Patreon, the crowdfunding platform, has launched new automated tools to help content creators convert their free followers into paying members. Following the addition of features like e-commerce and free subscriptions last year, the platform now introduces a new feature called ‘Autopilot.’
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Subscribe (it's FREE) ►According to Patreon, Autopilot predicts which free followers are most likely to become paying subscribers and sends them emails with discount offers. Additionally, it is also used to promote products from creators’ stores on the platform. In fact, according to company data, each month 400,000 free followers become paying subscribers, and during testing, ‘Autopilot’ increased this rate by an average of 19%.
Jack Conte, founder and CEO of Patreon, has been critical in the past of social media algorithms like Instagram or TikTok, stating that they do not guarantee that content reaches followers. However, Patreon has now introduced a discovery tab that suggests new creators who might interest users, based on their current subscriptions.
Simultaneously, Patreon has implemented new monetization methods beyond monthly subscriptions. Since June, content creators can sell individual posts or content bundles through one-time payments, instead of relying exclusively on monthly subscriptions. Initial tests revealed that more than 45% of these one-time purchases come from new followers, suggesting that the feature could be a new source of income for creators.
Patreon mentions as an example the music teacher Gracie Terzian, who started selling music lessons as one-time purchases, which increased her income by 20%. Although it is still early to assess the full impact of this feature, Patreon is confident that it will be beneficial for both the platform and the creators, as both depend on mutual financial success.
