Free posting on other sites v/s Patreon

[jennybhatt]

From those of you who have Patreons, I need some advice. I started my first ever webcomic 6 months ago. I post everything for free on my social media, personal blog and separate webcomic blog. LineWebtoon and Tapastic. My concern is, why would anyone pay to see my comic posts on Patreon when they can get them free on other platforms?
Does it then mean, that if I start a Patreon, I have to post exclusive content on it and therefore post different comics on other platforms? That would be too confusing for me! I already have some 263 gags I have done and I can post the best ones on Patreon along with other stuff like paintings and sketches. I post 3 times a week on social media so I can cut that down to 2, but I don't think that audience will want to pay, cos they're used to getting it free.
All your ideas, suggestions and wisdom on this will be appreciated. Many thanks!

[punkarsenic]

typically, people do post exclusive and early content on patreon. patrons get pages before theyre released everywhere else, they get personal sketches, character profiles, and spoilers.

[gateofselidor]

Some comic artists post their pages to Patreon as well as their other hosts, some don't. It depends on your preferences and the preferences of your patrons. For exclusive content, you could post your pages on Patreon a week ahead of other sites, for example. You can also offer illustrations, sketches and other content depending on what suits your webcomic. It's best to approach it not as locking previously free content behind a paywall, but as providing additional content in return for readers' support.

[respheal]

I'd recommend checking out what some other comic artists do on their Patreons. Common things I see are:

• early access to updates (posted for patrons only)
• raffles for request drawings, postcards, etc.
• access to livestreams or hangouts
• access to WIPs, making-of, bonus illustrations, tutorials

[UzukiCheverie]

The purpose of Patreon for most artists is not to make it their primary hosting service, but to make it a "bonus" area for those who are willing to pay for said bonuses.

For example, an artist might post a new strip once a week. But for people who pledge $3/month on their Patreon, they might get a bonus strip each week (at two strips a week). And then at whatever increment they choose, they could also give away wallpapers, concept art, mini strips, first dibs on request drawings in livestreams, merchandise, etc.

Most artists don't make Patreon their primary hosting service only for those who pledge, because that can seriously hurt viewing numbers. Yeah, it's nice to get money when that one person does pledge, but most people won't pledge for something unless they already know what they're getting and know that they'll enjoy it.

[spadesart]

If you have a buffer, you can use patreon to just post stuff as soon as your finished instead of waiting for the update schedule and people can pay to see them early. There's also concept art and commission tiers that I use on mine.

[jennybhatt]

but most people won't pledge for something unless they already know what they're getting and know that they'll enjoy it.

This is a very pertinent point. Its better to develop an audience somewhere else, for maybe 6 months or a year and then get onto Patreon. That way, at least some of those people will be willing to pledge.