2009 will be the first official year of Midtoon. The first e-mail only comic will be sent January 5, 2009. Not all of the services that Midtoon will offer will be available from day one, so we have come with a promotional offer to offset the lack of certain features; the first 50 individuals to move to Midtoon will receive free Citizenship and will get their Taxes paid for the first year, absolutely free.
Did I say Free?
Yes, free. Midtoon cannot be a democracy if there are no voters. The presence of at least 50 people at launch, will make the democracy part work. As a special 'thank you' for being there at the beginning, the Mayor of Midtoon will be issuing free Citizenship certificates. Take is now, while supplies last.
What can you expect on January 2nd?
Expect to receive an email with the first Midtoon Strip and links to this blog, and to other resources. The body of the message will also include special content, blatant self-promotion (although no adverteasing) and announcements as to when the next features of Midtoon will become available.
What Features am I talking about?
The launch of Midtoon.com, the opening of the online store, the publication of Midtoon Yearbooks (obviously, this won't happen until early 2010, after Midtoon: Year One, is completed) The availability of special, autographed editions, opportunities to pre-order, and much, much more.
What if I am not part of the 'first 50'?
To be absolutely honest, since I do not have an adverteasing budget, I don't expect that we will go too far beyond fifty before launch. If we do, it will be amazing. I don't feel that it will be fair to charge full-price for the residency and the citizenship. There will be discounted fees from the time we reach 50 Midtoon Citizens until the time Midtoon.com goes online. This date has not been determined yet, but during this period, becoming a resident will only cost a $1.00 tax for the entire year, while becoming a Midtoon Citizen will cost $6.00 tax for the entire year.
After Midtoon.com goes online, the tax increases will likely bring the Resident Tax to $3.00 and the Citizen Tax to $9.00 (Prices subject to change)
What is the diference between Residents and Citizens?
Good question (even if I made it myself). Midtoon Comics will be distributed for free to anyone who wants to suscribe. The person who enjoys this free suscription will be called a VISITOR and will be able to enjoy the storyline, shop in the local stores and very few other things.
Residents will enjoy the following added benefits:
- Will be able to log on and comment of the Midtoon Blog postings.
- Will be able to vote on General elections and Town Hall meetings, affecting the storyline.
- Will be able to receive a resident discount on selected pre-order merchandise.*
- Will be eligible for contests and giveaways.
Citizens will enjoy all the benefits of Residents plus:
- Will be able to pre-order special autographed editions of yearbooks.
- Will be able to pre-order merchandise at cost* (yep, you heard it, $0.00 mark-up)
- Will be eligible for even more contests and giveaways.
- Will be able to vote in all elections such as steering committees, etc.
- Your likeness may play a Cameo in Midtoon. (Details of this to be determined).
* discounts can only be accessed by preorder because they will only be available to me via volume orders. I will be placing an order for all the pre-ordered items at launch time and getting discount price for them.
Why is the TAX so low?
I have to be honest about this. It is my belief that it will be easier to get 1 million individuals to give me $1.00 than to get one individual to give me one million dollars. By distributing the comic for free and charging a low tax for added services, I am hoping to reach a wider audience. Historically, no web-only comic has made any money, so most support themselves by selling other items such as will be available in Midtoon.com and the online stores. The Tax system is a kind of micro-financing, because a Citizen (at full price, after the launch of the Website) will be paying (possibly) $9.00 for a whooping 312 comic strips. If this was all the Midtoon Citizen would get, it would come up to a little over 2.8 cents per comic. For a Resident, the cost would be even lower, a little less than a cent per comic. Doing this, I am hoping to make Midtoon reach a wider audience and unleash the true potential of the 'first democratic comic strip in the industry'.
What if you have more question?
Keep coming to this blog. I plan to keep updating this with new information as it becomes available.
