Patreon

Patreon is an online membership platform founded in 2013 by musician Jack Conte and developer Sam Yam that enables creators to generate recurring income through monthly subscriptions or tiered memberships, exchanging unique perks such as behind‑the‑scenes material, early releases, private community updates, bonus episodes, tutorials, or downloadable assets for supporters; by allowing fans to pay a regular fee rather than relying solely on advertisements or one‑time sales, Patreon empowers artists, YouTubers, podcasters, writers, and educators to sustain their work and foster tighter connections with their audiences, and many creators pair Patreon with other channels like YouTube or podcast networks to diversify earnings while providing devoted followers with added value—turning fan enthusiasm into a stable membership‑based revenue stream.