HI EVERYONE! I consulted with my erstwhile - and frankly long suffering PARTNER (‘‘RAKE’’) who is the individual who is making 7HOMAS TV possible, owing to his EDITING chops and his vast knowledge of production techniques, NIETHER of which I have ANY understanding of nor aptitude for - on the topic of OUR NEEDS to realize a level of quality in production (and regularity of content uploads) that would constitute an ideal budget.
I am of the sincere belief that the channel will be monetized essentially IMMEDIATELY - as was the case with the PODCAST and the Substack. ANYTHING we earn from the the CHANNEL will be re-invested into production. As I’ve indicated in the past, I ONLY ‘‘pay’’ myself and our team after our production budget is satisfied - and even then, I ONLY utilize the remaining revenue to pay the property tax bill on my HOME and (occasionally) TRAVEL expenses that relate directly to the work we are doing of a POLITICAL nature.
I want to make something clear - we are NOT insolvent, nor are we in desperate NEED of funding. We are doing quite WELL in that regard thanx to all of YOU - I do NOT WANT anyone to view this as some sort of appeal to relieve us of POVERTY (either personally or as regards the BRAND). NOR do I want anyone to believe that the channel will NOT LAUNCH unless we reach some designated FUNDRAISING target. We are 100% ON SCHEDULE to launch with what we have. We WILL however be able to produce and distribute a far SUPERIOR product if we have a warchest at our disposal to cover production expenses.
Towards THAT end, I am going to welcome CASH APP donations from TODAY (4/28) until the 1st of JUNE, 2023. Whether this yields $0 or $100,000 is totally FINE. NOBODY - NOBODY should feel obligated to DONATE out of LOYALTY or out of concern that we are INSOLVENT (we are NOT). This is motivated by a desire to, 1) PAY my people who up to now have been working essentially for FREE; and 2) Put our BEST FOOT FORWARD - proverbially speaking - from date of LAUNCH in lieu of waiting weeks and months for gradual increases in revenue that facilitates relief from overhead expenditures.
I’m going to PUBLISH bi-weekly on THIS thread how much $$$ is being raised. NOT to encourage/’’GUILT’’ anyone to contribute - but in interest of TRANSPARENCY as OUR MOB has EVERY RIGHT to know where ANY $$$ dropped on us is GOING. And again - things are LEAN for a LOT of our people at present - owing to uncertainty and vagaries in the labor, financial, and stock markets. NOBODY (least of all myself) is going to feel SLIGHTED or entitled if OUR PEOPLE simply can’t justify expenditures on what amounts to ALTERNATIVE MEDIA projects in lieu of earmarking their own hard earned money for ESSENTIALS.
THERE it is - remaining FROGPACKAGES from the FUNDRAISER are going out this weekend and next TUESDAY. I likely will NOT have the INVENTORY on hand to mail out FRESH Frogpackages to anyone who might contribute to the ONGOING Channel fundraiser - but I WILL be able to drop SWAG on anyone who further contributes eventually. Either in the form of our OWN merch line (which I plan to, GOD willing, go to production in the FALL), OR other SHIRTS, badges, PATCHES, FLAGS etc. that I am able to procure in BULK from various CONTENT brands I do business with.
Our CASH APP is: $7HOMAS777 - 7/88, LOVE you. - T
As we've GROWN, I've had need to build a genuine ''ORGANIZATION'' - I'm dropping this just for purposes of CONTEXT. My (and OUR) dear Friend/Comrade, RAKE would absolutely work for FREE - but I don't feel RIGHT about that. And its MY responsibility ALONE to pay him and everyone else who is on our TEAM - but any assistance w/PRODUCTION outlays do HELP tremendously as we await monetization of these NEW aspects of the BRAND. I brought on-board a Dude to be my DRIVER and personal SECURITY as well - this may sound absolutely fuckkn CORNY to people - the FACT is however that I DO NOT DRIVE, and as our PROFILE has raised and people have started RECOGNIZING me on the open street (mostly ALLIES but some of the WRONG PEOPLE as well), I need somebody to (literally) stand between MYSELF and THEM.
Again - ANYONE involves himself in POLITICAL work/activity must be prepared to take on these RISKS - and I am MORE than happy to do it. Its also - to reiterate - 100 percent MY RESPONSIBILITY to compensate the men on OUR TEAM. And I will NEVER pressure nor expect ANY of our people to shell out $$$ for media content or anything else. Those who DO WISH to do so however are blessing us tremendously. THAT is where I am at with things. I just wanted to further explicate our situation. Things are proceeding extraordinarily WELL. - T
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