Recently, I’ve had several people ask me if I’m on Patreon. This ends up with a lot of back and forth questions so I thought I’d make it a blog post.
This way I cover questions I’ve been asked and explain my current position.
What is Patreon?
Rather than me explaining, I’ll let Patreon explain:
Patreon is a crowdfunding membership platform based in the United States that provides business tools for creators to run a subscription content service, with ways for artists to build relationships and provide exclusive experiences to their subscribers, or “patrons”.
What this means is that creators can receive regular funding that can help them focus and create more content.
Maybe even take risks and step up to try something else that they had been holding back due to lack of time and resources.
By having a regular fund coming in from subscribers can make it a lot easier to plan and implement new content.
Ari, are you on Patreon?
Yes and no.
Yes, I am as I have a Patreon Account, however, it’s so that I can be a Patron and support others at this time.
I appreciate that when people have asked me about being on Patreon, it’s to see if I have a platform as a creator.
For which, the answer is no.
Are you going on Patreon as a Creator?
Currently… no.
Firstly, it is so awesome that people have asked me about it because it shows me people enjoy my content and want to support me. How awesome is that!?
While I would love to be on Patreon as a creator, it’s not something I can do just yet.
Believe me, nothing would make me happier, but as of right now, I don’t have the extra time and energy to create consistent content to share on Patreon.
Patrons support the creator and in return gain rewards. Until I am able to develop rewards and then make a schedule to update my Patreon page regularly, I’m not going to be on there as a creator.
It would be too much pressure on me and not fair to my patrons if I failed to actually add content. Which, at this time, is exactly what would happen.
Will you ever?
Maybe.
My blog is chock-full of resources and articles that are free for people to peruse at their leisure. I also share my articles via social media and on deviantart. At the moment, that’s all I can manage.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with getting funding and support for creating content, after all it take a LOT of hard work and time and having that recognised is great. It’s why I’m a Patron on Patreon.
I’ve seen people get stick for being on places like Patreon and that’s wrong. Some people seem to think that everything should be free and that people who spend time researching, creating and writing should do it for the love of it only.
Yes we love creating, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t costs involved. No one would expect a mechanic, who loves working on cars, to do the work for free. So if a creator chooses to go on Patreon, they should not be punished for it.
So yeah, I’d love to start a Patreon page, but I don’t want to sacrifice what I already do just to be on a platform where I could make money, I don’t feel I could do it justice right now.
So until I have the time and energy to run both my free blog and a subscriber platform, I’m just going to stick with the free content.
I do have a digital tip jar in the form of a Ko-Fi (pronounced coffee) account where people can choose to support me.
I have been very fortune to receive support through my Ko-fi account, it’s incredible that people can be so generous.
However, money or not, I’ll continue to post on this blog as normal.
Thank you!
I just want to say a quick thank you to everyone who visits this blog, who interacts in the comments, who shares ideas for new tutorials or who shares the articles with others.
You make it all worthwhile. 🙂
Happy writing
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Author Ari Meghlen Official Website 
Thank you for this. I didn’t know what Patreon is, yet I see it on many blogs that I follow. And good for you for taking your time to consider what works best for you!
Thanks for your comment. I think people can become quick to jump onto different platforms without always taking the time to think about whether they can manage them all and give them the attention they deserve. While Patreon is great for giving rewards to loyal supporters, I feel it does need a lot of work and attention and I just couldn’t justify that yet. 🙂
I totally agree. I have only 2 or 3 sites I visit regularly and am reluctant to join or learn about others until I can give them more time.
I think that’s the best way to be. Dedicate time and energy to the ones you have, to get really deep into how they work and systems that work for you rather than just toe-dipping in everything. 🙂
Now I know what this is all about, Ari – a great explanation and I thought I might have been missing out on something. But now I know, I can sit happy knowing it isn’t for me. Cheers!
lol Glad I could be of help 🙂
I agree – Patreon seems like a whole load of work. If I ever decided to go full time as a writer, though, I might think about it more seriously.
Exactly, in order to make it worth your patrons’ time you would have to create constant content and value for their money and honestly, some days I struggle just to keep my blog going. I wouldn’t yet want the added burden of thinking “OMG I have to upload something for my patrons” every week. Like you, when time permits, maybe then I’ll take a look.
An exciting read. No one has ever asked me, and I’ve never really thought about it, but your post makes a lot of sense. Like you, I do not have the time to do something extra. Good for you for staying true to yourself and not trying to take advantage of others.
Thanks 🙂 I think it can become all too easy trying to jump on every single platform and opportunity which can leave a person stretched thin and unable to make full use of them. I have certain projects in the works but I want to give them a good amount of attention. Patreon, while great for gaining support from loyal followers, is just too much of a time commitment to even consider at this time.