Feature Updates: Embeddable Project Widgets & New Progress Bars
We’re happy to announce today 2 new features and updates to Offbeatr. The first one is an update to the visual look of project progress bars. The second one is the ability to embed a project widget on any website or blog.
Feature Updates: Newsletter Updates, Project Idea Updates, & Filtering Ideas from Projects
Thanks so much for all the feedback. We’ve been listening and we’re excited to announce 3 new features we’ve added to Offbeatr. Without further ado… here we go!
1) Newsletter Updates
The newsletter update is once a week email that gets sent out that updates you with information about projects you might have voted on or supported as well. In addition we list new projects that might be of interested to you. This newsletter is our way of keeping you up to date with Offbeatr projects without you having to come back to the site.
If you don’t want to receive these updates you can change it by going to the bottom of the email and clicking the “change email settings” link.
You also can customize the types of projects to be included in this email by setting it in your edit notifications screen. Here you’ll be able to choose the types of projects to be notified about.
2) Project Idea Updates
We now have added the ability for projects in the idea phase to write updates about their project. When a project creator writes an update everyone who voted on the idea will be email notified. This is a good way to keep people in the loop about the project and ask for feedback. We should caution project creators from getting too update happy as we’re sure that the voters and potential supporters wouldn’t appreciate that.
3) Filtering Ideas from Projects
Now you can filter Project Ideas from Live Projects. Project Ideas are projects that still need to undergo the voting process where Live Projects are projects that have already passed this phase and are currently taking funding.
Overdue Update: Still Here and Still Working
We figured this post was waaaay overdue. Just wanted to update everyone on the progress with Offbeatr so you guys didn’t think we dropped off the face of the planet.
Source: offbeatr.com
2 Interviews on Why the World Needs Offbeatr
As relatively new entrepreneurs to the adult industry we’ve only begun to learn how different the “mainstream” world is from the “adult” world. No where is that more apparent than when it comes to taking payments or raising money for a project.
To get a better idea of what it’s like for people on the front lines of adult we did 2 quick interviews with Ela Darling (a performer) and Voluptuous Lynn (a cam model) to learn what issues they’ve had raising money and what they hope Offbeatr can do for them.
Ela Darling Interview
What problems do you have fundraising for adult projects?
Crowdsourcing websites like Kickstarter don’t support adult content. It’s easy to come up with fantastic concepts for unique, fun, and exciting new porn, but production is expensive, and distribution is incredibly tough, especially when you’re an independent filmmaker and you’re not associated with any of the big porn companies.
Have you tried fundraising for your projects? What happened?
When Kickstarter first started, I sent out some feelers to see if I could bring to life this fun fairy porn idea I had, but I was shot down by the site admins because they didn’t want to host that sort of project. It catered an adult art project specifically to the Kickstarter community, and it was successful, but it’s still disappointing that in spite of that success, I can’t bring other, bigger projects to a crowdfunding site like that.
What issues have you had with those services?
Aside from the fact that those sites don’t support adult content, people don’t necessarily want to associate their public face with their private interests. Other services connect with your facebook which would tell your friends, family and boss that, “I just backed Lesbian Fairy Seduction XXX!” People find that off putting. There needs to be a separate space with a separate community that is just devoted to making fantasies come to fruition.
What are you hoping Offbeatr will allow you to do?
I’m hoping Offbeatr will give me the ability to pitch new project ideas to my consumers and let their support guide my new projects. When I have a creative new idea for a scene, rather than settle with the same materials, wardrobe, and locations I have on hand, I can plan out the required budget to make it come to life the way I want it to and if fans like it, we can make it happen together. Together, we can build the bridge to achieve the porn of our dreams. We can create sexy, interesting porn that is made with a professional production quality that we can truly take pride in.
Voluptuous Lynn Interview
What problems do you have fundraising for adult projects?
The major problem I have had with fundraising is the majority of fundraising sites don’t allow people in the adult industry. Although several adult people use them they are gambling with the fact if the site finds out they are connected to the adult business they will close the account down and keep all the money.
Have you tried fundraising for your projects? What happened?
I have tried fundraising using ChipIn.com and GoFundMe.com. One problem is that some fans view it as begging or if they do contribute they expect a lot from you like dates, phone calls, or free material.
What issues have you had with those services?
My major issue was being in fear of them taking the money no matter how tame I made the wording for the project which prevented me from putting a widget or button on my site to fund raise, nor could I go to them for support.
What are you hoping Offbeatr will allow you to do?
I am hoping Offbeatr will have people who are ready to seriously invest in projects, marketing support, technical support, and it would be nice to feel safe putting a widget or button on my site to better raise the chances of me completing my goal.
What Do You Think?
Have you had issues? Do you think the world needs another crowd funding project website. Tell us your thoughts in the comments below. Learn more about Offbeatr (the first platform for adult project fund raising).