What Is Patreon Dot Com and How You Can Use The Platform
Hi, Everyone...
Just a quick post today on something I ran across that I found interesting and immediately thought may be useful for some of our Wealthy Affiliate members...The website is essentially a form of a crowdfunding site that works a bit differently, and it is worth a look...
ARE YOU AN ARTIST OR CREATOR?
If so, and you are looking for another means of monetizing your creations, there is a website called ‘Patreon’ that may be of interest to you. This company is headquartered in San Francisco, and was launched in 2013.
It was set up by musician Jack Conte after he was struggling to profit from his musical creations. It is a unique and unusual way to get some funding for your efforts. It has gained a lot of popularity in a short period of time...
The service it offers fits what many artists and creators need, and when you start digging into the website content you see that members offering their creations are from a wide variety of niches, and indeed, many are making very good money regularly.
WHAT IS THIS WEBSITE ALL ABOUT?
It is essentially a crowdfunding model website where all types of artists can obtain funding from fans or patrons, and they get this on a recurring basis, or they can get funding per work of art they publish/produce.
The focus is on creative works and can vary from podcasts to works of art. I spent a few hours perusing the different artists sites, and came away impressed!
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Artists sign up and set up their page on the Patreon website. Once they have added in their product or creation, patrons (that is a fancy word, huh?) can review what they post and pledge to support the artist for a certain amount monthly or on a per item basis.
Patrons can set a maximum dollar amount for the artist, so their support price is manageable and does not have to break the bank. They can also set a fixed amount of money to be paid monthly for the artist.
This is a different take on the ancient patronage system that has been around forever, but it allows everyone to be a part of supporting artists whether you have been doing this for years or if it is your first time.
Let’s face it – creators often are more interested in creating, not marketing or selling what they create. You can get mighty hungry trying to sell something if you do not know how to run a business or have marketing skills.
Patreon is a service that provides the platform taking this burden from the artists. Even those that may be skilled in marketing can use this, because it allows them to spend more time with their true calling.
The advantage that Patreon offers is that it removes those responsibilities by featuring new and popular creators on their blog, front page and email newsletters, handling payment processing and recurring billing so creators can focus on their creations.
DIGGING DOWN
Artists have 14 categories they can select from, meaning that their work will easily get discovered by patrons who may be looking for a particular niche to focus on based on their interests.
To leverage their page, artists can post private, patron-only content that is provided only for the eyes and ears of their patrons, which can encourage more monthly pledges.
Things that may be included would be material that has not been released, back stories, or even private chats. The patron builds a more personal relationship with the creator.
DOES IT WORK?
One simple statement right off the home page of the website: ‘To date Patreon fans have given creators $100 million in support.” Yes, it works…
There are a total of 14 categories of pages you can join under, and they include (1) Videos & Films, (2) Writing, (3) Music, (4) Comics, (5) Drawing & Painting, (6) Animation, (7) Podcasts, (8) Games, (9) Photography, (10) Comedy, (11) Science, (12) Education, (13) Crafts & DIY, (14) Theater, and a last category to highlight featured pages (15) New & Noteworthy...
SUCCESS EXAMPLES
Just to show you that this is a platform that produces results, I am adding in some examples (screenshots) straight from the platform:
(1) Music Category...
Dave: Jacob is getting $9,278 USD per music video he creates from patrons!
(2) Second Example, Music by Show
Dave: Tina is getting $608 USD per Video or Livestream Show She creates...
(3) Writing Category
(4) Podcasting Category
Dave: The series 'Star Talk Radio' is getting $4,781 monthly from patrons!
and one final example...
(5) Podcasting Category
Dave: This team is getting $4,560 per month for their podcast from patrons!
So, just what we we conclude from these examples?
WHO IS PATREON USEFUL FOR?
From what I can see, this website is best used by creative people that may be looking for some alternative income streams through patrons and fans that are interested in supporting them and gaining access to exclusive content they provide.
Note this is more than a transactional crowdfunding website.There is an ongoing flow of material in return for access to a closer view and experience with the artists it seems, and is a win-win for both sides of this experience.
Patreon takes care of all the business side of this relationship and frees you up to keep on creating, plus getting closer to more people that can help you do what you like to do…
It allows artists to realize income from their efforts more easily, and many build this into a full time income…You avoid all the hassles of management contracts, labels, some of the less than stellar people in the business, etc.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
CONCLUSION
I know we have some artists here who may be interested in a website and service such this. It is worth a bit of your time to check out, and if you are like me, you will find yourself spending more than a bit of time looking through all the pages!
One of the things we are trying to do as affiliate marketers is build up a variety of income streams for our benefit over time. This may be one good way to do so if it fits!
Best of luck and I believe in YOU always!
Cheers!
Dave : )
Recent Comments
31
I have heard about this and have actually seen the link for 'donations' on several websites I frequent. (Political, believe it or not)
Yes I was in a Facebook Group conversation and it came up in the thread. When I checked it out, it seemed perfect for some of the members here...Hope it helps! Cheers! Dave : )
This is really cool Dave! I like it! I am inspired!
I always wanted to write about life in the mountains of Alaska where I grew up with a dog team, huge garden, gold mining, snow-machine, airplane etc. etc. There is interest in this kind of story since it is so rare nowadays but I have never figured out exactly how I wanted to go about it. I always thought I would write a book. Maybe this could work too!
Jessica
Jessica, I think that is an excellent idea...You have first-hand knowledge and it would be so nice to share this....I know I am interested, for sure...I grew up in an environment that is not so much different - except no mountains hehe...Minnesota and Ontario are cold places but have wonderful tales to offer on so many fronts...I am sure Alaska is even better! : )
I will have to look into it more Dave. The unique part of my experience is mostly due to the isolation. We were about 90 miles from the nearest paved road (or store, gas station or school) and 20 miles from the nearest gravel road that connected with the rest of the world. That was also across a massive river (river bed 1 mile wide). So we really were isolated and it was fly-in access only. That makes self-sufficiency imperative but also gives a certain freedom from society! It was in the middle of the Wrangell St. Elias National Park which is the largest National Park in the U.S. and borders Canada.
Yes, Minnesota and Ontario get just as cold!
That is very a unique experience that others would love to hear about...I am sure you can tell many tales....I look forward to that! It would take me back home to an earlier age for sure! : )
Yes Tania, I thought so too, and it is nice to see that artists get some support for what they are doing...This site is great! Cheers! Dave : )
No probs Eric, I was so fascinated coming across this, I thought immediately I needed to share! Cheers! Dave : )
Wow... I need to share this.
I did my higher level in art and knowing some artist which would highly appreciate it.
I do no active art anymore / so for it is not for me / or if than only as patron
Thank you.
Yeah, I hope they can benefit...This is a site I can get into for sure...I like the concept behind it and the artists are doing quite well...I am sure not all, but many...I hope your friends can use!! Dave : )
Bitteschoen!! Viel spass auch beim langen wochenende! Hoefentlich gibt es nur schoenen wetter bei euch! : )
Interesting share. Proves the inate goodness of people. Thanks for the information. Debbie
See more comments
Thank you so much for this information. This is actually very helpful.
Great Pablo, I would love to have some success stories from fellow members here! Cheers! Dave : )