7 Proven Patreon Strategies for Artists to Maximize Earnings

Published on 7 August 2023 6 min read

Use Tiered Rewards to Increase Earnings
Engage Your Audience with Exclusive Content
Maximize Earnings with Goal Settings
Leverage Patreon Analytics for Better Strategies
Use Collaborations to Expand Your Reach
Promote Your Patreon Page Effectively
Optimize Your Page for Search Engines

Do you ever wonder how some artists on Patreon are raking in the big bucks, while others struggle to make ends meet? It's not just about talent—it's also about using the right strategies. In this post, we'll explore seven proven Patreon strategies for artists that can help you maximize your earnings and make the most of your creative pursuits.

Use Tiered Rewards to Increase Earnings

One of the most effective Patreon strategies for artists is to use tiered rewards. But, what does it mean? Simply put, it's a system where your patrons receive different rewards based on how much they pledge. Here's how you can make it work:

Start with small, accessible rewards: For as little as $1 per month, patrons might gain access to your Patreon feed, where you post updates about your work. This can be a great way to make your supporters feel involved and appreciated.
Offer medium-tier rewards: For a slightly higher contribution, say $5 a month, you could offer something extra. Perhaps a monthly digital wallpaper of your art, or a shout-out on your social media channels. This gives people a reason to pledge more!
Save the best for the top tier: The highest tiers, generally $10 to $50 per month or more, should involve significant rewards. This could be anything from a personal portrait, an original artwork, or perhaps even a one-on-one video chat where you discuss your creative process.

Remember, the goal is to encourage patrons to contribute more by offering them more value. And don't worry, you don't have to fulfill these rewards yourself. Patreon has a fantastic feature that allows you to automate reward fulfillment, saving you time and effort.

Using tiered rewards is a tried and tested way to increase your earnings on Patreon. It gives your patrons a clear idea of what they're getting for their money and makes them feel valued. So why not give it a try? You might be surprised by the results!

Engage Your Audience with Exclusive Content

Another great Patreon strategy for artists is to engage your audience with exclusive content. You might be wondering, "What's the big deal about exclusive content?" Well, exclusive content is like a backstage pass—it gives your patrons a peek into your creative process, and it's something that they can't get anywhere else.

Show them the process, not just the product: You can share sneak peeks of your upcoming works, time-lapse videos of your creative process, or even tutorials and how-to guides. This not only keeps your patrons engaged, but it also shows them the amount of work and dedication that goes into your art.
Make it interactive: Consider creating polls or surveys to let your patrons vote on what you should create next, or ask them for their feedback on your work. This makes your patrons feel more involved in your creative process and can lead to higher engagement rates.
Offer early access: Let your patrons see your new work before anyone else. This gives them a sense of exclusivity and makes them feel special.

Engaging your audience with exclusive content not only enhances their experience but also makes them more likely to continue supporting you. After all, who doesn't like feeling special and getting insider access? So, start brainstorming some exclusive content ideas today—you'll be surprised at how much your patrons appreciate it!

Maximize Earnings with Goal Settings

What's a good way to make progress? Set goals — and this holds true for Patreon strategies for artists too. But how exactly can you use goal settings to maximize your earnings? Let's take a look:

Set achievable targets: Don't aim for the moon right away. Set small, achievable goals first. This way, you can celebrate the small wins with your patrons, which will motivate them to continue supporting you. Remember, every journey begins with a single step.
Make your goals public: Share your goals with your patrons. This will make them feel more involved in your journey and can inspire them to contribute more to help you reach your targets.
Offer rewards for goal achievements: When you reach a goal, consider offering a special reward to your patrons. It could be a unique piece of art, a personalized thank you note, or even a livestream celebration. Everyone loves a good celebration!

By setting goals, you provide a clear roadmap for your success. Your patrons will appreciate your transparency and dedication, making them more likely to stick around and continue supporting your art. So, grab a pen and paper, and start setting those goals!

Leverage Patreon Analytics for Better Strategies

Guesswork doesn't cut it when it comes to successful patreon strategies for artists. You need cold, hard facts, and Patreon provides them in the form of Patreon Analytics. Here's how you can use these figures to your advantage:

Understand Your Patrons: Patreon Analytics offers insights into your patrons' behavior. What content do they love the most? When are they most active? Use these insights to tailor your content and engagement strategy to fit your patrons' preferences.
Track Your Progress: Use the analytics dashboard to monitor your earnings and patron count over time. This will help you understand if your strategies are working and where you need to make adjustments.
Discover Trends: Patreon Analytics can help you spot trends. Are there certain times of the year when you gain more patrons? Capitalize on these trends by planning special content or promotions during these periods.

Think of Patreon Analytics as your secret weapon. It provides valuable insights that can help you make smarter decisions and boost your earnings. So, start exploring that data today, and let the numbers guide you to success.

Use Collaborations to Expand Your Reach

When it comes to Patreon strategies for artists, 'going solo' might not always be the best way. Collaborations can be an effective way to expand your reach and introduce your work to new audiences.

Collaborate with Other Artists: Consider partnering with other artists on Patreon. This can be a win-win situation. You can cross-promote each other's work, share patrons, and grow together. Remember, the art world is vast, and there's room for everyone to shine.
Join Forces with Brands: Collaborating with brands can also be beneficial. If there's a brand that aligns with your art and values, why not reach out? They might be open to sponsoring your work or promoting you to their audience.
Partner with Influencers: Influencers can help you get the word out about your Patreon page. Look for influencers who share your target audience and explore ways to collaborate. This could be anything from guest posts to shout-outs or even joint projects.

Don't underestimate the power of collaborations. They can be a great way to grow your Patreon presence and increase your earnings. So, be on the lookout for potential partners and seize any opportunity to collaborate.

Promote Your Patreon Page Effectively

Next up in our Patreon strategies for artists is promotion. You can have the most fantastic art on Patreon, but if people don't know about it, they can't support it. Here are some ways to get the word out:

Use Social Media: Social media can be a powerful tool for promoting your Patreon page. Share updates on your latest projects, behind-the-scenes photos, and special offers for your patrons.
Create Engaging Content: Make sure to create content that resonates with your audience. This could be anything from progress videos of your work to blog posts about your inspirations. Engaging content will help keep your audience interested and coming back for more.
Network: Don't forget the power of networking. Attend art events, join online communities, and connect with other artists. Networking can expose you to a wider audience and potential patrons.

The key to effective promotion is consistency. Keep sharing, keep engaging, and keep putting your work out there. With time and effort, you'll see your Patreon presence grow and your earnings increase.

Optimize Your Page for Search Engines

One of the smartest patreon strategies for artists is optimizing their page for search engines. This might sound a bit technical, but don't worry, it's simpler than you think.

Use Keywords: Just like you'd do for your website or blog, sprinkle relevant keywords throughout your Patreon page. For instance, if you're a digital artist, words like 'digital art', 'graphic design', 'illustration' could be your keywords. But remember, don't overdo it — search engines prefer natural language over keyword-stuffed content.
Quality Content: Search engines love quality content. So, make sure your Patreon page has well-written descriptions, engaging posts, and high-quality images. This not only helps with search engine ranking but also attracts more patrons.
Link Building: Link your Patreon page from your other online platforms — your website, blog, social media profiles. This helps search engines recognize your Patreon page as a valuable resource, which could improve its ranking.

Optimizing your page for search engines is a game of patience. It might take some time before you see significant results, but once you do, it's totally worth it. Improved visibility on search engines can lead to increased traffic to your page, and potentially, more patrons for your art.

If you're looking to maximize your earnings as an artist and found this blog post on Patreon strategies helpful, we highly recommend checking out Sameera Maruvada's workshop, 'Crowdfunding for Independent Artists 101.' This workshop will provide you with even more insights and strategies on how to successfully crowdfund your creative projects and boost your income.