What is Patreon? Everything you need to know (2024)

What is Patreon?

Patreon is a membership platform that allows creators to manage a subscription service for their content. Instead of creating their own website and payment platform, creators can easily launch a custom Patreon page in a few steps.

On Patreon, paid subscribers are called”sponsors”. Each sponsor pays a membership fee to get exclusive content from the creators.

Patreon was launched in 2013 and has more than 3 million active sponsors monthly and more 185,000 registered creators. In the spring of 2021, Patreon was valued at 4 billion dollars.

Creators can offer subscriptions for a variety of services.

Les most popular content formats include:

• Video (38% of creators)
• Writing (17%)
• Audio (14%)
• Photography (6%)

The Patreon app is also available for ios or android.

Unique Patreon Features

Patreon offers key features that set it apart as the platform of choice for content creators. Let's find out how you can take advantage of these features to increase revenue.

Recurring revenue and ongoing support

Unlike other crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter, Patreon allows you to benefit from recurring revenue. You can encourage your most engaged fans to make monthly payments, providing a steady source of income to support your creative work.

Support for all types of creators

Patreon is designed to support creators from all walks of life, whether you're a cartoonist, podcaster, filmmaker, or writer. Unlike other platforms that require a specific project to promote, Patreon allows you to receive support right from the start of your creative process. So you can continue to produce quality content thanks to the funds you receive.

Versatile use of the Patreon platform

As a creator, you can use the Patreon platform in a variety of ways depending on your content type:

• Writers can share snippets of their stories on social media and encourage readers to subscribe to get access to all of their content.
• Photographers can use Patreon as a safe to share their work and provide special benefits such as physical prints.
• Podcasters can easily engage with their audience through the Community tab, offering early access to episodes and exclusive content.
• Musicians can give fans a taste of their new songs or share exclusive versions and demos.
• Artists and broadcasters can offer secure and private online performances using Patreon's livestream feature.

Earning potential on Patreon

How much you can earn on Patreon depends on several factors, such as the type of content you create, the benefits you offer your subscribers, the price of your membership levels, the size of your current audience, and your marketing efforts.

For example, a creator with 10,000 followers on Instagram can convert approximately 1 to 5% of their traffic to their Patreon page, with an average value of $5 per customer. That could mean a monthly income of $50 to $250.

It's important to note that these numbers can vary significantly depending on your specific situation. However, with effective strategies to grow your fan base and promote your Patreon, you can increase your revenue significantly.

What can creators share on Patreon?

Text messages, images, and videos

• Use text messages to share content with a catchy title and include images or files as attachments.
• Image messages allow you to upload photos or embed image URLs from other sites.
• Video posts can be created by pasting in a video URL or by connecting Patreon to your Vimeo Pro account.

Livestream and audio messages

• Patreon supports livestreaming via Vimeo, YouTube Live, or Crowdcast.
• Audio messages allow you to download audio files or embed URLs from other sites.

Link sharing and polls

• Insert links that you want to share with your customers and write a description of why you are sharing them.
• Surveys are a great way to get feedback from your customers and learn about their preferences.

Advanced features

• Welcome notes allow you to send personalized welcome messages and emails to your customers.
• Objectives allow you to describe your projects and show how the support of your sponsors contributes to your creative work.
• Personalized special offers appeal to sponsors by offering them exclusive content.

Explore these different options for creating engaging and engaging content on Patreon.

How much does Patreon cost?

For creators

Creating a Patreon account is free for creators, but fees apply once creators start making money on Patreon. Creators can expect to pay between 5 and 12% of the monthly income they earn on Patreon, depending on their plan type.

Patreon currently offers three plans: Lite, Pro, and Premium.

For followers

Creating a Patreon account is free. However, monthly subscription fees vary depending on the creator (s) the sponsors subscribe to and the membership level they choose.

Creators define their own membership structure. Some creators charge a flat fee:

Other creators use a tiered pricing structure that offers more benefits to customers who pay a higher price:

Users can increase or decrease their subscription at any time. It is also very easy to cancel it if they no longer want to access the content.

How can I make more money on Patreon?

If you want to boost your Patreon, it's time to take a strategic approach. Here's how you can increase your revenue using a multi-pronged approach.

• Expand your audience by developing your presence on social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) and by implementing a marketing strategy.
• Build audience loyalty by telling your story through a video or text message, explaining the benefits of supporting your Patreon.
• Drive traffic to your Creator Page by adding links to your social media profiles, mentioning your Patreon in podcasts, interviews, newsletters, and more.
• Use free content to convert traffic into customers by offering a preview of your Patreon content and running special contests or promotions.
• Increase the value of each customer by offering different levels of membership with specific benefits.
• Keep learning by using Patreon surveys for feedback and by following the Patreon blog to stay up to date with the latest updates.

Create and personalize your Patreon page in a few easy steps

To create a Patreon page and customize it to your needs, follow these steps:

1. Go to patreon.com/create and select a category that best describes your content, like podcasts, artwork, music, videos, and more.
2. Answer the question about the presence of 18+ themes in your content by choosing yes or no. This will allow Patreon to better understand your content type and take appropriate action.
3. Choose the currency in which you want to charge and receive subscription payments. Patreon offers a wide range of currencies to suit your location and needs.
4. Decide if you want to offer exclusive merchandise to your subscribers. Patreon can handle production, global shipping, and support for these items at an additional charge. This can be a great way to offer added value to your sponsors.
5. Connect at least one social media account (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube) to verify your creator identity. This builds trust with sponsors and allows you to reserve a custom URL for your Patreon page, such as patreon.com/your_name.

Once your Patreon page is created, you can customize it to attract and engage your sponsors:

• Add an engaging profile photo and cover image that reflects your content and brand.
• Write a compelling “About” section to present who you are, what you do, and why sponsors should support you.
• Select the membership levels you want to offer and define the specific benefits for each level.
• Use visuals, such as images or videos, to show sponsors what they can expect when they subscribe to your content.
• Integrate your social networks to encourage interaction and cross-promotion.
• Set up your payment system by providing the information needed to receive your Patreon payouts seamlessly.

By personalizing your Patreon page in an engaging way and offering quality content, you increase your chances of retaining your sponsors and growing your support community.

Final review

The Patreon platform offers a unique way for you, as a content creator, to get regular financial support from your fans. And thanks to the various plans and tools offered, Patreon can make communication with your supporters simple and effective.

But the fees for using the Patreon platform can be quite high, and the success rates don't seem great (especially for smaller creators). Add to that poor customer reviews, and you have plenty of reasons to be wary of Patreon.

FAQs

What percentage does Patreon take

Patreon takes between 5% and 12% of the money you earn each month, depending on the plan you choose.

Is Patreon worth it?

Patreon can be worth it, as long as you set your expectations appropriately.

Understand that Patreon may not be your only (or even significant) source of income, especially for smaller creators. However, it can allow you to get support for your creative projects and gives you a way to keep in touch with your fans. If that's okay with you, Patreon may be worth it.

Is Patreon trustworthy?

Patreon is pretty trustworthy. Thousands of creators and fans use it, and Patreon offers its creators services like fraud protection.

That said, we've received complaints that Patreon incorrectly charged users or failed to pay creators properly. We cannot verify these complaints, but they should be kept in mind. If you're worried, you can keep an eye on your bank account.

Disclaimer

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