I have been aware of Patreon in the last couple of years. I can't help thinking that it might be a better way to go than depending on advertising. It is easier for me, personally, to ask for patronage than to sell advertising. With advertising, I would have to pull stats, make reports, make sales media, and so much more that is required to process individual customer orders.
Asking for patronage, on the other hand, is simpler. Cleaner. One page. If you like what I do and want to support it, it won't break you. Obviously, bigger supporters would get something more for their patronage. I would have to figure that out.
Why?
So, why would I want to bring these blogs back from the dead? Or, is that the undead?
Partly, I would like to quiet that nagging "what if" voice.
Secondly, I want to transition to become a writer. Part of becoming a writer is writing every day. What better way to write every day than to become a writer? Right?
Once the writing habit is reestablished, then it would be easier to churn out novels, especially one that I've been piecing together. I have the characters, the setting, and several adventures. Yes, a series of books. The only thing stopping me is the lack of a writing habit. Instead, I sit around a watch Youtube videos, read books, or do other things instead of write. Certainly entertaining, if not productive.
So, would my work be limited to writing? No, unfortunately no. I also like the podcasting and the video creating. Sorry, they all fit together really well on a blog.
What Kind of Content?
I'm glad you asked this rhetorical question. The content would be local news and information. I don't think I need to break any exclusives. What I lack in timeliness could be spent on thoroughness. In depth interviews would work along with quick announcements of what's going on in the area.
Experience from my MissionTexas.net site shows me that hyperlocal information is in demand. People want to know what's going on in their community. It would be pretentious for me to equate what I propose to do as any form of journalism. The closest might be a reporter, which seems less . . . formal. I just need to ask what's going on and share it. Simple enough, right?
Sure. Unfortunately, it takes time to get into everybody's business, which is why news organizations pay people to go out and do it. Interviews don't happen by themselves. Blog posts don't write themselves. Somebody has to go out and do all of that.
Perhaps physical newspapers and magazines are suffering the loss of subscribers, but it doesn't mean that what they offer isn't valuable. It's just that consuming news is much easier in digital format than on paper. Plus, you don't have to worry about recycling the paper after it sat around unread a couple of days. That's one reason I stopped reading the paper, that it is relentless in delivery even though I may not have time to peruse its pages.
So, A Selfish Endeavor?
You may be thinking that this is all to selfish purpose. To a degree, yes, it is. However, I would not propose to do this if I did not have an instinct that there is a need for such information in the community. People want recognition for their achievements, for their troubles, for their causes, for their ideas, and especially their work. I believe that I can provide some of that.
The best way to find out is to give it a trial for 30 days. Let's see what I can do. If it works out, and I can increase my readership, then perhaps it may be worthwhile seeking patrons. If I go completely ignored, then I could try harder or hang up the keyboard. But, I won't know until I try, right?
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