Share my audio files with patrons

This article will cover how to make an audio post and how you can add an audio file as an attachment to any post type. 

In this article we’ll guide you through: 

• Uploading an audio file
• Linking to an audio player (not hosted on Patreon)
• Attaching an audio file to any post
• Making a post for specific patrons (available for Pro and Premium platform plans)  

Uploading audio files

If you’re interested in offering patrons custom RSS links to your posts, you can learn more about how to enable this perk, here: How do I enable audio RSS for my patrons?

You can upload audio files from your device to Patreon. These uploads will show up as audio player boxes in the main body of a post. The uploaded audio will also populate in patrons’ RSS feeds if you have this feature enabled for them. To make an audio upload post:

1. While logged in to your creator account, click on the Create button from the left-hand side of your creator menu
2. Click the Audio button to start your post
3. Upload your file
4. You can add your own artwork for your player box thumbnail
5. Add your title and a brief description in the fields below the uploader
6. On desktop, you can preview your post before publishing or scheduling your post by clicking the View button

What audio file types can I upload?

Make sure your audio file is 512 MB or less, and in one of the following file formats: .mp3, .mp4, .m4a, and .wav

If you choose to have made your audio files downloadable, the uploaded files will also show as hyperlinks under your post title by default. Patrons can click this link to listen in a different browser window where they’ll also find the option to download the file. To learn more about your audio link settings, please visit hide download links from audio posts.

Want to remove the download link on your audio post?

You can choose to allow patrons to download audio files from your posts. This is enabled by default, and if you wish to remove the hyperlink from your audio posts you can do so in the Posts section of your Page editor. Go to Edit your page > Advanced > Posts, scroll until you find “Audio Settings” and uncheck the box. Be sure to save the changes.  

Make an Audio post with a URL

You can link to audio players hosted on sites like Soundcloud via the link field. Follow these steps to share your hosted audio with patrons:

1. While logged in to your creator account, click on the Create button from the left-hand side of your creator menu
2. Select the Audio button from the Post types
3. Enter your URL in the textbox field. An audio player will populate
4. The artwork on your audio player is dictated by whatever artwork you’ve uploaded to the third party audio host. You cannot change the thumbnail artwork directly from Patreon
5. On desktop, you can preview your post before publishing or scheduling your post by clicking the View button

We use embed.ly for embedded audio players. You can test your URL to ensure that your player will work. Add your URL in the field and click the arrow button. If you find an error next to “type”, your URL will not post properly. 

Attaching an audio file to any post type

Last, but not least, you can attach audio files to any post type. You can add audio files as attachments to; Text, Image, and Video posts as well. 

What audio file types can I attach to posts?

Your audio file must be 512 MB or less, and in one of the following file formats:

.mp3, .mp4, .m4a, .x-m4a, .mpeg, .aac, .ogg, .wma, .wav, and .x-wav files. 

To attach your audio file, use the Upload button near the bottom of the post creator/editor. You’ll know your attachment is ready to post when the upload arrow disappears. 

Your attachment will show as a link at the bottom of your published post. 

If you have custom RSS feeds enabled for your patrons not all audio posts will populate in your patrons’ RSS feeds. You can learn more about how to Enable audio RSS feeds for patrons. 

How do I post for certain patrons only?

Creators in our Pro and Premium platform plans can publish your post for Select tiers. Use the drop-down under “Who can see this post?” to select the tiers who can access your post. The content of your post will be visible to patrons within the Tiers you select.

If you’re a per-creation creator, you cannot simultaneously charge patrons and make a post for certain patrons only. You can find more information about how Posts work a little differently for you in the following article: How per creation billing works.