Starting a Patreon: 101 (Patreon)

Heyo!
I've been on Patreon for a year now, and with the new "founders" update thingie coming, I wanted to compile some quick information about how to make the most of your profile. This will be a bit quick but hopefully it can help some folks trying to jump on-board before May 7.

1. Simplify

Having a page with a ton of rewards can be confusing and off-putting to new viewers. I recommend using less tiers with simpler rewards over having a ton of tiers with a hundred different options.

This will make the experience go smoother for both you and your potential Patrons. They want to be able to glance at your page and immediately be able to understand what's going on rather than having to read walls of text just to understand what the reward system is.

2. Have efficient rewards

Having  a Patreon can be extremely time-consuming if you don't plan ahead of time. When building the structure of your page, make sure that none of the rewards will require more than a few hours every month on top of your regular work schedule. 

Sounds lazy? I can guarantee you'll find ways to make each tier take up a lot of hours each month, even the simpler ones. This is especially applicable to physical rewards or tiers that require custom art. 

Instead of saying you'll make 3 new illustrations just for Patreon each month, share your source files or WIP posts of art you're already making. Instead of physical sketches, do digital ones. Changes like that can shave a ton of additional time off of your work each month while still being worthwhile and rewarding for your supporters.

3. Provide some free content

I'm not going to pledge to a Patreon if I don't know what their content looks like. I recommend having a few example posts that are very easy to find, or sharing something for free every month or every two months. Give me a peek into what valuable work you're offering! Having everything behind a paywall can dissuade potential Patrons from hitting the support button.

The early access feature is a great way to provide content that your supporters get to view first, but the rest of world gets to see *eventually.* I've found having early access posts to be really helpful and have relied on them heavily at some points over the last year.

4. Change your page when you need to

I have probably changed my rewards and structure 5 times in the last year if not more. I try to avoid doing it often, but my Patrons have *never* complained (which I 100% appreciate from yall. <3)

Most people are very understanding and empathetic of making changes as long as you're transparent and give folks a heads up before moving anything around. If anything, I recommend finding a way to celebrate updates to your structure every once in a while! Making a new tier? Turn it into a promotion and give those folks something a little extra that month! 

Just make sure to be really clear about what you're shifting around. Taking rewards away from tiers once you've made them is something you should do as little as possible. It's easier to add rewards instead of taking them away, which is why I recommend....

5. Consider starting small and building over time

I (and many others) have made the mistake of starting with too many rewards, too many tiers, too many things to keep up with, and then having to do major overhauls so that our Patreons were beneficial for both supporters and the creator. Here is what I wish I had done instead:

Start with just two tiers. A $1 tier that is just a tip jar or has a very modular, easy-to-fulfill reward, and then a $3 or $5 that has a more enticing (but still commitment efficient) reward.

Over time, as you're able to commit more hours each month, add more content or tiers slowly. Don't commit to having this huge, fleshed-out Patreon from the start. It can get really overwhelming really quickly, even if it "doesn't sound too bad" when you set it up!

Once you've been doing Patreon for a month or two, make a public poll about what people 1. like about what you're doing and 2. actually want to get out of your page. Adjust your rewards based on that feedback and have an open conversation with your supporters! 

I hope this helps! Thanks yall~