The company’s goal is to assist creators in becoming less dependent on platforms that are based on algorithms.
The efforts that Patreon is making to broaden its scope beyond its origins as a platform for paid memberships are continuing. Even if they are not paying subscribers, the company is providing creators with additional methods to communicate with their followers. This comes after the company introduced new chat tools and increased the number of free membership options in the previous year.
According to the firm, its creators have already seen more than 30 million sign-ups for free memberships. These memberships enable fans to obtain updates and follow the work of creators and artists that they admire without requiring them to commit to a monthly subscription. Now, creators will also have the ability to invite non-paying users to discussions that are similar to those seen on Patreon. Not only that, but creators will also have the ability to provide a live chat and a personalized countdown timer in order to tease new work.
People will have a method to access content that was previously paywalled without having to commit to a monthly subscription if Patreon is able to introduce the capability for authors to sell access to earlier posts and collections. This will be available to fans who have not yet paid for a membership. Over the course of the previous year, the corporation introduced one-time purchases for digital products such as podcast episodes. Creators will also have the chance to provide fans with gift memberships that are only available for a short period.
In the case of Patreon, the modifications are intended to assist creators in becoming less dependent on sites such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, where interaction and views are frequently determined by the algorithm of another company. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that it has become significantly more difficult to make a living as a creator over the course of the past year as dedicated creator funds have shrunk. Patreon is spinning its platform as a place where creators can connect with their “real fans” and actually make money. This comes at a time when platforms are reportedly decreasing the amount of money they pay out to creators.
“Creators want a place where people can sign up to see their future work… and then actually see it,” the business argues in a blog post. “[T]hese places are becoming increasingly popular.” It is not in their best interest to continue chasing after likes or follower counts in a system that is constantly changing and over which they have no control.