Patreon is an excellent crowdfunding option for anyone with a dedicated, long-term project and flexible funding goals.
However, to maximize the potential benefits that the platform provides, it is vital to understand the keys to success on Patreon.
Below are the vital strategies that every content creator should apply when establishing a Patreon campaign.
Sell Yourself
One of the biggest differences between Patreon and other popular crowdfunding platforms is the fact that you aren’t marketing a product in the traditional sense.
Instead, success stems from your ability to market yourself as a content creator.
To attract patrons, you must be able to demonstrate that you can provide content worth supporting.
For this reason, interacting with fans and potential patrons through videos, messages, and photos should be a major priority.
Provide Proof of Concept
Generally speaking, Patreon should not be seen as a way to jump-start your career.
Rather, it provides your fans with a way to show their support for the content you are already creating.
It is vital to show your patrons that you have something worth funding – that means providing free access to projects that you’ve already completed.
Provide links to blogs, professional reviews, YouTube videos, or anything else that lets people get an idea of what you’re capable of.
Convert Existing Fans
Just as Patreon shouldn’t be used to launch your projects, it is also ineffective as a way of increasing your visibility.
Most patrons aren’t browsing for unknown projects. Instead, they are following links in order to help support creators that they have already been following through other channels.
If you have visibility through your own website or via social media platforms, use it to direct fans to your Patreon page rather than hoping that they will discover it on their own.
Recruit Friends and Family
For most creators, early momentum is crucial.
People are less likely to contribute to your project if they see that no one else has taken the plunge, so consider asking friends and family to contribute to your project, even if it’s only a dollar per month.
Having a few guaranteed patrons makes fans that are on the fence about contributing more likely to help out.
Choose Your Project Wisely:
Your Patreon project is much more likely to be successful if you tailor it to the platform’s subscription-based system.
Generally speaking, Patreon works best for creators who have a long-term or semi-regular content schedule, rather than small one-time projects.
Patreon requires patience and a willingness to consistently deliver content, so those looking for a fast lump sum of money may be better suited to other crowdfunding platforms, like Kickstarter or Indiegogo.
Offer Realistic Rewards:
Rewards can be a fun way to give something extra back to the fans that support you, but make sure that you keep logistics in mind.
For example, if you promise to send every person that pledges a dollar to your project a handwritten thank-you letter, imagine how much time you would have to spend sending out rewards if your project picked up steam – not to mention the cost of postage!
Rewards should be simple and inexpensive, though it may not be a bad idea to offer a limited number of larger rewards for your truly dedicated fans.
Patreon offers a host of unique benefits when compared to other crowdfunding sites, but a successful campaign depends largely on the ability to understand and utilize the techniques and strategies above.
With the right plan, dedication, and talent, it is possible to maximize your odds of success on Patreon and receive funding for the content that you are passionate about.
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