The Wrongness Playbook, part 1, w/Patreon's Jack Conte

Building Patreon

Jack Conte's journey to create Patreon began with his frustration over the existing monetization systems for artists. He envisioned a platform where fans could directly support creators through subscriptions, inspired by his own experiences with platforms like Stageit and Kickstarter 1. Partnering with his former roommate, Sam Yam, Jack transformed his idea into reality, launching Patreon with a simple model that allowed fans to pay creators directly 2. Within two weeks, Jack was making six figures as an artist, proving the concept's success 2.

We launched the first version of Patreon with this very simple model. It's just, hey, fans can pay $5 a month, $10 a month, 2500, whatever the creator wants. They can build their own tiers and then fans can sign up and they get whatever the creator has said they're going to get.

--- Jack Conte

This validation was crucial, as it fueled the growth of Patreon and highlighted the importance of embracing mistakes to build expertise as an entrepreneur 2.

   

Creative Risks

Jack Conte's innovative approach to music on YouTube led to the creation of his distinctive video song format. This format, which combined multi-track audio recordings with video, allowed him to stand out and gain a following 3. Jack's commitment to creativity was further exemplified by his ambitious project, the "Pedals" video, which involved intricate craftsmanship and a significant financial risk 4. Despite the risk, Jack's instincts paid off, as the video resonated with his audience and showcased his artistic vision.

I started doing this concept called a video song, which was essentially like a multi track audio recording, but with a video component.

--- Jack Conte

These creative endeavors underscored the value of taking calculated risks and trusting one's instincts, even when the outcome is uncertain 4.

   

Creative Partnerships

Jack Conte's partnership with Natalie Dawn, both personal and professional, played a pivotal role in his journey. Their project, Pomplamoose, emerged from their collaborative efforts and demonstrated the power of creative synergy 5. Initially hesitant to mix their relationship with work, they eventually found a balance that allowed them to create something unique together. Jack's early struggles as a musician, performing to empty venues, highlighted the challenges he faced before finding success on YouTube 6.

We looked up and realized this thing that we made is something new. It's something else. It is a combination of me and Natalie, and it is both of our weird idiosyncrasies and bits of artistry popping up in different moments.

--- Jack Conte

These experiences taught Jack the importance of perseverance and adaptability in the face of adversity, ultimately leading to his success with Patreon 5.