sambarilov的论坛贴

Hello guys,

first of all, you have a wonderful site. I really like quality of the images and the UI so far. And I just happily contributed $5 to the funding, but some things about it put me off a little bit.

First is the subscription thing. Even knowing that contributing gives me some subscription time along with it, it sounds counter intuitive to me, paying now, so you can build stuff that I'll have to pay again to access some time in the future. Also there's no pricing as of now for the subscription, so that makes it even more uncertain.

Another thing is about the features. I don't know if there was a research to which features the users asked the most or any metrics about user behavior, but at least for me, the site is about coming here, doing some drawing sessions and then moving on. There are lots of other sites about making your professional profile, and uploading your drawings and asking for reviews. I think money on the site should be primarily focused on improving what it does best already which is providing quality images for drawing practice. I work with IT for a living and came to learn that if you don't have metrics to help you tell what the costumer wants, your assumptions have a high risk of just being plain wrong.

Last thing is about tone. In one blog post, you mention that having [some big number] of visitors every week, there's no reason why you didn't beat the mark already which makes it sound like the people who use the site, but are not contributing might be kind of ungrateful in some way, which is not the feeling that you want to foster when asking people for their money. Another thing is the link at the end of the session, when the asking for contribution appears being "No, thanks. Line of action doesn't help me". I don't know if that's supposed to be a joke or to make people feel guilty on purpose, but it's annoying specially when you have already contributed.

I support other projects too. I support a site that does boardgames reviews called Shut up and sit Down and two artists on Patreon. Sinix and Ahmed Aldoori. One thing that all these guys have in common and that Line of Action lacks a little bit is a face. Some person people can relate to. People don't generally empathyse with businesses, but will go a long way to help someone they care about, even if they just know the person through youtube videos. The forum engagement is kind of low comparing to your visitors number, so even if you have a constant presence there, you'll probably not be reaching enough people. The tier I have for Sinix doesn't even give anything but some of his sketches one in a while, but I keep supporting him just because I like his videos and want him to keep doing them.

I'm sorry if I sound pedantic or if I'm not well informed on your plans and goals or even if I'm just being plain stupid. If some of my views sound a little harsh, know that they come from a place of kindness. I really want your funding to succeed and the site to keep getting better.

Wish you all the best.