Defining your Patreon

You’re here!

That must mean you either want to start a Patreon or you’re thinking about freshening up the one you have. Let’s do this.

✅ Looking for a quick checklist format? Check out our pre-launch checklist: a no-frills version of this launch collection, complete with an interactive checklist you can use to mark off your progress.

Use it on its own, or as a handy companion as your work through this collection.

A lot of creators jump straight into building their Patreon… and then realize they’re not sure what they’re offering.

That’s ok! You’ve got support. This post, along with the full Launch collection, will provide you with guidance and advice on ways to design and build your Patreon so you’re ready to launch.

So, where should you start? Great question!

Let’s start by getting clear with what Patreon is.

Patreon is less of a social network, and more of a creativity network. Unlike modern social media platforms that rely on attention and ad revenue, Patreon is designed to help creators and fans build real, mutually beneficial relationships around their deepest interests. We do this by offering a range of tools to help you get closer to the fans you already have, plus a built-in feed designed to help you attract potential new fans with similar interests without having to recruit them from other platforms.

Think of Patreon like a tree. We provide the “trunk” and structure to grow your business. You branch out from there: memberships, chats, livestreams, content drops, short-form Quips, real-world experiences, or whatever you think will excite fans like yours.

Our goal is to bring you closer to fans who are as invested in what you make as you are, so that you can grow a real, lasting community—not just a follower count. As you find your voice, stretch into new mediums, and build your business, that audience is yours to keep.

But because every creator’s community is a little different, there’s no one “right” way to use Patreon. We offer a lot of flexibility in the way you can use our tools so you can set up your business the way you want.

So now let’s talk about YOUR Patreon.

Get clear before you build

It’s so tempting to jump right in, design your page, and click “publish.” We’ll get there soon! Promise!

First, think about your Patreon idea and try to answer these three questions:

1. Who’s it for? (your audience)

2. What will they get? (your offering)

3. Why does it matter? (your unique value)

Who’s it for?

“Anyone who likes my stuff.”

Tempting answer, but aim to be more specific.

• Is it your superfans who want more access and exclusive media?

• The people who are curious about your process?

• Your community who want to connect with you and each other?

Or maybe it’s all of those groups, but you offer something unique for each. Which brings us to the next question…

What will they get?

Consider what you love to create. What energizes you. What’s a natural offering that fits with the work you’re already doing.

Most fans come to your Patreon for exclusive media.

Here are a few examples of what that can look like:

Bonus deep dives

Perhaps you’re a long-form documentary video creator. You release your main video publicly, then share a “part two” with members that features extra media, unused footage, or a rough cut that goes deeper into the story.

Opportunities for live interaction

Let’s say you’re a true crime podcaster. Once a quarter, you can use Patreon’s livestream feature to host a live recording of an episode where members can join and watch.

Or a crafter who hosts a monthly knitting and wine livestream hangout.

“Yes, absolutely, people show up wanting to support you but also they want additional content. They want something that says to them they are supporting this show other than a thank you." - Joe Fisher from the Patreon Midnight Burger

Chatting directly with you and other members

Maybe you’re a finance creator talking about market trends. You might create a community chat where members can discuss daily stock movements and share insights with each other.

Behind-the-scenes access

Imagine you’re a watercolor artist. In addition to sharing the final piece, you can show the sketch, a draft of the design you didn’t use, or the version right before the final. Members get to see your creative process and how it all comes together.

Why does it matter?

You have something unique and valuable to offer. This is your chance to tell people why they should join today instead of “someday.”

Sometimes that reason is about what you want to create:

• Are you starting a new creative series?

• Trying a new format?

• Going deeper into a topic your audience already loves?

• Opening up your creative process for the first time?

And sometimes it’s about what you haven’t been able to create elsewhere:

• Are there things you want to create that don’t quite fit on other platforms?

• Do you want more control over how you share and monetize your work?

• Are you looking for a space where you can go deeper without having to simplify or cut things down?

If you already have a strong idea, use these questions to sharpen it.

If you’re still figuring it out, take time to explore your niche. Check out other creators similar to you. Get some ideas and inspiration.

⚡Pro Tip: Check out the Audience + Pitch Worksheet! It guides you through the questions so you don’t feel the pressure of staring at a blank page.

Note: The worksheet link will prompt you to make your own copy so you can fill it in (this requires a Google account). You can also download a PDF version at the bottom of this post.

Say it clearly

You’ve done the thinking part. Time to turn your idea into something you can clearly say out loud.

Take your answers from the questions above (Who’s it for? What will they get? Why does it matter?) and turn it into a 1-2 sentence pitch. You can also use the linked Audience + Pitch Worksheet for this!

Think of it like a fill-in-the-blank game:

For (who), my Patreon gives you (what). (Why).

Need a little inspo? Here a few examples:

📃 For true crime readers who can’t wait to see what happens next , my Patreon gives you early access to new chapters, bonus scenes, and behind-the-scenes notes on my true writing process so you can be part of the story as it unfolds.

🎶 For fans of my music who want more than just the final track, my Patreon gives you unreleased beats, early drops of new songs, and livestream DJ sets so you can hear what I’m creating in real time and go deeper into the sound.

When you feel good about your pitch, you can use it to talk about your Patreon across platforms.

⚡Pro Tip: Keep it simple, make it repeatable. Because if you can say it clearly, you can design it clearly.

🧭 Your next steps

Remember: you’re just getting started. You don’t need a finished version. You need a clear direction.

Use the Audience + Pitch Worksheet to:

• Define who your Patreon is for, what they'll get, and why it matters

• Craft your 1-2 sentence pitch

And know this is just version one. You can refine it as you grow!

Next up: Designing your Patreon experience.

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