Patreon allows your fans to become active members in the work they love by providing them a monthly membership.
You give them access to exclusive content, a community, and insight into your creative process.
In return, you get the freedom to do your best work and the consistency you need to build an individual creative career.
What is Patreon?
Patreon is a subscription service that connects content creators with their fans and supporters. It primarily provides financial tools that allow supporters to subscribe to projects that provide creators with a consistent income stream as they continue to create content.
The platform is a contemporary take on the traditional concept of patronage. Artists such as painters, musicians, and authors have historically relied on wealthy donors to fund their work.
It expands on that core concept by allowing a much larger audience to fund artists and creators they like at low monthly rates.
It is now used by a wide range of artists, including podcasters, YouTubers, musicians, and writers.
It enables artists to receive funding directly from their fans or patrons on a recurring or one-time basis.
The company is headquartered in San Francisco.
Unlike crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, which allow people to help fund products and services that have yet to be created and published, it is for content that has already been created and published.
The goal is to provide artists with a sustainable income while rewarding patrons with additional content or other benefits at different subscription levels.
Everything else you need to know about the content funding platform is right here.
About Patreon
Like many great companies, was founded by someone who wanted to solve a problem.
Its history begins with Jack Conte’s online video productions.
He noticed that YouTube monetization was insecure and heavily reliant on an algorithm for views.
Conte contacted his Stanford friend Sam Yam and asked for assistance in developing something that could help.
The concept alluded to Renaissance-style patronage, in which artists could freely create while receiving financial support. They got to work on a platform that allowed creatives to request assistance. Patreon was founded in 2013.
In contrast to Kickstarter, which funded large projects in advance with a single campaign, it allows creators to create recurring high-quality content in exchange for a monthly donation.
In 2021, creators are using it to create a variety of content with the help of their followers.
Some are even well-known creators, such as Issa Rae, who went from producing web series to producing HBO’s hit “Insecure.” So, how do content creators make money to work instead of working to be paid?
How Patreon Membership tiers work
It allows creators to create multiple membership tiers.
The creator determines the number of tiers and the subscription rate at each level.
This can encourage casual fans to pay a low monthly fee – perhaps as little as $1 – while more devoted fans can pay $10 or $20 per month.
Higher tiers give funders access to premium and exclusive content that supporters at lower levels do not have.
Membership tiers allow fans to choose their financial investment level and receive additional benefits as a result. Tiers are both optional and flexible.
Some creators may opt for a single tier to reduce the administrative burden of dealing with rewards and communication.
Others use a supporter cap to avoid becoming overwhelmed with creating, packaging, and sharing premium content.
How does Patreon Work: Platform and Website Work
Patreon’s website allows creators to manage their projects. Simple page design tools enable the creator to attract patrons by adding artwork and text to a public-facing page.
The creator can then create multiple membership tiers and decide on premium rewards.
A section of the website only visible to creators aids in the management of their service by providing tools to manage patrons behind the scenes.
There is a tracking tool and reminders for delivering rewards for each membership level in the “Patrons” section of the navigation bar.
It also has a chat and email tool for interacting with customers. Creators can create surveys for patrons in order to gauge their satisfaction and track revenue for the project.
It only “pays out” on request by default, so as a creator, you can track your balance on the Patreon website and transfer earnings to your bank account as needed.
How to Start a Patreon
It is completely free to begin with.
In fact, if you never get a patron on the platform, you won’t have to pay anything.
It is their responsibility to manage your community.
They aren’t interested in making money if you aren’t.
You can learn how to start a Patreon and launch a campaign by following the steps below:
1. Begin by creating an account with an email address or an online account.
2. After that, go over the questions about the type of content you create.
Do you produce videos? Community management? Is your content rated 18+?
3. Determine which currency your visitors will see when they visit.
You can pay in US dollars, British pounds, or euros.
4. Link Patreon to your social media accounts and create a unique URL.
5. Include a high-quality profile photo and cover image (at least 256 x 256 pixels) (1600 x 400 pixels).
6. Include a text and video introduction to your channel.
Remind people of their purpose for being there.
Some of your followers may be unfamiliar with Patreon.
7. Create tiers for how much money followers can give each month.
8. Establish Patreon goals.
Tell your followers what your goals are (for patrons or monthly revenue) and what you plan to do when you reach each one.
For example, once you reach 1,000 patrons, you might do a live Q&A or release a new EP.
Choosing a Patreon Plan
Previously, learning how to start a Patreon did not include deciding on a pricing strategy.
It only provided payment and community management assistance and took 5% of revenue.
They will then launch a Merch for Membership programme for all creators in June 2020.
This provided them with more pricing structure options.
Choose a Patreon plan based on what you want to offer and the level of support you require. The following plans are currently available on Patreon:
1. The Lite plan (5%) handles recurring payments for your customers.
2. The Pro plan (8%) includes everything in the Lite plan plus:
- Tiers
- Analytics
- Promotions
- Workshops
- Innumerable app integrations
- Priority customer service
3. The Pro plan + Merch (11%) includes all Pro features as well as Merch support.
4. The Premium plan (12%) includes:
- A dedicated partner manager
- Membership merch
- Team accounts
Which one is best for you will depend on how many customers you intend to have, the size of your organisation, and the services you wish to provide. If in doubt, go with the Lite. You can always change your mind later.
Understanding and Using the Patreon Tier System
It can be difficult to define what to ask for when learning how to start a Patreon and use their tier system.
You might be wondering how much is too much or how little is too little.
What can you offer to make that donation worthwhile?
Keep in mind that your fans are there to support you, not to buy from you.
Each tier provides an incentive to give (referred to as benefits) rather than a product.
Patreon tiers are created so that patrons can choose how much they can give each month rather than how much the benefit is worth.
While perks are nice, they aren’t the primary reason that fans become patrons.
Not every tier has to provide a substantial amount of content or merchandise.
The first or second can simply provide access to your Patreon community and exclusive updates.
If you’re just getting started, try offering your fans one to three tiers to choose from. The first can range from $1 to $3, the second from $3 to $6, and the third from $5 to $10.
As your Patreon grows, add more tiers for people who want to contribute more. You’d be surprised how many people want to give more if given the opportunity.
What to offer as Benefits
You may wish to provide benefits to your patrons in order to thank them for their ongoing support. There are a few go-to patron benefit options that creators adore. Among these are:
- Early access
- Physical rewards (similar to Patreon merch)
- Voting on future content
- Acknowledgement (a mention in your newsletter or video)
You can be creative with your offerings.
If you offer coaching or consulting, create a large tier that offers a monthly session to a limited number of fans as a perk.
Give them a digital download for the first or second tier if you’re an artist.
If you’re a community leader, Patreon has a comprehensive list of benefits you can provide, including courses.
You can choose what merchandise you want to offer and what designs you want to use if you have a Pro plan + Merch or a Premium plan.
You can choose whether to ship the product after three payments or every three months.
Patreon will tell you how much each item will cost to give you an idea of what tier you can attach that reward to.
Rancho Relaxo’s Patreon uses tiers to provide supporters with options and different rewards.
Setting Goals on Patreon
Visitors to your Patreon page can see your tiers and your goal (s).
This can be perplexing for those learning how to start a Patreon.
We’ve discussed the tiers and how to use them, but how does this relate to your goals?
On Patreon, your goals can be how many patrons you want to reach or how much money you want to earn each month.
You can set multiple goals and events to them. For example, you could make your first goal $50 and announce that if you reach it, you’ll do a giveaway or have a special guest on your podcast.
These objectives encourage new patrons to join and contribute to your success.
As you complete them, you can set new goals to keep you and your community moving forward.
Types of Content to Post on Patreon
It is all about making your patrons feel appreciated. This can include sharing bonus content and providing early access to upcoming work for creators.
What types of content are included in these categories?
Here are a few examples:
Content from behind-the-scenes
Tell us about your experience running your organisation or business.
For example, perhaps you create family content on YouTube, similar to Beleaf in Fatherhood.
People have become so invested in you as a result of your story and the growth of your channel. Sharing behind-the-scenes content gives them the opportunity to learn and see more.
Don’t underestimate how much that means to people. Beleaf has nearly 800 patrons who give anywhere from $5 to $100 per month.
Bloopers
The majority of work shared online has been carefully edited and curated to look and sound perfect.
But what about the awkward moments and amusing antics that didn’t make it into the finished product? Use your Patreon to share those funny moments with your audience. First look at new work
Writers with a following frequently share upcoming work chapter by chapter on Patreon.
Indeed, many writers have asked their supporters to assist them in quitting their full-time jobs.
This is the case with science fiction author N.K. Jemisin.
She has nearly 1,500 followers with whom she shares daily updates and exclusive fiction, such as side stories about the characters they love.
Bonus Episodes
Podcasters have benefited from sharing content on Patreon as well.
If you’re thinking about using podcasting as a marketing tool, you could use Patreon to provide your listeners with additional content.
If your show’s listeners tune in every week, they’ll appreciate having an extra episode to listen to.
Exclusive blog posts
It’s common on Patreon to share blog posts and updates that your supporters want to see.
Rancho Relaxo, for example, is a non-profit animal rescue that frequently posts exciting news.
Their supporter-only posts tell the stories of recently arrived rescues, reconnecting fans with the reason they donate in the first place.
How to Promote your Patreon
So that’s how to start a Patreon out of the way.
You must now direct traffic to it.
Given that you most likely already have a following, consider using marketing tools for this purpose. Here are some possibilities:
Create a landing page
Gather those who enjoy your content but are unsure about supporting you right now.
Send them to a landing page that explains all of the benefits of what you do and how much effort you put into it.
You can either request that they convert right away (become patrons) or request their email instead.
You’ll be able to send free content to their inbox and connect with them more effectively with an email. You can include a call to action (CTA) at the bottom of each email to access patron-only content on it.
Remind current fans via email
If you already have a list of your fans’ emails and want to keep in touch with them, consider using an email marketing tool like Constant Contact. As previously stated, you will then have the option to drive traffic to your Patreon with each email sent.
Create “fear of missing out” by discussing all of the extra content patrons receive, sharing photos of merchandise if you have it, and how the Patreon community can connect with you more.
Share your Patreon on social
Social media is most likely one of the most effective ways to gain new followers. It is now also one of the simplest ways to gain new customers. To increase awareness, share your Patreon page on social media or use paid social media marketing options.
Use tools that allow you to build your social media presence and automate posting if you need assistance.
Start by asking
This guide will teach you everything you need to know about starting a Patreon.
You’ve learned what it’s about, who it’s for, and what services it provides.
You’ve even learned a little bit about how it all began and the changes that have occurred over time, such as the ability to sell merchandise and change your pricing plan.
Start a conversation with your community if you’re curious whether they’d be interested in Patreon. After all, you’ll be embarking on this journey together.
Find out what they know about Patreon and what kind of content they’d like to see on the platform. Consider running polls or surveys on your social media to get ideas for your launch.
Once you’ve made your decision, you’ll have all the information you need to get started. Have fun creating!
Pros
- Continuous crowdfunding for creators
- The platform facilitates reward giving
- Fewer content restrictions than some other crowdfunders
- Several subscription plans are available
Cons
- No built-in promotional tools
- Some creators report problems collecting funds
- A high volume of public complaints
How to delete Patreon account and data
1. Navigate to Patreon’s privacy policies and click the “Take Control” button.
2. Select “Erase.” Log into your Patreon account now if you’ve been promoted.
3. Click “Allow” to grant Transcend, Patreon’s data deletion partner, access to your account so that it can be deleted.
4. Click the “Confirm Request” button. Patreon notes that the process of erasing your account and data may take up to 30 days, and you have 14 days to cancel the process via follow-up emails. Transcend will send emails with status updates on deletion requests.
The 13 Best Patreon Alternatives in 2022
- Hy.page.
- Heights Platform.
- Tribe.
- Podia.
- Buy Me a Coffee.
- Memberful.
- Ko-fi.
- Liberapay.
- SubscribeStar
- Kickstarter
- Indiegogo
- Gumroad
- Anchor Listener Support
Patreon Top Earners
These are some of the most well-paid Patreon accounts, earning more than $50,000 per year:
- True Crime Obsessed.
- Chapo Trap House.
- DarkCookie – Summertime Saga.
- Jeff Wittek.
- You’re Wrong About.
- The Tim Dillon Show.
- DankPods.
- Flagrant 2.
- Yagami Yato
- Not Another D&D Podcast
How do I cancel my CKO Patreon membership?
How do I cancel a subscription on the app?
1. Click the profile icon.
2. Select My memberships.
3. Find the creator and select the pencil icon.
4. Scroll down and click Edit or Cancel payment just below the update button.
5. Click Cancel membership.
6. To confirm, tap the Cancel your membership button.
FAQs
What is CKO Patreon me?
It is a membership platform that allows creators to easily get paid.
It is a way for creators to get paid for the things they already make (webcomics, videos, songs, whatevs).
What is a Patreon community?
It is a membership platform that allows creators to easily get paid. Patreon is a way for creators to get paid for the things they already make (webcomics, videos, songs, whatevs).
Can you use Patreon YouTube?
YouTube. If you use YouTube as a third-party hosting site, there are a few settings you can enable to ensure that patrons can access your videos on desktop and the Patreon app. We recommend publishing your video as Unlisted on YouTube.
Is Patreon down at the moment?
We are currently aware of a problem affecting users who visit patreon.com.
We are currently investigating and will provide an update as soon as possible. This incident has now been resolved.
Who is Patreon CEO?
Jack Conte discusses the future of his $4 billion company and the creator economy.
How many subscribers does Patreon Jeff Wittek have?
Jeff Wittek produces podcasts, stand-up comedy, and videos.
He has 3.05 million subscribers on his popular YouTube channel.
How Much Does Patreon Take?
Patreon generates revenue by taking a cut of all creator earnings generated by the platform.
Depending on the product plan selected by the customer, Patreon currently takes between 5% and 12% of creator earnings (plus a payment processing fee).
Is Patreon app safe?
Yes, it is entirely safe. It can be difficult to trust such a novel concept, but it has enabled thousands of artists to make a living doing what they love.
Patreon mod apk is a crowdfunding platform that allows artists, writers, and other creators to post their work online and receive payment from their fans.
Conclusion
Although Patreon has made a number of mistakes that have called into question its commitment to creators over the years, the company has demonstrated an ability to learn from its mistakes.
However, due to the persistence and volume of negative user feedback, I am unable to raise Patreon’s overall score of 4 out of 5 stars.
