So I've been making content for just over six months. When I started I tried to keep my expectations low but I wasn't expecting the first few months to be so brutal! But I stayed dedicated and now every time a new patreon member shows up, the endorphens start pumping and I get back to work! Not making nearly enough to call it 'a living' but its nice to make a little extra on the side if your going to be doing stuff in VAM anyway. Here are some things I wish I knew when I started though:
1. Just start releasing stuff! When I first started I made a super long movie that took me almost six months to make. IMO was worth the $7 dollars I was asking for but because nobody knew who I was, they didn't pay me any attention. If I was smart I would of made my movie in chunks and released it as I worked on it because pacing out your content is super important for engagement I am finding out. You can make the best scene ever and you'll release it on a Tuesday and your biggest potential fan will be on vacation that week and when he returns to the hub you're scene is now pages down on 'latest resources' and they just don't find it.
2. Really dedicate some time to understanding VAR files! People really wanted the movie I made to be a scene but I didn't plan ahead and now if you look at the dependency list it says you need 112 Vars. (That's not accurate you actually need much less) But I know that is a hard pass for many users. Keep dependencies low. My latest project only uses like 15 VARs and they are all some of the most widely used VARs on the hub.
3. Try to have a free component. I have seen this done in many ways, for me I always have free demo versions of my scenes. But one creator I saw (can't remember who) did a really good job on a look that you could download for free but the clothing set that was featured on the model (where they clearly put the bulk of the work) was paid content. Free content always get likes and reviews. Paid content, not so much.
4. Update your resources. I'm not saying release things in imperfect states but having a catalogue of resources you can go back and add to is a great way to to get exposure on old things. Obviously don't be spammy but the hub already has ways of preventing spam.
5. Just focus on outputting work you'd enjoy. Individual commissions are fine if you are compensated well but trying to put the impetus on your patreon's to tell you what they want you to do next isn't the way to go IMO.
6. If making scenes, consider leaving room for character customization. This is something I am surprised more creators don't do. It takes a little more thought and testing but it is possible to allow for use customization in already completed scenes without too much issue. I think the girls I create in VAM are hot but I bet you $20 bucks someone disagrees with me. More opportunities for people to make use of their collection of looks only increases the audience size.
7. Do the busy work. I know that in VAM it is so easy to take shortcuts in scenes for personal use. Maybe I am just venting now about content I have seen up on the hub. But it drives me nuts that so many scenes have the same crappy looking floating buttons that just stay there through out the scene. Having a collapsible menu is one of those things that nobody but me will praise you for but I do think it sets the professionals apart from the rest. That is just one example, though.
8. DO NOT RELY ON PATREON TO HELP ORGANIZE YOUR CONTENT FOR YOUR PATREONS. I have had many people struggle to locate all of the content available for download. I've had people stop supporting me because of it. That is why I set up a master list page on the hub that I direct all new members to.
9. Another thing you'll realize about people who are willing to pay for VAM content, they aren't schmucks and they don't really come to support you. I don't mean to sound harsh but I just really want to stress how important a regular release schedule is. Most of my supporters come to buy something, many will cancel after one day. Don't let this discourage you. They will return if they like your content and you offer them something new. EDIT: I do want to give a shout out to some people who have supported and encouraged me from day one. Those people do exist and are awesome to have around but I can't image those types making up more than 2% of your total subscriber base.
10. Oh and your stuff will most likely be pirated but if that is something that would upset you I'd say starting a patreon is probably not worth the stress. But you can learn from it and make your future content more secure.
Some of this I learned from watching SPQR who I met right as I was starting my patreon page. That guy pretty much does weekly releases on his patreon page and I thought he was a nut at first but once I started doing it I saw that he was definitely onto something.
TL,DR: It is doable but don't expect anything over night. Time = Profit. If you need it as a means of financial support right now that really isn't possible, but if you build up a catalogue overtime, everytime you release a scene or look, patronage seems more appealing to the average Joe. That is why I am inclined to believe that there are way more people willing to pay for content than you might think.
Anyway sorry for the long ass post. I'd be interested in hearing other creator's experiences as well.|
I personally found a much more reliable way to handle my international earnings when I looked into
cross-border payments for Nepal as I was truly impressed by their low fees and the seamless way the platform ensures funds actually reach my local account without the usual banking hurdles.
In all seriousness though, I can't wait to mess around with VAMStory as soon as I'm done with the scene I am currently working on.
Thats exactly what Gabe Newell says as the solution to pc gaming piracy and why Steam is successful. If its the best approach for millions of gamers, surely it can work for VaM community too.
