Turn free members into paying fans

You've taken advantage of our discovery features and now you find yourself with new free members. But how do you grow your earnings?

📝 Learn more about our discovery network tools and access eligibility.

Below, we're walking through some proven tactics that can help creators grow.

We're starting with two product features that are easy to enable, and then we offer some content strategies we've seen work.

Product Feature # 1: Run a sale

Why it works:
Scarcity and urgency drive action. A limited-time discount or “low-price” tier gives free members a clear reason to take the next step.

On Black Friday, fans spent 250% more on discounted memberships across thousands of creators who offered a sale.

Product Feature # 2: Enable welcome notes for free members

Why it works:
You can reach free members while they're most excited: right when they join. This automated message lets you welcome fans personally and highlight what they're missing as a paid member.

Tip: You may have welcome notes enabled already, but make sure you've customized notes for free members.

Now thinking about content...

Posting public content is important to keeping free members engaged. It gives them a taste of what a paid membership might offer and encourages them to convert. Here are some proven post types for helping members make the move from free to paid!

🎯 Pitch your page
Sometimes fans just need to hear why. A simple post or Quip about your paid tiers — what they include, and why they matter — goes a long way.

🎬 Two-part drop

Take a popular topic and split it into two parts — make part one public and part two for paid members.

⏳ Scarcity plug

Offer a special or reduced-price tier that’s limited or capped. Announce the cap on Patreon publicly to ensure free members are aware of the opportunity.

💬 Personal follow-up

Share a big announcement publicly, then post a deeper Q&A or reflection behind the paywall.

🎥 Tease and paywall

Post a short clip, trailer, or preview publicly and keep the full release for paid members.

🛍️ Merch boost

Offer your merch with early access or discounts for members only.

❤️ Why Patreon

Tell fans why joining Patreon matters more than views or ad revenue — invite them to be part of your independence.

🔒 Extended or uncut versions

Post a full version of a public release behind the paywall, explaining that the rawest offering is behind the paywall.

🎤 Exclusive lives

Give members early or exclusive access to live events.

📈 Challenge your fans

Share a challenge publicly with your free members: “If we hit X members, I’ll do Y.” Dye your hair or offer a special behind-the-scenes look — and then keep it behind the paywall.