Patreon is the ultimate monetizing platform for any content creating individual. Patreon enables creators to build a following for their work, to let their members have access to exclusive content, and to receive financial support from fans or patrons. This step by step guide will teach you how to make money on Patreon. If you’re an artist, a writer, a podcaster, a YouTuber, or any other kind of content creator, Patreon’s the best way to turn your passion into income.
Step 1: Understand Patreon and What It Offers
Patreon is fanpowered funding, where the fans, sometimes referred to as patrons, pay for the creators. It can be a monthly subscription or another regular payment with exclusive content and some information about the making of the content or any reward. The patrons set up different levels of membership that they refer to, such as the amount the patron pledges, so it is these degrees of access.
Step 2: Know Your Niche and Audience
Before you put everything up on Patreon, define your niche and target audience. Ask yourself these questions
- What do I create?
- Who are my ideal followers?
- Why would people support me on Patreon?
Knowing this will help you to adjust your Patreon content and rewards according to what they appreciate best.
Step 3: Make Valuable and Exclusive Content
The more unique and personalized things become, the more people are going to contribute to them. If you give people something they can’t find elsewhere, that is a surefire means of getting people to support you better. Think of what type of content works best for your audience and create patronexclusive offerings. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- Behind the scenes stuff: Give them a peek into your creative process.
- Early access to content: Throw open early videos, podcasts, or artwork.
- Tutorials or lessons of rare species: Share some free tips, techniques, or deep guides that only patrons get to view on Patreon.
- Sell physical or digital goods: Cash in on distinctive items, signed prints, merch, or personalized messages.
- Exclusive live streams, Q&A sessions, or meetandgreets: Straight to your audience.
Step 4: Getting Started On Patreon
- Starting a Patreon Page Go to the Patreon website to become a creator. You are supposed to provide information about who you are and what you have to offer.
- Designing Your Tiers: Multiple tiers of membership, varying in price. Each one should have different rewards than others, and higher tiers, more exclusive or individualized content. Begin at 23 and add from there based upon needs.
- Ideas for pricing and rewards:
- Tier $3 Early access to content, behind the scenes posts.
- Tier $10 Early access + Exclusive content, e.g. additional videos, downloads.
- $$ Tier: Live Q&A, tutorials, or other physical rewards signed items, etc.
Step 4. Write a Great Bio and Description
Let everyone know who you are, what you do, and why they should help you. And don’t forget to state clearly what patrons will receive in exchange for their pledge. Be sure to talk in language that is interesting enough to demonstrate that being part of your community has worth.
Step 5: Share Your Patreon Page
Not matter how brilliant your Patreon is, there’s no way people will know about it if you never tell them to check it out. Here are a few strategies for getting the word out:
1. Use Your Existing Platforms
If you already have an audience on one or more of the platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, or on a blog, don’t forget to remind them, on a regular basis, about your Patreon page. Let them know what exclusive content they’ll miss out on otherwise by becoming a patron.
2. Make a Compelling Ask
Add a clear call-to-action to your content; for example, encourage your audience to “follow me on Patreon.” Reward or milestones should clearly be specific so that your pitch is more appealing.
3. Give Limited Time Offers
Make your content urgent as you would introduce special perks only available to the early patronsa video call with oneonone, personal shoutouts, or exclusive merchandise.
4. Collaborate with Other Creators
Find other creators who work with and expose you to a different audience; therefore, collaborate on content or promote each other’s Patreon pages.
Step 6: Interact with Your Patrons Constantly
Interactions are what keep the patrons on board. You need to be in constant contact with your followers and continually update what you are posting. In many ways, you can keep them engaged such as:
Be thankful to them in public or through private messages for their support.
- Communicate:
- Respond to their messages and comments
- Update periodically so that you could share with them what you’re working on
- Host patrononly events or live chats so they might get that community feel
The more valued and connected your patrons are, the more likely they are to continue to support you long term.
Step 7: Track and Refine Your Strategy
Let the patrons start flowing in and monitor it regularly. Check your income and growth trends and change your offering if it’s not working. If the tier has too many patrons, increase their rewards on that tier, or similar ones on a higher tier. You can’t keep those too many patrons, so you should ask them what can you do better.
Tips to Stay the Course
- Consistency: Consistency keeps customers interested. Keep posting regularly, weekly, every two weeks, or monthly.
- Variety can be welcomed: While consistency is the mantra, your patrons also love variety. Try different types of content and rewarding ideas to keep your supporters happy and intrigued.
- Pay Attention to Your Audience: Your patrons will be your greatest supporters so ask them what they wantthey could even come up with ideas for new content or perks that fuels the drive to increasing loyalty.
- Establish Milestones: Reward your community with special content or features when a certain number of patrons or income level is reached.
- Grow: Your Patreon page must change over time. Just like your creativity in creating expands, you’ll discover more types of new tiers, content types, and perks that reflect the evolution of their needs over time.
Conclusion
Making money on Patreon has much to do with offering value and engaging your audience, building a community around your work. So following these steps, always being consistent, you can transform your passion into a sustainable source of income, be you starting from scratch or have an already established fanbase. Patreon gives you all the tools to reach out and connect with your fans and monetize your creativity. Now let’s build, grow, and thrive on Patreon!
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