4 ms·

Ahh Patreon, the middle man helping uneducated or uncaring musicians raise money through performing cover songs but probably not paying the mechanical license r

Ahh Patreon, the middle man helping uneducated or uncaring musicians raise money through performing cover songs but probably not paying the mechanical license rates to the authors. Just like Conte's Pomplamoose. Not a fan. Fortunately I'm of the belief that the serf-patron model isn't viable so I do at least have their eventual disbanding to look forward to in time.

ghrifter 11y ago
Another big part of the Patreons I see are for YouTubers. If YouTube's donate/support YouTuber option was better, it could hurt Patreon a bit.
CharlesW 11y ago
> …but probably not paying the mechanical license rates to the authors. Just like Conte's Pomplamoose. Pomplamoose pays mechanical licenses for their covers. "The duo buys mechanical licenses for all of its covers online, which is a quick and easy process." — http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125783271 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1257832... Not only that, but they've helped lots of other musicians learn about licensing (via Twitter, on podcasts, etc.), and how to do the right thing.
lips 11y ago
I find it frustrating and confusing that Patreon conjures this image, and that there's good reason for that. The platform itself is sorely underutilized by large groups of people for who it's very suitable: Animal Rescue (Rescue (many species), Trap Neuter Release), homeless outreach and care, harm-reduction, etc. All of these groups require ongoing funding, and are positioned to provide monthly backers with evidence of the funds good-use. Obviously, if they're large enough to have 501c3 status and an active fundraising branch, it's less useful, but it would be gratifying to see Patreon attempt to enable grassroots work.
jsprogrammer 11y ago
Do you have a link to the detailed breakdown of Patreon's fee sources that you pulled your observation from? At least one person I saw on there was pulling down 10K/month to produce what appears to be a regular review of classic video games.
- dominotw 11y ago
  I too have several people pulling in > 5k/month doing game reviews and activism. I would like to get a perspective from people who are doing the funding.
  - jasonlotito 11y ago
    > I would like to get a perspective from people who are doing the funding. Funding in general, or funding in those specific cases? I fund an Indie band that despite what the OP claims writes their own music and tours. I support them because I enjoy their music, they are nice people, I've met them in person, and want them to know that I value their efforts and this is a way for me to encourage them to continue. Not sure if this answers your question, or if it was even what you were looking for.
  - ghrifter 11y ago
    I support two YouTubers on Patreon - mainly because they dont get a ton of views but their quality is on point. As a YouTube maker, AdSense money is an absolute pittance (1000 views+ for $1 or less). Patreon is a great way to support these video makers.
  - 1123581321 11y ago
    I support a strategy games podcast that has existed for a few hundred episodes and recently started to ask for money. I do it because it helps make the podcast sustainable (the show's host and editor are full-time freelancers.) However, I don't give enough to hit any tier because just as I don't like burdensome Kickstarter rewards, I don't like Patreon rewards which take extra time when I'm giving to compensate for the time burden. I don't like that Patreon has "won" the recurring support market but I like the model very much.
cldellow 11y ago
Eh, I'd advise caution with your generalizations. I support a web comic that rakes in $226/month drawing cats with exceptional financial acumen. My wife supports a knitting ezine that rakes in $17,000 per issue.
- harryh 11y ago
  Um, link for the cats? That sounds like a comic I would enjoy!
  - cldellow 11y ago
    Tom Fonder's Adventures of Business Cat. The humour's a bit different, but I like it. The archives are small; his Patreon covers some other projects that he's working on, too. Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/tomfonder?ty=h https://www.patreon.com/tomfonder?ty=h Some samples: http://www.businesscat.happyjar.com/comic/photocopier/ http://www.businesscat.happyjar.com/comic/photocopier/ http://www.businesscat.happyjar.com/comic/redundancies/ http://www.businesscat.happyjar.com/comic/redundancies/ http://www.businesscat.happyjar.com/comic/numbers/ http://www.businesscat.happyjar.com/comic/numbers/
- 6stringmerc 11y ago
  Completely different animal, to stay relevant to your topic. That's an original work. No derivative conditions appy. I was being specific about the music part. I don't see any information on the site about it either, though if it's there and I've missed it, I'd be willing to read it and revise my take if needed.
onewaystreet 11y ago
The top patreon creators are mostly all gaming/art/video related: http://www.pledgesociety.com/?by=monthly-earnings&category=all http://www.pledgesociety.com/?by=monthly-earnings&category=a.... No musicians.
Fomite 11y ago
In the tabletop gaming world, it's being used to support lots of people (myself included, in a small way) produce higher-budget content that's not a single product that's Kickstarter friendly. It's way better than the alternative - ad support in that arena has just resulted in most of the "top" sites being slathered with banners.

ghrifter 11y ago

Another big part of the Patreons I see are for YouTubers. If YouTube's donate/support YouTuber option was better, it could hurt Patreon a bit.

CharlesW 11y ago

> …but probably not paying the mechanical license rates to the authors. Just like Conte's Pomplamoose. Pomplamoose pays mechanical licenses for their covers. "The duo buys mechanical licenses for all of its covers online, which is a quick and easy process." — http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125783271 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1257832... Not only that, but they've helped lots of other musicians learn about licensing (via Twitter, on podcasts, etc.), and how to do the right thing.

lips 11y ago

I find it frustrating and confusing that Patreon conjures this image, and that there's good reason for that. The platform itself is sorely underutilized by large groups of people for who it's very suitable: Animal Rescue (Rescue (many species), Trap Neuter Release), homeless outreach and care, harm-reduction, etc. All of these groups require ongoing funding, and are positioned to provide monthly backers with evidence of the funds good-use. Obviously, if they're large enough to have 501c3 status and an active fundraising branch, it's less useful, but it would be gratifying to see Patreon attempt to enable grassroots work.

jsprogrammer 11y ago

Do you have a link to the detailed breakdown of Patreon's fee sources that you pulled your observation from? At least one person I saw on there was pulling down 10K/month to produce what appears to be a regular review of classic video games.

dominotw 11y ago
I too have several people pulling in > 5k/month doing game reviews and activism. I would like to get a perspective from people who are doing the funding.
- jasonlotito 11y ago
  > I would like to get a perspective from people who are doing the funding. Funding in general, or funding in those specific cases? I fund an Indie band that despite what the OP claims writes their own music and tours. I support them because I enjoy their music, they are nice people, I've met them in person, and want them to know that I value their efforts and this is a way for me to encourage them to continue. Not sure if this answers your question, or if it was even what you were looking for.
- ghrifter 11y ago
  I support two YouTubers on Patreon - mainly because they dont get a ton of views but their quality is on point. As a YouTube maker, AdSense money is an absolute pittance (1000 views+ for $1 or less). Patreon is a great way to support these video makers.
- 1123581321 11y ago
  I support a strategy games podcast that has existed for a few hundred episodes and recently started to ask for money. I do it because it helps make the podcast sustainable (the show's host and editor are full-time freelancers.) However, I don't give enough to hit any tier because just as I don't like burdensome Kickstarter rewards, I don't like Patreon rewards which take extra time when I'm giving to compensate for the time burden. I don't like that Patreon has "won" the recurring support market but I like the model very much.

cldellow 11y ago

Eh, I'd advise caution with your generalizations. I support a web comic that rakes in $226/month drawing cats with exceptional financial acumen. My wife supports a knitting ezine that rakes in $17,000 per issue.

harryh 11y ago
Um, link for the cats? That sounds like a comic I would enjoy!
- cldellow 11y ago
  Tom Fonder's Adventures of Business Cat. The humour's a bit different, but I like it. The archives are small; his Patreon covers some other projects that he's working on, too. Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/tomfonder?ty=h https://www.patreon.com/tomfonder?ty=h Some samples: http://www.businesscat.happyjar.com/comic/photocopier/ http://www.businesscat.happyjar.com/comic/photocopier/ http://www.businesscat.happyjar.com/comic/redundancies/ http://www.businesscat.happyjar.com/comic/redundancies/ http://www.businesscat.happyjar.com/comic/numbers/ http://www.businesscat.happyjar.com/comic/numbers/
6stringmerc 11y ago
Completely different animal, to stay relevant to your topic. That's an original work. No derivative conditions appy. I was being specific about the music part. I don't see any information on the site about it either, though if it's there and I've missed it, I'd be willing to read it and revise my take if needed.

onewaystreet 11y ago

The top patreon creators are mostly all gaming/art/video related: http://www.pledgesociety.com/?by=monthly-earnings&category=all http://www.pledgesociety.com/?by=monthly-earnings&category=a.... No musicians.

Fomite 11y ago

In the tabletop gaming world, it's being used to support lots of people (myself included, in a small way) produce higher-budget content that's not a single product that's Kickstarter friendly. It's way better than the alternative - ad support in that arena has just resulted in most of the "top" sites being slathered with banners.