A Letter From Patreon’s Head of Podcasts

It’s protected to say that what we’re collectively experiencing in the meanwhile is unprecedented and can seemingly have ramifications on the best way we stay for months, if not years, to return. But when historical past has taught us something, it’s that persons are resilient and want tales, magnificence, and artwork to rally in difficult instances.

Because the novel coronavirus sweeps the nation, it’s nonetheless too quickly to inform how the podcast business will likely be impacted. We see podcasters innovating and adapting already—Ira Glass and so many different producers are getting scrappy and recording content material from their closets. Nonetheless, productions are being placed on pause indefinitely, and advertisers are starting to tug again spending, particularly for journey and tourism-related exhibits. As for exhibits that depend on stay touring as a major income supply? They’re shifting from stay present to livestream.

Impartial podcasters and small companies are essentially the most susceptible to the pandemic’s impression as funds are delayed, and tasks placed on maintain. However this current article on podcast listener habits in Italy and Spain throughout their COVID-19 lockdown gave me hope for 2 causes. First, it exhibits that listenership isn’t dramatically dipping, in actual fact, some firms are seeing a rise in listeners. Second, whereas we’ve seen an inflow of COVID-19 podcasts, it seems that shoppers in each international locations are in search of to flee the every day humdrum of the information cycle in change for tales that entertain, educate, and uplift. With that, I needed to supply some solutions to assist podcasters navigate the brand new regular of shelter-in-place orders and an entirely digital presence.

1. Maintain it scrappy: Many people seemingly don’t have entry to a podcast recording studio. This article from NPR presents actually nice recommendations on creating makeshift recording cubicles in your house.
2. Join along with your followers: In case your stay podcast exhibits have been canceled, or manufacturing is placed on pause, discover artistic methods to attach along with your followers. That might imply doing weekly hangouts, Q&As or taking your stay exhibits on-line.
3. Create a pay-what-you-want choice: Whether or not you might be already on Patreon or eager about beginning one, it’s seemingly that a few of your followers are feeling the financial strains of COVID-19 as effectively. Think about making a “pay what you need” choice, that permits followers to take part as patrons irrespective of their monetary state of affairs.
4. Promote merch: When you have merch choices, it’s an effective way to make further income and for followers to proceed to assist you.
5. Maintain creating: COVID-19 or not, creators must create, and the world wants to listen to your story. There’s a whole lot of us who’re in search of inspiration and escapism – contemplate going off script and use this time to experiment with new storytelling codecs.**

If there’s one film that actually moved me rising up, it was the Useless Poet’s Society. Name me cliche, however I discover this specific clip related for creators throughout these attempting instances:

“That highly effective play goes on and you might contribute a verse…”

It’s a hectic and scary time for creators across the globe, however your creativity doesn’t must cease. For extra assets to maintain your creativity flowing, Patreon’s Co-Founder and CEO, Jack Conte shared his ideas on this article. Give it a learn, after which convert that closet right into a recording sales space. Your story has worth and deserves to be heard, COVID-19 be damned. We will’t wait to listen to from you.