Know your fans, show your value

When fans join your Patreon, it’s easy to assume they are there just to listen to your work.

Joe Fisher, creator of Midnight Burger, learned that wasn’t the full story. The turning point was a simple entry survey asking his new members why they joined.

Support matters, but value seals the deal

What Joe found was clear: people do want to support creators. But they also want something that gives them a deeper connection to the show. Not just a thank you, but bonus materials, access, or perks that feel meaningful.

That insight shaped how Joe built Midnight Burger’s tiers.

Clear, familiar benefits work

Their tiers weren’t wildly different from other podcasts:

• Early access and ad-free episodes

• Patreon member-only Discord access

• Bonus material at higher tiers

• Merch starting at $5

When a tier grows bigger than expected

Joe calls out their $10 tier as a surprise success. They expected maybe a couple hundred members. Instead, more than 1,600 people joined.

One benefit includes reading members’ names at the end of each episode. It’s silly, chaotic, and the audience loves it. But Joe is honest about the risk: benefits can become a lot to deliver once they scale.

The question every creator should ask

Before adding a tier benefit, don't just ask if fans will like it. Ask:

Can I sustain this if my Patreon grows way bigger than I expect?

The best benefits are the ones you can deliver consistently, even if things really take off.

🧭 Review your action plan

• Now that you’ve heard a bit on how Midnight Burger built their tiers and content strategy around their fans, review these two sections of your action plan:

  • Craft your content strategy

  • Boost earnings with smart pricing and annual memberships

(If you need a copy of the action plan, you can download it at the bottom of the welcome post)

Next up: three Patreon settings and promo moves that helped Midnight Burger grow fast without adding a ton of extra work.

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