Commission Offerings and Ads: idea for new feature

Arkillian came up with this great idea:


I'm thinking something big like maybe we can integrate some sort of thing into the site where your profile page would have a special area that says whether you do commisions or not and what the details are. I'm also thinking adding a link on that list of things that appear with your name in the forums and other areas: Profile | Send Priv. Msg | Artwork | Writing | Commissions

Arkillian is suggesting something like PD getting a cut of the profits. I wouldn't ask for that for this type of feature. However, if it was something more like you were paying me for advertising space on the site, that would work out better. This wouldn't be required for use with the commission explanation page but would be something extra. In fact you can buy advertising space from me any time. I haven't written up any guidelines or anything for purchasing ad space. The easiest thing to do would be to click on "Advertise on this site" under the Google ads you see. What you'd do is set up a Google Adwords account and then you can pay for any clicks you get on your little text advertisement. You can have that go anywhere you want, including your own website if you want.

I can't really ask for a cut of your profits or anything because there is no way to moderate it. I don't know who is getting commissions and who isn't unless I programmed a whole new system where people would make their purchases through PaperDemon.com such as with a PayPal shopping cart or something. This is a big thing to ask for though and would take a lot of time to program. If there is a lot of demand for it, then I will go ahead and program it once we get the concept worked out. I would probably only ask for a flat fee of $1 or something for every commission made. I wouldn't take a percentage. Unless you guys agree to that. If we DID make this whole system of purchasing commissions through the website, you will get yourself advertised throughout the site at little or no cost as it is already advantagous to PD to advertise you because PD gets some money when you make money.

The biggest issue I see with this sort of system though is that commissions are complicated. The buyer has to make a request that is appropriate for the price. So if they ask for something too complicated than the price is good for, then somehow, the order has to be cancelled or whatever.

I'm trying to conceptualize it. Your profile page or commission page would have a list something like this:
$15 - sketch one character
$30 - ink one character
$60 - color one character

Then there would be a button next to each listing saying "Send a request." The buyer types up what it is they want. Then the artist replies with their questions or issues. Then the buyer either cancels if they don't like what they hear or they can approve of it, then the artist approves, and then after both approve, the buyer is sent a link where they can finalize the order and make their payment.

Oh jeez, but there's a whole other thing I didn't think of. What if there are disputes? If there are disputes or mistakes with orders or something, everyone is going to run to me for help. It's probably too chancy for me to handle something like this. Instead, it might be better if PD didn't handle taking the orders. It's probably best if you have your own Paypal link on your commissions page and then if you decide to donate something to PD, you can. Maybe an honor system or something.

Anyway, I just realized that Arkillian may have been thinking of fulfilling requests with the PD store thingy like someone asks for a commission of artwork on a t-shirt or something. That can be done too but it will be expensive. I recommend, if you want to do that sort of thing, open up your own CafePress account and do the create and buy thingy and send them their product once they've purchased it. Then if you want you can purchase advertising space on the PD store or on PD.com and pay a flat rate.

Anyway, I've bloviated long enough. What are your thoughts on this?

I'm sorry- but I'm just glad that someone thinks that I'm not crazy ^^

I donno- My thoughts were maybe a small donation to PD will give a commissions account or at least an option to see that the person with acsept commisions. I've seen a few trade offs about the place, and I don't think anyone realises that YES- we DO take commissions! We don't ask for the earth (usually ) but if we don't get alot for it, we atlest feel like a million dollars for being asked I have never drawn a paid commision in my life, and am interested in starting to.  Thoughts Susie?

Well, I'm really new with this kind of thing. But this is what I think based on what I've fully understood from all this.

Maybe what you could do is on the Paper Demon store put a little link kind of thing like where when you open it it says Red Curtain Goodies or Paper Demon Goodies. That link could be for the users that are willing to do commissions for T-shirts or notebooks or things of that sort. But just at the bottom have something that says something like "If you should be displeased by the artists commision you are to contact the artist directly." and link to all the artists willing to go in on this. Plus it might be good to get the people to pay for the commision after they see it and decide they like it. ^_^

But all in all, if this is going to put too mcuh stress on you Susie, don't do it. 

Yeah it wont be hard to just have a page in the store listing which artists do commissions. I can do that and was intending to do something similar.

I think it might be a good idea though if they pay upfront. Maybe I'll just leave it up to the artist to have their own payment system. Perhaps half upfront and then the other half upon completion of the artwork.

Now THAT sounds like the best idea yet! ^o^

Hahah don't kiss my feet yet. It hasn't happened yet. Anyway, it doesn't look like there's a whole lot of support for this feature (or people are just being quiet) so instead of some giant feature dealing with money and all that, i think I'll just take the simple route and have a special place on your profile page just so you can talk about commissions.

Maybe the usenames get a star beside them if they acsept commisions? It's just that- how do you know if they acsept them or not unless you look *shrugs* Is it hard to add a star in front of names if they select the 'I acsept commisions' button on their profile page?

*I think people *are* quite, or they don't have anything to add, and are just nodding happily Hows gonna complain if you pop it on anyways? ^^ Heck, I'd be interested in seeing what you charge for a commision BR Although I haven't seen many non elf or Vegeta pics This is not a bad thing nessecarily... XD

its not hard to add a symbol infront of names. but i think it would be better if i added the commissions indicator/link next to the profile, artwork, writing, send private message, website, etc. links instead.