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Short Abstract

Interested in how crowdfunding can be used to support citizen science

Abstract

The basic webcomics business model offers free, ad-subsidized content to the consumer, relying on audience loyalty - cultivated heavily through social media—to drive sales of books, merchandise, and original art. Alongside advertising and merchandise, a related patronage model has emerged. This involves artists running crowdfunding campaigns (like Kickstarter) for merchandise or soliciting one-off or subscription donations, even as the comic content remains free-to-view.

Citizen science can directly adopt this powerful model. The foundational principle is to offer the core participatory experience for free while strategically leveraging that cultivated audience loyalty to secure long-term project resources. This commitment, fostered through constant and intentional social media engagement, is then converted into concrete project support through similar mechanisms to those used by webcomic creators.