Remember, 25k was a short-term realistic goal to cover baseline operating expenses. This doesn't include any of the upgrades they mentioned like developing an app, hiring, upgrading equipment, etc. The ACTUAL goal was ~$138k.
You guys should probably leave the 25k goal bar up as full, but put another bar below it for 75k and a final bar at 140k. Maybe break up what each bar represents, like new employee, equipment and development, etc.
I'm an MBA candidate in California. I will be signing up as soon as the new system is up; however, I would still like to help immediately. Is there anyway I can help without securing an investor? Thanks.
So awesome! Next goal should be to drive membership up which should help fill the gap for next year with recurring revenue. I'm curious as to whether you can get a feel for how many net new memberships were created by this awareness? Probably difficult to determine as those that don't renew at the higher rate will roll off as their memberships expire, but how many did we add?
Maybe do a coordinated membership awareness drive when the GoT train rolls around in the spring also.
Holy moly, we did it in just under a week. Under three days after what we considered the "official" launch. I'm speechless. Except I'm not! Jim and I recorded a video earlier today when we were just shy of the goal. Short version: Thank you, thank you, thank you. While I was confident we could make our case and get the money, doing in this fast is just... incredible. Thank you!
Hey A.Ron, can you put some more share commissions in the shop? I wouldn't mind throwing a couple shares in the pot, but there isn't much choice at this point.
Holy moly, we did it in just under a week. Under three days after what we considered the "official" launch. I'm speechless. Except I'm not! Jim and I recorded a video earlier today when we were just shy of the goal. Short version: Thank you, thank you, thank you. While I was confident we could make our case and get the money, doing in this fast is just... incredible. Thank you!
Guys, this is working (and hopefully continues to) in large part to your dedication to your craft, and utter transparency to your faithful with respect to your financials and vision.
The bit about being disowned, or being an emotional robot (need new wetware?) made me a little sad, but remember that friendships and binding loyalty are not through something as coincidental as bloodline, but through choice.
Please keep collecting until youre more safe. This isn't greed, it's being sensible.
Great news that you've hit the 25K already. That was quicker than I expected.
Without getting all dick/-sucky sucky/mushy, I agree that you have a personal connection to your viewers/audience, which is why we are seeing the support rallied behind you that we are seeing.
Don't lose the momentum, I second having some new thermometers/bars implemented.
maybe not #save but a continuing push for a while to #support makes a lot of sense, get while the getting's good. after all, you don't know how that new club rate is going to affect club sales and don't want to have to make #savebaldmove an a recurring thing (i assume).
I'm so incredibly happy for you guys and on a day when some of us (yes me) are feeling a tad bit despondent due to current political events, this is an oasis in the desert.
I'm happy but I cannot say I'm surprised. I remember the first time I stumbled across your dulcid tones. I was looking for someway to extend my enjoyment of the final season of Breaking Bad and Breaking Good came up in a search. I was immediately hooked by A_Ron's insight and obvious enthusiasm for the source material. Jim, don't take it personally, but you had to grow on me for a while and while you still piss me off at times, I do enjoy your contribution. From there it was a short jaunt to full on fan as I am now a consumer of 8 of your pods. I've dabbled with others (don't hate me. It was a confusing time), but none compare to what you guys put out.
Your humor, intelligence, and relatibility are the ways in which you guys have bonded with your audience. I think I speak for the majority of your listener base when I say I feel like you're my friends. I would love to sit down and shoot it with you guys over some 15 year Dalmore (I'm buyin). All this said to say you have a community of friends here wanting to support you and it should not surprise you to realize when the chips were down, we got your back.
Good luck and here's hoping for many years to come and hopefully some significant pay bumps to both of you. You most definitely deserve it. Cheers.
Hey A.Ron, can you put some more share commissions in the shop? I wouldn't mind throwing a couple shares in the pot, but there isn't much choice at this point.
Regarding your forecast on the next twelve months of membership fees, could you send an email blast to all subscribers with a simple poll explaining the situation (maybe a link to the original video explaining the Amazon details) asking whether they plan to renew at the new rate? A simple Yes/No/Possibly/Already resubscribed would be helpful for you. Even non-responses would be indicative of non-renewals. Just a thought. If you were able to tie in the emails to the resubscription months you could then get an educated estimate of each month's retention. Just a thought to give you some more reliable information than hopeful (even if possibly conservative) guesses.
This would be particularly helpful because if I understand correctly, the old subscribers would not auto-renew and need to be informed about the change in order for them to even resubscribe.
Great news about your campaign succeeding guys. I've been too busy last week to take the time to upgrade my old $12/year account, but finally got around to upgrading to the $48/year today, despite seeing the news that you guys already reached your goal. Keep up the great work and quality of your podcasts.
Regarding your forecast on the next twelve months of membership fees, could you send an email blast to all subscribers with a simple poll explaining the situation (maybe a link to the original video explaining the Amazon details) asking whether they plan to renew at the new rate? A simple Yes/No/Possibly/Already resubscribed would be helpful for you. Even non-responses would be indicative of non-renewals. Just a thought. If you were able to tie in the emails to the resubscription months you could then get an educated estimate of each month's retention. Just a thought to give you some more reliable information than hopeful (even if possibly conservative) guesses.
This would be particularly helpful because if I understand correctly, the old subscribers would not auto-renew and need to be informed about the change in order for them to even resubscribe.
For sure. Communication has to be key, and a end of year survey sounds like a great idea.
Could not be more happy for you guys. I hope it continues to generate more cash to make it less stressful for both of you.
I won't be fully satisfied until these gents are Scrooge McDuckin' in a big ass pool of gold coins. They deserve it. I watch my kid watch Disney Collector and Charlie's Crafty Kitchen on YouTube and I'm like - dammmn I'm in the wrong biz. Why'd I even go to college?!
Hope they thrive not just survive, as it goes. It's good to have your Oregon Trail origins: Bare Bones, Meager Beginnings! But they deserve for this thing to blow up. Get that Disney Collector kind of dough.
Could not be more happy for you guys. I hope it continues to generate more cash to make it less stressful for both of you.
I won't be fully satisfied until these gents are Scrooge McDuckin' in a big ass pool of gold coins. They deserve it. I watch my kid watch Disney Collector and Charlie's Crafty Kitchen on YouTube and I'm like - dammmn I'm in the wrong biz. Why'd I even go to college?!
Hope they thrive not just survive, as it goes. It's good to have your Oregon Trail origins: Bare Bones, Meager Beginnings! But they deserve for this thing to blow up. Get that Disney Collector kind of dough.
Well yeah, I guess I could be a lot happier for them...I didn't think of it like that.
Very happy to hear the good news. We can only hope that those that have pledged will continue to stick around. While the initial battle is won, the "war" is far from over.
Oh p.s. I don't know why you'd be uncomfortable taking volunteer labor but you can take money. Take it both, it's both worthwhile. Not only can it help you in this short term crisis, but it can be kind of a test run of how you guys work with back office people outside your partnership without a lot of commitment.
Probably because having to tell a volunteer to step lively would feel really weird.
Comments
You guys should probably leave the 25k goal bar up as full, but put another bar below it for 75k and a final bar at 140k. Maybe break up what each bar represents, like new employee, equipment and development, etc.
Maybe do a coordinated membership awareness drive when the GoT train rolls around in the spring also.
The bit about being disowned, or being an emotional robot (need new wetware?) made me a little sad, but remember that friendships and binding loyalty are not through something as coincidental as bloodline, but through choice.
Please keep collecting until youre more safe. This isn't greed, it's being sensible.
Hope they thrive not just survive, as it goes. It's good to have your Oregon Trail origins: Bare Bones, Meager Beginnings! But they deserve for this thing to blow up. Get that Disney Collector kind of dough.