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
• Audio previews
• 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 audio 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 directly to Patreon. These uploads will show up as an audio player. The uploaded audio will also populate in patrons' RSS feeds if you have this feature enabled for them.

Here's how to make an audio 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. Make sure your file is 512 MB or less, and in one of the following file formats: .mp3, .mp4, .m4a, and .wav
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

By default, patrons can click the More actions button on your audio posts to download audio files.

Want to remove the download link on your audio post?

The ability for patrons to download files from your audio posts is enabled by default, however, you can disable this feature at any point. To disable audio file downloads, go to the Posts settings of your Page builder, scroll down to the Audio Settings, and uncheck the box.

To learn more about your audio link settings, please visit hide download links from audio posts.

Audio Previews

What is an audio preview?

An audio preview is a short audio clip that lets viewers tease their exclusive content on a creator's post page.

How do I enable it?

Audio previews will be on by default. You can toggle the switch on or off to enable or disable it when editing/creating an audio post.

How do you customize it?

Clicking on Edit underneath the Audio Preview section will prompt a window to appear.

By default, previews are automatically set between 30s to 5 min based on the length of your content, but you can choose an audio preview clip from anywhere up to 50% of your content or a maximum of 30 minutes.

Drag the ends of the box parameters to choose the desired sections of clips you want to share.

Who can see this?

This can be seen by anyone that visits the creator's page or if a link was shared to the specific audio post. Audio previews will only be available for locked posts(Patrons-only or tiered posts).

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 that 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.