A decade ago, in 2008, I founded Ivy-Style.com. A couple of years later, I announced the 2.0 version, live from New York. And now on this Independence Day 2018 — 1,800 posts and 50,000 comments later — I’d like to announce the next stage of the site, Ivy Style 3.0. We have reached a crossroads, and can either fall back or march forward. But for the latter, I’ll need your help.
Besides its faithful readers, Ivy Style depends on its loyal advertisers, many of which have been supporters since the site’s beginning. I keep rates reasonable to give these small companies the opportunity to reach a niche consumer. But the media landscape is ever-shifting, and earlier this year — as part of a larger Internet trend — we lost a significant number of display advertisers. As one of the few men’s style bloggers from a traditional journalism background, I don’t sell editorial space or take commissions on things I link to, nor do I resort to annoying pop-up ads for products unsuited to your tastes. And I’d rather spend my time writing and editing rather than prospecting clients or processing credit cards and shipping packages. Then there’s the growing cost of running Ivy Style’s New York headquarters (that’s a joke: there is none), maintaining its health plan (another joke), and paying for tech support, which is no joke. So I can either budget more time for other gigs, or refocus on what I do best, and which nobody else does quite the same, and that’s entertain and inform the readership of Ivy Style.
But to do that, I think the way forward is the model that drove public radio over the decades, and great artists over the centuries, and that’s the noble tradition of patronage. Which means I need true fans to make like the guy in the image above (except with better collar roll).
For those of you who haven’t heard of Patreon, it’s a hugely popular website through which independent creatives can harness support from fans. You become a patron by signing up and pledging a monthly donation in the amount of your choosing. If enjoy Ivy Style’s content and would rather get new content more like every day rather than three times per week, sign up right here and pledge your support.
As an independent creative, I’m very fortunate to have a loyal audience, and I’m aware of the responsibility that comes with it. In turn, I hope you understand the challenges in consistently producing quality content. Just as trad is a timeless look that never goes out of style, I hope that we can continue indefinitely. — CHRISTIAN CHENSVOLD
Nine dollars a month is reasonable to support the best men’s style blog on the web. What you get in return is impeccable taste and curated content that is better quality than anything I’ve seen from Esquire or GQ. You also get professional journalism and integrity which is rare in the blogosphere. Here’s to another ten years! Hopefully we will see more products like the IS club tie and maybe some collaborations with brands the way Nick Wooster does it. (Just my suggestions)
More than happy to support IS.
In for a penny, in for a….well, a few pennies. Worth it just for Richard Press.
Grad student here – my budget doesn’t exactly allow for this type of ongoing donation. What else can I do to support the site?
We’re with you. All in, baby!
I’m in too. Just signed the pledge. Very best wishes for success, Christian.
There’s no place else like Ivy Style, and my breakfast/lunch/afternoon coffee rituals would be much poorer without it. I’m happy to take the pledge and see Ivy Style flourish for another ten.
Thank you for the kind remarks so far. True fans, indeed!
C,
I enjoy your online magazine and will gladly support the cause.
In contemplating what an equitable pledge might be (you don’t specify), I came up with the following. A subscription to the Economist cost $77.00 annually or $6.42. Which amount is probably less than one Trenta sized Starbucks Iced Blonde Cold Foam Cappuccino. So, perhaps $10.00 per month?
In the event the above analysis is flawed, please provide further guidance as to what would be deemed to be a pledge amount amenable to you.
Cheers, BC
Thanks, BC.
That “true fans” link is a great concept for us on the creative end. It says you don’t need legions of fans, nor do they need to spend a lot on your work. You need 1,000 “true fans” who’ll pay $100 per year for your work. That’s about $8.50 per month, or a bit more to cover Patreon’s cut.
According to Google Analtyics we’re still well into the ten thousands of fans, but 1,000 true ones would allow me to drop all my other busy work and just focus on Ivy Style, the book projects I have in development, an the occasional enjoyable feature for RL or self-improvement stuff.
I’m just juggling too many things right now and rather than add another, this would simplify things on my end, show the way forward, and double the amount of content for you guys.
C.
I like the idea of more content. That alone makes it worth while. Maybe a few more consumer products too? I don’t wear tie clips but I might wear an Ivy-Style tie clip. Hint hint.
C,
Okay, I’m in for an initial minimum pledge of $10.00 per month.
Got to be at least another 1,000 like-minded willing to chip in same for such excellent content.
Have a fun weekend!
Cheers, BC
If it would help with revenue, I would gladly support Ivy-Style collaborative products. Sort of like the model Permanent Style has adopted.
I’m quite interested in pledging as well.
$10 per month was the number I came up with as well. About the price of a newspaper (remember them?) and a quick breakfast, but much more rewarding. Come on and give, guys! There’s no place else like this.
Delighted to help May we havce an address for those of us who prefer an old-fashioned check?
Like JDD, I’m on the college (undergrad) budget and can’t quite swing a monthly contribution. Would you consider a GoFundMe page for those who can do a one time donation?
You college boys concentrate on your studies and come back when you’re a big shot on Wall Street.
For the several generous gentlemen who’ve offered to send donations in the mail, please use the contact button and send me an email and I’ll gladly respond.
Thanks everyone.
C.