EXCLUSIVE!!

I got an email this morning! As you probably did too if you are reading this.

I have to say this is a little out of my norm, I usually stick to fantasy, short stories, poems -- you know, the best stuff!!

But I stepped out of my comfort zone the other day too and published some writing tips. It was still on the subject of fantasy so of course it wasn't a huge step! But this is... This is a subject of debate and calls for some opinions.

Let me just debunk any attempt to imply that I am "new and don't understand" before it comes up! I may look like a new account/new face, but I have been with Vocal since before it introduced Vocal+, comments, the phone app, the time we could buy shares, etc...!

I wanted to create a new account for a more specific genre and to refresh myself from older works and move into a more professional persona.

Anyway, a new feature was introduced! I have to say I am so grateful the Vocal is consistently improving itself as an application and I am so glad to see how it has grown over the years. This feature was one I have been wondering about for some time! Even considered suggesting directly but of course I did not because as many beautiful writers may relate- I don't like talking to people directly or ever, ever, clicking that dreaded customer support button unless I am out of options. (That is clickable by the way, if you need it!)

But you see, when you click on someone's profile - You have the choice to subscribe (For Free), Tip (A very appreciated feature) or Pledge. Pledging was somewhat overlooked. I was never lucky enough to get a Pledge and know of nobody who actually uses "Pledge" and this, I thought, was likely due to a lack of ability to give back to your Pledgers.

This is where I call for opinions!! Because I saw a huge backlash of opinions, comparing Vocal to Medium, claiming it was a mistake and a terrible move -- and other nasty and in my opinion, kind of baseless comments that had little reason. Now I WANT to know why someone would be against this update - but I only ask that your comment has reason in it. It needs the why. Because I want to understand too! Personally, I agree with this update, lets get into why.

Support - Unity - Common Ground

That is what I find in Vocal.Media.

Vocal does a lot to support its creators! We see that in;

• Being paid per view :: Which is an admittedly spotty view count - BUT! It is still there. Not a lot of writing platforms actually pay you per view.

• Tips :: Allowing viewers to tip our content and basically thank us for our work!
• Bonus's :: Vocal Media pays you a bonus amount for specific mile markers, like how many stories you published. How many stories you liked. Etc...
• Pledges :: Allowing readers to engage with writers by paying a monthly subscription to support that writer and their continued work on this platform.

Now, a new form of support has been introduced but this support is double sided. We support our pledgers for supporting us by offering exclusive articles. This further monetizes the writers and gives something to offer for the readers. Now you could argue;

"Titania, they have a fee! They keep a small percentage of the pledge!" But I would argue back;

"Dear, beautiful and amazing commenter! They have always taken a percentage, and unlike other big cooperation's who openly prey on amazing writers - Vocal frequently gives back in competitions with hundreds of dollars, they pay their staff for upkeeping an incredible community and they divvy out even more in Bonus's! Not to mention the upkeep on the site, fixing bugs, and shares that many in our community bought and own."

You could argue; nobody uses it, its a useless update!! But that is the whole point of these exclusive stories! It gives a reason to be used!

Try using it, and give a pledge to an author you love! What goes around, comes around, and if we start using it - I am sure we will only see a full blossom from this community. I, for one, adore more reason to support the fellow writers on here that I admire.

What about you? What is your opinion!? Thank you in advance for reading mine. <3