Upcoming Patreon Changes (Patreon)

You might have already heard that Patreon is, in essence, doing away with its "per creation" billing model. Unfortunately, this seems to be the case, and it's due to Apple. Here's part of the email I received about it (it's a little tl;dr, but helpful...skip past the italics if you don't really give a shit):

Apple is requiring that Patreon use their in-app purchasing system and remove all other billing systems from the Patreon iOS app by November 2024. This means that starting in November, new memberships purchased in the iOS app will be subject to Apple's 30% App Store fee.

You're currently on a per-creation billing model, but Apple's in-app purchase system only supports subscription billing. Apple has made clear that if creators on Patreon continue to use unsupported billing models or disable transactions in the iOS app, we will be at risk of having the entire app removed from their App Store.  

So, starting in November, your fans in the iOS app won't be able to purchase subscriptions to your membership until you switch to subscription billing. And, as a result of Apple's mandates and in order to make sure that you can continue getting new members in the iOS app, we've started a 16-month-long migration process to bring all creators onto subscription billing by November 2025.

So, like my characters, I have to make some changes!

I don't know who is buying subscriptions through the Patreon app, because it sucks and desktop is a 1000% better experience - but, it is what it is, I suppose. I'm deeply frustrated, because the main feature that attracted me to Patreon was that I wouldn't be under deadlines, and you all would only pay when I was able to finish a story. And now after building up an audience and a great community here, that feature is going away through no fault of my own. It fucking blows.

So, eventually - not sure when yet - I will switch this Patreon to monthly billing, and change the way the tiers operate. It's probably something I've needed to do for a while, and now my hand is forced. C'est la vie!

How I'm sort of seeing it in my head is this:

• lower monthly rates that double as a sort of "installment plan" for when I can post a full-length story (~20 pages)

• a short monthly story, possibly with images (~5 pages)

• One tier that's just the basics and one slightly higher tier with polling, Q&A, Discord access, etc.

I'm continuing to think on it and figure out what's even possible with the time I have (I do have a full-time job in addition to this!), but wanted to bring it to the attention of you all in case you have suggestions and input. I hope you'll stick with me as I navigate it and figure it all out.

As always, thank you, thank you, thank you for being here. I appreciate you all so much.

A