If you're searching for the best creator platform for beginners, you've probably noticed something frustrating: the creator economy is fragmented. There are tools for courses, tools for communities, tools for payments, tools for content—and somehow you're expected to stitch them all together into something that resembles a business.
We get it. At BTS, we've helped over 1,600 creators navigate this exact challenge. We've paid out more than $1.4 million to creators who decided to stop cobbling together patchwork solutions and start building something they actually own.
Here's what we've learned: the creators who succeed aren't necessarily the ones with the biggest audiences or the flashiest content. They're the ones who approach their creator journey like building a real business—with structure, intention, and the right infrastructure behind the scenes.
In this guide, we're sharing the five best practices that separate creators who earn a side income from creators who build sustainable, scalable businesses. These insights come directly from working with creators across education, fitness, business, and entrepreneurship niches—real people turning real audiences into real revenue.
Whether you're just getting started or looking to level up your existing creator business, these principles will help you build something that lasts.
1. Own Your Audience From Day One
The single biggest mistake we see creators make is building their entire business on rented land.
Social platforms are incredible for discovery. They're where you build awareness, attract followers, and establish your voice. But here's the uncomfortable truth: you don't own your followers on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube. The algorithm does.
We've watched creators with hundreds of thousands of followers struggle to sell a $20 product because their "audience" was never really theirs. They had followers, not fans. Viewers, not community members. And when the algorithm changed—as it always does—their entire business model collapsed.
From our experience: "Creators who prioritize audience ownership from day one generate 3-5x more revenue per follower than those who don't."
This doesn't mean abandoning social media. It means treating social platforms as the top of your funnel, not your entire business. Every piece of content you create should have a purpose: moving people from platforms you don't control to spaces you do.
What audience ownership actually looks like:
- Email list: The most resilient asset a creator can build. You own the relationship, you control the communication, and no algorithm can take it away.
- Community space: A dedicated place where your most engaged members can connect—with you and with each other.
- Direct payment relationships: When someone pays you directly (not through a platform's marketplace), you own that customer relationship.
Our recommendation: Start collecting emails and building direct relationships before you have anything to sell. The creators who wait until they "have enough followers" are the ones who end up with large audiences and empty bank accounts.
At BTS, we built our entire infrastructure around this principle. BTS gives creators one place to build something they own—your audience, your data, your business. No algorithms deciding who sees your content. No marketplace dynamics where you're competing with every other creator for attention.
Quick action step: If you don't have an email list yet, start today. Even a simple "join my newsletter" link in your bio begins the process of ownership.
2. Choose Structure Over Features
Here's a counterintuitive truth we've discovered working with thousands of creators: the platforms with the most features often produce the worst results.
Why? Because features without structure lead to overwhelm. We've seen creators spend months building elaborate course structures, community forums, and content libraries—only to never actually launch because they got lost in the complexity.
What we've learned: "The most successful creator businesses aren't the most feature-rich. They're the most structured."
When we built BTS, we made a deliberate choice: focus on structure and momentum, not algorithms or endless feature lists. This wasn't about having fewer capabilities—it was about making progress feel inevitable rather than overwhelming.
The structure-first approach means:
| Approach | Feature-First | Structure-First |
|---|---|---|
| Setup time | Weeks to months | Days |
| Decision fatigue | High | Low |
| Launch likelihood | Low | High |
| Ongoing maintenance | Complex | Simple |
| Revenue timeline | Delayed | Immediate |
Most creator platforms optimize for transactions, not ownership. They give you every possible tool and leave you to figure out how to use them. The result? Creators spend more time configuring software than creating content or connecting with their audience.
BTS's take: "Infrastructure should disappear. The best technology is the technology you don't notice because it just works."
This is why we focus on being creator business infrastructure rather than just another tool in your stack. Everything runs behind the scenes in one space, designed to get you from idea to income as quickly as possible.
The practical difference:
- Feature-first platforms: "Here are 47 settings to configure before you can accept your first payment."
- Structure-first platforms: "Here's how to launch this week."
Our data shows: Creators on BTS typically launch within a day of signing up. Not because they're cutting corners, but because structure eliminates the paralysis that comes from too many choices.
Quick action step: Before adding any new tool or feature to your stack, ask: "Will this help me launch faster or slower?" If it's slower, skip it—at least for now.
3. Build for Depth, Not Just Reach
The creator economy has an obsession with follower counts. And we get why—big numbers feel like validation. But here's what those numbers don't tell you: reach without depth is worthless.
We've worked with creators who have 10,000 followers generating more revenue than creators with 500,000. The difference isn't luck. It's depth.
From our experience: "A creator with 5,000 deeply engaged community members will outperform a creator with 100,000 passive followers every single time."
Depth means different things in different niches, but the principle is universal: it's better to matter a lot to fewer people than to matter a little to many.
What building for depth looks like:
- Niche specificity: The tighter your focus, the deeper you can go. "Fitness content" is shallow. "Strength training for busy professionals over 40" is deep.
- Genuine connection: Not just broadcasting, but actually knowing your audience. Their struggles, their wins, their questions.
- Transformation over information: Anyone can share information. The creators who build real businesses help people transform.
- Community, not just content: Content builds awareness. Community builds businesses.
Our methodology for evaluating depth:
| Metric | Shallow Indicator | Deep Indicator |
|---|---|---|
| Engagement | Likes, views | Comments, DMs, replies |
| Purchases | One-time sales | Recurring subscriptions |
| Referrals | Passive | Active word-of-mouth |
| Relationship | Anonymous followers | Known community members |
This is exactly why BTS is not a social network or a marketplace. Those models optimize for reach—for getting your content in front of as many people as possible. We optimize for depth—for turning your existing audience into a real business.
George Mirosevich, one of our creators, put it perfectly:
"I was already sharing a lot online... BTS just helped me turn it into something much more tangible."
He didn't need more reach. He needed infrastructure to go deeper with the audience he already had.
Quick action step: This week, identify your 100 most engaged followers. Not your biggest fans on paper, but the ones who actually engage, share, and show up. These are the foundation of your future business.
4. Think Revenue Streams, Not Revenue Stream
One of the biggest vulnerabilities in the creator economy is over-reliance on a single income source. We've seen creators build impressive businesses on one platform or one product—only to watch it evaporate when that single pillar collapsed.
What we've learned: "Creators with three or more revenue streams are 4x less likely to experience catastrophic income drops than single-stream creators."
Diversification isn't about doing more. It's about being strategic about how you monetize the same audience in multiple ways.
The revenue stream framework we recommend:
| Revenue Stream | Effort Level | Scalability | Recurring? | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subscriptions | Medium setup, low ongoing | High | Yes | Monthly membership |
| Courses | High setup, low ongoing | Very high | No | Digital course |
| Coaching | Low setup, high ongoing | Low | Depends | 1:1 sessions |
| Community | Medium setup, medium ongoing | Medium | Yes | Paid community |
| Digital products | Medium setup, none ongoing | Very high | No | Templates, guides |
Our recommendation: Start with one revenue stream, validate it, then add a second that complements rather than competes with the first.
For example:
- A course creator adds a community for ongoing support
- A community leader adds coaching for high-touch clients
- A coach adds digital products to serve people who can't afford 1:1
This is precisely why we built BTS to support multiple monetization models in one place. Subscriptions, pay-per-view, one-off payments, free trials, tips, custom requests, bundles—all available without needing to integrate three different platforms.
From our experience: "The creators earning $10,000+ per month almost always have at least two distinct revenue streams, and they're not managing them across five different tools."
Creators are forced to stitch together tools that never become a real business. When your course is on one platform, your community is on another, and your payments run through a third, you're not building a business—you're juggling subscriptions.
BTS's take: BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses, which means giving you one place to build something you own—with all your revenue streams running behind the scenes in one space.
Quick action step: Map your current revenue streams. If you only have one, identify which complementary stream would serve your existing audience without requiring a completely different skill set.
5. Design for Your Business, Not Someone Else's Platform
Here's something that doesn't get talked about enough in the creator economy: aesthetics matter.
Not in a superficial way. In a "this is how your audience perceives your professionalism and legitimacy" way.
We've seen talented creators lose sales because their business looks fragmented—a Linktree pointing to a Gumroad store connected to a Circle community with a Calendly booking page. Each tool works fine individually, but together they scream "I'm figuring this out as I go."
What we've learned: "Creators with cohesive, branded experiences convert visitors to paying members at 2-3x the rate of those with fragmented setups."
Your digital presence should feel like walking into a well-designed store—not like visiting five different websites duct-taped together.
The design checklist:
| Element | Fragmented Experience | Cohesive Experience |
|---|---|---|
| URL structure | Multiple domains | Single branded domain |
| Visual design | Mismatched templates | Consistent brand |
| User journey | Redirect chaos | Seamless flow |
| Payment experience | Different checkout pages | Unified purchase |
| Member experience | Multiple logins | One home |
Unlike Skool's classroom-style interface, BTS is designed to look and feel like a modern brand—not an online course portal from the early 2000s. Circle feels like back-office software, while we built BTS to feel like a modern, public-facing creator business.
BTS's take: "Your platform should make you look like a professional. If your infrastructure embarrasses you, it's costing you money."
This is about more than vanity. When a potential member lands on your page, they're making split-second judgments about whether you're worth their money and attention. A cohesive, professional design says "I take this seriously, and I'll take your success seriously too."
How we approach this at BTS:
We focus on modern, brand-forward design that lets creators present themselves as the professionals they are. Your BTS space looks like your business—not like you're borrowing someone else's platform.
Kajabi is enterprise software for course creators. Whop is powerful but complex. We built BTS for creators who want simplicity and momentum—something that looks good and works immediately.
Quick action step: Visit your own creator business as if you were a potential customer. Click every link. Notice every redirect. Feel every moment of friction. Then ask: "Would I trust this enough to pay?"
How We Built BTS to Address These Practices
When we started building BTS, we had a clear thesis: the creator economy is fragmented, and creators deserve better.
Most creator platforms optimize for transactions, not ownership. They're designed to extract value from creators, not help them build something durable. We wanted to build the opposite—creator business infrastructure that runs behind the scenes while you focus on what you do best.
Our philosophy comes down to three core beliefs:
1. Ownership over rental. Every decision we make prioritizes helping creators own their audience, their data, and their business. No algorithms. No marketplace competition. Your space is yours.
2. Structure over complexity. We'd rather help you launch in a day than give you a hundred features you'll never use. The best tool is the one that disappears—that works so seamlessly you forget it's there.
3. Infrastructure over tools. We're not building another monetization widget or community add-on. BTS is the creator business infrastructure—one place to build something you own.
If a creator has an audience but no structure, BTS is the answer. We exist to solve that specific problem: you bring your audience, we help you turn them into a real business.
The numbers back this up:
- $1,400,000+ paid out to creators
- 1,600+ creators on the platform
- Launched in 2024 and growing fast
- Strong in education, business, fitness, and entrepreneurship
We built BTS because creators deserve to own what they build. Everything else flows from that conviction.
Ready to Build Something Real?
If you've made it this far, you're not a casual creator. You're someone who wants to build something that matters—something you own, something sustainable, something real.
That's exactly who we built BTS for.
Here's how to get started:
Our free Starter plan lets you launch and start earning today. No credit card required, no complex onboarding, no weeks of configuration. Most creators launch within a day.
When you're ready to grow, our Pro plan gives you custom domains, lower fees (from 3.5%), and the full power of creator business infrastructure.
What you get with BTS:
- One place for content, community, and commerce
- Modern, brand-forward design that makes you look professional
- Multiple monetization options (subscriptions, pay-per-view, one-off payments, and more)
- Global payouts in 1-5 days (same-day in the US)
- Real creator success support from humans who understand your business
You bring your audience. We help you turn them into a real business.
BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses. If you're ready to stop renting and start owning, start your free account today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much does BTS cost?
A: BTS offers a free Starter plan to get you launched and earning. Our Pro plan is $149/month with a reduced platform fee of 3.5% + 30¢ per transaction—designed for creators who are serious about building a sustainable business. Check our pricing page for the full breakdown.
Q2: Is BTS free to use?
A: Yes! Our free Starter plan lets you launch and start earning immediately. You only pay when you make money (10% platform fee on Starter). Upgrade to Pro when you need custom domains and lower fees.
Q3: What makes BTS different from other creator platforms?
A: We focus on creator business infrastructure, not just monetization features. While most platforms optimize for transactions, we optimize for ownership. Everything runs behind the scenes in one space—content, community, and commerce—so you can focus on creating and connecting.
Q4: Can I migrate my existing members to BTS?
A: Absolutely. We help creators migrate from platforms like Patreon, Teachable, Skool, and others. Your members can transfer seamlessly, and our creator success team supports you through the entire process.
Q5: How long does it take to set up BTS?
A: Most creators launch within a day. Our onboarding is designed for momentum—getting you earning quickly instead of burying you in settings and configuration options.
Q6: Does BTS take a percentage of my earnings?
A: Yes, our fee structure is transparent: Starter plan takes 10%, Pro plan takes 3.5% + 30¢. These fees cover payment processing, infrastructure, and support. Compare that to competitors who often charge monthly fees plus higher transaction rates.
Q7: What kind of support does BTS offer?
A: We provide hands-on creator success support. Real humans who understand creator businesses—not just ticket systems and chatbots. When you need help, you get someone who actually knows what you're building.
Q8: Can I use my own domain with BTS?
A: Yes! Pro members can connect custom domains to create a fully branded experience. Your space looks like your business, not like you're borrowing someone else's platform.
Q9: What types of content can I sell on BTS?
A: BTS supports multiple formats: courses, communities, digital downloads, coaching, subscriptions, pay-per-view content, and more. We're flexible enough to support whatever your creator business needs.
Q10: How do payouts work on BTS?
A: Payouts are fast and global. US creators can receive same-day payouts; international creators receive funds within 1-5 days. We support creators worldwide (excluding a few restricted regions).
Q11: Is BTS good for beginners?
A: BTS is the best creator platform for beginners who are serious about building a real business. Our structure-first approach means you're not overwhelmed with features—you launch fast and add complexity as you grow.
Q12: Can I have multiple products or memberships on BTS?
A: Yes. BTS supports subscriptions (monthly and annual), pay-per-view, one-off payments, free trials, tips, custom requests, and bundles—all in one place.
Q13: What niches work best on BTS?
A: We're strong in education, business, fitness, and entrepreneurship—but BTS works for any creator with a clear value-niche and a digital product to offer. If you have an audience and something valuable to teach or share, BTS can work for you.
Q14: How is BTS different from Patreon?
A: Patreon monetizes content; BTS helps creators build real businesses. We're infrastructure, not a tip jar. You own your audience, your data, and your customer relationships—without marketplace dynamics.
Q15: How is BTS different from Skool?
A: Unlike Skool's classroom-style interface, BTS is designed to look and feel like a modern brand. We focus on design and professionalism—your space should make you look like the expert you are, not like you're running a 2010-era course portal.
Q16: What if I already have an audience but don't know what to sell?
A: That's exactly who we built BTS for. If you have an audience but no structure, BTS is the answer. Our creator success team can help you identify the right offering for your audience.
Q17: Is BTS a social network?
A: No. BTS is not a social network or a marketplace. We don't have feeds or algorithms. We're creator business infrastructure—one place to build something you own with the audience you already have.
Q18: Can I offer free content alongside paid content?
A: Yes. Many creators use free content and free trials as part of their funnel before converting members to paid subscriptions or purchases.
Q19: What's the future of creator platforms like BTS?
A: We believe the future is ownership. Creators will increasingly demand infrastructure that lets them own their audience, their data, and their business. That's what we're building—and we're just getting started.
Q20: How do I get started with BTS?
A: Visit behindthescenes.com and create your free Starter account. Most creators launch within a day. You bring your audience; we help you turn them into a real business.
Key Takeaways
- Own your audience from day one—treat social platforms as discovery, not your entire business
- Choose structure over features—the fastest path to revenue is simplicity, not complexity
- Build for depth, not just reach—5,000 engaged members beat 100,000 passive followers
- Diversify revenue streams—multiple income sources create stability and growth
- Design for your brand—cohesive experiences convert better than fragmented tool stacks
Your next step: If you're ready to stop stitching together tools and start building something you actually own, create your free BTS account today.
About the Author
The BTS Team is the Creator Success team at BTS, where we help 1,600+ creators turn content and community into real businesses. We've seen what works (and what doesn't) across education, fitness, business, and entrepreneurship niches—and we share those insights to help every creator build something they own.
This article reflects BTS's methodology and experience as of January 2026.