What is Patreon and how does it work? Complete Guide!

Patreon has become an increasingly popular platform that allows creators to get paid for their work on an ongoing basis directly from fans and followers. But what exactly is Patreon and how does it work? This guide will explain everything you need to know about the Patreon crowdfunding model.

What is Patreon?

Patreon is a membership platform that provides a simple way for artists, creators, influencers, musicians, podcasters, and other types of producers to get paid for creating the content they share online. It allows creators to set up pages where fans can pledge to pay small, ongoing monthly amounts to get special benefits and exclusive access.

Rather than relying on one-time payments or advertising revenue, Patreon offers the opportunity for predictable, recurring income from super fans who want to support creators financially. For fans, they get insider access and a closer connection to their favorite creators.

How Patreon Works

The way Patreon works is simple. Creators set up profile pages showcasing their work and the kinds of exclusive content or experiences they plan to offer to pay members. Fans who appreciate the creator’s work can choose a membership tier that determines how much they pay each month for the extra benefits.

Common tiers range from $3 to $50+ per month. The creator continues producing free content for the public, while Patreon members get special member-only content, behind-the-scenes access, live streams, early previews, merchandise discounts, and more. Patreon takes 5-12% of each transaction as platform and processing fees.

Patreon Membership Tiers

On Patreon, creators can customize multiple membership tiers offering different benefits. Entry-level tiers usually start around $3-5 per month. Higher tiers like $10, $25, or $50 per month offer greater benefits like exclusive content, increased interaction, live video chats, free merchandise, or even personalized collaborations.

The type of exclusive content offered depends entirely on the creator. A podcaster may provide bonus episodes to Patreon members. A painter could offer high-res digital downloads of artwork. The key is providing insider access that supporters are excited about.

Benefits for Creators

For creators, Patreon offers multiple benefits:

• Steady, predictable income from fans each month to support their work

• Closer connection to their most engaged and enthusiastic fans

• The freedom to create the content they want without relying on ads

• Full ownership over their creative work and intellectual property

Benefits for Patrons

For fans who become Patreon members, benefits include:

• Getting exclusive access to content from their favorite creators

• Opportunity to directly interact with creators and be part of a community

• Unique behind-the-scenes looks into the creative process

• Special rewards like personalized content, live streams, and merchandise

Conclusion

Patreon has transformed how creators can fund their work by facilitating direct, recurring support from engaged fans seeking exclusive access and content. Rather than a one-time transaction, Patreon fosters deep, lasting connections between creators and patrons. For anyone looking to support artists or get VIP access to creators, Patreon delivers benefits for all involved.

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