In July 2024, Viva La Dirt League (VLDL), the popular New Zealand sketch comedy group known for their unique takes on gaming and fantasy, took their YouTube channel to the next level when they announced the launch of their official website Vivaplus.tv. 

The new platform (which became a solution to the ongoing issues they faced on their Patreon page), allowed the group to host all content, memberships, and merchandise in one place thanks in part to Fourthwall. 

For VLDL, the move was not just about logistics; it was about uniting their fan community under a dedicated platform that showcased their content, characters, and merchandise in one convenient place. 

With a fanbase hungry for more exclusive access, VLDL recognized that Fourthwall offered the tools they needed to deliver exclusive content in a way that Patreon simply couldn’t match. 

Here’s how this pivotal change enabled VLDL to create a richer experience for their followers and grow their brand.

The Spark Behind VLDL: A Love for Gaming and Filmmaking

Viva La Dirt League started from a shared passion for video games and filmmaking. 

“We were all filmmakers who wanted to create cool stuff, so we decided to do it ourselves and publish it on YouTube,” the team explained. 

Over time, their unique blend of humor, high production quality, and heartfelt connection to gaming culture turned them into YouTube favorites.

But creating their signature, high-quality content wasn’t cheap. While platforms like YouTube and Facebook provided visibility, the ad revenue wasn’t enough to cover costs. 

“We’ve always relied on fan funding through Patreon, Kickstarter, and merch,” VLDL shared. 

“But then we wanted to offer our fans an even better experience, and have a place where we could make higher quality content - and it seemed like the obvious decision to have our own memberships website.”

The Reason VLDL Left Patreon for Fourthwall

While Patreon had served as a starting point, it presented technical hurdles that impacted VLDL’s ability to host multiple forms of video content while streamlining engagement.

As a creator collective with multiple series, podcasts, and a newly released comic series, VLDL needed a site that could handle content formats while integrating all their merchandise and providing a membership platform that their fans access with ease—enter Fourthwall!

“It was such an easy experience. There was obviously a lot of hard work from everyone involved - but it was a natural evolution and a lot of the requests and feedback we had for our new membership site was taken into consideration.”

In a post to their Patreon members, VLDL shared, “This is a new and improved move from Patreon,” emphasizing that Fourthwall would allow them to bring all their offerings—shows, exclusive videos, and merchandise—under one roof. 

And they were right! Thanks to Fourthwall, the group was able to easily set up a website that brought together all their diverse content and merchandise offerings in one cohesive platform. 

Here’s how Fourthwall transformed VLDL’s operations:

Customized Their Site Design to Match Their Brand

Fourthwall’s no-code website builder gave VLDL the freedom to create a site that truly embodies their brand’s personality and creative vision. With intuitive tools, they crafted a visually striking layout that seamlessly integrated their recent videos, exclusive content, and merchandise into a cohesive and engaging platform.

The ability to customize every element—from color schemes to navigation—ensured the site reflected VLDL’s unique aesthetic and storytelling style, making it feel like an extension of their on-screen presence. 

This personalized approach not only enhanced the site’s visual appeal but also strengthened their brand identity, offering fans an immersive experience that mirrors the humor, creativity, and professionalism of their content.

Offered Flexible Membership Tiers

Similar to their experience on Patreon, Fourthwall allowed VLDL to design multiple membership tiers that catered to the diverse interests of their fanbase. This variety allowed fans to choose the level of support that best matched their interests and engagement with the team.

Some of the various perks included: exclusive content, early access to videos, discounts on merchandise, access to their extensive video library, and the opportunity to submit gamertag requests. 

By customizing these membership levels, VLDL ensured that every fan, regardless of their chosen tier, felt like a valued part of the community. This kind of flexibility not only deepens engagement with their supporters but also fosters a sense of inclusivity, allowing fans to connect with the group in ways that align with their interests and commitment to their creative endeavors.

Host Ad-Free Video Content

Fourthwall provides VLDL with the ability to deliver a premium, uninterrupted viewing experience by hosting exclusive shows, behind-the-scenes footage, bloopers, and bonus content entirely ad-free. 

This feature eliminates the distractions of traditional ad placements, allowing fans to fully immerse themselves in VLDL’s world of creative storytelling and humor.

By offering an ad-free environment, VLDL is able to strengthen their connection with their audience, showing a commitment to prioritizing fan enjoyment over monetization through ads..

Selling Merchandise Directly from Their Site

Fourthwall’s integrated online shop allowed VLDL to showcase their diverse merchandise collections—including apparel, accessories, and collectibles—directly on their website. By consolidating their store with their content hub, VLDL made it easier for fans to discover and purchase products that reflect their favorite moments, characters, and catchphrases.

“Whenever someone is a big fan of something, they want to show their support by literally wearing it or showing it off,” VLDL shared. “We try to make our merch feel like it’s part of the community—not just a logo or an image slapped on a t-shirt.”

Fourthwall’s user-friendly dashboard enhanced this connection by providing VLDL with powerful analytics tools to manage inventory and track sales in real time. This streamlined approach not only improved the shopping experience for fans but also allowed VLDL to design and deliver products that felt deeply tied to their vibrant community.

Integration with YouTube Product Shelf

Fourthwall’s integration with YouTube Product Shelf (Merch Shelf) offers VLDL a seamless way to showcase their merchandise directly beneath their YouTube videos, bridging the gap between content and commerce. 

Fans can discover products related to the video they are watching, offering a personalized experience that feels like an extension of the content they love. This integration not only maximizes visibility by placing merchandise front and center but also enhances convenience, making it easier for fans to support VLDL’s creative efforts with just a few clicks. 

By streamlining the path from fandom to purchase, Product Shelf enables VLDL to drive sales and engagement simultaneously, helping them capitalize on moments of peak interest while strengthening the connection between their content and their brand.

Launched a Dedicated Mobile App

‍Viva La Dirt League elevated their fan experience by launching a dedicated mobile app thanks to their new membership platform on Fourthwall. 

This mobile app brings the entire VLDL universe directly to fans’ phones, providing instant access to exclusive content, merchandise, updates, and their membership area—all in one place.

Fourthwall’s Mobile Apps are designed to offer a seamless and personalized experience that mirrors the branding of the creator’s website, using the same colors, fonts, and design elements. 

Members can install the app directly from their mobile browser with just a few clicks—no app store required. This streamlined installation process eliminates barriers and ensures that fans can access the app quickly and effortlessly.

Ultimately, Fourthwall's all-in-one platform transformed how VLDL engages with their audience, making it easier for fans to support and connect with the content they love.

Making the Shift and Growing Memberships with Fourthwall

Transitioning from Patreon to Fourthwall was a strategic move for VLDL, designed to enhance the fan experience and streamline their operations.

However, this process required thoughtful planning and a fan-first approach to ensure the change was smooth and beneficial for everyone involved.

Here’s how the group executed their shift to their new platform and the success that came with it.

1. Content Migration: From Patreon to Fourthwall

VLDL approached the migration with care, phasing out their Patreon presence gradually to give fans time to adapt. During this transition, they kept their Patreon page active while encouraging fans to explore the enhanced offerings on their new platform, VIVA+.

“The two things that made our migration successful were making it fun and ensuring fans knew this was going to be a better experience—for THEM,” VLDL explained.

To make the switch seamless, Fourthwall provided tools that allowed VLDL to transfer memberships and perks without disrupting the user experience. Fans appreciated the transparency and ease of the process, which strengthened their trust in the brand.

2. Overcoming Challenges in Communication

One of the biggest hurdles VLDL faced during the transition was addressing skepticism surrounding subscriptions and memberships.

“The main challenge was the perception of subscriptions and memberships. A lot of fans have been burned by mismanaged platforms before,” VLDL shared.

The team focused on clear communication, emphasizing how VIVA+ would improve the fan experience. Despite their efforts, they acknowledged that some fans remained hesitant. “Even with the good job we did, there are still a lot of people who don’t listen fully, and it’s tough dealing with negative feedback when it’s not warranted,” they said.

By staying responsive to concerns and keeping the conversation focused on the benefits, VLDL effectively mitigated these challenges while maintaining their commitment to doing right by their community.

3. Announcing the Move: Building Excitement on Social Media

To generate buzz for VIVA+, VLDL launched an engaging campaign across their social platforms, including YouTube, Instagram, and X. 

They promoted the transition as an exciting upgrade, with their YouTube announcement explaining how VIVA+ would deliver a better experience while directly supporting the team.

To help showcase the benefits of their new platform, VLDL highlighted features like access to exclusive content, ad-free videos, and streamlined merch purchases. They also used the launch of their first comic as an opportunity to illustrate how Fourthwall made it easier for fans to support their creative endeavors.

By positioning VIVA+ as a fan-focused experience, VLDL was able to build excitement while reassuring their audience that the change was for their benefit.

4. Quick Membership Growth

The results of the transition were immediate and impressive. Within the first 40 minutes, 260 fans signed up for paid memberships. By the end of the first month, VLDL had surpassed 4,000 members, a testament to the success of their strategy.

Fourthwall’s seamless checkout options, including PayPal, contributed to a 33% conversion rate within the first hour, demonstrating the platform’s ability to help creators monetize their communities quickly and efficiently.

“By switching to VIVA+, fans got a better experience, more content, and more chances to be part of the community,” VLDL explained.

Lessons for Creators: VLDL’s Advice

In the end, VLDL emphasized that while some fans will support you no matter what, the key to success lies in offering something truly meaningful. 

“Make sure that there is something meaningful you’re able to offer your community when you create a membership site. There will be a small portion of fans who will support you no matter what, but if you’re offering something that they really can’t resist then you’re onto a winner.”

For creators considering a similar move, here are some valuable lessons inspired by VLDL’s experience:

• Make It Fun: Turn your migration into a celebration that excites your community and makes them feel part of the journey. Create interactive elements like countdowns, sneak peeks, or special rewards to build anticipation and ensure fans feel included in the process.
• Focus on Fan Value: Clearly explain how the switch will enhance your fans' experience, whether through better access, exclusive perks, or improved content delivery. Once they understand all the benefits, they’re more likely to embrace the change with enthusiasm and trust.
• Address Skepticism Early: Be proactive in addressing doubts or concerns that fans might have about the transition, especially if subscriptions or memberships are involved. Transparency and open communication—through FAQs, announcements, and personal responses—can help build trust and turn skeptics into supporters.
• Offer Irresistible Benefits: Give fans compelling reasons to make the switch, such as exclusive content, early access, personalized perks, or community-driven rewards. When fans feel like they’re getting something unique and tailored to their interests, the transition becomes an opportunity they can’t pass up.

By following these principles and ensuring your offering is genuinely valuable, you can create a membership experience that resonates deeply with your community and strengthens their support.

Create a Better Fan Experience with Fourthwall!

If you’re a creator ready to enhance community engagement, boost merchandise sales, and streamline content distribution, Fourthwall can provide you with the seamless experience that VLDL achieved with VIVA+. 

Fourthwall provides you with all the tools to build a beautifully branded website that combines all the elements your community loves in one place:

• Unified Shop and Membership Platform: Fourthwall brings your shop and memberships together on a single platform, so fans can easily access everything from exclusive content to personalized merchandise in one spot—no need to navigate multiple websites.
• Exclusive Content and Full Control: With Fourthwall Memberships, you can share exclusive content like early episode access, bonus material, behind-the-scenes footage, and personalized shout-outs, all while keeping full control over pricing and content distribution.
• Branded Website and Mobile App: Fourthwall gives you the tools to create a fully branded website and even offers a custom mobile app, allowing fans to connect with your content and merchandise in a direct and immersive way, anywhere they go.
• Integrated Sales Channels: Expand your reach with Fourthwall’s built-in shoppable integrations on platforms like YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, and Meta. Fans can discover and purchase your merchandise directly from these platforms, making it easy to increase visibility and drive sales across social media.
• Flexible Earnings and Revenue Options: Fourthwall offers a creator-friendly earnings structure, letting you keep more of each sale and membership fee. This means more resources to reinvest in your content and grow your brand.
• Easy Setup and Dedicated Support: Fourthwall provides tools for easy site customization, a user-friendly interface, and responsive customer support, allowing you to launch your membership and merchandise platform quickly and smoothly.

Take control of your brand’s future and consolidate your offerings on Fourthwall. Sign up today to elevate your membership and merchandise experience—just like VLDL did!