CrowdMall vs. Patreon: A Matchup Review for Innovators and Creators

• If you want to validate your new creative product idea by locating and pre-selling to core customer markets before launching your scaled-up product commercially, CrowdMall is a great place to achieve this goal
• If you want regular income from loyal superfans for exclusive digital content unavailable elsewhere to support your creative project, Patreon is a secure platform for building commercial relationships with your supporters  
• CrowdMall and Patreon are complementary platforms that can be used in tandem to build audiences for innovative products and creative careers

Introduction

CrowdMall and Patreon are both popular platforms for creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs looking to launch new products and fund their creative projects. While they share some similarities, there are distinct differences in their features, target audiences, and business models.

In this blog post, we'll compare and contrast CrowdMall and Patreon, offering examples to help you understand which platform may be the best fit for your needs.

Platform overview

CrowdMall is a go-to-market and traction-building platform designed specifically for early adopters, innovators, and creators. It provides a marketplace where users can pre-sell limited editions of their innovative products to real, early-adopter customers, helping them validate product-market fit before investing significant resources into manufacturing. CrowdMall also offers valuable tools and resources for creators to identify core customer personas and gather market insights.

Patreon is a membership platform that enables creators to receive ongoing financial support from their fans in exchange for exclusive content, experiences, or services. Creators can set up different membership tiers with various perks, giving fans the option to choose a level of support that suits their preferences and budget. Patreon is ideal for creators with a regular output of content, such as artists, musicians, podcasters, and writers.

Business model

CrowdMall operates on a product pre-order model, where creators offer limited editions of their products for sale before they are manufactured. This allows them to test the market and gather valuable data on customer preferences and product-market fit. Creators receive payments once the pre-order campaign is successful, and they have shipped the product.

Patreon uses a subscription-based model, where fans pledge a recurring monthly payment to support their favorite creators. The funds are collected on an ongoing basis, providing creators with a stable and predictable source of income. This model works best for creators who consistently produce content and can offer exclusive perks to their supporters.

Target audience

CrowdMall's target audience includes early adopters, innovators, and creators who are looking to launch new products and validate market demand. The platform is ideal for entrepreneurs, startups, and inventors who want to test their ideas and gather data before committing to full-scale production.

Patreon caters primarily to creators who produce regular content and want to build a community of dedicated fans who are willing to provide ongoing financial support. Examples include artists, musicians, podcasters, writers, and other content creators who can offer exclusive perks and experiences to their patrons.

Product validation and market insights

One of CrowdMall's core features is its focus on product validation and market insights. The platform allows creators to pre-sell their products to a limited audience, helping them identify core customer personas, validate product-market fit, and gather valuable data on customer preferences. This information can be used to refine the product and marketing strategy before moving forward with production.

Patreon does not specifically focus on product validation or market insights. The platform is designed for creators who already have an established audience and are looking for a way to monetize their content and connect with their fans on a deeper level.

Campaign structure and flexibility

CrowdMall campaigns are structured around product pre-orders and typically have a set duration and funding goal. Creators can offer limited editions of their products, as well as exclusive perks and incentives for early supporters. This structured approach helps creators test the market and gather data on customer preferences and product-market fit.

Patreon campaigns are based on an ongoing subscription model, allowing creators to build a community of supporters who pledge a monthly amount in exchange for exclusive content and perks. This flexible approach enables creators to focus on building long-term relationships with their fans and offers a steady, predictable source of income. Patreon campaigns do not have set durations or funding goals, allowing creators to adjust their offerings and membership tiers as needed.

Fees and payouts

CrowdMall charges a platform fee based on a percentage of sales during a successful pre-order campaign. Additionally, there may be payment processing fees for each transaction. Creators receive their payments once the pre-order campaign is finished and the products shipped.

Patreon charges creators a platform fee based on a percentage of their monthly earnings, with different tiers offering varying levels of features and support. Additionally, there are payment processing fees for each transaction. Creators receive their funds on a monthly basis, providing a stable and predictable source of income.

Intellectual property and ownership

On CrowdMall, creators retain full ownership of their intellectual property, allowing them to control the development, production, and marketing of their products. The platform focuses on providing tools and resources to help creators validate market demand and gather valuable insights before moving forward with production.

Creators on Patreon also retain full ownership of their intellectual property. The platform serves as a vehicle for creators to monetize their content and build a community of dedicated fans, without relinquishing control over their creative work.

Community and networking opportunities

CrowdMall offers creators the opportunity to connect with early adopters, innovators, and other creators who share similar goals and interests. The platform encourages collaboration and networking, helping creators to learn from each other's experiences and build valuable connections within the community.

Patreon's focus on building a community of dedicated fans offers creators the chance to engage with their audience on a deeper level and forge long-lasting relationships. Additionally, creators can connect with other Patreon users, sharing tips, experiences, and advice on how to grow and manage their membership campaigns.

Examples

A tech startup used CrowdMall to pre-sell a limited edition of their innovative smartwatch, allowing them to validate market demand and gather data on customer preferences before moving forward with production. The successful pre-order campaign provided the startup with the insights needed to refine their product and marketing strategy.

A musician with a dedicated fan base set up a Patreon campaign, offering exclusive behind-the-scenes content, early access to new music, and personalized experiences for their supporters. By leveraging the platform's subscription model, the musician was able to generate a stable, ongoing source of income while deepening their connection with fans.

Conclusion

CrowdMall and Patreon both offer unique benefits and opportunities for creators, but cater to different needs and goals. 

If you're looking to validate market demand for a new product and gather valuable insights before committing to full-scale production, CrowdMall is the ideal platform for you.

However, if you're a content creator seeking to monetize your work and build a community of dedicated fans through an ongoing subscription model, Patreon may be a better fit.

Understanding the key differences between these two platforms will help you make an informed decision and choose the platform that best aligns with your creative goals and objectives.

There is no reason why you should not use both platforms symbiotically to support your career as an innovator or creative. CrowdMall gives you the opportunity to find new core customers that could become your superfans at Patreon whereas Patreon provides a launchpad of engaged potential buyers for pre-launch products featured on CrowdMall