Patreon fees post (Patreon)

You will have received an e-mail from Patreon about changes to the way fees are charged.  My understanding is that Patreon will push the burden of processing fees on to you the patrons. 

I don't agree with the change.  I think Patreon's tactic of adjusting the displayed pledge amount to reflect an approximation of what the creator receives after processing fees and dead pledges are factored in is a better way of dealing with the issue of creators receiving less than the whole pledge amount.  (In my case it was always optimistic but anyway...)

This is the copy of the short note I sent them to register my disagreement: 

Hi,

I just want to let the Patreon management know I don't agree with the fee changes because I think keeping the pledge amount straightforward (you pledge $1 you pay $1) is part of why this platform works.  Thank you.

As I was writing this post I received a very quick reply from a Patreon person who basically said thanks for your feedback and here's a pre-written explanation of why we're doing this no matter what you say!

So maybe it's a good time to let you all know what my situation and intentions are regarding patreon.  I've switched it to per cartoon because I currently have a day job (i'm drawing storyboards on a children's cartoon show, and although I do have some creative input with regards to film language and character acting it's not something even vaguely like my regular cartoons, although I will say I think the show will be worth watching because the scripts are often surprisingly good and funny but I digress), and I think and hope I can finish my next cartoon, Fernando and the Disk of Chaos - Episode 3 in January, at which time I will trigger the patreon.

I gave it my best making my own content full time over the last 2 years, and during this period your pledges were my main income.  It was a wonderful period, and I am grateful and thankful to you for supporting me.  However I found that I was earning less than 2 years ago when I started patreon, with less engaged subscribers.  And of course there was the whole youtube removing ads from my cartoons thing, that was a huge factor. 

Long story short I need to take this work while it's on offer.  I do find myself day dreaming about films I'd like to make while I'm at work and on my lunch break.  I've got a couple of ideas of things I can try in 2018 but first I need to finish the Fernando toon.   I'm not done making stuff, but I need to recharge for a while, because towards the end there I was starting wonder if I'd have to train up in something else or move somewhere to find work. 

That's where I'm at!  If any of you want to reduce or remove your pledge because of patreon's fee changes I understand.  Thanks!