Reviews

Patreon Reviews: Is All The Hype Justified, And Are There Alternatives?

Among creatives, there are few sites that gain more attention than Patreon. This innovative platform allows artists, musicians, writers – and more – to facilitate digital patrons who want to…

Published·Updated·13 min read
Patreon Reviews: Is All The Hype Justified, And Are There Alternatives?

Among creatives, there are few sites that
gain more attention than Patreon. This innovative platform allows artists,
musicians, writers – and more – to facilitate digital patrons who want to
support their craft. Fans sign up to make monthly contributions in return for
exclusive access to their favorite creators’ work. If you have a flair for
artistry and are exploring how to turn your talent into an online revenue
stream, you may well be wondering if Patreon is for you! To help you navigate
the ins and outs of the platform, we’ve put together a helpful introductory
guide. Read on to explore what we found in terms of Patreon reviews. We’ll dive
into all the info you’ll need to identify if Patreon is a great fit for your
creative style, and other ways that you may choose to create an income from
your craft!

How Does Patreon Work?

How does patreon work?

Creatives can build a page on Patreon, and
establish what they intend to offer their fans in return for contributions. For
example, a Youtuber may create a Patreon page, and give their followers the
chance to view behind-the-scenes content, in return for Patreon pledges. A
writer may provide exclusive flash fiction to patrons, and so on. By making a
monthly commitment to beloved artists, people in effect enter into a Patreon
membership, and become part of that creator’s online community.

Patreon allows creators to set tiers in the Patreon membership they provide, so the more each patron contributes, the more they will receive in return. They also allow artists to take payments from fans only when they put out new content, rather than on a monthly basis. Creators can choose from three tiers of Patreon plans, which will dictate how many of the Patreon features they have access to. On the most basic plan, artists will pay 5% of their site earnings to Patreon. On the most advanced, this number rises to 12%. With their brand new Patreon login, creators gain access to a dashboard that allows them to view their members, track their earnings, and manage their on-site offering.

Here’s a grid detailing the features, benefits, and cons of Patreon:

CategoryDetails
Features1. Multiple Tiers: Allows creators to set up different levels of membership with varying perks.2. Recurring Revenue: Charges patrons on a monthly basis.3. Community Features: Includes direct messaging, posts, and community engagement tools.4. Analytics: Provides insights into patron behavior and earnings.5. Integration: Can be integrated with other platforms like Discord, Mailchimp, and more.
Benefits1. Stable Income: Helps creators achieve a predictable monthly income.2. Direct Connection: Fosters a closer connection between creators and their audience.3. Creative Freedom: Allows creators to focus on their work without the need for sponsorships or ads.4. Flexibility: Gives creators the ability to offer unique rewards to their audience.5. Support for a Variety of Creators: Supports artists, writers, podcasters, musicians, and other creators.
Cons1. Patron Churn: The risk of patrons canceling their subscription.2. Need for Continuous Content: Creators are expected to consistently deliver quality content.3. Administration: Managing different tiers and rewards can be time-consuming.4 Limited Discovery: While Patreon does have a discovery feature, it’s not as robust as other platforms like YouTube or Instagram.

How Much To Patreon Top Earners Make?

much do top patreon earners make?

According to Creator Hype, the top earners on Patreon in 2020 are making figures in the realm of $140,000, $99,000, and $62,000 per month, with roughly 31,000, 20,000, and 11,200 patrons respectively. Fascinatingly, the top spots all belong to Podcasters, although musicians such as Amanda Palmer, writers such as Brandon Stanton, and visual artists such as Loish, have all demonstrated that astonishing success can be achieved on the platform. That said, The Outline reported that only 2% of creators on the site make more than the US Federal minimum wage each month. In this sense, artists and content creators may look to Patreon as a potential resource to boost their income, rather than a quit-your-day-job sure thing!

What About Patreon Reviews?

The Patreon app is available in both the
Google Play store, and Apple’s App store, so reviews are abundant and easy to
digest. Google reviews give the app a 4.3 out of 5 star rating, while over at
Apple, it’s earned a 4.8 rating. One of the most common complaints we spotted
was that the Patreon app’s feed likes to jump back to most recent when users
are working their way through their favorite artists’ archives. Other noted
issues included the app not saving where listeners got to when listening to
long audio files, and the lack of a central feed for patrons who have
memberships with lots of different creators.

It is also worth recognizing – as some reviewers have pointed out – that visitors to the site or users of the Patreon app can’t browse artists by category. So, being on Patreon is unlikely to generate an organic following, in and of itself. To make Patreon a valuable part of your money-making portfolio, a great social media marketing strategy, and other forms of publicity, are going to be key!

Additional Answers to Questions about Patreon

Is Patreon a trustworthy and safe website?

Patreon is a well-established platform that provides a way for creators to earn a sustainable income from their work. As with any online platform that deals with financial transactions, there are always some risks involved. However, Patreon has taken steps to secure its platform and protect its users, such as implementing secure payment processing, monitoring for fraud and abuse, and offering tools to report any suspicious activity.

Overall, Patreon has a good reputation and is considered a trustworthy website by many creators and patrons. It is important to exercise caution and follow safe online practices when using any platform, including Patreon. This includes keeping your account information and passwords secure, only making payments through the official Patreon website, and avoiding any offers or requests that seem suspicious or too good to be true.

In general, Patreon is a reputable platform with a strong commitment to security and privacy. However, as with any online platform, it is always a good idea to do your own research and exercise caution when using it.

How does the Patreon model work for creators?

Patreon is built on a recurring subscription relationship between a creator and their patrons. Patrons commit to a monthly amount in exchange for ongoing access to the creator's tier benefits, which can be exclusive content, early access, community spaces, or merch. The creator's job is to keep producing enough material to make those tiers worth holding onto, month after month. This works well for creators who already have a steady output rhythm and an audience that wants the long term relationship.

How much does it cost to use Patreon?

Patreon offers different plans with different feature sets. Check Patreon's site directly for the most current pricing details, since plans and tiers change over time.

Patreon offers three pricing tiers: Lite, Pro, and Premium.

The Lite tier is free and allows creators to start accepting payments from their supporters. However, it also comes with a 5% fee on all payments received, as well as transaction fees.

The Pro tier costs $9.99 per month and includes access to additional features such as custom branding, advanced analytics, and priority customer support. It also reduces the fees charged by Patreon to 5%.

The Premium tier is $15 per month and includes all the features of the Pro tier, as well as additional tools for managing a larger community of supporters.

It’s worth noting that Patreon also charges transaction fees on all payments received, which can range from 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction to 3.5% + $0.30, depending on the payment method used by your supporters.

Overall, the cost of using Patreon can vary greatly depending on your needs, but the platform is designed to be accessible for creators of all sizes, with the free Lite tier being a great starting point.

Is it safe to pay through Patreon?

Yes, it is generally safe to pay through Patreon. Patreon is a well-established platform that provides a secure payment system for creators and patrons. The company uses industry-standard security measures to protect users’ personal and financial information, and has a dedicated team that works to prevent fraud and other types of misuse.

When making a payment through Patreon, your payment information is securely transmitted and stored by a trusted third-party payment processor. Patreon also offers a variety of payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, and Apple Pay, which provide additional layers of security.

That being said, it is always a good idea to take basic precautions when making any online payment, such as making sure your device is secure and using a password-protected account. Additionally, it’s a good idea to carefully review the terms and conditions of any service you use, and to only work with creators or businesses that you trust.

Is it easy to quit Patreon?

Yes, quitting Patreon is relatively easy and can be done in a few steps. To cancel your Patreon membership:

  1. Log in to your account on the Patreon website.
  2. Go to the “Settings” tab.
  3. Click on the “Memberships” option.
  4. Find the membership you want to cancel and click on “Manage membership.”
  5. Click on “Cancel membership.”
  6. Follow the prompts to confirm your cancellation.

Once you have completed these steps, your Patreon membership will be canceled and you will no longer be charged for it. It’s worth noting that depending on when you cancel, you may still be charged for the current billing cycle. Additionally, some creators may have specific policies regarding cancellations and refunds, so it’s a good idea to check their page and Patreon’s policies before canceling your membership.

What is Patreon mainly used for?

Patreon is mainly used as a membership platform for creators to monetize their content and build relationships with their fans. It allows artists, writers, podcasters, musicians, and other creators to receive recurring funding from their patrons, who are typically fans or supporters of their work.

Creators can offer exclusive rewards and perks to their patrons, such as early access to new content, behind-the-scenes access, merchandise, or one-on-one interactions. Patrons can choose to support their favorite creators with a monthly or per-creation donation.

Patreon provides a way for creators to earn a steady income from their work, and for patrons to support and connect with their favorite creators on a deeper level. It is a platform that fosters creativity and community, and helps creators build sustainable careers.

Can you join a Patreon without paying?

No, you cannot join Patreon without paying. Patreon is a membership platform that allows creators to receive ongoing financial support from their fans or patrons. To become a member of a creator’s Patreon page, you must pay the amount specified by the creator as a monthly membership fee. This fee provides access to exclusive content, perks, and benefits offered by the creator, such as behind-the-scenes updates, early access to content, or exclusive merchandise. While you cannot join a Patreon page without paying, some creators may offer free tiers with limited benefits, which allow you to support them and get a taste of their exclusive content before committing to a monthly membership fee.

Can you be anonymous on Patreon?

Yes, it is possible to be anonymous on Patreon as a creator or a patron. Patreon allows creators to set up anonymous profiles by not including their name or personal information in their profile or content. As a patron, you can choose to make a pledge to a creator anonymously, or use a pseudonym when commenting on a creator’s page.

Is it worth it to start a Patreon?

Whether starting a Patreon is worth it or not depends on several factors, including your goals and target audience. Here are some things to consider:

  1. Content: You need to have engaging and valuable content that your audience is interested in and willing to pay for.
  2. Audience: It is important to have an engaged and supportive audience. If you have a large following on social media or a popular blog, it could be worth starting a Patreon.
  3. Goals: It is important to have specific goals in mind for what you want to achieve with your Patreon. Whether it’s to earn a steady income, pay for expenses related to your content creation, or simply to have a direct connection with your fans, having clear goals will help you determine if starting a Patreon is worth it for you.
  4. Time and effort: Creating and maintaining a successful Patreon requires time and effort, so it is important to consider whether you are willing to invest the necessary resources.

Ultimately, the decision to start a Patreon or not depends on your individual circumstances, and it may take some experimentation to determine if it is a good fit for you. If you have an engaged audience, valuable content, and clear goals, it could be worth giving it a try.

What kind of content is on Patreon?

he type of content on Patreon varies greatly and can include:

  1. Art and Illustration: Painters, graphic designers, and comic book artists use Patreon to showcase their work and offer exclusive content to their patrons.
  2. Music and Audio: Musicians, podcasters, and audio engineers use Patreon to share their work, offer behind-the-scenes content, and provide early access to new releases.
  3. Writing and Literature: Writers, bloggers, and journalists use Patreon to offer their writing and share exclusive content, such as early access to new books or short stories.
  4. Video and Film: Filmmakers, YouTubers, and video producers use Patreon to monetize their work and offer exclusive content, such as behind-the-scenes footage or early access to new videos.
  5. Gaming and Technology: Gamers, tech enthusiasts, and software developers use Patreon to share their work and offer exclusive content, such as early access to new games or software.

Overall, the type of content on Patreon is limited only by the imagination of its creators and the interests of their patrons.

Are There Other Ways To Monetize Your
Online Fan Base?

alternative wyas to earn from your fans

Not everyone feels comfortable with the type
of exchange Patreon offers – after all, we all have a personal sense of the
types of transactions that best compliment our art. If you would prefer to take
a different course, want to provide your followers with more direct contact, or
simply want to set up as many different revenue streams as you can,
Premium.Chat provides another excellent option.

Would your fans love the chance to speak
with you one-to-one, and get a personal glimpse into your world? If so, you can
offer them a paid text chat or live video chat service, simply and easily, with
the help of the Premium.Chat platform. Whether you want to coach them virtually,
allow them to watch you work, or let them grill you with all their burning
questions, getting connected couldn’t be easier! You can set a per-minute rate,
or a rate per session, and interact with your followers in a way that
recognizes the value of your time, and the value they place on your unique
talent.

Creating One-On-One Connections With
Premium.Chat

Getting started with Premium.Chat couldn’t
be simpler, and doesn’t cost a thing. You can create your Premium.Chat account
entirely for free, and there are no monthly or hidden costs to worry about.
After signing up, you can build your Premium.Chat profile, which will function
as a one-stop landing page that you can link to from social media. Here,
followers can read about you, and check out the text chat and/or video sessions
that you offer. If you’ve got your own website, creating Premium.Chat widgets
only takes a few minutes. These can be embedded into any web page, allowing
fans to chat with you, or see you in your element, right on your own site!

Premium.Chat charges a small percentage fee
for facilitating each chat session, so you only pay something when you make
something, and you’re always in profit! In return, you can enjoy a secure and
user-friendly interface, in-depth analytics and reporting, and reliable monthly
payouts. We will handle all payments on your behalf, so you can have peace of
mind that your earnings are secure before you invite each customer into your
world. Premium.Chat is entirely web based, so there’s no need for anyone to
wait through annoying downloads, or install anything on their devices. It’s
also smartphone friendly, so you can connect with your fan base from home, in
the studio, or even on the road – we know how important flexibility is when
you’re chasing your creative vision!

pay per minute text and video chat

Premium.Chat features built in scheduling tools, so you can set the availability that suits you – whether it’s seven days a week, or two ultra-exclusive days per month. You can sculpt an offering that suits you perfectly! You can also simply toggle your availability on and off if there is a magic moment that you want to share, or you find yourself with free time between projects. Fundamentally, Premium.Chat was created to allow any innovative individual to monetize their skills. In signing up, you join the ranks of a vast array of professionals, ranging from business advisors to life coaches, from art tutors to influencers – and a whole lot more – in delivering value to customers in an increasingly virtual world. If the concept has piqued your curiosity, and you want to know more, check out the Premium.Chat FAQs, or sign up for free today!

premium chat

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