How to Start a Patreon for Your Farmers Market

In an era where farm-to-table isn’t just a trend but a lifestyle, farmers markets are the beating heart of sustainable eating practices. They put fresh, local produce within everyone’s reach and transform shopping into an enriching, community-based experience. 

As a manager or vendor at a farmers market, you already know this. Heck – you can give this speech in your sleep! But what if we told you there’s a way to take everyone’s favorite weekend morning ritual a step further? What if people could support the market by shopping and eating there while ALSO contributing directly to its growth and longevity? Enter Patreon — ta-da! — a crowdfunding platforms with a twist offering a unique opportunity to support and engage with your local farmers market on a deeper level. Here’s how to start a Patreon account.

Understanding Patreon

Maybe you’ve heard of Patreon. Maybe you haven’t. Either way, you should probably know exactly what Patreon is and how this business model works before you dive in with an account for your farmers market. 

In short, Patreon is an online platform that allows loyal fans to financially support creators and projects they believe in. The ‘support’ may only be a small donation of $5 a month. However, it is on a recurring basis, so it adds up. The whole purpose of Patreon is to provide a reliable source of income for artists, makers, writers, musicians, and even farmers markets. If you are trying to start a farmers market, revive an old one, or anything in between, financial support on Patreon may be the best way to do so.

What Is Patreon?

Patreon is a service that enables creators to accept support from their fans in the form of monthly donations. It is designed as an alternative way for content creators to have a monthly income and make sure that they can keep producing creative works with minimal financial risk or, in your case, keep a fledgling farmers market open in the lean months.

How Does Patreon Work?

Patreon is easy to set up and use. All you need to do is create a Patreon account, give your farmers market an attractive profile, and begin offering rewards for different levels of support (more on this below). You can even set monthly goals so that when supporters help reach them, they get something back (like exclusive merch or discounts). 

You can also link it to your shop’s website, social media accounts, and payment processor of choice, making it even easier for customers to support the market without having to jump through any hoops. 

It is important to remember that Patreon takes some time and effort before you start seeing results. However, if you are willing to be patient, the platform can be a great asset. It is also worth considering that Patreon encourages supporters to invest in your farmers market for the long term instead of just dropping one-off donations, so your rewards should reflect this. 

How to Start a Patreon Account for a Farmers Market

Starting a Patreon account for your farmers market is easy and can take as little as one hour. Here’s what to keep in mind when you’re learning how to start a Patreon: 

• Choose Your Goals: Before creating your Patreon page, take a moment to think about the goals of your farmers market. Are you trying to raise funds for improvements, attract more vendors or customers, or provide better community services? Brainstorming your goals will help you create a clear plan for your page. 
• Identify Your Rewards: Once you’ve identified the goals of your farmers market, it’s time to think about what kind of rewards you can offer to your Patreon members in exchange for support. The reward levels could include exclusive products or discounts at the market, membership privileges, or even VIP experiences. Your lower tiers of support can be something simple, like “Our undying thanks!” while your higher tiers need to be exciting, like an end-of-season, vendor-prepared exclusive dinner party.
• Craft Your Creator Page: With your goals and rewards in place, it’s time to create the page itself. Think about how you can make the page stand out and attract more attention from potential supporters. Include nice photos of your market for your Patreon profile, an intro video, stories about why it matters to you and others in the community, and how you decided on the name for your farmers market.
• Promote Your Page: Last, but not least, make sure to promote your page so people know it exists! Link it on your social media and website, include a QR code on the back of your business cards, and post a sign at the market entrance asking for support. People know what Patreon is, and your ardent customers will be happy to offer their support. You could even run targeted ad campaigns, allowing your Patreon message to reach a wider audience.

How to Create Engaging Content for Your Patrons

Your patrons will want to see something in return for their money, and that’s why it is a good idea to regularly update your Patreon page with fresh, new content. Think of it as a blog or newsletter written exclusively for them, your little online community, your VIPs! Think about getting to a personal level. Here are some ideas on what type of content to offer your Patreon supporters: 

• Give exclusive updates about the market – anything from new vendors to seasonal produce or customer appreciation days. 
• Offer a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of your market, such as stories about how it came to be, interviews with vendors, or recipes from customers. 
• Share success stories – after all, that’s why people are donating! Let them know how their contributions have helped the market in concrete ways. 
• Talk about upcoming events or projects and ask your patrons to weigh in – not only will it build a sense of community, but it also gives you valuable feedback that can help shape future initiatives.
• Go live. Live streams and livestream chats are a great opportunity for your Patreon community to get up close and personal with you and your vendors.  

By providing engaging content to your fan base, you will show your appreciation for their support and keep them coming back for more. It should be noted that you can post the same information on your social media to the general public –just later. Give your patrons a head start of a day or two, a ‘sneak peek,’ if you will.

How to Promote Your Patreon Account

Once you know how to start a Patreon and your page is up and running, it’s time to start promoting it. Here are some different ways and best practices for promoting your account to your subscriber base: 

• Reach out to vendors, suppliers, customers, and other members of the community who have expressed interest in the market before. Let them know about Patreon and how they can get involved.
• Leverage social media – post about your page on different platforms via Hootsuite to increase reach. Consider partnering with hyper-local influencers who could help spread the word. 
• Take advantage of other marketing tools – run an email campaign, print postcards or flyers at local businesses, or even launch a radio ad campaign. 
• Talk about Patreon in person when you’re at the market – you can put up signs that also link to your page, and ask customers if they know about it. 

Your goal is to reach as many people as possible, so it’s important to be creative and don’t be afraid to experiment. With the right mix of promotion tactics, your Patreon page can help you keep your farmers market running year-round. 

Promoting your Patreon page can be time-consuming, but it’s worth the effort. It will show potential donors that their support is valued, help bring more visibility to your farmers market, and encourage current patrons to give more. 

How to Engage with Your Patrons

By engaging with your patrons, you can build loyalty and ensure that they come back again and again. They will feel appreciated and connected to your farmers market, which will go a long way toward helping you achieve success. This doesn’t have to include a lot of thought. You need to know how to start a Patreon and build closer, more direct relationships with your Patreon subscribers. Make them feel special.

• Thank them regularly – whether it’s through emails, social media posts, or even handwritten thank-you cards at the end of the season. It will make them feel appreciated and encourage continued support. 
• Respond to comments and messages – if someone leaves a comment on your page or sends you a message, be sure to respond in a timely manner. It will make them feel like their opinion matters and increase engagement. 
• Invite patrons to exclusive events or experiences – let them know about any special events that the farmers market is hosting before they are open to the public. This is a great way to thank them for their support and give them exclusive access. 
• Offer surveys or polls – ask your patrons what they’d like to see from the farmers market, or what kind of rewards they’d prefer in exchange for their donation. Listening to their feedback will make them feel included in the process, help you create better content for them, and a better market for all. 

How to Grow Your Patreon Account

Now that your Patreon account is up and running, it’s time to think about how you can grow your supporter base with new, potential patrons over time. Here are a few tips:

1. Reach out to local influencers and ask them to share or promote your page – this can help increase visibility and reach a larger audience. 
2. Offer referral rewards – if someone refers a friend or colleague to your Patreon page, offer them something in return. This could be a discount on market goods or a special gift package at the end of the season. 
3. Create content partnerships – consider partnering with other farmers markets or local businesses to create exclusive content for your patrons. You can also invite guest bloggers, chefs, and other experts to provide unique perspectives. 
4. Promote special events – ask your patrons to share information about any upcoming events or experiences that you are holding. This will allow you to connect with more people and spread the word about your farmers market. 

Growing your Patreon account takes time and effort, but it can be a great way to attract new patrons and keep existing supporters happy. Knowing how to start a Patreon with the right mix of promotion tactics, engaging content, and meaningful relationships with patrons could ensure that your farmers market continues to thrive. 

What Are the Benefits of Using Patreon for Your Farmers Market?

The possibilities with a Patreon account are endless. You could seek support to pay for the legal fees to become an LLC or a non-profit with 501(c)(3) status when first starting a market, or you could roll your monthly support into a savings account to eventually buy land, an additional parking lot, or even a building. However, here are some other key benefits to keep in mind: 

• A steady stream of additional income can be used to grow and support your market.
• The ability to engage with patrons on a deeper level and offer exclusive rewards that encourage continued support, such as a patreon-only dinner served at the end of the season.
• A platform to promote events and share updates about the market and its vendors. 
• A way to foster community engagement with supporters both near and far.

In short, a Patreon account can be a great asset to any farmers market that is looking to cultivate loyalty from their patrons while also having some extra help keeping their doors open. With just a little effort and creativity, you could learn how to start a Patreon and turn your patrons into passionate supporters and make your farmers market thrive! 

Learning how to start a Patreon account for your farmers market is an excellent way to engage with and support your patrons on a much deeper level. As long as you take the time to make your profile attractive, create engaging content, and promote it through various channels, you could soon be seeing loyal supporters come in droves! So what are you waiting for? Get started today! 

FAQs About How to Start a Patreon for a Farmers Market

TL;DR? Here are a few FAQs about how to start a Patreon for a farmers market.

What is Patreon, and how to start a Patreon for a farmers market?
Patreon is a membership platform that allows creators, people, farmers markets, et al to earn income by providing exclusive content to their subscribers or ‘patrons.’ For a farmers market, it can provide a steady stream of income, build a closer community with regular customers, and offer unique experiences or products for loyal patrons.

How do I create a Patreon account for my farmers market?
If you don’t know how to start a Patreon, visit the Patreon website and click “Get started.” You’ll need to provide some basic information about your farmers market, set up your membership tiers, and decide on the exclusive benefits you’ll offer to your patrons.

What kind of content should I offer on my farmers market’s Patreon?
The content you offer will depend on what your patrons are interested in. This could be anything from behind-the-scenes updates, exclusive recipes, early access to new products, or special discounts.

How do I promote my farmers market’s Patreon?
You can promote your Patreon through various channels such as your market’s website, social media platforms, email newsletters, and even signage at the market itself. It’s important to communicate the unique benefits patrons will receive by supporting your farmers market on Patreon.

How can I engage with my patrons on Patreon?
The first thing you need to know about Patreon is how to start a Patreon. The second is how to engage with your patrons. Engagement on Patreon can take many forms. Like social media, you can respond to comments, send personal thank you messages, ask for feedback, and even host exclusive events for your patrons. Engagement helps build a strong community around your farmers market.

How often should I post on my farmers market’s Patreon?
The frequency of posts will depend on what you’ve promised your patrons and what you’re able to consistently deliver. It’s better to promise less and over-deliver than to risk disappointing your patrons.

What should I do if I’m not gaining any patrons?
If you’re not gaining patrons, consider adjusting your marketing strategy or the benefits you’re offering. You could also seek feedback from your existing customers to understand what might make them become patrons. Remember, building a patron base takes time and patience.

What are membership tiers? 

Membership tiers are the different levels of patronage that you offer, and each tier should come with exclusive rewards for the patron. Common tiers found on Patreon accounts include a basic tier, a supporter tier, and a premium tier, with each level offer support increasing monetarily. It’s important to make sure your tiers are clearly defined and easily understood by patrons. 

Can I change my membership tiers later?
Yes, you can adjust your membership tiers as needed. However, it’s important to communicate any changes clearly to your existing patrons and ensure you’re still delivering value for the price they’re paying.

How much should I charge for each tier on Patreon?
The pricing for each tier should reflect the value of the benefits offered. Consider what your target audience would be willing to pay, and look at similar markets or creators for an idea of typical pricing. Remember, you can always adjust your prices later based on feedback and experience.