- 01
Gifts, not investments
A backing is a voluntary gift towards a goal. Nothing is sold, no ownership changes hands and no return is promised. Backers support a person; you keep control.
- 02
Why milestones still matter
Without contracts, Backers rely on transparency. You post proof for each milestone so they can review your progress and choose to support your dream directly with confidence.
- 03
What you owe Backers
Honesty: a true story, proof for each milestone and updates in chat. Not profits or repayment. Because Backers can pay milestone by milestone, they only send further support as you prove progress.
How Backers are protected
14-day review per milestone
When proof is posted, each Backer has 14 days to review the proof, ask for more info, and decide whether to keep supporting your next milestone.
0% commission — direct gifts, nothing taken
Backers pay exactly what they choose directly through your payment methods. cohero takes 0% commission on backings, so you keep what is sent. Any refunds or disputes are handled directly between you, the Backer and your payment provider.
Gifts, not shares
Backings are gifts. No shares, equity, interest or repayment, and Dreamers keep full ownership. Nothing on cohero is an investment or a loan.
Example milestone plan
An example plan for a documentary dream with a goal of CN¥120,000. Backers pay you directly, funding the goal all at once or milestone by milestone as you post proof for each step.
Milestone 1
CN¥24,000 · 20%
Confirm story access
Share a research outline, interview schedule and access confirmations, hiding participant contact information.
Milestone 2
CN¥42,000 · 35%
Capture field interviews
Post a dated field log, equipment receipts and approved interview excerpts that demonstrate completed recording.
Milestone 3
CN¥36,000 · 30%
Build the documentary cut
Share a rough-cut excerpt, transcript sample and edit log showing how interviews and archive material form the story.
Milestone 4
CN¥18,000 · 15%
Complete final delivery
Post a captioned preview, source-credit list and delivery checklist documenting the finished documentary master.
Budget example
A typical cost split for a documentary dream in Guangzhou, shown in CNY. Backers pay you directly using your accepted payment methods.
Example goal
CN¥120,000
- Research and accessCN¥30,000 · 25%
- Field crew and travelCN¥48,000 · 40%
- Editing and archiveCN¥30,000 · 25%
- Captions and deliveryCN¥12,000 · 10%
What you receive
- Backers give
- CN¥120,000
- 0% platform commission
- −CN¥18,000
- You receive
- CN¥102,000
Risks to plan for
- R1
Access falls through
An interview subject or location may become unavailable. Include alternative sources in the research milestone and allow room for additional field days without changing the core question.
- R2
The story shifts
New evidence can change the direction of the documentary. Use an editorial checkpoint after fieldwork and reserve editing time to reassess the outline before committing to a final cut.
- R3
Archive exceeds scope
Essential photographs or footage may be difficult to obtain. List priority archive needs early, price alternatives and keep a fallback approach using newly recorded material in the edit budget.
Questions and answers
Do I have to pay Backers back?
No. Backers send gifts directly to your own payment account. cohero never holds funds or reverses payments; any dispute or refund request is handled between you and the Backer through your payment provider.
How can I prove progress while protecting documentary participants?
Share redacted field logs, equipment records and excerpts approved for sharing instead of raw sensitive interviews. Tell Backers what each item verifies and build privacy-aware evidence into the fieldwork milestone from the start.
What if the finished story differs from my original outline?
Describe the central question rather than promising a specific conclusion. Use the editorial milestone to explain discoveries, show how the cut has changed and identify any revised filming or archive needs before final delivery.
Ready when you are
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