mothersbasement
patreon
Expanding the Weebcast and Idea for Change in Reward Tiers
🕑 Added 2016-10-16 18:53:31 +0000 UTC I want to preface this post by saying that right now, these are JUST ideas. You guys are the reason I can keep doing what I love for a living, and I want to make sure you're happy with any changes to my patreon platform before I roll forward with them.So I've been thinking a lot about my reward tiers on here lately. I have a lot of fun doing the videos that you guys request, but the fact of the matter is that it takes a lot of time and energy to make a fully-edited mother's basement video, and most weeks I find it easier to be energized by things I'm currently passionate about.
The net result of that is, while I do plan on getting all of your requests done, they end up sitting on the backburner for a while as new ideas pop into my head and (increasingly as the channel grows in popularity) new offers come along for fun sponsorship deals. and if I'm being honest, the more suggestions come in, the more intimidating that backlog gets, and the more likely I am to focus on a different project and save the suggestions for later when I'm low on ideas.
But recently Digibro handed over the reins of the weebcast to me, and that changes things a little. With the weebcast, I have a platform for content that can be produced more quickly, but still appeals to the same audience as my regular videos. Plus it has more potential for interactions with you guys.
basically, in addition to the seasonal weebcast, I want to do a weekly one where a few guests and I talk about a show or relevant topic and then briefly discuss our weeks - little bit friendcast, little bit mangapod. In light of that, I'm thinking about restructuring my reward tiers around weebcast stuff. It would look something like this:
$15 - suggest an anime/topic to cover on the weebcast. If your suggestion is voted in (assuming you have a good microphone) you get to introduce the anime to us and talk for a bit at the start of the podcast. Potentially, you can also be part of a full podcast, but that would have to be at the discretion of me and the other hosts because having good chemistry is VERY important for a talk show.
$80 - (limit 1-3, not sure how many. gonna have to play it by ear) Guest spot on a special monthly "State of the Basement" weebcast where, instead of talking about anime, we go over my videos for the last month and talk about our lives.
(people who win the votes at the 20 and 150$ tiers could also potentially join this cast)
$150 (limit 1) - demand I cover a show/topic on the weebcast! and of course you get to introduce it, or potentially join me in talking about it (again, dependent on your mic quality and our broadcast chemistry.).
limits for all shows would be the first 13 episodes except in special circumstances (mainly if I've already seen it) to make sure that I can actually keep up .
All other reward tiers would stay the same.
Again, these are all hypothetical, but I think I'd be able to more consistently deliver on them, and honestly I think this level of interaction would be more fun for all of us.
That is just my opinion though, and the reason I'm posting this here in the first place is because I want to hear yours! What do you guys think? if you want to keep the reward tiers as they are, then that's what we'll do! it's ultimately your call.
Also, I think this goes without saying, but I will 100% follow through on every previous submitted request, even if the reward tiers change.
Comments
Infocalypse
There are some potential problems with tying reward tiers to recurring audio/video spots. While I trust your judgement with regard to determining whether or not somebody should be on the weebcast (and I think it's necessary), if somebody has spent a good chunk of change for the chance to be on it & then is rejected they may not take it well (particularly if they are somebody who is rejected for, well, being a jerk). Part of the reason I enjoy the weebcast is that everybody is sort of familiar with each other and friendly -- I don't know how many of you are close, but you at least seem to have an idea about how to behave around one another based on watching each other's videos or something -- and the chemistry is good because of that. (Even when there are arguments, it's clear that it's an argument built on top of mutual understanding and stuff, versus just having strangers on.) So, this worries me a bit, although weekly weebcasts & other reward tiers make a lot of sense. With regard to you taking over the weebcast from Digi -- do you have more details about this? For instance, will Digi be on any future weebcasts or is he taking an opportunity to avoid having to follow ongoing shows? Also, will this affect the release of the one about the current season? I usually determine what to follow each season based on the summaries and judgements in the weebcast, & what to pick up from previous seasons based on season recaps, so I'm looking forward to the first weebcast of the season.
Taya Toxin
Bring me the weekly Weebcast, please and thank you.
Caspus
As far as the changes to the reward tiers, this seems fine to me. Only thing I'd comment on (and I 100% defer to you on this, b/c you know yourself best) is to caution on not overextending. Between your usual content, sponsored content, anime & game nights, a weekly Weebcast, a separate (?) monthly stream, the seasonal Weebcast and conventions... it's ambitious. We back you because we want to see you grow, so take time to find out what works best for your schedule and goals. Looking forward to what comes next.
Eric Weber
All of those sound potentially awesome. I say go for it!
Toyall
I... am down with that. Even though I never won a vote I'm going to get a better mic anyhow to prepare for the possibility.
Mother's Basement
all previous tiers carry over to higher tiers, except limited tiers. all the other tiers would still be options (though I may put weebcast branding on the Q&A sessions. who knows, maybe the state of the basement weebcast could be live, with Q&A at the end?) Weebcast will be weekly about different discussion topics and also shows that we're watching. additionally, the season cast will still be a thing. State of the basement will basically be me, another host, and fans talking about what's happened on the channel in the last month in place of talking about anime, and maybe tackling current events, youtube as a whole, that sorta thing.. Also, actually making the videos still takes the same amount of time, and the bigger concern is that I have new ideas for videos that I just HAVE to make all the dang time. hope those answers help!
Bluebuterflyef
I accidentally hit enter when trying to write my reply, forgive me. would the "suggesting a topic" be open to everyone between the $15-$150 tiers or would it just be $15 and $150? Would the Q&A stream tier reward still be an option if you're doing the weebcast? Is the Weebcast going to be like it was before, a discussion of new anime that are coming out, or are you going to expand it to other topics? Is the Weebcast going to be monthly or every three months with a little after the release of all the new anime shows? I think the "State of the Basement" is a good idea to catch up with some of your patrons, what other plans do you have for it? Could you explain what you're thinking about it because the description for SotB sounds a little vague to me? Instead of getting video requests from your patrons and voting on them every month, couldn't you collect them and we vote on them every three months, giving you some time to actually make the videos? Thanks again, Geoff, I hope these questions are helpful to you.
Mother's Basement
yes, everyone who pledges can vote on the suggestion, everyone who pledges 15 can suggest a thing
Bluebuterflyef
I think it's a good idea to include these new reward tiers. They're fun and I think they'll attract new patrons. There are some questions I have, though: would the "suggesting a topic" be open to everyone
Soos Ito
I love the idea. Ive been looking for a anime podcast that mirrors the bestfriend cast. Where the podcast is about the topic at hand anime but also you get to here about the life's of the podcasters. And it just feels like you're talking to your friends and then the conversation morphs into an anime discussion. And of course try to get Liam. Cx
Foxcade
At the end of the day, it is your Patreon, so you should feel free to change the tiers how ever you wish! That said, I think this is a good idea since it would hypothetically allow patrons to be more involved in the content they want to see/hear and make it easier for you to deliver on rewards while doing what your passionate about. I'm personally fine with it changing or staying the same. I hope that helps!
SheeP
I think this is a cool idea, and I like that you stress that guests can stay on longer in the podcast provided they have good chemistry... which I think would be crucial to making a regular weebcast a pleasurable experience. I would definitely enjoy having more great anime content, particularly longer podcasts.
Ryan Grottkau (RyanVonAegir)
I love this idea. It makes you feel like you have a role in the content and have a chance to help or be part of the outside of money. Plus some of us want to talk and experience shows together and that a good to do so. The idea of allowing people to become part of it too is cool as well.
