As the U.S. podcasting industry evolves into a multibillion-dollar business, creators are turning to Patreon to get their piece of the pie. In particular, the fan funding service is emerging as a useful tool for gaming podcasts, some of which are bringing in more than 30,000 patrons.
One such podcast is Steak and Eggs, whose hosts — Asmongold, Emiru, and Tectone — are all popular streamers and members of the organization OTK. Austin-based OTK introduced Steak and Eggs earlier this year to give its streamers a forum to discuss gaming, anime, and other associated topics. An episode uploaded in April included a formal announcement of the show’s Patreon page.
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“What’s going to happen is we’re going to go ahead, we’re going to do the Patreon part of the show, a little bit of extra content,” Asmongold said at the episode. “Thank you guys for all of the support.”
Fans who wish to dig into bonus Steak and Eggs content must contribute at least $5 through Patreon. Higher tiers unlock perks like ad-free listening and early access to merch. That strategy has allowed OTK to build a Steak and Eggs Patreon community that contributes nearly $5,000 per month.
In an email, a Patreon rep described gaming as one of the three fastest-growing categories on the funding platform. The list of accounts with the most patrons is filled with gaming podcasts, including several that focus on tabletop roleplaying.
One such show is Worlds Beyond Number, which has attracted more than 30,000 patrons since launching on Patreon at the start of February. By subscribing to a $5 membership tier offered through Patreon, Worlds Beyond Number listeners gain access to exclusive merch and a Q&A show called Fireside Chats.
Patreon’s push into podcasting comes amidst an audio arms race. YouTube and Spotify have looked to become the kings of video podcasting by inking exclusive distribution contracts and launching host-friendly features. Meanwhile, Patreon is reminding creators that a strong community can be the key to their success.
To get the latest updates from Patreon, you can subscribe to the company’s own podcast, which launched earlier this year.
