Kickstarter

San Francisco First Generation is an exclusively mobile magazine that brings the most advanced technology in Silicon Valley to the cross-cultural experience in one of the most unique cities in the world: San Francisco.   

We want to create a beautiful and community focused publication, support local artists and businesses, and provide a platform for underrepresented voices. 

The magazine will be featured on iPad and Android tablets and mobile phone. The tablet provides opportunities for publication that didn't exist before. Contributors to the magazine are now able to create a rich multimedia experience to share their stories - perfect for artists and musicians, right?!

We will feature local artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, and other individuals who contribute to the community. We're excited to also collaborate with local cultural centers and artists in order to create workshops and opportunities for immigrant youth to create their own artwork, film, and music.

Special opportunity for you to support local artists!*******************

We want to have the very first workshop to be a part of our Kickstarter goal. The artwork and music created are offered as rewards for your pledges. Not only will the emerging artists receive the opportunity to learn from established artists but also they will be paid and their work published! So the more that you pledge to our campaign, the more support you are giving to local artists! 

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Why feature first-generation stories?

We feel that the subject of the first-generation (or zero-generation) experience is enticing because people from all walks of life can find relevance in stories of triumph and sorrow; of perseverance and sacrifice.  Plus San Francisco is a city like no other in the world - innovation starts here.

So who's your audience?

People who are interested in the arts, culture and community development. Every successful individual can remember the struggle and effort from the time when they just started their career or business. One unique thing about San Francisco is that the neighbor on one side of your home may be a multimillionaire and the neighbor on the other side is a starving programmer or artist, and we all hang out at the same neighborhood cafe which is probably owned by an immigrant family. We are all connected, we are one community.

What about the peeps without a tablet, yo?

We are creating an online community and blog. There you will be able to access featured stories, artist connection, local businesses and events. The majority of the content will only be available within the magazine on your mobile device. We believe in "keeping it mobile" as tablets will continue to become more affordable and more publications will become digital. Besides, we know you live through your phone. ;-)

How do you get stories?

Everybody loves to share their ideas and creations, especially in the era of social media. We are encouraging people to write and submit their own stories to us. We want the story to be personal and told in their own words. We pay for the stories, additional media, and the right to use the content. In certain circumstances, if an individual needs assistance writing, we will interview them, write the story, and then let them review it before publishing.

(Submit your First Generation story)

How do you support local artists and musicians?

We want to partner with a different artist and musician for every issue. Our in-house interactive designer will work with them to create a unique aesthetic feel. In the spirit of digital media, we want our publication to constantly evolve, be fresh, and interesting. 

Our on-going project to give back to the community will be organizing workshops and creative opportunities for immigrant youth and emerging artists.

You're wrong to use the term "First Generation" to refer to immigrants! 

We prefer "First Generation" to refer to immigrants because they are the first to become Americans and it dishonors their courage and strength to not consider them as compatriots. We are all children of immigrants whether we are second generation or tenth generation. These are the people who have contributed to our society on every level; they have shaped our community to be what it is today and have given us a rich cultural identity as San Franciscans. Objections? Tweet about it @SFFirstGen ;-)

So how are you going to make money after Kickstarter?

Advertisements and paid sponsorship. We will have relevant advertising like a traditional magazine. None of that online banner jibberish. We also are seeking sponsors and patrons for the magazine. 

(Contact firstgeneration-info@swiftbot.com for opportunities.)

How much is the app? 

The app is free to download and will be available in Apple and Android marketplace. You'll also be able to download it for your Nook or Kindle. The current issue is always free. Past issues will be available for download for around $4.99 each. 

We need your help to create the first issue! 

Our goal for the campaign is $34k. This is the bare minimum that we can create our first issue with. What we really will need is $54k per issue.

This will cover the following:

• Journalists to help gather and edit stories, and contribute content
• Interactive Designers
• Content e.g. stories, video, music, art
• Production costs
• Development costs
• Marketing 
• Sales

We wish to become fully staffed and be able to reach out to the community more efficiently and effectively. San Francisco has so many cultural events, community centers, businesses, and interesting people; we need help to connect with them all. :-)

Thank you for your contribution to the project!

Sincerely,

Cassia & Swiftbot team