PokéSins Plans (Patreon)
Content
If you've been following my G-Logs on PokéSins for the last few months, you'll know where we are; ShoPro isn't responding and the series has ground to a halt. I've been thinking very long and hard about how to move forward with the series and I'll be presenting you all with the 3 options I've found.
Note that each of these options has several variants available and are summaries of much deeper workings. Note also that this isn't a vote on which I do... I just want the thoughts from the people who support me the most. With those thoughts on board I can determine the best path and give it a go. Also be aware that whichever I pick will be on a trial basis to see how it works out. If it doesn't appear to be panning out, I'll try another.
So time to reveal the options. I'll be presenting each with Pros and Cons lists so you can fully understand how they impact me and how they impact you.
OPTION 1 - ShoPro Resolution
This is essentially what I've been doing for the last few months. I will try any tactic I can to get through to ShoPro and resolve the issue as quickly as possible so that PokéSins can return to YouTube as we all want it to. In the meantime, $10+ Johto episodes will continue, but the main series will be suspended. I have new methods to try and I will be pursuing these in the background should I take another option as the primary tactic.
Pros:
- If successful, it is the absolute BEST outcome possible.
- YouTube is still the best platform for viewing/uploading.
- More time to devote to gaming videos (even if some disagree with that being a pro, it certainly is for me).
Cons:
- There is no guarantee that it'll work.
- If it DOES work, it could be a long time.
- As things are, I cannot survive this level of income for much longer.
OPTION 2 - Post PokéSins To New Monetised Platform
This entails finding a new video platform (i.e. a website where I can upload videos) that also supports reliable monetisation. This will essentially replace YouTube as the primary home of PokéSins until Option 1 works.
Pros:
- Upon finding a platform, the series can continue quickly.
- Monetisation means I can earn from the ad revenue.
Cons:
- Finding a platform could be difficult.
- It directs viewers away from my passion (my YouTube channel).
- The monetisation could be unreliable.
OPTION 3 - Post PokéSins To New Unmonetised Platform
Similar to Option 2, but notably different. This entails finding a new video platform (or potentially self-hosting episodes) and making that the new home of PokéSins. As I would have no incoming ad revenue, I'd need to earn another way; the most likely way is by changing a low-end reward to 'Main Series PokéSins Episodes'. I'd make 1/2 or 1/3 of episodes unavailable to the public and, instead, like the $10+ Johto episodes. Currently replacing $5 seems the best option. The other 1/2 or 2/3rds of the episodes would still be free to the public so the audience can still grow.
Pros:
- Upon finding a platform, the series can continue quickly.
- If self-hosted, I'd have complete control.
- The series would be more or less immune to copyright issues.
Cons:
- I have no idea how many or how few will sign on for the other episodes.
- Too few people signing up would make it unsustainable.
- Finding a platform could be difficult, but less so than Option 2.
- I have no idea if/how I can self-host.
- Depending on where I host, it could direct viewers away from my YouTube.
And that's the gist of it. I have some other tweaks I'd like to make to my Patreon, but I'll wait until we've settled this and are on our new course before bringing them up.
I'd really like to hear what you all think of these ideas as patrons and as viewers. I have visions of someone saying 'if you pick this one, I'll stop pledging' and that kind of thing wouldn't be helpful at all, so kindly keep that to yourself. If I lose some patrons with my choice, I will have to live with that, but I need to do something and these are the only options I can see. I'm open to hearing OTHER ideas, but I apologise if I seem to dismiss things out of hand; I've thought about this a lot and I have a lot of experience doing what I do.
What do you think?