Specific Questions

What exactly do I get by owning Sparks?

Two things: long-term ad space and a growing supply of extra entertainment.

This is the current list of benefits. I'm still brainstorming up more cool things to add to make Sparks more rewarding, so I'll be adding to this as we go along:

• Ad space in the True Magic site header (i.e. on every page of the site) until at least May 1st of 2014.
  
  
• A permanent discount on commission art.
  
  
• Lifetime acceptance into the private forum where exclusive fun stuff happens. That means...
  • All the premium wallpaper images and other donator-specific perks on the site.
    
    
  • First look at any new projects that are in the works, with the option to give feedback and suggest which ones you'd most like to see developed.
    
    
  • Anything else we can think of that you guys would like to see (one idea is access to the comic buffer, once it's built up again). If you have an idea for something that would make this more fun, tell me -- I might just do it!
    
    
• A glowing sense of self-satisfaction. You've helped make it possible for an artist to do what she loves best -- entertain you!

As site traffic continues to grow, you may find that the ad space alone is worth it.

How does the ad space work?

Your 468x60 banner image will appear randomly in the rotating central ad space in the header. Every time a visitor loads any page, there's a chance they'll see your banner right at the top. How often your banner turns up in the rotation is based entirely on how many Sparks you purchase proportionate to how many other people own Sparks. One Spark will get you a certain chance to appear, two Sparks will double your chances, and so on.

Additionally, your 100x50 button image will have a dedicated spot on the main Sparks page, where people can visit and see it any time. It will also periodically be featured as the Spark of the Day (next to the banner on each page). On those days, it will be continuously visible for 24 hours on every page of the site.

Can I take the ad space and skip the forum? Or can I get forum access without advertising?

Of course! You can use as many or as few of the Sparks privileges as you like. If you just want to put your ad up and move on without visiting the forum, you can. If you don't have a website or don't want to advertise, that's fine. You can even own Sparks without using them at all -- but you'll always have the option to submit an ad and/or visit the Sparks forum whenever you like.

What are the benefits of owning more than one Spark?

Since there are a limited number of ad spots (50), there are advantages to owning a larger percentage of the total:

• Your ad will get better placement (gaining a higher permanent spot on the main Sparks page) and more frequent showings (appearing more often in the banner space on every page of the site).
  
  
• Alternately, if you want to promote multiple sites, you can advertise something different with each Spark.
  
  
• The more you own, the fewer advertisers there will be in total, which means there will be fewer potential ads to compete with yours.
  
  
• If you have at least 5 Sparks (and you're using them to advertise the same site), your ad image on the main Sparks page will be a banner instead of a button.
  
  
• You'll have a bigger, shinier sense of self-satisfaction than all the other guys.

Can I advertise my friend's website?

You can! You may use your ad space to promote a site for your friend, a family member, or anyone else you admire. (Some current Spark-holders are already using their space to promote webcomics they enjoy.) You can even do so anonymously; if you like, I'll e-mail them to say that an unnamed benefactor has bought advertising for them.

Even when you choose to advertise for someone else, you'll still own the Spark and retain control of the ad space (see next question).

Can I change my mind about what I want to advertise?

Yes, you can update your ad images and site link whenever you like. Just make sure the new site fits within the terms, then contact me so that I can make the changes you want.

If you own multiple Sparks, you can also switch from using them all for one site, to using them separately for different sites, and vice versa.

Can I pay for a Spark a little at a time?

Any amount that you donate can count toward the price of a Spark. Just remember, it's possible that someone will buy the 50th Spark outright (and thus claim the last ad spot) before your donations add up. If that happens, even though you won't get the ad space, you'll still gain forum access and all of the other Sparks benefits.

So, yes! If you make (for example) four $25 donations over time, that will add up to one Spark for you!

I've heard enough. Let me at these Sparks!

Right this way, good citizen!

General Questions

What's this all about? Why "Sparks"?

In the interest of supporting True Magic, I've been looking for ways to provide more valuable rewards for people's contributions. There are many services and incentives I could offer -- ad space, bonus art, sneak peeks at developing content, and so on -- but promoting them all separately would clutter up the site. I want True Magic to stay as clean and attractive as possible, so here's my solution:

Instead of offering many separate incentives, I'm making everything available in one place. A Spark is a virtual token that represents all of the extra worth this site has to offer its supporters -- starting with what I have now, and expanding as I find and create more benefits to add. That's why I chose the name: a Spark is something small and focused that can expand into something big and bright.

I intend to keep adding to the worth these Sparks represent, year by year, until they become blazing miniature suns of value and entertainment.

*ahem*

In short, I'm providing a simple and easy way for you to contribute, and aiming to make it as worthwhile for you as possible.

Why buy Sparks? What's in it for me?

Because you believe in me and want me to succeed! Also, you'll receive some prime advertising real estate (if you want it) until at least 2014. Another benefit is that you'll be the first to see new True Magic projects, and can influence their development before anyone else even hears about them. (Scroll down to see all the details.)

What will you do with the money?

Pay our rent and web hosting, buy food when necessary, and spend all day making things to help and entertain people.

My roommate and I have worked at home for years -- she as a life coach, I as an artist, both of us as web designers -- and we're absolutely determined to keep making a living by doing what we love, and by improving the world in some way.

We're drug-free, alcohol-free, other-expensive-habit-free, and we save whatever we don't absolutely need to spend. We are like sleek, financially fuel-efficient... vehicles of some sort.

In other words, we're a good investment.

Enough! Give me my Spark already!

Here you go!