Creator Stories

How one tech creator designed a tool suite through community-funded support

How one tech creator designed a tool suite through community-funded support

Taryn Barnes

Tech creator Patrick Wardle leveraged his community support on Patreon to take his tool suite, Objective-See, from an aspirational passion project to a sustainable business.

How Patrick Hinds turned his true crime obsession into a career

How Patrick Hinds turned his true crime obsession into a career

Jordana Colomby

Learn how two true crime-obsessed comedians turned their passion into one of the most popular podcasts on Patreon.

Back to the Future & Back Again with Rose Eveleth

Back to the Future & Back Again with Rose Eveleth

Jordana Colomby

Rose is the "Head Futurologist" of her podcast network, Flash Forward Presents, where she talks about issues like immunity and voting rights, and helps us understand what our future as a human race might look like.

5 Patreon Podcasters Breaking the Mold

5 Patreon Podcasters Breaking the Mold

Patreon

These five Patreon podcasters are getting creative with their untraditional show formats and patron benefits.

Meet these top Patreon podcasters

Meet these top Patreon podcasters

Jordana Colomby

Here on Patreon, we’re lucky to have the best of the best creating podcasts about everything from Canadian politics to fantasy football. We’re talking about industry leaders who are changing the future of the medium and inspiring others to do the same. They’re showing the creative community that there’s always room to do something different, […]

After Being Censored on Instagram, Feminist Activists Are Turning to Patreon

After Being Censored on Instagram, Feminist Activists Are Turning to Patreon

Laura Thibault

After taking Facebook to court, several members of this activist group critical of the social network’s moderation policy have opted for Patreon, which they feel is a freer and safer space to express themselves.

Carla Lalli Music is creating a community from the comfort of her kitchen

Carla Lalli Music is creating a community from the comfort of her kitchen

Patreon

After leaving Bon Appetit video, Carla Lalli Music moved to Patreon to create something that felt as authentic to herself as it would to her community: Carla’s Cooking Show.

A Man, A Van, and the Latest Releases: How Pretty Much It Made 2020 Work

A Man, A Van, and the Latest Releases: How Pretty Much It Made 2020 Work

Jordana Colomby

When COVID-19 came along and confined Eric to his van — yes, he lives in a van — he could no longer make the comedic commentary tracks his long-time listeners know and love. So he did what so many creators had to do: he took a chance.

15 Patreon Artists You Should Know About

15 Patreon Artists You Should Know About

Mark Hill

Want to learn something? Need a laugh? Or do you just feel like taking a trip to a strange new world full of magical, musical frogs? These Patreon artists have you covered.

Joe Budden Connects Directly With His Community on Patreon

Joe Budden Connects Directly With His Community on Patreon

Patreon

On September 23, 2020, popular podcast host Joe Budden aired his last episode of The Joe Budden Podcast on Spotify with the vision of building a new home on his own terms. While contemplating his next move, he met with Jack, and the connection was instantaneous. We’re pleased to announce that Patreon is the new […]

Making Comedy During A Very Unfunny Time

Making Comedy During A Very Unfunny Time

Lydia Bugg

Andrew Callaghan is in the middle of the Portland Protests. He’s interviewing a group of young activists, faces covered because of the coronavirus, carrying a leaf blower to fend off tear gas. They talk passionately about their reasons for protesting. The camera pans in on a totally normal couple a little ways behind the protestors, […]

When YouTube stood between YaBoyRoshi and their community, they took their community to Patreon

When YouTube stood between YaBoyRoshi and their community, they took their community to Patreon

Matt St. John

After YouTube shut down their channel for three months, here's how YaBoyRoshi is bouncing back.

Loish finds the sweet spot between career and self-expression

Loish finds the sweet spot between career and self-expression

Matt St. John

The artist and animator Loish opens up about working on the video game Horizon Zero Dawn, and how her patrons are helping her reconnect with the joy of creation.

Enter the Mystical World of Anya Boz’s Room Guardians

Enter the Mystical World of Anya Boz’s Room Guardians

Fiona Tapp and Matt St. John

A mink with wings, a sloth with rainbow fur. Anya Boz brings fantasy creatures to life with her realistic figurines.

RAC doesn’t get a dime when you stream his major-label debut, Strangers — here’s why

RAC doesn’t get a dime when you stream his major-label debut, Strangers — here’s why

Matt St. John

Grammy Award-winning producer, RAC, follows the money on his major-label debut, Strangers.

How Creating Your Own Opportunities Builds Diversity and Representation in Journalism

How Creating Your Own Opportunities Builds Diversity and Representation in Journalism

Lior Phillips

The days of only knowing a reporter through a byline are over. Read on to learn how journalists and readers are working together to change the face of journalism.

German Singer-Songwriter Mogli Embraces Vulnerability to Connect with Fans

German Singer-Songwriter Mogli Embraces Vulnerability to Connect with Fans

Lior Phillips

The artist shares how owning her career means honesty and transparency through her art and building a candid connection to her fans.

How UK Producer and Beatboxer Beardyman Found Success Outside of The Big Machine

How UK Producer and Beatboxer Beardyman Found Success Outside of The Big Machine

Caitlin White

Beardyman opens up about the democratization of creativity and sustaining his unique music career through authentic audience connection.

Leesa Renee Hall Is Examining Unconscious Bias, One Question at a Time

Leesa Renee Hall Is Examining Unconscious Bias, One Question at a Time

Jasmine Williams

Writer and anti-bias facilitator Leesa Renee Hall has the writing prompts that we all need right now.

The Free Black Women’s Library is Curating Cultural Consciousness

The Free Black Women’s Library is Curating Cultural Consciousness

Candace McDuffie

Founder OlaRonke Akinmowo sees a future where sharing and reading are at the center of eradicating internalized stereotypes.

Have Your Party Here: How Rhythm Section is Expanding their Mentorship and Music Movement Online

Have Your Party Here: How Rhythm Section is Expanding their Mentorship and Music Movement Online

Erica Campbell

We spoke with founder Bradley Zero Phillip to learn how the independent, multifaceted musical organization is expanding their global music movement.

André Allen Anjos aka RAC is Remixing Nostalgia with the Present Moment

André Allen Anjos aka RAC is Remixing Nostalgia with the Present Moment

Caitlin White

With fans who are used to gathering digitally, and a pension for the present moment, musician and record producer RAC is releasing his latest album and building community with Patreon.

Watch: A Day in the Life of a Creator in Quarantine

Watch: A Day in the Life of a Creator in Quarantine

Fiona Tapp

In this video Jack Conte asks three YouTube stars to film a typical day under quarantine to get a glimpse of how they are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

We Asked Musicians How They’re Handling The New Normal

We Asked Musicians How They’re Handling The New Normal

Caitlin White

Now more than ever, musicians are tapping into Patreon as a resource to stay connected to fans and move forward with their careers, here’s how.

Tips on Live-streaming From Singer-songwriter, Megan Slankard

Tips on Live-streaming From Singer-songwriter, Megan Slankard

Leanna Lee

Looking for advice on how to set up and monetize your live-stream? San Francisco based musician, Megan Slankard, has got you covered.

Part 1: Idea & Script Development | So You Want to Make a Fiction (or Any) Podcast

Part 1: Idea & Script Development | So You Want to Make a Fiction (or Any) Podcast

Multitude

Amanda McLoughlin and Eric Silver from Multitude, a podcast collective and production studio, are writing a weekly series about creating fiction podcasts, from ideation and scriptwriting to marketing and promotion, and everything in between.

So You Want to Make a Fiction (or Any) Podcast: A How-To Series by Multitude

So You Want to Make a Fiction (or Any) Podcast: A How-To Series by Multitude

Multitude

Amanda McLoughlin and Eric Silver from Multitude, a podcast collective and production studio, are writing a weekly series about creating fiction podcasts, from ideation and scriptwriting to marketing and promotion, and everything in between.

How Venues and Local Businesses use Patreon to Keep Going During the Pandemic

How Venues and Local Businesses use Patreon to Keep Going During the Pandemic

Patreon

Patreon is a place for creators, but we are also a home for places of creativity. That’s why we want to help local businesses like music venues, studios, clubs, and restaurants thrive during the coronavirus pandemic.

Resources for Fans and Creators During the Pandemic

Resources for Fans and Creators During the Pandemic

Caitlin White

We've pulled together resources for fans looking to support creatives and artists looking for ways to garner support during the Covid-19 pandemic.

How German Musician Rival is Connecting with Fans Outside the Algorithm

How German Musician Rival is Connecting with Fans Outside the Algorithm

Fiona Tapp

Most fans don’t know what goes into making a song, but German “melodic trap” artist Rival is giving his audience a behind the scenes look at the intricate process with Patreon.

Sara Faber is Illustrating a Successful Creative Career

Sara Faber is Illustrating a Successful Creative Career

Caitlin White

After her childhood love for drawing resurfaced, Sara knew the only way to follow her artistic dreams was quitting her day job. But then what?

Easy German is Making The World Smaller and Better

Easy German is Making The World Smaller and Better

Amanda Derrick

Through their niche method of “cultural exchange” and language learning, Easy German is teaching and inspiring students across the globe.

Hainbach’s Music is a Collaborative Experiment with His Community

Hainbach’s Music is a Collaborative Experiment with His Community

Fiona Tapp

Rejecting the “new shiny” Hainbach is experimenting and connecting by finding new ways to make and share his music.

For Einstürzende Neubauten, Creative Freedom is Nothing New

For Einstürzende Neubauten, Creative Freedom is Nothing New

Leanna Lee

Pioneering musical act, Einstürzende Neubauten, have been expanding the limits of rock and industrial for over 40 years. To learn why independence has always been vital to the band's music, read on.

How Judith Holofernes Made The Move From Platinum Pop Star to Indie Creator

How Judith Holofernes Made The Move From Platinum Pop Star to Indie Creator

Jasmine Williams

When Judith left her band Wir sind Helden, she was burnt out and ready for a change. Now the independent musician, writer, and podcaster is charting her own path on Patreon.

Painter Lioba Brueckner on quitting her day job to focus on art full time

Painter Lioba Brueckner on quitting her day job to focus on art full time

Muriel Vega

After studying painting at an art academy in Germany, surrealist painter Lioba Brueckner didn't feel prepared for a career as an artist. To find out how she went from having a day job to being a full-time painter, read on.

Independence is key to Berlin Food Stories’ unbiased restaurant reviews

Independence is key to Berlin Food Stories’ unbiased restaurant reviews

Caitlin White

Readers love Berlin Food Stories for its unbiased take on where to eat in Germany's capital. Read on to learn why independence is so important its founder, Per Meurling (and to his hungry audience).

Ani DiFranco On Why She Never Signed With a Major Label

Ani DiFranco On Why She Never Signed With a Major Label

Fiona Tapp

Ani DiFranco opens up about her new memoir, balancing family time with touring, and why she's always been an independent artist.

How Award-Winning Photographer Anne Geddes is Taking Back Her Creative Career

How Award-Winning Photographer Anne Geddes is Taking Back Her Creative Career

Amanda Derrick

The internet turned Anne Geddes photography career upside down but now she’s using it to return to her creative work

Interview with illustrator Jacqueline Chen, creator of Chibird

Interview with illustrator Jacqueline Chen, creator of Chibird

Matt St. John

Having a rough day? There's nothing like a hug from a penguin to get you feeling like yourself again. To hear Jacqueline Chen, the creator of Chibird, talk about the inspiration behind her motivational drawing series, watch now.

American McGee Is Changing the Way Video Games Are Made

American McGee Is Changing the Way Video Games Are Made

Matt St. John

Major video games are usually made behind closed doors. But with Alice:Asylum, game designer American McGee’s latest project, he’s throwing all those rules out the window.

The Perfect Holiday Gift Guide For Your Favorite Creator

The Perfect Holiday Gift Guide For Your Favorite Creator

Caitlin White

We asked our creator community about the most meaningful gifts they've received and their answers may surprise you.

Comedian Patton Oswalt Talks Creative Risk, Fear, and Creating Something New

Comedian Patton Oswalt Talks Creative Risk, Fear, and Creating Something New

Patreon

The comedian, actor, and author Patton Oswalt shares how success means overcoming fear and not being afraid to start over.

Kate Allan Is Drawing so We Can All Feel Better

Kate Allan Is Drawing so We Can All Feel Better

Matt St. John

Kate Allan describes her art as Lisa Frank meets your therapist." But she isn't just drawing sparkly unicorns so we can feel better — she's doing it so she can feel better, too."

Show Us What You’ve #MadeWithPatrons

Show Us What You’ve #MadeWithPatrons

Patreon

#MadeWithPatrons is your opportunity to share a kickass project your patrons helped fund that makes you proud to be a creator. We’ll choose and share stories out on social media to celebrate all that amazing work with our community of other creators.

Killer Mike Explains How ‘Overnight Success’ Can Take A Decade Of Planning

Killer Mike Explains How ‘Overnight Success’ Can Take A Decade Of Planning

Caitlin White

The rapper and self-made entrepreneur Killer Mike explains that true independence relies on interdependence.

Whitney Cummings Fearlessly Transmutes Failure Into Success

Whitney Cummings Fearlessly Transmutes Failure Into Success

Caitlin White

Whitney Cummings isn’t afraid of making mistakes, instead she sees her failures for what they really are — steps to success.

Why Paul Scheer’s Secret to Success is Putting Creativity First

Why Paul Scheer’s Secret to Success is Putting Creativity First

Leanna Lee

To Paul Scheer, the award-winning performer, creative, and dad, success has more to do creating than selling yourself.

Why Would a Rapper Get in the Ring with a Pro-Wrestler? Ask Open Mike Eagle.

Why Would a Rapper Get in the Ring with a Pro-Wrestler? Ask Open Mike Eagle.

Matt St. John

When rapper Open Mike Eagle was called out in a tweet by pro-wrestler Shiloh Jonze, he didn't just tweet back — he put on spandex and got in the ring. To learn more about Open Mike Eagle's journey from rapper to wrestler, read on.

WATCH: Patreon Creator Panel Live from Chicago

WATCH: Patreon Creator Panel Live from Chicago

Amanda Derrick

As part of our live Patreon Assembly event we hosted a creativity focused panel in Chicago with local creators. Here’s what we learned: