Fan funding on small channels?

[Uncivilized Elk]

What's your thoughts on enabling the fan funding option on small channels?

If anybody out there tried it, have you actually received patronage from people you didn't know?

Are there downsides to enabling it early on?

Just curious what people think about it. I personally have kept it off, but for no real reason in particular. Just got reminded of its existence in the first place recently, and wondered what I should do with it.
I almost feel like I want to set it as a goal or something. Like, when I hit 500 or 1k subs, I can allow myself to enable it.

 

[GrgakGames]

I stream every friday and do a support the streamer thing.

For the main channel I have not done anything yet for it. Probably won't honestly.

I say do it if there are no repercussions. Like for instance I got a 10 dollar donation the other day from streaming and in reality 33% of it was taken away.

So like
Just make sure you do your research in advanced

 

[RyanH]

Probably not a lot of point, unless you have some really dedicated fans. It's a shame it's only available in a few regions as well, when most channels have a lot more international viewers.

 

[BoozeandBS]

I agree with you OP... I'm kinda using it as a goal, rather have a bit of a following before I start asking for that. Then again it is the holidays so might catch people being generous. I feel like if I ask and it's their first video seeing me and they see there are so few people then they'll look at it as just doing it for the money. I think if you establish people liking your content then add it on there, at least you having people enjoying your content will make them more likely to want to help support it.

 

[Kirgle]

I agree with you OP... I'm kinda using it as a goal, rather have a bit of a following before I start asking for that. Then again it is the holidays so might catch people being generous. I feel like if I ask and it's their first video seeing me and they see there are so few people then they'll look at it as just doing it for the money. I think if you establish people liking your content then add it on there, at least you having people enjoying your content will make them more likely to want to help support it.

Pretty much this.

I would also add that right now as a hobby most people just make time for simple videos when they can. I imagine if a channel got bigger and the demands of filming and uploading got bigger then donations would definitely be required to help lessen the burden.

If your fan base was big enough and loyal enough they could donate an amount that might allow you to downgrade from full time job to say a part time one to free up time to make longer better content or just allow you to keep production values high if you do sketch ect....