PODCAST/LIVE STREAMS - PLEASE READ BEFORE VOTING (Patreon)
Content
Okay, Gang, I'm gonna let you guys make the call on this. Following is all the details:
THE PODCAST: As many of you know, I have a podcast that is politics/current events related. I have suspended episodes for now, as I'm trying to come up with the best method for producing them. The podcasts are different in that I record them as live streams where you guys are a huge part of the show. Your comments and even on-broadcast contributions (with your video or just your audio; your choice) are what make this podcast different and fun.
I had tried doing the podcasts as YouTube live streams. That didn't work out, as the YT channel crew really isn't into staying on topic (completely understandable, as our live streams there are, by design, wild) so it didn't work well for the podcast.
I want to have the podcasts incorporate a community that enjoys these types of conversations and debates. My initial thought was to do streams here, for those at the $5 level or more.
However, there are a couple problems with that. First of all, I'm going to be investing a decent amount of money into buying advertising for the podcast. I feel quite sure many of the people who would want to be part of the podcasts will not also be into getting notifications about anime tiddies and such. I think it may keep away a decent portion of the potential community we all would like to invite. Obviously, anime is always going to be the main feature here.
Also, not all of our current gang is into politics and the like. Many of then are, understandably, here because we're all anime nerds. I fear this will lead to people feeling left out during the podcast live streams, as I won't be responding to comments that are outside of the topic at hand. I don't like the idea of folks being left out simply because they wanted to talk anime in a community that is anime-oriented.
I REALLY wanted to be able to set up a new Patreon and simply give free access to all of you at the $5 level or higher here. That would have solved everything, but unfortunately, Patreon has absolutely no way to allow for that. At a meeting I had with Patreon staff recently, they gave me reason to believe that might happen in the future, but definitely not now.
So, my solution was to create a new Patreon, THE CAVE. This one will be for the podcast live streams, as well as some random streams (not anime-related ones; that stuff stays here). There will also be written articles available at THE CAVE. I was going to make total access available for $5, but then I decided to drop it to $2, as I want as many of you to be able to be with me over there as possible. The only reason I didn't go to $1 is because I think that the people who will be coming in to join for the podcasts, $2 is a fair bottom amount.
If you want to see the setup at THE CAVE, it's at: https://www.patreon.com/curtiscandy
PLEASE REMEMBER: If we do decide to host the podcast streams here, I can't guarantee that they will stay. If everything goes smoothly and people seem to stay on topic, that will help. However, if I get a lot of feedback from potential members who want to be part of the podcast group that they aren't joining - or are leaving - because of all the notifications they're getting for anime stuff, I'll have to try a different solution.
ALSO: If Patreon does ever allow me to grant memberships from one account to another, of course all of you here at the $5 level or more would be given free access to THE CAVE. Also, if THE CAVE is opened up, it will not affect, in any way, things done here or at the YT channel.
Basically, the idea of starting a community of people who enjoy topical chat, as well as that whole community element, would be best served by starting a new Patreon and keeping the membership as low as possible (the $2). However, if you guys feel that you are being slighted or disrespected doing it that way, I won't.
I also completely understand that there are those of you who simply wish to have politics - even the mention of them - away from here. I completely get that! If the vote goes towards trying to incorporate things here, I'll do my best to be as unobtrusive as possible when posting political stuff. :-)