Patreon lays off 13% of workforce
Patreon&#x27;s problem, I think, is that they&#x27;ve taken enough VC money to be at a kind of &quot;half-unicorn&quot; status -- and there&#x27;s no possible way for them to return on that investment unless they start wooing megastars to their platform. The majority of creators are always going to be way back in the long tail, but the folks at the top of the curve need to be bringing in a lot. Like, <i>a lot.</i> A million a month or more.<p>And I can&#x27;t help but suspect that this realization necessitates changing, if not the business model, the business <i>strategy.</i> Patreon in 2017 is fine with Chapo Trap House and Amanda Palmer as the top moneymakers; Patreon in 2020 needs the next Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga. (Better yet, the current Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga.) That doesn&#x27;t mean they have to actively drive out the podcasters and comics nerds and furries, but it probably means they have to put all their resources into going after whales.