You Are Extra Than the Numbers

Patreon is constructing an area the place creators don’t must take care of algorithms and adverts, however that doesn’t imply you may escape the numbers. They’re all over the place: views, likes, watch time, patrons, revenue… So, how do you look past info and figures? We invited Patreon creator Leesa Renée Corridor to guide a workshop on learn how to perceive these numbers with out obsessing over them.

It’s naive to say that the numbers don’t matter as a result of they do. They assist us perceive progress and, let’s be sincere, they get creators paid. However when you let these numbers carry an excessive amount of weight, you’ll begin feeling burnt out, annoyed, and panicked once they inevitably bounce up and down.

 “I wasn’t feeling good about myself as a result of I used to be nervous concerning the numbers.” — Leesa Renée Corridor.

For those who’re in search of some guiding ideas that will help you navigate the splendidly bizarre world of being a creator, you’ve come to the suitable place. Leesa’s workshop explores the journey to constructing a sustainable artistic enterprise on Patreon and proves that it’s by no means a straight line.

Leesa’s Patreon journey

As an anti-bias facilitator and psychological wellness advocate, Leesa Renée Corridor helps folks discover their unconscious biases by occurring an Internal Subject Journey®. The Toronto-based creator first began gaining on-line consideration when her reflective writing prompts about white fragility, religious bypassing, and white privilege went viral in 2017. She began getting small donations from grateful readers who discovered worth in her weblog and needed to indicate their assist.

After speaking to her colleague about Patreon, Leesa realized it could possibly be a terrific subsequent step. So in October 2017, she launched her Patreon channel. To be able to observe her personal progress, Leesa determined to dive into the numbers and set objectives for herself and her enterprise. Inside six months, she reached her one-year purpose and took it as an indication that she was doing one thing proper.

Leesa’s channel grew rapidly and organically. However a couple of 12 months after launching, Leesa seen her patrons began to drop off extra rapidly than she was attracting new ones. Just a few months after that, she began to expertise creator burnout and stopped producing prompts. “As a creator your self, there’s some extent the place simply creating the artwork turns into a burden,” Leesa says.

When COVID-19 hit, Leesa tried just a few advertising methods to get her numbers up however her group was persevering with to dwindle. The regular decline led the creative-minded author to develop an unhealthy relationship with the numbers. She was feeling irritated and nervous, and even began to dread wanting on the notification part on her creator web page. So, she determined to take motion and develop a greater mindset across the rise and fall of her followers.

Two steps you may take to have a greater relationship with the numbers

Step 1: Know your percentages

Although this step may look like obsessing over the numbers, we promise it’s not. Taking a look at percentages is definitely totally different than merely counting your followers or subscribers as a result of it may possibly provide help to wrap your head round massive numbers. So, what must you be calculating? In keeping with Patreon’s benchmark, 1-5% of your whole followers, buddies, and subscribers will fund your creations.

Motion #1 — Discover your platforms
Establish which social media platforms you’re actively utilizing.

Motion #2 — Add it up
Add up what number of supporters, buddies, subscribers, and followers you may have in your social media sphere.
*Tip: Ignore likes, shares, views, and feedback. Those that comply with you’re the ones who’ve dedicated to seeing your work each day.*

Motion #3 — Calculate 1% and 5% of your whole quantity
(Whole variety of social media followers x 1) / 100
(Whole variety of social media followers x 5) / 100

Motion #4 — Consider your percentages
Do your expectations match up with actuality? Take into consideration the goal you had been working in the direction of after which take into consideration the quantity you’re now. In the event that they’re not matching up, that’s an excellent signal to vary up that purpose. Do not forget that each creator’s numbers will look totally different and it’s alright to fall under that 1%. Taking a look at percentages is just a strategy to perceive your group otherwise and set reasonable objectives for the long run. For instance, a low proportion could possibly be an indication that your followers and followers simply don’t learn about your Patreon or that the content material you’re providing isn’t completely resonating with them. That could possibly be a terrific alternative to achieve out and ask for suggestions.

Step 2: Prioritize your legacy

“We’re processing an excessive amount of change too quickly and too usually,” says Leesa. The pandemic has modified quite a bit for creators. Rather a lot has been misplaced and it’s alright to grieve these losses. Many creators are grieving the lack of expectations, stability, revenue, intimacy, and connection.

These subsequent workouts will provide help to take management of your psychological wellness and get in contact along with your deepest ideas.

Motion #1 — Carry out a psychological well being evaluation
It’s alright to really feel run down, trapped, indignant, and even hopeless concerning the future. However with some self-reflection, you may pinpoint precisely what’s weighing you down and uncover methods to carry your self again up. Leesa makes use of a guidelines to evaluate how her consideration to the numbers is making her really feel (take a look at web page 6).

Motion #2 — Go deep with writing prompts
Seize a journal and a pencil, placed on some calming music, and prepare to go deep. Leesa’s writing prompts are designed that will help you take into consideration these massive questions in an uncensored and unrestricted approach. Earlier than we undergo the questions, let’s speak about learn how to method every immediate utilizing the __GPS__ technique.

Go over – Skim all of the questions
Ponder – Take into consideration the place in your physique you’re feeling a response to every query
Start the Timer – Start writing a stream-of-consciousness reply

For a fast train, spend 2-5 minutes on every query. For an extended one, strive setting the timer for 30 minutes and seeing the place your thoughts takes you.

Prompts to get you began:
1. Who’re you past the numbers?
2. What function do your creations serve past the earnings?
3. How will your creations provide help to create a long-lasting legacy? What does that even imply to you?

Finally, these two steps helped Leesa reset her relationship with the numbers. They usually may also help you do the identical. Prior to now 12 months, Leesa’s numbers have shot up, trickled down, and plateaued however “I’m in an excellent place,” she says, as a result of she has prioritized what her creations provide the world.

Earlier than you wrap up these workouts, ask your self one remaining query: What’s going to you achieve this that historical past will always remember your identify? Each time you’re feeling your self obsessing over the numbers or questioning the aim of your creations, come again to this query. So long as you may have your legacy in thoughts, you’ll have the ability to deal with what actually issues.