How To Use Patreon To Make Money

How To Make Money On Patreon

As a creative entrepreneur, it is so important that we maximize our creativity and monetize our special skills and talents. This is why I love Patreon. Patreon offers a platform in which you can monetize your content, innovations and, skillsets that result in a monthly reoccurring revenue. (MMR IS EVERYTHING FOR ENTREPRENEURS).

Think of Patreon as a social media platform that allows you the autonomy to offer exclusive content, extra advice and, behind-the-scenes intel that your audience is craving behind a paywall.

In the digital age, creators are finding innovative ways to share their talents, skills, and passions with the world. Whether you're an artist, musician, writer, podcaster, or any other kind of content creator, platforms like Patreon offer a unique opportunity to monetize your work directly from your audience. With its subscription-based model, Patreon has become a powerful tool for creators to connect with their fans, build a community, and generate a sustainable income. If you're considering using Patreon to make money, here's a comprehensive guide to help you get started.

Understanding Patreon

Patreon is a membership platform that allows creators to earn money from their fans or "patrons." Unlike traditional crowdfunding platforms where creators receive one-time donations, Patreon operates on a recurring revenue model. Patrons pledge to support creators on a monthly-basis, providing them with a steady income stream. In return, creators offer various perks and rewards to their patrons, such as exclusive content, behind-the-scenes access, merchandise, and personalized interactions.

Patreon offers a solution for creative entrepreneurs who are looking to make more money.

Getting Started

1. Set Up Your Account: The first step is to create a Patreon account. Choose a memorable username and complete your profile with a compelling bio, profile picture, and links to your other social media accounts and websites.

2. Define Your Goals and Offerings: Determine what kind of content you want to create and what value you can offer to your patrons. Consider what exclusive perks and rewards you can provide to incentivize people to support you.

3. Tiered Membership Levels: Create tiered membership levels with varying benefits and price points. This allows patrons to choose the level of support that aligns with their budget and interests. Common tier names include "Basic," "Premium," and "VIP," each offering escalating benefits.
   

Building Your Patreon Page

1. Craft Compelling Content: Your Patreon page is your storefront, so make it visually appealing and informative. Use high-quality images, videos, and graphics to showcase your work and communicate your value proposition to potential patrons.

2. Write Engaging Descriptions: Clearly articulate what patrons can expect by supporting you, including the benefits they'll receive at each membership tier. Use persuasive language to encourage people to become patrons.

3. Promote Your Page: Share your Patreon page across your social media channels, website, email newsletter, and other platforms where you have a presence. Encourage your existing audience to support you on Patreon and explain how their contributions will enable you to create more and better content.
   

Engaging with Your Patrons

1. Fulfill Your Promises: Deliver on the perks and rewards you promised to your patrons in a timely manner. Consistently provide exclusive content and engage with your community to keep them satisfied and motivated to continue their support.

2. Communicate Regularly: Keep your patrons informed about your latest projects, upcoming releases, and behind-the-scenes updates. Foster a sense of exclusivity and belonging by making them feel like valued members of your inner circle.

3. Solicit Feedback: Listen to your patrons' feedback and suggestions for how you can improve your Patreon offerings. Use polls, surveys, and Q&A sessions to gather input and involve your community in decision-making processes.
   

Maximizing Your Earnings

1. Offer Special Promotions: Run limited-time promotions or discounts to incentivize new patrons to sign up or existing patrons to upgrade to higher tiers. Consider offering exclusive merchandise or experiences as rewards for reaching certain milestones.

2. Diversify Your Offerings: Experiment with different types of content, merchandise, and subscription tiers to appeal to a broader audience. Test out new ideas and solicit feedback to see what resonates most with your patrons.

3. Collaborate with Other Creators: Partner with other creators in your niche to cross-promote each other's Patreon pages and expand your reach. Collaborative projects and joint events can attract new patrons who are fans of your collaborators.

Patreon provides creators with a flexible and sustainable way to monetize their work while building a loyal community of supporters. By offering exclusive perks and rewards, engaging with your patrons, and continually providing value, you can leverage Patreon to turn your passion into a profitable venture. With dedication, creativity, and strategic planning, you can unlock the full potential of Patreon and achieve financial success as a content creator. So, seize the opportunity, uplevel your creativity, and start monetizing your passion on Patreon today!

For more information email me - julie@themediacasters.com

"The Dark Side of Reality TV: The Psychological Cost of Fame"

In the era of constant distraction, reality television has entrenched itself as a staple in our entertainment landscape. From the allure of the Kardashians to the saga of Sister Wives, we are drawn to the drama of others like moths to a flame. But why do we continue to tune in, and at what price does this obsession come?

According to Social.com, there exists a complex relationship between viewers and the reality TV phenomenon. Nearly four in ten individuals indulge in some form of reality TV, yet a significant portion feel compelled to hide their guilty pleasure. Surprisingly, a considerable number of adult men compare their lives to those of reality stars, while young Americans find inspiration in their on-screen antics. The statistics paint a vivid picture of a diverse audience captivated by the trials and triumphs of reality TV celebrities.

Having worked closely with reality TV personalities, including stars from The Real Housewives and TLC, I've observed a curious dichotomy. We idolize these stars, yet recoil from the notion of emulating their lives entirely. Entranced by the glitz and glamour, we vicariously experience their highs and lows, investing deeply in their scripted dramas and celebrating their victories.

REAL HOUSEWIVES- Case Study

Consider the behemoth that is Bravo's Housewives franchise. From the onset, cast members understand the toll fame may take on their relationships, be it through divorce, estrangement, or tragedy.

Take Kyle Richards, for instance. Her journey on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills has been fraught with the strain of familial estrangement and the profound loss of her best friend to suicide. Rumors swirl about the state of her marriage to Mauricio Umansky, further highlighting the sacrifices made in the pursuit of reality TV stardom.

Or consider Teresa Giudice, the enduring figurehead of The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Her tenure has been marked by legal troubles, incarceration, divorce, and the devastating loss of her parents, all played out under the unforgiving glare of the public eye.

Then there's Kim Zolciak-Biermann, the vivacious star of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, whose whirlwind romance with Kroy Biermann has faced its share of financial woes and speculation about their future.

In scrutinizing these narratives, one must ponder: Does the misfortune of others serve to validate our own comparatively mundane lives? Are we, as viewers, unwittingly sacrificing the well-being of these celebrity figures at the altar of our entertainment?

As we continue to grapple with these questions, it becomes imperative to reassess our relationship with reality TV. While the allure of escapism is undeniable, we mustn't lose sight of the human cost behind the glitz and glamour. In a world enamored with manufactured drama, perhaps it's time to pause and reflect on the true value of our entertainment choices.

⭐For more insight into all things media, join me on my quest to deliver everything you need to know to understand the media today. The media is a fickle business and without it- we are living a life of disinformation. Let's band together and do this the right way.

Unlock The Secrets of Explosive Brand Growth and Marketing

You need to be everywhere. 

Let me qualify this huge statement by saying if you are building your brand as an author, an entrepreneur, a podcaster, or a speaker, your brand must be inked on as many platforms as possible. Your digital footprint is inextricably linked to the almighty power of Google. If Google cannot find you, you do not exist in the digital universe.

Your voice needs to be heard in the rafters of a collective theater that is your audience. Creating content on social media should be just a fraction of your marketing master plan. I implore you to think outside the box and deviate from what everyone else is doing. Think about guesting on podcasts. Consider writing a blog on Medium.com or starting a newsletter on Substack. Apply to be an executive contributor for Entrepreneur Magazine or Forbes. Build a MeetUp Community. Launch a Patreon page. Write for Newsbreak.com. Optimize your SEOs on your website so you become searchable in Google’s eyes. And don’t forget to start a Google Business Page. Whatever you do, start with small steps and keep focused on your message.

If you take away one thing, remember, do not confine yourself to one platform, where algorithms dictate who sees your content.

As a consumer of content, I want to hear your message, and see and feel your brand in the digital universe. Your content should pull me in with urgency and make me want to sing your jingle.

I want to need you.

First and foremost, as a consumer, I need to understand your story. I must connect with the complex struggles that make you unique and position you as an expert. When you can convey your message in a profound and concise way, the trajectory of your brand has the power to explode. 

Sharon's Story

I had a client, Sharon, who focused primarily on Facebook and Instagram as a means to build her brand. In my opinion, social media is the low-hanging fruit, that allows every Tom, Dick, and Sally to promote themselves for free. Sharon spent hours a week formulating posts to represent her brand messaging. Sharon was met with a brick wall. She walked into my office, with a defeated look. “Jules, I can’t do this anymore. I am creating content, and I get 4 or 5 likes, there is no engagement I certainly am not getting any clients.”

Sharon had been a coach for 5 years, and was failing to capture an audience that hung on her every word. Her content was bland, as she gave simple tips on how to uplevel your personal and professional life. Sharon failed to share her struggles, express the “WHY” behind her brand, and not connect with anyone.  Facebook and Instagram are flooded with self-promoting professionals like herself, which left Sharon in the mire of the scroll. She spent hours creating content that no one was seeing.  I proved my point when I Googled her name, and little popped up on the search.

While disheartened, Sharon was eager to hear my solution. I grabbed a piece of paper and started to scribble out a revised plan to promote everything that is Sharon. I first wanted to know about her ideal client.

We started here to understand marketing and brand growth:

• Who is your client avatar?

• How old are they?

• Do they have children? 

• Where do they shop? 

• What is their income? 

• What do they need more than anyone else?

• What keeps them up at night? 

• How can you solve this problem? 

Once you understand the pain points of your ideal client, you must create a methodology to relieve their struggle. For example, if your ideal client or audience struggles with their weight, implement a solid strategy to assist their health journey. If you desire an audience who wants to be entertained by fiction fantasy, give them content that transports them into another dimension. 

Next, I asked Sharon, where would she find these clients. Are you on social media? What magazines do they read? What clubs are they a part of? What do they do for fun?

Once we knew where to find them we needed to take action. Sharon’s ideal clients were women, aged 40-50, who had children leaving the nest. These women lacked purpose and a vision for their lives. We decided as a team, Sharon would join local women’s groups, she would write for Mind Valley Magazine and she would start a Meet Up group, called Second Act. Within a month of implementing a new strategy, Sharon had three new clients and tested the waters on multiple different online platforms. 

When I began this journey of brand building, I felt like a narcissist. I had initial trepidation in pasting my name, and my name, and story all over the internet. The truth is, no one knows you. And frankly, no one cares. No one cares, because they are bombarded with a continual stream of content. So you must stand out. 

If you are decisively reticent to self-promote your brand, everything you strive for is an exercise in futility. But fear not my friend. You are not alone. When I first ventured out into the world of entrepreneurship, I was knee-deep in feeling the grips of imposter syndrome. However, taking small steps every day, and being consistent eases this pain. 

My Top Brand-Building Secrets By Increasing Marketing and Brand Growth.

1. When building out your digital footprint, you need to start with a well-crafted website. This website should be chock full of SEOs (Search Engine Optimizers). Sprinkle backlinks all over your website that will send a curious client from one page to another. Backlinks strengthen your searchability on Google. Your website is the foundation of your brand, so be certain it is properly set up. Furthermore, a blog on your website fattens up your searchability. Consider a blog as an integral part of your brand identity. 

Tip:  I like to use the Chrome extension Keywords Everywhere to analyze keywords and find out what my “competitors” use. 

2. Create a Google Business. Google loves it when you use their platforms. Google Business is super easy to set up and will let you know you are open for business. Do this too if you are an author, a podcaster or a public speaker. 

3. Ask for testimonials. Testimonials are crucial in the digital world. Testimonials, reviews, and ratings are an essential part of building your credibility. This becomes social proof that you are someone not to ignore.

4. Start creating an email list. Offer your audience value in exchange for their email. This can be done on your website while offering them a valuable eBook or worksheet that will begin them on their journey. The email list is the most intimate way to sell or promote yourself and your brand. Your list is a pocket of potential clients who want to know more about you.

Tip: If you feel you are a weak writer, check out PLR.ME. PLR stands for personal licensing rights (so once you download, you own the rights). PLR.ME provides a large library of usable eBooks, articles, worksheets (and more) that you can brand yourself and share with the world. 

5. Pitch Yourself: Start today. Start pitching your story to podcasters, radio show hosts, journalists, and more. When you are on someone’s podcast, show or featured in a blog, you are positioning yourself in front of someone else’s audience. Create a Media Sheet, which is a comprehensive 1-page sheet that showcases your brand, accomplishments, and story. 

Tip: Create profiles on Podmatch.com or Podbooker.com. These websites match you with podcasters looking for a guest like yourself.  If you are looking to be a reference for journalists, create a profile on HARO.com. HARO (Help A Reporter Out) is a clearing house of experts and journalists often refer to this site when they are writing a story and need an expert. 

Building your brand and online presence should feel electric. After all, your brand is an extension of who you are at your core. At times, it does feel overwhelming.  Take the process at a sustainable pace. And always ask for help. After all, we are better together. 

About Julie Lokun: 

Julie Lokun is a 6 X best-selling author and podcast host of two shows, Obsessed and The Mediacasters which rank in the top 1.5% globally. She is known for elevating the voices of impact through her company, The Mediacasters. With her exceptional skills in media and public relations, Julie has built an impressive client roster that spans various industries, from Presidential Appointees and TV personalities to Inc 500 corporate clients. Julie helps individuals and organizations share their stories through publishing, presenting, podcasting, and public relations. Her commitment to excellence and dedication to her client's success have made her a sought-after media expert and changemaker in her field.