Patreon: What is it and how does it work?

How do I open a Patreon account? What features does this platform offer?

Patreon, created by developer Sam Yam and musician Jack Conte in May 2013, is a platform designed to support young musicians, designers, comic book illustrators, and other artists. It is particularly beneficial for newcomers in the field. With Patreon, artists can monetize their work right from their first online presentation. By posting their creations on the platform, they can receive donations from their viewers, also known as patrons. Creators on Patreon share various forms of content such as text, audio, drawings, photos, and videos with their subscribers. It is possible to publish a wide range of content, including material intended for mature audiences (18+).

Opening a Patreon account and promoting it

To register as an author on Patreon, the first step is to create an account using your email address. Then, provide information about yourself and upload a photo of your passport or ID. Once the moderators verify and confirm the authenticity of the data, creators can start publishing their content.

Users have multiple options to support the creators. They can choose to subscribe monthly or make donations for specific creations. Patreon deducts a small commission from the earnings of creators, starting at 5%. The commission percentage increases based on the chosen plan. For instance, selecting the Pro plan would result in an 8% commission. However, this plan offers additional features such as the ability to set different levels and tiers.

Earning and withdrawing money on Patreon

To build a subscriber base (patrons), it is essential to already have a significant following on other platforms. Patreon does not provide internal promotion algorithms or advertising tools, so potential subscribers must be attracted from your social media accounts (Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, etc).

Patreon creators can establish tiers or levels, allowing them to offer various monthly subscription amounts and bonuses to different fans. For example, some subscribers may pay $9 per month for access to 20 photos and videos, while others paying $20 can receive exclusive individual content. Creators have the freedom to determine the number of levels and methods of rewards.

Creators can set both regular monthly prices and one-time payments (limited to one per day). Patreon processes payments on the 1st of each month, but it is recommended to submit a withdrawal request after the 5th. There are two online options available for receiving funds: PayPal or Payoneer. The processing time for requests and crediting of funds typically takes 1-3 working days.

To set up a payout method on Patreon, go to the menu, select "Payouts and taxes" in the settings, and then click on "Add payment method" to enter the required information.

Users from Russia and Belarus may encounter difficulties with Patreon payments due to sanctions that have caused issues between Russian banks and PayPal. One possible solution is to open an account in a foreign bank, link the card to PayPal, and receive earnings through this method. If that doesn't work, another option to explore is the Payoneer system, which still maintains connections with certain Russian banks, although delays may occur.

If you encounter challenges with registration, withdrawals, or other issues, consider exploring alternative platforms for monetizing your content. Some platforms still allow Russian users without restrictions, such as FriendsOnly.

FriendsOnly

friendsonly.me