You can do this in less than an hour with my practical tips. Bonus: importance of building a community on Patreon.
When I published my Substack Mastery book, I got in touch with some readers to obtain feedback on their first impressions.. One of the questions was which chapter was the most useful for them. It varied among readers, but one pattern emerged when I analyzed the data.
Readers from freelance writing backgrounds mentioned that they found the chapter about integrating Patreon with Medium and Substack the most interesting. They had never heard about it and did not know it was a thing. So, they found this chapter an eye-opener.
These discerning readers specifically asked me to write a new chapter or an article with practical tips for getting started with Patreon. Honoring their request, I created a short article to help readers who want to try Patreon.
Creating a Patreon account is one of the best ways for freelance writers to take control of their audience and turn casual readers into loyal supporters. Diversifying content for content creators is vital in this economic climate. We never know what might happen to any platform.
For those unfamiliar, Patreon is a platform that allows creators to build a membership-based community where supporters, known as “patrons,” can subscribe to support their work financially.
In exchange, patrons can access exclusive content, behind-the-scenes updates, or other perks creators choose to offer. It is a powerful tool for freelance writers to generate recurring income while developing a loyal reader base.
You can use Patreon for various purposes. I see it as a great extension to Medium and Substack so I encourage writers to integrate them. It is another great diversification tool and a fallback position in my experience.
For example, I use it for community building, easily communicating with my fans, marketing some of my books, and providing consultancy services to my clients. Patreon manages the transactions effectively, so I focus on creating content and supporting my readers, clients, and community members.
In this short guide, I will walk you through setting up and configuring your Patreon account in less than one hour. Those who missed the relevant chapter can find it at the below link:
Substack Mastery Book: Chapter 15
Why and How to Integrate Substack with Patreon for Compelling Reasons Based on Experience and Observations of…medium.com
I published many chapters for beta readers of the book, so you may find them at the links below.
Preface of “Substack Mastery” for Beta Readers, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16, Chapter 17, Chapter 18, Chapter 19…
For those interested in taking their Substack to another level, here is a link where you can buy the Substack Mastery book through multiple online bookstores globally. Those who prefer paperback can order it via Amazon.
The funds generated from the sales of this book will be donated to the management of the Substack Mastery site for the ILLUMINATION community. This education site also amplifies the newsletters of freelance writers.
Please remember to leave feedback if possible, as the purpose of sharing this book on this platform is to refine the final version of the book to make it a valuable knowledge source. I’d appreciate your review on Goodreads after completing the book.
How to Start Patreon and Become Successful
Step 1: Sign Up for a Patreon Account
- Go to Patreon.com.
- Click “Sign Up.”
- Choose your sign-up method: Google, Facebook, or email.
Step 2: Create Your Creator Profile
- Select “Create on Patreon.”
- Enter your creator’s name.
- Write a brief bio that might resonate with your target audience.
- Upload your profile picture and cover image to make your page visually appealing.
Step 3: Set Your Membership Tiers
- Decide on the membership levels (you can have up to 5 tiers).
- Name each tier and describe the benefits your patrons will receive.
- Consider offering limited-time exclusive benefits to encourage early sign-ups.
I set up 3-tiers, which work for me. You may get an idea from my profile.
Step 4: Set Up Payment Options
- Link your payout method: PayPal, direct bank transfer, or other available methods.
- Set your preferred currency.
Minimum payout thresholds may vary depending on the payout method you choose.
Step 5: Customize Your Page with Branding
- Upload your profile picture and cover image (if not done earlier).
- Add a welcome video (optional ).
- Ensure your page’s branding is consistent with your other platforms.
Step 6: Publish Your Patreon Page
- Review your setup to ensure everything is correct.
- Click “Publish” to make your page live.
- Share and promote your new Patreon page on social media, your website, and other platforms.
Practical Tips to Become Successful on Patreon
1 — Consistency
Create meaningful content and post regular updates, stories, book chapters, newsletters, videos, podcasts, or photos to engage your patrons.
2 — Meaningful Engagement
Interact with your supporters through chats, polls, comments, and personalized messages to build stronger connections.
3 — Offering Exclusive Benefits
Consider offering unique content, early access to your work, and personalized experiences for your higher-tier patrons.
By following these simple, powerful, and proven steps, you can build a successful Patreon profile and create a loyal community of supporters for your content. You can thank me later when you reap the benefits.
Why Writers Need to Build a Community
Some writers ask why I emphasize the community aspect of platforms so much. The answer is simple: platforms like Substack and Patreon can feel lonely and isolated without a strong community.
I learned this firsthand during my first six months on Medium, which was anything but enjoyable. I felt lonely and isolated. Building a supportive community changed everything.
Besides, I have yet to encounter any successful writer, bestselling author, or leading Substack creator who thrives without being part of or leading a community. Community isn’t just an add-on. It is necessary for lasting success.
Integrating Substack with Medium and Patreon is a great idea. To this end, as a community builder, I created a philanthropic organization that will empower creators, freelance writers, and content entrepreneurs with a commercial arm.
Here are our draft service definitions for creators, freelance writers, and content entrepreneurs. We will explain the details in our upcoming newsletter. Here is an invitation from a founding member.
If you are a writer on Medium and Substack, we have a new publication called Substack Mastery. You can join and share your Substack experience with your fellow writers and discerning readers. ILLUMINATION-Curators curate, feature, and promote newsletters of our contributors in collections like this one.
For advanced writers, we also have a publication called Curated Newsletters, which replaced the former ILLUMINATION-Curated. As I withdraw from the boost program, I now allocate more time to support writers in extending their services to Substack or other platforms.
Good news for writers: We made the publishing rules much more manageable for writers of ILLUMINATION, former ILLUMINATION-Curated now Curated Newsletters, Synergy (Newsletter Boosting), and Technology Hits. We will update the rest soon. Here are the links:
ILLUMINATION, Curated Newsletters, SYNERGY (Newsletter Booster), and Technology Hits.
You are welcome to join the ILLUMINATION Community on Medium and Substack and our education tool, Substack Mastery, curated by ILLUMINATION-Curators.
Would you like to be a Guest Blogger to create visibility for your content and profile?
I recently opened my website to welcome all writers as guest bloggers, offering a platform to boost visibility for your profiles, Medium stories, and Substack newsletters. I have outlined the compelling reasons to join our community blog in detail, making it an ideal space for authentic and ethical writers who want to share their work freely. If you want a supportive environment to amplify your voice, I have created this accessible and supportive place for you.
You can join me on Substack, where I offer experience-based content on health, content strategy, and technology topics to inform and inspire my readers.
Get an email whenever Dr Mehmet Yildiz publishes. He is a top writer and editor on Medium. dr-mehmet-yildiz.medium.com
My blogs and website offer free access to inspiring and educational stories for freelancers and content entrepreneurs. Membership Tiers and Benefits of ILLUMINATION Substack Mastery Community. Please use this portal to contact me with inquiries and feedback. You can also read my stories for free on my Substack. If you have a free WordPress account, you can read our community blogs using this link.
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