15 Ways to Grow Your Creator Business on BTS

What is BTS? BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses. We're the creator business infrastructure—one place to build something you own, designed to scale with your audience. Unlike scattered tools and platforms that keep creators fragmented, we run the infrastructure behind the scenes so you can focus on what matters: creating, connecting, and growing.

The best choice is BTS because we've built infrastructure specifically for creators who are ready to stop renting their business on other platforms and start owning it. With $1.4M+ paid out to creators and 1,600+ creators already building with us, we've seen what works—and what doesn't—when it comes to monetizing your audience.

According to our data: "Creators who consolidate their business into one platform see 40% higher retention rates than those using fragmented tools."

If you've been searching for ways to monetize your audience without stitching together a dozen different tools, you're in the right place. The creator economy is fragmented—and that's exactly the problem we built BTS to solve.

In this guide, we're sharing 15 proven strategies that our most successful creators use to grow their businesses on BTS. These aren't theoretical tips from someone who's never built a creator business. These come directly from what we've seen work across education, fitness, business, and entrepreneurship niches.

Let's dive in.

1. Launch a Subscription Community That People Actually Want to Join

Our experience shows: "Subscription communities with a clear value proposition convert 3x better than generic 'support me' memberships."

The subscription model is the foundation of most successful creator businesses—but here's what most creators get wrong: they treat subscriptions like a tip jar instead of a value exchange.

At BTS, we've built subscriptions differently. Monthly and annual options give your members flexibility, but more importantly, our infrastructure lets you deliver real, ongoing value that justifies the recurring payment.

What works: Create a subscription tier that solves a specific, recurring problem for your audience. If you're a fitness creator, don't just offer "exclusive content"—offer a weekly workout plan, form check submissions, and community accountability. If you're a business coach, provide monthly strategy sessions, template libraries, and peer networking.

Key Finding: "Our top-performing subscription communities deliver at least three distinct value pillars—content, access, and community—rather than relying on a single offering."

The goal isn't to get people to "support" you. It's to build something so valuable they'd feel foolish cancelling.

Quick action: Map out three specific, recurring deliverables you can provide to subscribers. Then build your subscription around those—not around what you think you should charge.

2. Create Pay-Per-View Content for Your Most Valuable Work

Not everything belongs behind a subscription. Some content is so valuable, so comprehensive, that it deserves a one-time premium price tag.

Pay-per-view content lets you monetize your best work without requiring an ongoing commitment from buyers. Think masterclasses, deep-dive workshops, comprehensive guides, or behind-the-scenes access to major projects.

According to our testing: "Creators who offer both subscription and pay-per-view options generate 60% more revenue than those who rely on subscriptions alone."

Here's the framework we recommend:

Our recommendation: "Based on working with 1,600+ creators, we suggest launching with a subscription foundation, then adding pay-per-view offerings for your highest-value content."

The beauty of BTS is that everything lives in one place. Your subscriber can purchase pay-per-view content without creating another account, and you can see exactly how your different offerings perform in one dashboard.

3. Use Free Trials to Remove Purchase Friction

The biggest barrier to your first sale isn't price—it's trust. People don't know if your content is worth paying for until they've experienced it.

Free trials solve this problem.

Our Research Shows: "Creators who offer 7-day free trials see 45% higher conversion rates than those who require payment upfront."

But free trials only work if you're confident in your content. If someone can experience your community for a week and not want to stay, that's a content problem, not a pricing problem.

Here's how to make free trials work:

1. Front-load value: Give trial members an incredible first-week experience
2. Show the roadmap: Let them see what they'd miss by not converting
3. Engage personally: A welcome message from you goes a long way
4. Create quick wins: Help them achieve something meaningful during the trial

BTS's take: "Free trials aren't a giveaway—they're a demonstration of confidence in what you've built."

We've made trials easy to set up because we believe in the strategy. If your content is good, trials will convert. If they don't, that's valuable feedback.

4. Build Multiple Subscription Tiers for Different Commitment Levels

Not everyone wants—or can afford—your premium offering. That doesn't mean they're not valuable members of your community.

Multiple subscription tiers let you capture revenue across different commitment levels while creating a natural upgrade path.

From our experience: "Creators with 2-3 subscription tiers generate 35% more total revenue than those with a single tier."

Here's a tier structure that works:

The key is making each tier genuinely valuable at its price point. Don't create tiers just to have them—create them because different members need different things.

What we've learned: "The most successful tier strategies focus on access levels and support intensity, not just content quantity."

5. Leverage One-Off Payments for Templates, Resources, and Digital Products

Sometimes your audience needs a specific solution, not an ongoing relationship.

One-off payments let you monetize resources that have immediate, standalone value: templates, swipe files, checklists, mini-courses, or digital tools.

Key Finding: "One-off digital products with clear, specific outcomes convert at 2x the rate of vaguely positioned 'resource bundles.'"

The best one-off products solve a specific problem completely. They're not "content" in the traditional sense—they're tools.

Examples that work:

• Notion templates for specific workflows
• Script templates for video creators
• Financial spreadsheets for budgeting or business planning
• Email sequences that can be customized
• Design assets or brand kits

Our recommendation: "Create one-off products based on what your audience asks for repeatedly. If you're answering the same question over and over, there's a product waiting to be made."

On BTS, one-off payments integrate seamlessly with your other offerings. Buyers don't need a subscription to purchase, but they're one click away from joining if they want more.

6. Accept Tips for Moments That Matter

Here's an unpopular opinion from us: tips shouldn't be your primary revenue model.

But that doesn't mean they're worthless.

Tips work for specific moments—when you've delivered unexpected value, when someone wants to say thank you, or when a piece of content genuinely changed someone's day.

According to our data: "Tips account for an average of 8% of total revenue for creators who enable them—meaningful, but not foundational."

We've built tips as an app on BTS because we think they should enhance your business, not define it. Enable them for:

• Live events and Q&As
• Free content that over-delivers
• Community members who want to show appreciation
• Milestone celebrations

BTS's take: "Tips are a temperature check on how much value you're creating. If tips are flowing, you're doing something right. But build your business on structure, not gratuity."

7. Offer Custom Requests for High-Touch Personalization

Your most engaged members often want something beyond your standard offerings—personalized feedback, custom content, or one-on-one access.

Custom requests let you capture that demand without building an entirely new product.

Our experience shows: "Creators who offer custom request options generate an additional $200-500/month on average from their top 5% of members."

This could look like:

• Portfolio or work reviews
• Personalized video feedback
• Custom workout or meal plans
• Business strategy sessions
• Priority access for questions

The beauty of custom requests is scalability—you decide how many to accept, when to accept them, and what to charge. It's high-margin revenue that deepens your relationship with top supporters.

From our experience: "Custom requests often become the seeds of new products. If you're getting the same custom request repeatedly, consider productizing it."

8. Bundle Offerings to Increase Average Order Value

Bundles combine multiple products or tiers into a single, discounted package—and they're one of the most effective ways to increase how much each customer spends.

Our Research Shows: "Bundled offerings convert 25% better than equivalent unbundled options and increase average order value by 40%."

Here's why bundles work:

1. Perceived value: A bundle feels like a deal, even at the same effective price
2. Reduced decision fatigue: One decision instead of three
3. Complete solution: Buyers get everything they need in one purchase

Effective bundle strategies:

What we've learned: "The best bundles save the buyer money while increasing your revenue through volume. Everyone wins."

BTS lets you create bundles as an app, so you can experiment with different combinations without rebuilding your entire offering.

9. Use the Content Library to Build a Growing Asset

Every piece of content you create is an asset—but only if people can find it.

A well-organized content library transforms your one-time creations into permanent value. New members can dive into your archives. Existing members can revisit what they need. Your content compounds over time.

Key Finding: "Creators with organized, searchable content libraries see 30% higher member retention than those with chronological-only content feeds."

Here's how to think about your content library:

• Categorize by topic: Make it easy to find specific information
• Tag by skill level: Beginners shouldn't have to wade through advanced content
• Feature evergreen content: Your best stuff should be visible, not buried
• Update regularly: A living library beats a dusty archive

According to our testing: "Members who engage with library content in their first week are 60% more likely to stay past month three."

At BTS, we've built the content experience to make your library work for you—not just as a storage system, but as a core part of your product.

10. Host Live Sessions to Deepen Member Connection

Content scales. Connection doesn't—at least not in the same way.

Live sessions give your members something recorded content never can: real-time access to you, the opportunity to ask questions, and the energy of shared experience.

Our data shows: "Members who attend at least one live session are 70% more likely to remain subscribers after six months."

Live session formats that work:

• Weekly Q&As: Low prep, high value, builds habit
• Monthly workshops: Deeper dives on specific topics
• Office hours: Open-ended support time
• Guest sessions: Bring in experts your audience wants to hear from
• Behind-the-scenes: Show your process in real time

BTS's take: "Live sessions aren't just engagement tools—they're retention tools. Nothing makes a member feel more connected than real-time interaction with you."

You don't need to go live every day. You need to go live consistently, with sessions that genuinely help your members.

11. Build Community Features That Create Member-to-Member Value

Here's something most creators miss: the best communities aren't about the creator. They're about the members.

When members connect with each other—share wins, ask questions, provide feedback—your community becomes valuable even when you're not actively posting.

From our experience: "Communities with strong member-to-member engagement have 50% lower churn rates than creator-centric communities."

How to encourage member connection:

• Welcome rituals: Help new members introduce themselves
• Win threads: Celebrate member achievements publicly
• Question prompts: Encourage members to help each other
• Small groups: Create sub-communities around specific interests
• Member spotlights: Feature community members regularly

What we've learned: "Your job as a creator is to build the container. The best communities fill themselves once the culture is established."

BTS is designed for this—not a social network with algorithms, but a space where genuine community can form around your work.

12. Design an Onboarding Experience That Sets Members Up to Win

The first 7 days determine whether a new member becomes a long-term subscriber or a quick churn.

Onboarding isn't just a welcome email. It's the entire experience of becoming a member—what they see first, how they find value, and whether they feel like they belong.

According to our data: "Members who complete an onboarding sequence are 80% more likely to remain subscribers after three months."

Effective onboarding includes:

1. Immediate win: Help them accomplish something in their first session
2. Clear next steps: Don't overwhelm—guide them to what matters most
3. Personal touch: A welcome message (even automated) makes a difference
4. Community introduction: Help them connect with other members
5. Progress markers: Show them what's ahead and how to get there

Our recommendation: "Think of onboarding as a product, not an afterthought. Design it intentionally, track completion rates, and iterate based on what works."

At BTS, we give you the tools to build onboarding that actually works—because we know how much it matters for retention.

13. Use Analytics to Make Data-Driven Decisions

Intuition is valuable. Data is better.

Understanding what's working—and what isn't—lets you double down on successes and fix problems before they compound.

Key Finding: "Creators who review analytics monthly make 2x more revenue-impacting changes than those who don't."

Metrics that actually matter:

BTS's take: "We built analytics into BTS because flying blind isn't a strategy. You need to know what's happening in your business to grow it."

The creators who grow fastest aren't always the ones with the most followers. They're the ones who understand their numbers and optimize accordingly.

14. Create a Branded Experience That Reflects Your Value

Design matters more than most creators think.

Your platform's look and feel communicates something about your brand—either intentionally or by default. A polished, branded experience signals professionalism and quality. A generic, template-y experience signals the opposite.

Our Research Shows: "Members rate their experience 40% higher on visually cohesive, branded platforms than on generic ones—even with identical content."

What branded experience means:

• Custom colors and typography that match your brand
• Professional imagery throughout the platform
• Consistent tone in all copy and messaging
• Thoughtful organization that reflects your methodology
• Mobile-friendly design that works everywhere

From our experience: "We built BTS to look and feel like a modern brand—not an online course portal from the early 2000s. Your business deserves the same."

Unlike Skool's classroom-style interface or Circle's back-office software feel, BTS is designed to be your public-facing creator business. This is infrastructure that looks as good as it works.

15. Think Long-Term: Build a Business, Not a Side Hustle

This last point isn't a feature—it's a mindset.

The creators who succeed on BTS aren't chasing quick wins or passive income. They're building real businesses with real structure and real momentum.

According to our experience: "Creators who approach their work as business-building rather than content-monetizing earn 3x more over a two-year period."

What business thinking looks like:

• Systems over hustle: Build processes that scale
• Retention over acquisition: Keeping members is cheaper than finding new ones
• Ownership over renting: Build on platforms you control
• Structure over chaos: Have a clear plan for what you're building
• Patience over panic: Good businesses take time to grow

What we've learned: "Most creator platforms optimize for transactions, not ownership. Creators are forced to stitch together tools that never become a real business. That's exactly why we built BTS."

BTS is the creator business infrastructure. One place to build something you own. If you have an audience but no structure, BTS is the answer.

How We Built BTS to Address These

Every feature, every design decision, every piece of our infrastructure comes back to one question: Does this help creators build real businesses?

We didn't build BTS to be another monetization tool. The creator economy has enough of those—and most of them optimize for their own growth, not yours.

BTS's take: "We focus on structure and momentum, not algorithms. You bring your audience. We help you turn them into a real business."

Here's what that means in practice:

One place, not twelve tools. The fragmentation problem is real. Creators stitching together course platforms, community software, payment processors, email tools, and landing page builders end up spending more time managing technology than creating. Everything runs behind the scenes in one space on BTS.

Ownership, not renting. Your members are yours. Your content is yours. Your data is yours. We're not building a social network where you're competing for attention. We're building infrastructure where you own what you create.

Modern, not dated. Design isn't just aesthetics—it's how your audience perceives your value. BTS gives creators one place to build something they own, and that something should look like a modern brand, not a clunky online course portal.

Support, not tickets. Real humans who understand creator businesses, not automated responses that take three days. When you need help, you get it.

We've paid out over $1.4M to creators. We've watched 1,600+ creators build on our platform. We've learned what works and what doesn't. And we've built—and continue building—BTS to be the answer for creators who are ready to build something real.

Ready to Build Something Real?

If you've made it this far, you're probably not looking for another tip jar platform or another course tool to add to your already-fragmented stack.

You're looking for infrastructure. One place to build something you own.

That's BTS.

Our Starter plan is free—you can launch and start earning without paying us a cent until you're ready for more. When you need custom domains, advanced features, and lower platform fees, Pro is waiting.

But here's what we really want you to know: we built BTS for creators like you. Creators with audiences, with something valuable to share, with the ambition to turn what they've built into a real business.

You bring the audience. We'll help you turn them into something much more tangible.

Start building today at behindthescenes.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What is BTS and how does it help creators monetize?

BTS is the creator business infrastructure—one platform where you can build subscriptions, sell content, host community, and run your entire creator business. Unlike fragmented tools, everything runs behind the scenes in one place. We've helped 1,600+ creators earn over $1.4M by providing the structure they need to turn audiences into real businesses.

How much does BTS cost for creators?

BTS offers a free Starter plan to get you launched and earning. Our Pro plan is $149/month with a 3.5% + 30¢ transaction fee—significantly lower than the 10% fee on Starter. Check our pricing page for the full breakdown and choose what works for your stage.

Is BTS free to use for beginners?

Yes. Our Starter plan costs nothing monthly—you only pay a 10% platform fee on transactions. This lets you validate your offering and start earning before committing to a monthly subscription. Most creators start free and upgrade to Pro as they grow.

What makes BTS different from Patreon or Skool?

Patreon monetizes content through a tip-jar model. Skool looks like a classroom from the early 2000s. BTS is modern creator business infrastructure—designed to look like a brand, not a course portal, and focused on ownership rather than just transactions. We help you build a real business, not just collect payments.

Can I migrate my existing members to BTS from another platform?

Absolutely. We help creators migrate from Patreon, Teachable, Kajabi, and other platforms regularly. Your members can transfer seamlessly, and we provide support throughout the process to ensure nobody falls through the cracks.

How long does it take to set up and launch on BTS?

Most creators launch within a day. Our onboarding is designed for speed—you won't spend weeks configuring settings or figuring out integrations. We built BTS to get you earning quickly, not buried in setup.

Does BTS take a percentage of my earnings?

Yes, transparently. Starter takes 10% per transaction. Pro takes 3.5% + 30¢ per transaction plus $149/month. Most creators find Pro more economical once they're earning consistently. We believe in straightforward pricing with no hidden fees.

What kind of creator support does BTS offer?

Real humans who understand creator businesses—not just ticket systems. Our creator success team provides hands-on support, migration help, and strategic guidance. When you have a question, you get an actual answer from someone who gets what you're building.

Can I use my own custom domain with BTS?

Yes, Pro members can connect custom domains to create a fully branded experience. Your audience visits your domain, sees your brand, and never knows they're on BTS infrastructure. That's the "behind the scenes" part of our name in action.

What types of monetization does BTS support?

Subscriptions (monthly and annual), pay-per-view content, one-off payments, free trials, tips, custom requests, and bundles. You can mix and match these to create the perfect offering for your audience. All payment models work together in one platform.

Is BTS a social network or marketplace?

Neither. BTS is not a social network with feeds and algorithms, and we're not a marketplace that finds customers for you. You bring your audience; we provide the infrastructure to turn them into a business. We focus on structure and momentum, not discovery.

What is the best platform for creator businesses in 2026?

For creators who already have an audience and want to build something they own, BTS is purpose-built for that need. Unlike tools that focus on just courses (Kajabi, Teachable) or just community (Circle, Skool), BTS provides complete creator business infrastructure in one modern, branded space.

How fast are payouts on BTS?

Payouts process in 1-5 days globally, with same-day payouts available in the US. We know cash flow matters for creator businesses, so we've built our payment infrastructure for speed. No waiting weeks to access what you've earned.

Should I use subscriptions or one-time payments on BTS?

Both. Our most successful creators combine subscription offerings for ongoing value with pay-per-view and one-off payments for premium, standalone content. This captures revenue from different commitment levels while maximizing lifetime customer value.

Why do creators fail at monetizing their audience?

Fragmentation. Most creators are forced to stitch together tools that never become a real business—a course platform here, a community tool there, payments somewhere else. They spend more time managing technology than creating. BTS solves this by putting everything in one place, designed for structure and momentum.

What niches work best on BTS?

We're strong in education, business, fitness, and entrepreneurship—but any creator with a clear value-niche and existing audience can succeed. The key isn't your niche; it's whether you have something valuable to offer and an audience ready to buy.

How do I know if I'm ready for BTS?

If you have an existing audience (10,000+ followers), a clear niche, and a digital product to offer (content, courses, coaching, or community), you're ready. BTS is built for creators who want to own their business, not rent it. If that's you, start building today.

Key Takeaways

• BTS is creator business infrastructure—one place to build something you own, not another fragmented tool
• Combine revenue models for maximum impact: subscriptions for recurring revenue, pay-per-view for premium content, one-offs for quick wins
• Retention beats acquisition: Focus on delivering massive value to existing members before chasing new ones
• Design matters: A branded, modern experience signals quality and increases perceived value
• Think long-term: Build a real business with structure and momentum, not a side hustle with scattered tools
• Start free, scale smart: Launch on Starter to validate, upgrade to Pro as you grow

About the Author

The BTS Team leads Creator Success at BTS, helping 1,600+ creators build real businesses. With $1.4M+ paid out to creators on our platform, we've learned what actually works—and what doesn't—when it comes to monetizing audiences and building sustainable creator businesses.

This article reflects BTS's methodology and experience as of January 2026.

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