Creating a Patreon Community
My first steps at creating an audience for my work.
I write and make photos. I do a good job at putting those together into book for that people enjoy. But I am not a good sales man. I just don’t have the drive when it comes to finding the audience for that work and getting them to dig into their pockets to pay for it. I’ve done sales. I know I could do it. But for my own work I often loose drive when it gets to that point. I often am working on the next thing by then. That truth might be seen as being lazy, but I see it as being dedicated to the process of creating.
Another detractor to sales is that it seems like it ends up being close friends and family that is always buying my work. I am sure they are happy to but to keep asking them over and over is tough. It can be too much too often. I don’t want the burden of support to be on their shoulders but even more important is that I want my work to reach a larger audience.
That (among other things) is what has led me to the decision to start a Patreon account. I have watched other creatives take to Patreon and create a community of supporters on it. That is very appealing to me. I love the idea of having a community of people that I send books, prints, etc. In return they spend $5 a month or whatever works for them. It is not a money making venture, rather a way for me to build and connect with collectors of my work.
I currently have one supporter and that is okay, it is the start. As I publish more books I am going to spread the word that they are made and available to my Patreon community. I hope this slowly builds a dedicated community. I am also giving that community more insight into my work. I am writing updates on the progress of my projects and posting videos of me walking through my photos.
As things grow I might have to change my support rewards and what not but my approach to create a community will not change. I need to hold true to that factor.
I am new to this (obviously) and there are no guarantees that this will work. But if you have questions or suggestions, please reach out. And if you are so inclined I would love to have you become part of my community on Patreon.
