How to Earn Extra Money as a Writer with Patreon?
Content creators are always looking for the next new way to up their game in the industry. With new trends and platforms continuing to pop up all over the place, writers are wondering what they have to offer.
If you’re a writer (we assume you are if you’re here) and you’re not sure which direction to go, we can help.
That’s where Patreon steps in.
What Is Patreon?
The short answer is that Patreon is a platform where people (patrons) support different kinds of content creators, just like you!
They can subscribe to your work for a certain amount of money each month determined by you starting at $1. You can also offer the option of one-time payments for specific purposes, such as a blog post or ghostwriting a chapter of someone else’s book. Patreon makes it possible to provide various bonuses, like early access to content or a live-stream Q & A, that if used correctly can grow your writer fan base exponentially.
There are no secrets to success on Patreon. You just need to deal with your project systematically and respect the audience.
No catches.
No gimmicks.
Just follow these simple guidelines on how to use Patreon and you’ll be on your way!
Tips for Using Patreon Successfully
Content-Related
Content creation, a.k.a. writing is the foundation of your Patreon project. To set yourself up for success, keep the following in mind:
- Research and strategize: Before starting your channel on Patreon, do some research to get an idea of how it works. See what other writers are doing and where they’re successful or where they’re lacking. This will give you a head start on your profile and strategy,
- Create a calendar: Fans and customers expect you to be timely and professional with your deadlines and rewards. Keeping a calendar ensures that you’re on track with any requests.
- Design your project page: Just like most platforms, Patreon allows you to upload photos and videos and write a short bio. People want to know who they’re engaging with and what their values and work are about. Adding a personalized touch to your page creates a welcoming feeling for your customers and can open a channel for more interaction. Plus, the more work you put into your page, the more professional you appear.
- Update regularly: Relevant content and communication with readers are key to keep your existing fans and customers while attracting new ones. Outdated content gives the impression that you’re not fully committed to your page and drives readers away.
If you don’t have an extended portfolio of content that you’re ready to post, or are just starting as a writer, consider these content ideas to get the ball rolling.
- Poems: Whether you’re an expert or not and you like to write poems as a hobby, post them! Even if you’re in the process of or currently publishing a book, switching up your style shows readers versatility in your skills.
- Short Stories: If short stories are your speciality, great! Add some content that you might not be planning on publishing or include small passages from work in the process of being published.
- Book passages: Just like short stories, including passages or a chapter or two out of your book is a great way to capture interest in your work. It can pique interest in your book, making readers want more and driving up your sales.
- Behind the scenes: Showcasing your creative process is a great way to give readers an inside look at who you are as an author. If they already love your work, they’ll be interested in how it came to be.
- Acknowledgements: Acknowledging loyal fans and showing them how much you appreciate their support creates a much deeper connection with your readers. It’s genuine and shows them that there’s more to your profile than just marketing.
Engage with Readers
Keep an established connection with your readers, be yourself, and always be friendly. Readers and authors prefer to get to know who you are, not just a structured persona you’re trying to market.
Once writers achieve some form of success and find themselves caught up in the writing and publishing process, many forget that their fans are the reason for it. You need to engage, keep in touch, and show your loyalty to them as much as they do to you.
Not only will this strengthen and grow your fanbase and drive your sales up, but it will also allow readers to tell you what they want. After all, that’s your goal- to give your readers what they want, so be direct and ask them!
Benefits of Using Patreon
Now that you know how to use Patreon successfully, let’s explore why it’s great for writers.
Earn Extra Money
There’s no guarantee that you’ll earn extra money from Patreon but here are some tips on how to earn extra money as a writer with Patreon, that might help you and again it isn’t necessarily going to produce a full-time income. It’s more of a part-time gig and the platform is just a stepping stone to success.
You can do great depending on your dedication, but the results are entirely up to you.
Provide high-quality content, build your network, gather feedback, and develop the strategy that will work best for you. If you take the time to develop your profile, stay consistent, and interact with fans, you have the potential of earning extra money!
Build Your Network
If you provide interesting, good-quality content on Patreon, word will spread and your fanbase will grow. Again, you hold the key to your success! And remember, your readers are a key component to that.
You always want to put your readers first and build a community around your author brand.
Many writers on Patreon use the money they earned through the platform to support other writers as well. This is a great way to build a strong rapport in the industry. Not only are you showing that you want others to be successful, but they could also offer up some tips and tricks from their success (and vice versa).
Note: Being rude and unsupportive to a writer whose fan base overlaps with yours is a great way to lose readers.
Increase Productivity
Having a fanbase on Patreon that is expecting great content from you, and is ready to pay for it, already sounds great. You can see their reactions and responses through feedback and engagement, and that’ll motivate you to keep going.
Success always motivates success. That’s not to say everything you post will be groundbreaking (and that’s okay) but seeing your fanbase express interest in your work is a great feeling. If they don’t love what you post, it allows you to see what needs to be changed and where you can improve.
Choosing Patreon
Having a successful Patreon shouldn’t be the final goal of your writing career. Your goal is to have a successful career in whatever shape that takes right now. Being a successful writer takes time and hard work, and Patreon is a helpful way to move toward that.
Let your fans interact with the work they Give them access to exclusive content, community, and insight into your creative process. In exchange, you get the freedom to do your best work, and the stability you need to build an independent, creative writing career!