Case Study: Organizing with a Passion Economy - Patreon

Introduction:
Patreon is a popular online platform that enables creators to receive recurring payments from
their fans or patrons. It was founded in 2013 by musician Jack Conte and developer Sam Yam
with the aim of providing a sustainable income stream for artists, writers, musicians, and other
content creators. Patreon has played a significant role in the rise of the passion economy,
empowering creators to monetize their work directly and build a dedicated community around
their content.

Organizing with a Passion Economy:

Patreon has revolutionized the way creators organize and engage with their audience. By
leveraging the passion economy, Patreon enables creators to monetize their skills, knowledge,
and creativity by offering exclusive content, rewards, and a direct connection with their most
devoted fans. This case study explores how Patreon facilitates organizing with a passion
economy through its key features and success stories.

Direct Fan Support:

Patreon allows creators to receive direct financial support from their fans. Instead of relying on
traditional revenue streams like ad revenue or merchandise sales, creators can generate a stable
income by offering tiered membership subscriptions. Fans can choose to support their favorite
creators with a monthly pledge in exchange for various benefits, such as exclusive content,
behind-the-scenes access, early releases, merchandise, or personalized interactions.

Community Building:
Patreon serves as a hub for creators to foster a sense of community among their fans. Creators
can create discussion boards, host live Q&A sessions, and engage in direct conversations with
patrons. This interactive environment facilitates a deeper connection between creators and
their audience, fostering a loyal and supportive community that extends beyond the content
itself.

Diversification of Income:
By embracing the passion economy, creators can diversify their income streams on Patreon.
Creators are not solely reliant on a single source of revenue but can offer different membership
tiers with varying benefits and price points. They can also explore additional income avenues
such as selling merchandise, hosting events, or offering one-on-one coaching sessions, further
expanding their revenue potential.

Success Story: Amanda Palmer

Amanda Palmer, an acclaimed musician and performance artist, has successfully utilized
Patreon to organize with a passion economy. She joined Patreon in 2015 and quickly became
one of the platform's highest-earning creators. Palmer leveraged her passionate fan base to
generate a substantial income through monthly subscriptions, raising more than $1 million
annually.

Through Patreon, Palmer was able to engage directly with her fans, offering exclusive content
such as unreleased songs, demos, and personal updates. She organized regular live streams and
virtual gatherings, inviting patrons to participate actively. Furthermore, Palmer used Patreon to
crowdfund specific creative projects, such as album releases and music videos, directly involving
her fans in the process.

Palmer's success on Patreon demonstrates the power of the passion economy in enabling
creators to monetize their work while building a strong, dedicated community around their art.

Conclusion:
Patreon's role in organizing with a passion economy is evident through its empowering features
and success stories like Amanda Palmer. By providing a platform that facilitates direct fan
support, community building, and income diversification, Patreon has transformed the way
creators organize and monetize their work. The passion economy, enabled by platforms like
Patreon, offers a sustainable and empowering model for creators to thrive in the digital age.

As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, Adam Davidson, an American journalist

and co-founder of NPR's Planet Money podcast, has not specifically outlined "8 rules of
the Passion Economy." However, he has spoken extensively about the concept of the
Passion Economy, which refers to a shift in the way people work and earn a living, driven
by technology and changing economic conditions. While I can't provide a specific list of
rules from Adam Davidson, I can give you a general overview of the principles and
characteristics associated with the Passion Economy:

1. Individual empowerment: The Passion Economy enables individuals to pursue

their unique interests, skills, and talents and create value from them. It empowers
individuals to monetize their passion and create their own opportunities.
2. Niche markets: In the Passion Economy, there is a shift away from mass markets
to smaller, specialized niches. Technology allows individuals to reach and serve
these specific audiences, catering to their unique needs and preferences.
3. Unique value proposition: Success in the Passion Economy often comes from
offering something distinct and valuable. It's about identifying and leveraging
your unique skills, expertise, or creativity to stand out in the market.
4. Personal brand: Building a strong personal brand is crucial in the Passion
Economy. It involves cultivating your online presence, demonstrating your
expertise, and building a reputation that resonates with your target audience.
5. Platform leverage: Digital platforms play a significant role in the Passion Economy
by connecting individuals with their audience or customers. These platforms
 facilitate access, distribution, and monetization, enabling individuals to scale their
offerings and reach a broader market.
6. Flexibility and autonomy: The Passion Economy allows individuals to have greater
control over their work and schedule. It provides opportunities for flexible work
arrangements, freelancing, and remote work, allowing people to pursue their
passions on their terms.
7. Continuous learning and adaptation: In the Passion Economy, individuals need to
be adaptable and continuously learn new skills to stay relevant. It's a dynamic
environment where trends and technologies can change rapidly, requiring
individuals to evolve along with them.
8. Value exchange: The Passion Economy emphasizes value creation and exchange.
It's about understanding the needs and desires of your target audience and
finding ways to provide meaningful value to them in exchange for financial
support or engagement.

These principles and characteristics capture the essence of the Passion Economy as a
new way of working and earning a living, driven by individual passions, technology, and
the evolving economic landscape. Please note that Adam Davidson's specific viewpoints
on this topic may have evolved or expanded beyond my knowledge cutoff date, so it's
always a good idea to refer to his latest works for the most accurate and up-to-date
information.

Certainly! Here's a paraphrased version of the principles and characteristics associated with the
Passion Economy:

1. Individuals have the power to pursue their passions and create value from them.
2. The focus is on specialized and niche markets, rather than mass markets.
3. Success comes from offering something unique and valuable.
4. Building a strong personal brand is essential.
5. Digital platforms play a significant role in connecting individuals with their audience.
6. The Passion Economy offers flexibility and autonomy in work arrangements.
7. Continuous learning and adaptation are necessary to thrive.
8. It's about creating and exchanging value with the target audience.

Remember that this paraphrased version is based on the information available up until my
knowledge cutoff in September 2021, and Adam Davidson's viewpoints may have developed
further since then.
Regenerate response
Rules of the Passion Economy: The following are the 8 rules:

1. Follow our Passion to the Fullest

Find our Passion and then try to match it with people who need it, while actively
listening to feedback from them.

2. Create something that is difficult for others to replicate

Instead of doing what everyone else is doing, try to create value that others find difficult
to replicate. We don't have to cater to the mass market; instead, choose a specific group
of customers and create the most value for them.

3. Price according to the value we provide

Pricing should not start with costs but with the value we provide. Value comes from
communication, service, and avoiding price comparisons with competitors. Try to set a
higher price while delivering high value. Additionally, sometimes income may not be the
only thing we desire; we may also want to build relationships or a profile, so even if the
income is not significant, we can still pursue such work.

Furthermore, we can always adjust the price, but not after agreeing on a price. Whether
or not the price is suitable can be evaluated by asking ourselves if we feel good about it.
Keep in mind that setting a low price is not always a good strategy. The price we set
should reflect the value we offer.

4. Have a small number of customers who love us rather than a large number of
customers who like us

Strive to select only customers who genuinely say "yes." However, take time to make
decisions and do not rush. In reality, customers who truly say "yes" often seek us out.
Our preferences, pricing, the value we provide, and customers who genuinely say "yes"
all stem from the same perspective.

5. Passion is a story

In reality, we are not selling products or services; instead, we are selling "stories." Let us
speak the truth and tell stories that reflect our passion for our business, which will
capture people's interest.
 6. Use technology to support the business, not as a driving force

Try to do things that large companies and technology cannot do. Passion Economy
businesses often arise because big companies use technology to meet the demands of a
large number of people, leaving some individuals with unmet needs. Our business
should not focus on being large but should emphasize being small for comparative
advantages.

7. Know our business, which may not be what we initially thought

Study the business we are engaged in to truly understand it. If the business tends to
change, we should immediately adjust pricing or gradually change the value we offer to
meet the evolving demands.

8. Avoid operating as a commodity, even if we sell products that people consider

commodities

Avoid operating in that manner. Even if we sell products that seemingly lack
differentiation, we should create uniqueness.

These are the 8 intriguing rules for those interested in operating in the Passion
Economy. This book presents these rules and provides case studies that demonstrate
the application of these rules throughout. I encourage you to read it and discover more.

กฏของ Passion Economy 8 ข้อดังต่อไปนี้ 1. ทำตาม Passion ของเราให้เต็มที่ หา Passion ของเราให้เจอ

เสร็ จแล้วพยายามจับคู่สิ่งที่เป็ น Passion ของเรากับคนที่ตอ้ งการ และรับฟัง Feedback จากคนเหล่านั้นให้ดี 2.
สร้างสิ่ งที่คนทำตามได้ยาก อย่าไปทำอะไรตามคนอื่น ลองสร้างคุณค่าที่คนอื่นสามารถทำตามได้ยาก เราไม่ตอ้ ง
พยายามทำอะไรที่คนจำนวนมากอยากได้ ให้เลือกกลุ่มลูกค้าและสร้างคุณค่าให้กบั คนกลุ่มนั้นมากที่สุด 3. ตั้งราคาตาม
คุณค่าที่เราให้ การตั้งราคาไม่ใช่เริ่ มจากต้นทุนแต่ให้เริ่ มจากคุณค่าแล้วค่อยไปจัดการต้นทุนทีหลัง โดยคุณค่าจะเกิดขึ้น
จากการสื่ อสาร การให้บริ การ ระวังอย่าใช้การเปรี ยบเทียบราคากับคู่แข่ง พยายามตั้งราคาให้สูงแต่กต็ อ้ งให้คุณค่าที่สูง
ตาม นอกจากนี้ในหลายครั้งอาจจะตระหนักรู ้วา่ รายได้ที่เป็ นตัวเงินอาจจะไม่ได้เป็ นสิ่ งเดียวที่เราต้องการ แปลว่าบางที
เราอาจจะอยากสร้างความสัมพันธ์หรื อ Profile ดังนั้นถึงแม้วา่ จะได้รายได้ไม่เยอะนัก เราก็อาจจะทำงานนั้นก็ได้เช่น
กัน นอกจากนี้เราสามารถปรับราคาได้เสมอ แต่ไม่ใช่ปรับหลังจากตกลงราคากันแล้ว และถึงแม้วา่ เราจะไม่ได้เป็ นผู ้
ประกอบการ เราก็มีการตั้งราคาเหมือนกัน ซึ่งมันคือเงินเดือนของเรานัน่ เอง สุ ดท้ายแล้วบททดสอบง่าย ๆ ว่าเราตั้งราคา
แล้วมันเหมาะสมหรื อไม่ ก็คงต้องถามตัวเองว่าเรารู ้สึกดีหรื อไม่ จำไว้วา่ การตั้งราคาต่ำไม่ได้เป็ นกลยุทธ์ที่ดีเสมอไป
ราคาที่เราตั้งจะสะท้อนให้เห็นถึงคุณค่าที่เรานำเสนอ 4. มีลูกค้าที่รักเรามาก ๆ จำนวนน้อยดีกว่ามีลูกค้าที่รักเราน้อย ๆ
จำนวนมาก พยายามคัดเลือกเฉพาะลูกค้าที่ “ใช่” จริ ง ๆ แต่ให้ใช้เวลาคัดเลือกอย่าตัดสิ นเร็ จจนเกินไป และจริ ง ๆ แล้ว
ลูกค้าที่ “ใช่” มักจะมาหาเราเอง ความชอบของเรา การตั้งราคา คุณค่าที่เราให้ และลูกค้าที่ “ใช่” จริ ง ๆ แล้วเป็ นเรื่ อง
เดียวกันที่มองคนละมุมเท่านั้นเอง 5. Passion คือเรื่ องราว จริ ง ๆ แล้วเราไม่ได้ขายสิ นค้าหรื อบริ การ แต่เราขาย “เรื่ อ
งราว” ให้เราพูดแต่ความจริ ง แต่ให้เล่าเรื่ องราวที่มาที่ไป (ถึงแม้วา่ บางคนอาจจะไม่ได้เก่งในการเล่าเรื่ องราวก็ตาม)
เรื่ องราวที่เราเล่าจะสะท้อนถึง Passion ในการทำธุรกิจของเรา และจะทำให้คนสนใจ 6. ใช้เทคโนโลยีในการ
สนับสนุนธุ รกิจ ไม่ใช่เป็ นตัวผลักดันธุรกิจ พยายามเลือกทำในสิ่ งที่เทคโนโลยีและบริ ษทั ใหญ่ ๆ ทำไม่ได้ หลายครั้ง
โอกาสของธุรกิจแบบ Passion Economy เกิดขึ้นก็เพราะบริ ษทั ใหญ่ ๆ เลือกใช้เทคโนโลยีเพื่อตอบโจทย์กบั คน
จำนวนมาก ทำให้มีหลายคนที่อาจจะมีความต้องการบางอย่างที่บริ ษทั เหล่านี้ตอบโจทย์ไม่ได้ การทำธุรกิจของเราไม่
ควรเน้นความใหญ่ แต่ควรจะเน้นความเล็กเพื่อความได้เปรี ยบนี้ 7. รู ้จกั ธุ รกิจที่เราทำซึ่งมันอาจะไม่ได้เป็ นอย่างที่เรา
เคยคิด ศึกษาธุรกิจที่เรากำลังทำให้เรารู ้จกั อย่างถ่องแท้ และถ้าธุรกิจนั้นมีแนวโน้มจะเปลี่ยนให้เราทำการปรับเปลี่ยน
การตั้งราคาทันที หรื อค่อย ๆ ปรับเปลี่ยนคุณค่าที่เรานำเสนอเพื่อให้ตอบโจทย์ที่เปลี่ยนแปลงไป 8. อย่าไปทำธุรกิจ
แบบ Commodity ถึงแม้วา่ เราจะขายสิ นค้าที่คนทัว่ ไปคิดว่าเป็ น Commodity Commodity คือสิ นค้าที่มี
ลักษณะเหมือน ๆ กัน ไม่ได้มีความแตกต่างกันเลย อย่าไปทำธุรกิจแบบนั้น ถึงแม้วา่ เราจะขายสิ นค้าที่ดูเหมือนว่าจะไม่
ได้มีความแตกต่าง แต่เราควรจะต้องสร้างความแตกต่างให้เจอ นี่คือกฏ 8 ข้อที่น่าสนใจมาก ๆ สำหรับคนที่อยากทำ
ธุรกิจแบบ Passion Economy หนังสื อเล่มนี้ได้นำเสนอกฏ 8 ข้อนี้ และก็มีกรณี ศึกษาที่แสดงให้เห็นการทำตามกฏ
เหล่านี้ตลอดทั้งเล่ม ลองหาอ่านกันได้ครับ

Applying leadership within the context of the passion economy requires a deep
understanding of the unique characteristics and dynamics of this emerging economic
model. Here are some key considerations for applying leadership in the passion
economy:

1. Embrace the Power of Individuality: In the passion economy, individuals are

empowered to pursue their unique talents and passions. As a leader, encourage
and support individuality among your team members. Recognize and value their
diverse skills, talents, and interests. Provide opportunities for them to express
their creativity and contribute their unique perspectives to the organization.
2. Foster a Culture of Autonomy: The passion economy thrives on individuals taking
ownership of their work and pursuing their personal goals. Empower your team
members with autonomy and decision-making authority. Encourage them to take
initiative, explore new ideas, and experiment with different approaches. This can
foster a sense of ownership and motivation, leading to increased innovation and
productivity.
3. Build Meaningful Connections: In the passion economy, building authentic
relationships and connections is crucial. Encourage collaboration and teamwork
among your team members. Create a supportive and inclusive environment
where individuals can connect with others who share their passions and interests.
 Foster a sense of community and facilitate opportunities for networking and
knowledge sharing.
4. Nurture Continuous Learning: The passion economy is characterized by rapid
change and evolving trends. Encourage a culture of continuous learning and skill
development within your team. Provide resources, training, and mentorship
programs to help individuals stay updated with the latest developments in their
areas of interest. Encourage them to explore new fields and acquire diverse skills
to adapt to changing market demands.
5. Embrace Flexibility and Adaptability: The passion economy is known for its
flexibility and adaptability. As a leader, be open to new ideas, emerging
technologies, and evolving business models. Encourage your team to embrace
change and be willing to pivot when necessary. Foster a culture that values agility
and encourages experimentation and innovation.
6. Focus on Value Creation: In the passion economy, success is often driven by the
value created for individuals with specific needs or interests. Encourage your
team to identify and understand the unique needs and desires of their target
audience. Foster a customer-centric mindset and encourage innovative solutions
that address those needs effectively.
7. Lead by Example: As a leader in the passion economy, it's important to embody
the values and principles you promote. Lead by example, demonstrating your
own passion, dedication, and commitment to personal growth. Be open to
feedback and actively seek input from your team members. Show genuine
interest in their passions and provide support and guidance when needed.

By applying these principles of leadership within the passion economy, you can create
an environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and innovation, enabling your team
to thrive and succeed in this unique economic landscape.