With creators everywhere feeling an economic pinch, Patreon is thriving in a time of uncertainty.
The consensus in North America right now seems to be that everyone is going to be home at least until May. Many scientists and various industry analysts will tell you it is much more likely that the coronavirus will keep all of us home until June, if not July. That is a lot of time at home, which means a lot of time that musicians and filmmakers and other artists are struggling to make a living.
Thankfully, living in the digital age provides some alternatives to the traditional methods of generating revenue. Patreon is a service used by a variety of creators to earn money from their most significant fans on a recurring basis. It is similar to a fan club in that the creatives invite their followers to pay for access to exclusive content, such as music, videos, podcasts, blogs, and more. Fans choose how much they contribute, as well as the frequency of their contributions, and the creatives can make tiers of access related to the amount of money their fans spend. Giving your favorite creator five dollars per month, for example, will get you less access than if you gave them ten dollars per month.
In the wake of Covid-19 sweeping the globe, Patreon has seen a surge in new accounts and contributors. More than 30,000 creatives joined the platform in March alone, and many more are expected to participate in April. It’s unclear what percentage of that number is comprised of musicians. Still, considering that touring is impossible and streaming numbers are declining, it’s safe to assume a good portion of Patreon creators are artists with musical talent.
An unexpected benefit of the coronavirus pandemic is that it is forcing musicians to be more creative. Artists that previously never utilized the internet outside of YouTube and social media are suddenly exploring new avenues for exposure and revenue. Those efforts are creating a better, more accessible music industry for everyone. Fans have more access, and musicians have more control over their careers.
If you are considering joining Patreon or a similar service, do it! You can find some tips for making the most of your account on the Patreon site or by viewing the video below:
