We talk about the amazing energy in the creator economy but also we talk about the gaps left by popular funding platforms like Patreon and Kickstarter. While they empower creators in many ways, they often fall short when it comes to truly aligning the success of a specific creative work with the rewards for its earliest, most passionate backers. It leaves us asking: what if there was a different way?
What if supporting a groundbreaking investigative report, a stunning graphic novel, or an ambitious documentary felt less like a donation and more like becoming a partner in its journey? What if you could hold a tangible stake in the potential success of a story you believe in?
At InHouse, we're exploring exactly that question. We call the core concept: Story-Stocks.
What is a Story-Stock (Simplified)?
Imagine being able to buy a small "share" not in a company, but in the potential future revenue generated by a specific creative project. That’s the essence of a Story-Stock. It could be tied to:
- An in-depth series of investigative articles.
- A serialized novel released chapter by chapter. * A documentary film project.
- An illustrated narrative or webcomic.
- Even a data journalism report or a narrative podcast season.
Instead of just getting a tote bag or early access (like traditional crowdfunding), owning a Story-Stock could mean receiving a proportional slice of the actual revenue that specific project generates down the line – from ad views, subscriptions, merchandise sales, licensing deals, maybe even philanthropic completion grants.
Think of it less like donating to a cause and more like buying a tiny share in a specific movie's potential box office, but applied to a much wider world of creative and journalistic work. Crucially, it's tied to the success of the individual piece of work, not just the creator's overall output.
Why is this Different?
Alignment of Incentives: This is the big one. If the story you backed does well financially, you could potentially benefit too. Creators are motivated to produce high-quality work that finds an audience or makes an impact (which often correlates with revenue potential), and backers who hold Story-Stocks are directly invested in that success. Your interests become aligned.
Beyond Patronage to Partnership: Holding a Story-Stock transforms the relationship. Backers aren't just passive patrons; they become stakeholders with a vested interest in the project's visibility and long-term success. This could foster a deeper, more collaborative community around creative works.
Focus on the Work Itself: Because the potential return is tied to the specific project's revenue, funding decisions might lean more towards the quality, uniqueness, and potential impact of the *idea itself*, rather than solely on the creator's existing follower count or ability to offer flashy perks.
How Could This Help?
For Creators: It opens up a potential new avenue for funding, especially for larger, more ambitious projects that don't fit neatly into donation or pre-sale models. It's also a way to tangibly reward the community that believed in the work from the start, sharing the success directly.
For Backers/Investors: It offers a unique way to support work they care about (important journalism, unique art) while also having the *potential* for a financial return. It links passion with participation in a new way and introduces a novel asset class tied to culture and information.
For Underserved Content: Critically, this model could provide a lifeline for vital work that traditional markets often struggle to fund – deep investigative journalism, niche documentaries, experimental art – by creating a mechanism based on future revenue streams (including grants, licensing, syndication) rather than just immediate sales.
Just an Idea? Or Something More?
Now, creating something like Story-Stocks isn't simple. It involves navigating technology, financial regulations, community building, and ensuring robust editorial processes – blending disciplines in a way we call an "Interdisciplinary Atoll." It requires building trust and transparency at every step.
But we believe it's possible and necessary. In fact, we're actively building the InHouse Platform based on these principles right here in Austin.
The idea of owning a piece of a story's future is compelling. But how would the nuts and bolts actually function? How does a project get funded? How are shares issued? How is revenue tracked and paid out?
In our next post, we'll break down the basic steps: 'How Story-Stocks Work: From Pitch to Payout (Simplified)'. Stay tuned!
What are your first thoughts on Story-Stocks? Does the idea resonate? Let us know in the comments below!