entitled to the rewards! :)

So, what do you all think? Is funding a way of paying for the "free" stuff, or do you agree with me that funding do propel a creator's dream further?

Either way, for those of you who have been supporting YForce, we thank you so, so much for your kind support! Of course, if you can help spread the word that we are on Patreon, please do so! It would be good if YForce can get more funding, for we have some major changes coming that will totally rock the world of YForce!!!

So, do stay tune! :)

#patreon #advertising #thankyou