In December of 2015, I looked at my finances and realized if the blog was going to continue and grow, I needed a better way to pay for the operating costs. I keep my paper dolls free to print, but that doesn’t mean the site is free to run. Thanks to the generous donations of my Patrons I have been able too do the following:
- Get a real professionally designed theme. The site looks SO MUCH better and the code is so much cleaner. And if I have issues, there’s a professional company I can ask.
- Upgrade my server subscription and improve site performance.
- Actually consider hiring a programmer to help make the site SSL secure (still researching this process, but it’s a bit beyond my skill set).
- Run daily backups of the site. I haven’t needed these yet, but so much peace of mind. I hope, by the way, I never need them.
- Back in 2016, I had a hack rerouting some of my URLs. This was far beyond my ability to fix, but thanks to my Patrons I was able to get it fixed, which cost several hundred dollars, and have that company install and monitor a firewall. That way it won’t happen again and if it does, they are available to help.
- Use social media organizing soft wear to try to find new readers and make my art accessible on other platforms like Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. I work full time. I can’t be manually posting to social media. I’m no “Social Media Guru” but I do know that there are people out there who might love my paper dolls and they maybe on something like Instagram far more than they are on the regular interwebs.
I realize that not everyone can donate and I believe in the importance of my art being free. I function on the NPR model and the hope that if you have a few bucks and you love the blog that you might step up and help cover the expenses. It’s not required, but it is gratefully accepted.
So, I thought I would take this week of Thanksgiving to say how thankful I am to everyone who has donated a little and to share the link to my Patreon page if you would like to donate as well: Donate to PTP Here
Best,
– Rachel
I love being able to contribute to artists I love who have always offered their art free to all. It doesn’t make sense that it would cost you money to give us things for free! I recently had to reduce my patreon pledges, but I hope it’s only temporary. I know even ones I only give $1 to, those single dollars add up if enough people do it. Anyway, I’m glad to see it really has helped you! 🙂
It has helped so much! You have to do what makes the most financial sense for you and I am so grateful for any support. A dollar helps. Not only the actual money (that’s great), but also the feeling that people will support your art. That’s an amazing feeling. (And a little scary sometimes.)