How to get started on Drip

There’s no template approach to making a good Drip, but here are some big-picture tips to keep in mind.

Drip
Creator Toolkit
3 min readMay 24, 2018

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Artist Peter Burr in his studio. Photo by Lauren Renner.

Your Drip, like your creative practice, will be unique to you and the work you do. That may sound challenging, but think of it this way: Your Drip isn’t exactly new. It’s a way to share the work you’re already doing, and tell the story behind it. By showing what goes into what you make, you’re giving people a reason to follow along and support you.

Your Drip is at its best when it fosters a unique and meaningful connection between you and your fans, friends, and followers. How you create and maintain this connection is up to you, but here are some big picture tips to keep in mind:

Set clear expectations.

The cardinal rule of any good Drip is to let potential subscribers know what they can expect, and how often they can expect it.

Illustrator Elizabeth Haidle shared a photo of her desk after a life-drawing session.

Remember: Drip is an exchange.

You receive ongoing support from subscribers; in return, subscribers receive direct and immediate access to your work. What you offer doesn’t always have to be polished — giving people a glimpse of what’s messy about your process can help them feel more connected to it.

Video: Drip creators Mike Rugnetta, Azikiwe Mohammed, and Jenn de la Vega offer advice on setting your subscription tiers

(It’s also about the process.)

Everything you make comes with its own story. And the pieces of that are in the process. Think about all the parts that go into what you make: rough drafts, photos from your studio (or just your desk!), prototypes, scribbles on sticky notes. All of those things are part of the story of what you’re doing — and subscribers will love to get a glimpse of them.

You can offer something special!

Regardless of why your subscribers support you, it can be helpful to offer something exclusive through your Drip. If you make people feel special, not only will they stick around for more — they’ll also tell other people about you. Remember that you’re a subject expert in your work. Much of your audience is interested in what you do because they share your passion for writing, or music, or painting, or whatever you create, so tutorials and how-tos can be extremely valuable.

Ceramicist Dina Nur Satti posted this process shot along with an interview excerpt.

Take time to polish your page.

Your profile video and short description are your chance to explain who you are, what you create, and what role your subscribers will play in your work. Imagine you’re speaking directly to a potential subscriber. Tell them why your Drip matters to you and your practice, and what you’ll share in return.

Think through your founding period.

Your Drip’s founding period is a way to invite your fans and followers to join you in launching something new. You can thank your founding members for their early support by creating a time-limited, exclusive subscription tier that’s just for them.

Jess Zimmerman, editor-in-chief of Electric Lit. Photo by Lauren Renner.

Post updates with your Drip community in mind.

Your posts should feel crafted specifically for your Drip community, rather than simply repeating what you share elsewhere. They should offer special opportunities, and express a feeling of closeness and appreciation to your subscribers.

We’re here for you.

We’re building out a toolkit for creators right here. If you have questions in the meantime, you can visit our FAQ or reach out through our help center.

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