Patreon : Tips and Tatics

[getsuart]

Status ! I perfectly see what you mean I also use some.
A friend also suggested me some fun comics for promoting, but I still haven't figured out a real good one.
to be fair I'm not really complaining either, I don't make a lot of promotion things, so it's quite hard to know that my Patreon exists

So many non-artist normal civilian people have the idea that art is/should be free and it's a hobby, not a career. However, all of us that are seeking to make it a career are actually, and should be considered as, entrepreneur launching our small businesses.

It's just sad when it comes from others artists. We're buddies, we shouldn't be that bitter to each other when it comes to Patreon. I just wanted to note this, because I know there are a lot of people who react like that. So I wanted to see how everyone "answer" to this, because I'm curious

Of course, they can read it for free. Patreon is just a plus if you want to help more and all ! I didn't mean to make think that I'm wanting everyone on a support system, or else I go make a kickstarter for a comicbook.
Plus, the support is also in the comments, the ad revenue system, and the big love people show to your comic.

I'm really sorry, I feel lacking of good words to fully explain myself, but it was mostly curiosity !

Sidenote :

they'll still support me indirectly through ad revenue $$$

The $$$ at the end just makes me imagine you with coins falling from the sky and you avatar with some black glasses under it.

[PotooGryphon]

Found this advice on twitter by Chanh Quach ( @QuachYourBack )

[windikite]

Hi there!
I am trying to earn some money by opening up a patreon so I can pawn off my experience and provide tutorials/walkthroughs on how I do certain things. One of the key things I will be including is full resolution documents and pictures with layers intact.

But enough shameless advertisement. I would like to know who of you ave patreons, who is interested in doing one, who is a Patron, and what do you look for in one?

Thanks!

Here is mine for those interested :3
My Patreon

[joannekwan]

Hm, currently I'm only a member of the Support Program here on Tapastic, since the vast majority of my reader base is here. I suppose if I did get more recognition I could start a Patreon but then again I don't know whether to incorporate my other artwork or keep it strictly for my comics. As for who I support, so far I'm only supporting others on Tap, I like the intimacy of staying in the Tapastic community.

[keii4ii]

I'm not very interested in the perks. The really good perks are typically too expensive for me... so my wallet only allows me to support creators whom I just want to cheer on without expecting anything in return. Anything other than the awesomeness of their work, anyway.

I do have a Patreon account, but it's not very well maintained (I need to do an overhaul soon). Like @joannekwan I am in the Tapastic support program, and I like staying here. The only reason I have a Patreon account at all is to support my favorite creator who's not on Tapastic (they don't even make comics!), and to give an option to my readers who don't have an account here. They may be few, but I'm still grateful to them, whether or not they can afford to pay. ^^

[carodoodles]

I just started a Patreon account as well. Patreon is a nice venue for those who don't use tap. I'm still considering about adding Tap as well. Not sure.

As for what I look in Patreons- like above I'm not VERY interested in perks. I'd be just glad to be able to support other creators and give back to the art community that has helped me out so much as an artist.

[yartzanaserenade]

Oooh your page is already very good ! I liked your video!
I also like that you're keeping it simple and fresh.

I only have 1 patron so far cause I suck at promoting my work . But that Patron is now giving me work so I guess I was lucky!

I'm broke, but I'm following you! I hope you'll find Patrons soon! Keep fighting

[Laeva]

I'm a patron, too. But I cannot offer big amounts of money and just want to support my favourit artists a little bit without much in return (my only demand: Don't stop doing what you already do!).

[carodoodles]

It's ok I have one patron too!

[windikite]

I can understand this, it is much better and more enticing imo to give to those you can say hi to easily and help them give into the community you are both apart of. Or you could simply favor those active in the place you love!

[windikite]

How much is a good price for you on average then? This is perfectly valid, and people who have patreons need to cater to those in your position. In the faqs poage for patreon, it says most pledges are between $3-5 I believe. There are almost always higher amounts with different perks, but I think that having the bulk of your content at that range is a good idea.

@yartzanaserenade
Thank you! it's my first patreon of course, and I barely knew how to put a video together. Kept it under 1:30 and told them the facts. Also, I like showing larger pieces of my favorite pieces rather than a million samples sooo yeah Promoting myself is something I'm not sure I can do well, since I really don't have any follower base to work from. Time will tell though.
Thanks for following me! Tbh, that is what matters the most, that people enjoy my stuff. I'll draw either way, but money will keep me from diggin myself into a hole while doing it I guess thats the same with everyone though haha
I stream a fair bit, so that is one thing people who are not pledged can enjoy if they want, I always explain what people want on there.

@Laeva
This seems to be a recurring theme, not wanting much in return. Is there anything that you think would interest non-artists or people who would want different content perhaps?

[keii4ii]

ow much is a good price for you on average then?

I've never pledged more than $1, to be honest, even though that usually gets me in the "you get a heartfelt thanks from me and nothing else!" tier. I'm that broke. XD

[windikite]

Hmm, well I did add more than that in my $1 tier. since I know many only give $1, and I want people to walk away with something(even though they do enjoy my pictures and streams for free already) I have the $1 tier give access to sketches, wips, unfinished pieces, me finding out how to paint something and just throwing that up there.
I know the feel so don't worry about it and I hope your situation improves for your sake! I do really like this community, so anyone from here is welcome to chill on my stream or just follow me on tumblr/etc or even just talk to me.
-

[concepcionbrothers]

Yes! The browsing system! Really, really bad... and they still can't get it to work well. You have to be really strategic about promoting your Patreon page on your website. However, I think that if you have a mailing list setup, it would be much easier to just email your whole readership, and point them to your Patreon page

[concepcionbrothers]

And instead of doing a daily blasts of "Support me on ...." I find the best campaigns indirectly promote. For example, thanking a supporter on their social media, promoting the events around a campaign, like promoting the donation art request livestream instead of the patreon account, or showing off the rewards patrons are receiving, post pictures of the rewards and let people know how excited you are to share them with supporters, and so on.

Completely agree! I'm wondering if anyone here has read Gary Vaynerchuk's "Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook"? It teaches you perfectly how to really be social and relevant on social media, and how to get your fans and followers to actually respond and appreciate your posts.

The idea behind the jabs is that jabs=give, and right hooks=ask.

So the idea is to give, give, give, and only then do you ask for something in return.

[concepcionbrothers]

I usually recommend that you don't tack on too much extra work in low tier rewards or milestones so that you wind up drained or taxed

I have to agree with you in this case. I believe it's good to consider the 80/20 rule.

The 80/20 rule basically says that...
80% of your followers give you 20% of your income, and...
20% of your followers give you 80% of your income.

That said, you want to focus 80% of your energy on the 20% that pledge on the higher tiers, because you're more certain that these guys absolutely love your work that they're sacrificing so much for it.

On the other hand, those of the lower tier are by no means less significant, but they aren't exactly very committed either. After all, I've heard stories wherein some supporters just make a pledge for a short time (until they get their reward), and then once they've gotten what they wanted, they stop supporting you. That's just insane! But it proves that there are those looking to take advantage.

So I think it'd really be better to leave the really good stuff at the higher tiers, and then limit them to a number of people (just to create a sense of scarcity), and give your general supporters something small and simple to look forward to and enjoy.

[jazylh]

I'm totally with you on this observation . MSFW content basically rules the digital art campaigns side of Patreon. Can't complain though as it a person to person choice.

[Plamondon]

Hey guys! I'm going to sound like a tirteen year old who doesn't know anything, but I have begun to set up a Patreon account, but I'm still unsure about the way it should be used.
If I understand correctly, I don't necessarily need to uploa my comics onto Patreon, I can just have it here on tapastic, but rewards and such can be given there? How does this work?
Would my supporters give me their email and I send them the content, or does it only show up for them if I upload it onto the site. Also, what is live streaming and how can I do it?

I'm sorry...I'm an 80 year old woman stuck in a 20 year old body, I don't even know how to hang up my phone once I dial someone...haha I appreciate any help!

[fanyart]

Thank you for this interesting thread!

I would like to ask if anybody knows if making a video for one's Patreon page can be considered a "commercial project"?
I would like to make a video and add some free music, but most free music is "not for commercial use", and I don't want to breach anyone's rights...

[DuneDeca]

I can't remember how patreon videos work, but if it requires a youtube link maybe this would help? It's a channel for youtube content creators to have music on monotized channels. You can shoot them an ask and see what they think.