Desiree, a financial content creator, uploaded videos to YouTube off and on for 5 years without ever seeing a financial return. With 150,000 views, she felt like she was wasting her time.
She was looking for a way to generate income without relying on ad revenue, and the answer came from her viewers who requested detailed step-by-step videos. They wanted to open certain financial accounts and begin trading, but they lacked the confidence to take the necessary steps without guidance.
Inspired by the success of platforms like Netflix and Patreon, Desiree saw the potential in offering exclusive content to her most engaged viewers. She created a Patreon account, offering in-depth step-by-step guides and personalized advice in exchange for a monthly fee.
Her first subscription was for just $5 per month, but it was enough to keep her enthusiasm going.
In a few weeks, she had over 20 subscribers, and in 6 months there were over a hundred of them, marking the start of her journey to make YouTube a full-time income source. Now a year later, she is earning a respectable income just from Patreon.
The beauty of a subscription model is you can earn good money with a loyal, smaller audience, compared to the vast, yet elusive, monetized views required on YouTube.
Why Subscriptions Work
- Recurring revenue – Predictable monthly income, unlike one-time purchases.
- Loyal customers – Cater to a dedicated audience willing to pay for premium content.
- Low barrier to entry – No need for millions of followers or significant capital.
- Scalability – Potential for substantial income as the subscriber base grows.
Desiree’s Key Takeaways
Focus on value – She offers exclusive content that solves specific problems or provides personalized guidance.
Start small – She began building her audience and refining her offer before scaling up.
Be consistent – She posts free videos every single week, and at the end of each video she clearly states the benefits of joining her Patreon subscription.
Use social proof – At the end of each video, she also thanks all of her new subscribers by name. This makes her new subscribers feel good, likely makes them stick with her longer, and shows people on the fence that others are already enjoying the benefits of subscribing.
Desiree’s Plans
While her current income is good, she knows she can earn a great deal more. She’s gaining new audiences on other social media platforms by linking to her free videos, and she has plans to team up with other financial experts to further expand her audience.
To her way of thinking, she’s barely scratched the surface of how far she can take this business model.
Best of all, she loves helping others to become financially independent through her videos.
Desiree has been compiling advice she’s received from her fellow Patreon users, and she was kind enough to share the list of tips with us:
Patreon Content Strategy
Offer exclusive content – Provide premium content on Patreon that can’t be found on your YouTube channel. This could include early access to videos, extended cuts, behind-the-scenes footage, personalized Q&A sessions, or in-depth tutorials.
Tier your rewards – Create different tiers with varying price points and benefits. This allows viewers to choose a level that suits their budget and interests. Your top tier might be a mastermind or even personalized coaching.
Maintain consistency – Upload regularly to both platforms to keep your audience engaged and excited about supporting you. Consider once weekly to be the minimum. Break longer videos into multiple shorter videos to emphasize how much content is available.
Promote cross-pollination – Mention your Patreon on your YouTube videos and vice versa. Link to your Patreon in your video descriptions and social media profiles.
Interact with your patrons – Respond to comments, answer questions, and show appreciation for their support. Build a strong community on both platforms.
Patreon Optimization
Craft a compelling description – Clearly explain what patrons get for their money and why they should support you. Make it sound irresistible.
Showcase your work – Include high-quality visuals and examples of your exclusive content, and then let them know there is a lot more available to subscribers.
Offer personalized rewards – Consider offering personalized shoutouts, merchandise, or other unique perks for higher tiers.
Run polls and surveys – Engage your patrons and get their feedback to improve your content and rewards. Hold contests, offer rewards for user-generated content and testimonials, and all around just make it fun, interesting, and engaging.
Utilize Patreon features – Explore features like live streaming, polls, and merch stores to further engage your patrons.
Additional Tips
Be transparent – Clearly communicate your goals and how the money from Patreon will be used. “Your subscription supports this channel and allows us to continue offering exclusive content available nowhere else that benefits you in this way, this way, and this way.”
Be authentic – Stay true to your personality and interests to connect with your audience on a deeper level. Be yourself or be an even better version of yourself. Just don’t be boring.
Be patient – Building a successful Patreon community takes time and effort. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. That first $5 subscription might not seem like much, but it can be the first drop in a deluge of new subscribers that eventually lets you live the life you choose.
Learn from others – Study successful creators on Patreon and YouTube to see what strategies work for them. Take notes. Figure out what they’re doing right and how you can apply this information to your own business.
Network and collaborate – Partner with other creators in your niche for cross-promotion and audience expansion. Choose your partners carefully.
Bottom Line:
Quality content is key – Both on YouTube and Patreon, creating high-quality and engaging content is crucial for attracting viewers and patrons.
Focus on building a community – Foster a sense of connection and belonging with your audience on both platforms.
Provide value – Always offer something unique and valuable to your patrons in exchange for their support.
By following these tips and tailoring them to your specific niche and audience, you can leverage the power of both YouTube and Patreon to build a successful and sustainable income stream.
