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How To Leverage Patreon Memberships to Build Your Brand
Karol Andruszków
Co-founder and CEO of Concept21
Half of the graphic is purple, the other is a photo of padlocks.

Patreon has become an increasingly popular platform for creators and artists to monetize their work, but it's not just limited to them. Brands can also leverage the benefits of Patreon to build a loyal community of supporters and customers. In this article, I'll explore the various perks of Patreon membership for brands and how they can use it to their advantage.

Patreon - Fail-proof way for building brand loyalty

Are you looking for a new way to engage with your brand's audience and build a community of loyal fans? Look no further than Patreon.

 

Patreon is a membership-based platform that allows creators to connect with their fans in a more personal and exclusive way. But Patreon isn't just for individual creators – brands can also take advantage of the platform's benefits to grow their community and boost their bottom line.

What is Patreon membership? 

Patreon membership is a subscription-based model that allows creators, such as artists, writers, and musicians, to earn money directly from their fans or supporters

 

Patreon provides a platform for creators to offer exclusive content, rewards, and experiences to their patrons in exchange for financial support.

 

Patrons can sign up for monthly or per-creation payments, and in return, they gain access to a range of perks, such as early access to content, behind-the-scenes insights, and personalized messages from the creator. 

 

The model is designed to help creators monetize their content and build a loyal community around their work. Patreon takes a commission on each transaction, but many creators find that the platform's benefits outweigh the costs.

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What are the perks of Patreon membership for brands?

First and foremost, Patreon allows brands to connect with their most passionate fans. By offering exclusive content and perks to patrons, brands can create a sense of belonging and foster a deeper relationship with their audience. This can increase brand loyalty, word-of-mouth marketing, and even higher conversion rates.

 

But it's not just about building a community – Patreon can also help brands monetize their content in new and exciting ways. By offering tiered membership options and exclusive content, brands can turn their most dedicated fans into paying customers. And with Patreon's easy-to-use payment and billing features, earning revenue from your content has never been easier.

 

But perhaps the most valuable perk of Patreon membership for brands is the ability to get a behind-the-scenes look at your audience's wants. By engaging with patrons directly and getting feedback on your content, you can make better-informed decisions about your brand's strategy and content. This can lead to more effective marketing campaigns, better products, and a more engaged audience.

How To Use Patreon Membership As Brand?

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1. Identify your brand goals on Patreon

Before setting goals, you need to understand who your target audience is and what they want. Consider their demographics, interests, and motivations. Use this information to create content that speaks directly to their needs and desires.

 

You should also have a clear value proposition - it is what sets you apart from other creators on Patreon. What unique value do you offer your audience? Why should they support you? Use this information to create goals that align with your value proposition.

 

And last - don’t forget about your objectives. Make them specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). For example, your goal could be to reach 1,000 Patreon supporters within six months, or to earn $5,000 per month from your content. Make sure your objectives align with your overall brand goals and value proposition.

Setting brand goals on Patreon can help you clarify your purpose, focus your efforts, measure your success, and motivate yourself. 

 

With patience, persistence, and dedication, you can achieve your brand goals on Patreon and build a loyal community of supporters who love your content.

2. Create exclusive content for Patrons

As a creator on Patreon, one of the most effective ways to attract and retain supporters is to offer exclusive content. This can take many forms, such as early access to new work, behind-the-scenes insights, personalized messages, or even one-on-one consultations. By providing content that is not available anywhere else, you are demonstrating the unique value of your brand and creating a sense of exclusivity that can be a powerful motivator for fans to become patrons.

 

To create exclusive content that resonates with your audience, it's important to understand their needs and interests. Take the time to engage with your supporters and ask them what they would like to see more of from your brand. Consider conducting polls or surveys to gather feedback and ideas. This will help you to create content that is tailored to their preferences and ensures that they feel valued and heard.

 

Another key strategy for creating exclusive content is to focus on quality over quantity. Rather than churning out a large volume of mediocre work, aim to create a smaller amount of high-quality content that truly resonates with your audience. This will help to establish your brand as a premium offering and can be a powerful driver of loyalty and engagement.

The key to success with exclusive content on Patreon is to strike a balance between providing value to your supporters and maintaining the integrity of your brand. By creating content that is authentic, relevant, and unique, you can attract and retain a loyal community of fans who are invested in your success as a creator.

3. Set up rewards and tiers

Rewards are the incentives that you offer to your patrons in exchange for their financial support, while tiers are the different levels of support that patrons can choose from.

 

To set up rewards and tiers, it's important to consider what your audience values most and what you can realistically deliver. Some common rewards include exclusive content, personalized messages, early access to content, and physical merchandise. These rewards can be customized based on the level of support that each tier provides. For example, a $5 per month tier might offer access to exclusive content, while a $25 per month tier might offer personalized messages and merchandise.

 

In addition to providing incentives for supporters, rewards and tiers also help to create a sense of exclusivity and belonging within your community. By offering rewards that are not available to the general public, you are creating a special relationship with your supporters that goes beyond simply consuming your content.

To ensure the success of your membership program, it's important to regularly evaluate and adjust your rewards and tiers based on feedback from your patrons. By listening to your audience and adapting your program accordingly, you can build a loyal community of supporters who are invested in your work and excited to see what you create next.

4. Engage with your Patreon community

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Engaging with your Patreon community is crucial to building a loyal fanbase and growing your brand. As a creator on Patreon, you have the opportunity to connect with your patrons on a more personal level and offer them a unique experience that they can't get anywhere else.

 

To engage with your community effectively, it's important to stay active and consistent in your communication. This can involve creating regular updates, responding to comments and messages, and offering personalized interactions with your patrons. By showing your appreciation for their support and taking the time to listen to their feedback, you can create a sense of connection and foster a deeper relationship with your audience.

 

Another effective way to engage with your Patreon community is to offer exclusive perks and experiences that are tailored to their interests and needs - personalized messages, behind-the-scenes content, Q&A sessions, and even one-on-one consultations. 

Ultimately, engaging with your Patreon community requires a genuine commitment to building relationships and providing value to your supporters. By investing time and effort into cultivating these connections, you can create a strong, loyal fanbase that will support you for years to come. 

5. Promote your Patreon Membership

One effective way to promote your Patreon membership is by leveraging social media. Share exclusive content and teasers on platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to pique the interest of potential supporters and drive traffic to your Patreon page.

 

Another strategy is to collaborate with other creators in your niche. By working together to create content or offering joint rewards, you can cross-promote each other's Patreon memberships and tap into each other's audiences. This can help to increase visibility and attract new supporters.

Promoting your Patreon membership requires a strategic approach and a willingness to experiment with different tactics. 

 

By leveraging social media, collaborating with other creators, offering unique rewards, and building a loyal community, you can increase your visibility and grow your following on the platform.

Leveraging Patreon as a marketing tool - summary 

And there you have it - the power of Patreon as a marketing tool!

 

As you've learned, Patreon isn't just a platform for artists and creators to receive financial support from their fans. It's also an incredibly powerful marketing tool that can help you grow your audience, engage with your community, and ultimately drive more sales.

 

By leveraging Patreon's built-in features like exclusive content, early access, and personalized rewards, you can create a unique and valuable experience for your audience that they can't find anywhere else.

 

But like any marketing tool, Patreon requires effort and strategy to truly succeed. You'll need to put in the time and energy to create compelling content, engage with your patrons, and constantly iterate and improve your approach.

 

But with the right approach and a commitment to your audience, Patreon can be a game-changing tool for your business or brand.

 

So go ahead and give it a try! Whether you're a creator looking to monetize your content or a marketer looking to grow your audience, Patreon is a platform worth exploring.

Karol Andruszków
Co-founder and CEO of Concept21

Karol is a serial entrepreneur, e-commerce speaker, and founder of 3 startups. He advised hundreds of companies and was responsible for projects worth over EUR 50 million for financial institutions in Europe.

 

He earned two master's degrees - Computer Science and Marketing Management - from Poland and Portugal. He has over ten years of experience in Silicon Valley, Poland, Portugal, USA, and UK, helping startups, financial institutions, and SMEs improve their functioning through digitization.