Reshaping the Creator Economy

In partnership with

During the New Media Summit in Lisbon, Jack Conte, co-founder of Patreon, talked about his platform and how it prioritizes connecting creators with their communities based on shared interests rather than mere follower counts. Unlike traditional social media, where content visibility is limited—such as the 2% reach on Facebook—Patreon aims to give creators access to their entire audience, fostering closer, more interactive relationships and making it easier to turn their passion into a sustainable business.

Rethinking Success: Followers vs. Engagement

The number of followers a creator has is less important than the quality and engagement of those followers. Many creators with more minor, dedicated audiences often succeed more than those with millions of followers on traditional platforms. This is because, historically, artists and creators haven’t measured their success by follower counts but rather by the value and impact of their work. Patreon, Kajabi, and Buy Me A Coffee aim to attract a unique audience: paying supporters who believe in the creator’s vision, turning “followers” into faithful patrons.

The Role of Content and Fan Value

Short-form content, like TikTok videos, has become a “discovery layer”—a way for creators to attract new fans and then direct them to platforms like podcasts and Patreon. While fans are hesitant to pay for short-form content, they are willing to support long-form, valuable, and exclusive content. Tools like Patreon fill this gap by enabling creators to offer unique content, like three free episodes followed by a paid fourth episode, making it easy to reward loyal fans.

Revenue Diversification and Platform Dependence

Creators increasingly know the need to diversify their revenue streams beyond a single platform. With social media, creators often “rent” their audience, adhering to platform rules that may not align with their creative goals. This new model offers a more stable connection, allowing creators to directly engage and monetize without worrying about algorithm changes or platform restrictions, a freedom critical for creative businesses to thrive.

AI, Copyright, and Content Protection

The rise of AI poses new challenges for the creator economy, particularly regarding content replication without permission. As seen with YouTube’s experience following the Viacom lawsuit, a wave of legal actions may drive AI regulation. For Patreon, safeguarding creators’ rights will be fundamental, with tools that integrate protective layers to manage and control content usage.

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