The uncertain future of Actualol

Hi patrons,

Today I've posted a video on the channel about the uncertain future of the channel. Simply put, I'm not making enough money from YouTube to pay the bills. This is down to a drop off in views for most of this year, and a gradual decline in Patrons.

I love this job, and I think I have a lot to offer the world of board game media. So I am asking my YouTube viewers to join the patron gang and pledge their support.

I have also opened up YouTube memberships in the hope that I can find more support from people who don't want to use Patreon.

Nothing changes for you - in fact things are getting better! I am committing to making a patron exclusive video every month, as well as after show chats after each main channel video. Available to everyone at the base tier, now called "Exclusive LOLs".

And if you're pledged at the middle tier (now called Voter LOLs) - you now have the chance to vote for what exclusive video you want to see each month (the current poll is available now).

I have added a new third tier "I Want More LOLs" - for anyone who wants more Actualol content. If I reach 50 pledges at this level, I will make an extra channel video every month. And if I reach 100, I will start a podcast. The reason for this is so I can use the money to invest in help to make more content. If you pledge to that tier for 6 months, you will be sent an exclusive copy of the party game I've designed called You Know Me. More on that in a future livestream.

I am already so grateful for your current patronage - but if anyone of you are able or willing to upgrade your tier, I hope the new incentives and content will be just reward.

Tomorrow I am hosting a livestream on the channel with friends to encourage more pledges. Every pledge will extend the stream by 1 minute. And I'll be issuing hot takes on board games keep things interesting. We'll be playing Codenames with the audience joining in on the chat. Please come and join in if you can, it will start at 3pm UK Time.

In terms of YouTube Memberships - the key difference is YouTube takes a much bigger cut from the donation - so I have slightly raised their tier levels to try and accommodate for that. For that reason - supporting on Patreon means less money will go to "the man".

There are a few minor differences between the platforms. On YouTube, I'm not able to post images in the newsletters - so they're quite dry to look at. And you won't have access to the whole archive of newsletters from years past.

They do have some minor benefits - they get an icon next to their comments on the channel to show they're a member, and access to some Actualol specific emojis. Everything else should be the same.

As I post this, I see new patrons joining. Thank you for coming aboard! I'm starting to feel confident we can make this work.

Actually yours,

Jon