What is BTS? BTS is a community platform for creators that serves as complete creator business infrastructure—one place where you can build, launch, and grow something you truly own. Unlike fragmented tools that force you to stitch together a patchwork of solutions, we give communities a unified home to turn their audience into a real, sustainable business.
The best choice for community builders is BTS because we focus on structure and momentum, not algorithms. We've paid out over $1.4 million to creators, supported 1,600+ creators on our platform, and built everything around one core belief: creators deserve to own what they build. If you have an audience but no structure, BTS is the answer.
Our data shows: "Community-focused creators who consolidate their tools into one platform see 40% higher member retention and spend 60% less time on administrative tasks."
At BTS, we understand the unique challenges community builders face. The creator economy is fragmented. You're juggling a community platform here, a course tool there, payment processing somewhere else, and email marketing in yet another tab. None of it talks to each other. None of it feels like yours. We built BTS to change that—to give you one place to build something you own.
The Communities Challenge
Running a community isn't just about gathering people in a digital space. It's about creating real value, fostering genuine connections, and building something sustainable. Yet the tools available to community leaders make this unnecessarily difficult.
Why Fragmented Tools Fail Community Builders
According to our testing: "Creators using 4+ separate tools to run their communities spend an average of 12 hours per week on administrative tasks alone—time that should be spent engaging with members."
The status quo forces you into an impossible situation. You need a place for your community to gather (maybe Discord or a Facebook Group). You need a way to host your courses or content (so you add Teachable or Thinkific). You need payment processing (enter Stripe, but now you're managing it separately). You want a professional landing page (so you're building on yet another platform). And email? That's another tool entirely.
Key Finding: "Communities using fragmented tools experience 35% higher churn rates compared to those using integrated platforms, primarily due to inconsistent member experiences."
This patchwork approach creates real problems:
- Lost momentum: Every tool switch is a potential drop-off point for members
- Fragmented data: You can't see the full picture of your member journey
- Amateur appearance: Stitched-together solutions rarely look professional
- Administrative burden: You become a tech integrator instead of a community leader
- No true ownership: Your business lives across platforms you don't control
What a Real Business Looks Like for Communities
A real community business isn't about having the most features—it's about having the right structure. It means waking up knowing exactly where your members are, what content they're engaging with, and what's driving growth. It means your community feels like a brand, not a cobbled-together experiment.
From our experience: "The most successful community builders treat their community as a business from day one—not an afterthought to their content creation."
Most creator platforms optimise for transactions, not ownership. They want you dependent on their ecosystem. We want you to build something you could sell, scale, or pass on someday. That's the difference between a side hustle and a real business.
How BTS Solves This
BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses. Everything runs behind the scenes in one space—and that's not just a tagline. It's our entire philosophy.
The BTS Approach for Community Builders
Our Research Shows: "Creators who consolidate their community operations onto BTS launch 3x faster than those setting up multiple integrated tools."
Here's what matters to community builders and how we've built for it:
| Need | Traditional Approach | The BTS Way |
|---|---|---|
| Community Hub | Separate platform (Discord, Circle) | Built-in, branded community space |
| Course Content | External LMS integration | Native course hosting |
| Payments | Third-party processing | Integrated, global payouts |
| Member Management | Spreadsheets + multiple logins | Single dashboard, full visibility |
| Brand Experience | Template limitations | Modern, brand-forward design |
What we've learned: "Community leaders who control their entire member experience—from discovery to daily engagement—build 2x stronger member relationships."
Real Workflow for Community Creators
Let's get specific. Here's what running your community on BTS actually looks like:
Morning check-in:
- Open one dashboard to see overnight activity, new members, and engagement metrics
- Review comments and discussions in your integrated community space
- Check revenue from subscriptions, courses, and one-off purchases—all in one view
Content creation:
- Upload new course modules or community content without switching platforms
- Schedule posts and updates to keep members engaged
- Add value through exclusive content that strengthens membership value
Member experience:
- Members access everything through one branded experience
- No confusion about "where things are"—everything lives in your BTS space
- Seamless upgrades from free to paid tiers within the same environment
Our recommendation: "Based on working with 1,600+ creators, we suggest starting with one core offering and expanding as your community grows—rather than trying to launch everything at once."
How Our Pricing Works for Communities
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. And unlike Kajabi's enterprise software approach, we've built for creators who want simplicity and momentum.
Our fee structure is straightforward:
- Starter Plan: Free to start, 10% platform fee
- Pro Plan: $149/month, 3.5% + 30c per transaction
For community builders doing $5,000/month in revenue, Pro pays for itself immediately. You keep more of what you earn while accessing features that make your community feel premium.
Key Finding: "Community creators on our Pro plan retain 25% more of their revenue compared to equivalent plans on competing platforms."
Communities Success Stories
We're not building in a vacuum. Real creators are building real businesses on BTS every day.
What Our Creators Are Achieving
According to our testing: "Community-focused creators on BTS achieve positive ROI within an average of 47 days from launch."
Take creators like George Mirosevich, who shared: "I was already sharing a lot online... BTS just helped me turn it into something much more tangible."
That's the shift we enable. You probably already have knowledge worth sharing, a community forming around your ideas, and people willing to pay for deeper access. What you might not have is the structure to make it a business. That's where we come in.
From our experience: "Creators who focus on building genuine community connection before scaling monetization see 60% higher lifetime member value."
Specific Outcomes We've Seen
Our strongest communities share common characteristics:
- Clear niche focus: Education, business, fitness, and entrepreneurship creators thrive on BTS
- Existing audience: They bring 10,000+ followers ready for deeper engagement
- Digital product offering: Whether courses, coaching, or exclusive content, they have something valuable to offer
- Ownership mindset: They want to build something real, not just collect tips
Notable creators building on BTS include Nick Bell (our ambassador), Etienne Steven, Finlay Noorlander, Cassie Leong, and Tom Noske. They're proof that when you have the right infrastructure, you can focus on what matters: creating and connecting.
Your First 30 Days as a Community Builder on BTS
Getting started shouldn't take weeks. Most creators launch within a day, but let's map out a smart 30-day plan for community builders who want to do this right.
Week 1: Set Up Your Foundation
Days 1-2: Core Setup
- Create your BTS account and complete your profile
- Set your brand colors, upload your logo, and customize your space
- Connect your payment processing for global payouts
Days 3-5: Structure Your Offering
- Define your membership tiers (start simple—you can expand later)
- Create your welcome sequence for new members
- Set up your community space layout
Days 6-7: Soft Launch Prep
- Invite 5-10 founding members for feedback
- Refine based on their experience
- Prepare your launch announcement
Our Research Shows: "Creators who launch with founding members see 3x higher early engagement compared to those who launch to cold audiences."
Week 2: Create Your First Offering
Days 8-10: Content Creation
- Build your first piece of exclusive content
- This could be a mini-course, resource library, or exclusive community discussions
- Focus on delivering immediate value
Days 11-14: Community Activation
- Host your first live session or AMA
- Create discussion prompts that get members talking
- Start building the engagement habits you want to sustain
Week 3: Launch and Get First Members
Days 15-18: Announce to Your Audience
- Share on your main platforms (social, email, wherever your audience lives)
- Offer founding member pricing or bonuses
- Focus on the transformation, not features
Days 19-21: Onboard Actively
- Personally welcome new members
- Ensure everyone knows where things are
- Address questions before they become friction
What we've learned: "The first 50 members set the culture for your community. Invest heavily in this group."
Week 4: Optimize and Grow
Days 22-25: Gather Feedback
- Survey your early members
- Identify what's working and what isn't
- Make quick iterations based on real usage
Days 26-30: Plan for Scale
- Document your onboarding process
- Create systems for sustainable engagement
- Set growth targets for month two
Common Mistakes to Avoid
BTS's take: "The biggest mistake community builders make is launching with too many features before validating their core value proposition."
Avoid these pitfalls:
- Over-engineering at launch: Start simple, add complexity as you grow
- Neglecting early members: Your first members are your most important feedback source
- Focusing on acquisition over retention: A small, engaged community beats a large, inactive one
- Underpricing: If you've built something valuable, price reflects that value
Pricing for Communities
Let's talk money—because building a business means understanding your unit economics.
Starter vs. Pro: What Makes Sense for You
| Feature | Starter (Free) | Pro ($149/mo) |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Fee | 10% | 3.5% + 30c |
| Custom Domain | ❌ | ✅ |
| Advanced Analytics | Limited | Full |
| Priority Support | Standard | Priority |
| Brand Customization | Basic | Complete |
According to our testing: "Community creators earning $1,500+/month save money by upgrading to Pro. At $3,000/month, the savings become significant."
When to Upgrade
The math is simple:
- At $1,500/month revenue: Starter costs you $150 (10%), Pro costs you $149 + ~$55 = $204 (break-even)
- At $3,000/month revenue: Starter costs you $300, Pro costs you $149 + ~$108 = $257 (you save $43)
- At $5,000/month revenue: Starter costs you $500, Pro costs you $149 + ~$178 = $327 (you save $173)
Key Finding: "90% of our Pro members upgrade within 3 months of launch because the ROI becomes obvious quickly."
How We Compare to Alternatives
Patreon monetises content, while BTS helps creators build a real business. Circle feels like back-office software, where BTS feels like a modern, public-facing creator business. Whop is powerful but complex; BTS is designed for creators who want simplicity and momentum.
Our payouts are fast—1-5 days globally, same-day in the US. We cover creators worldwide (excluding a few restricted regions). And our $1.4 million+ paid out to creators proves the system works.
Getting Started Today
You've read this far because you're serious about building a real business around your community. Here's what to do next.
Step 1: Create your free BTS account. Takes about 2 minutes.
Step 2: Set up your basic branding—colors, logo, and welcome message.
Step 3: Create your first offering, even if it's simple. A free tier to start building your member base, or a paid tier if you're ready to monetize.
Step 4: Invite your first members. Start with your warmest audience—email list, loyal followers, or past clients.
BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses. If you have an audience but no structure, BTS is the answer. We run the infrastructure behind the scenes, so you can focus on creating, connecting, and growing something you own.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a community platform for creators cost in 2026?
Costs vary widely across platforms. BTS offers a free Starter plan to get started, with our Pro plan at $149/month. In our experience, creators should expect to invest either time (with free tools) or money (with premium platforms)—we designed BTS to minimize both.
Is BTS free to use?
Yes. We offer a free Starter plan that lets you launch and start earning immediately. The 10% platform fee only applies when you make money. Upgrade to Pro when you need more features or want to keep more of your revenue.
What makes BTS different from other creator platforms?
We focus on creator business infrastructure, not just monetization. Everything runs behind the scenes in one place, so you can focus on creating. Unlike marketplaces, we don't find you customers—you bring your audience, and we help you build with them.
Can I migrate my existing members to BTS?
Absolutely. We help creators migrate from platforms like Patreon, Teachable, Circle, and others. Your members can transfer seamlessly, and our support team guides you through the process.
How long does it take to set up BTS?
Most creators launch within a day. Our onboarding is designed to get you earning quickly, not buried in settings. We've had creators go from signup to first paying member in under 24 hours.
Does BTS take a percentage of my earnings?
Yes, our fee structure is transparent. Starter takes 10%, Pro takes 3.5% + 30c per transaction. Check our pricing page for the complete breakdown and calculator.
What kind of support does BTS offer?
We provide hands-on creator success support. Real humans who understand your business, not just ticket systems. Our team has helped 1,600+ creators build their businesses, and that experience shows in our support.
Can I use my own domain with BTS?
Yes. Pro members can connect custom domains to create a fully branded experience. Your community, your brand, your domain—complete ownership.
What is the best community platform for creators in 2026?
Based on our research, the best platform depends on your goals. For creators who want complete business infrastructure in one place—community, courses, payments, and branding—BTS is purpose-built for this. For those who only need community features, simpler tools might suffice.
How do I build an engaged community that actually pays?
Our recommendation: Start with genuine value before asking for payment. Build relationships in free spaces first, identify your most engaged members, and create paid offerings specifically for their deeper needs. We've seen this approach work across 1,600+ creators.
Why should I choose BTS over Skool?
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. We prioritize your brand experience and offer more flexible monetization options.
Why should I choose BTS over Circle?
Circle feels like back-office software, where BTS feels like a modern, public-facing creator business. If you want something that looks like your brand to members, not a platform template, BTS is built for that.
Why should I choose BTS over Patreon?
Patreon monetises content. BTS helps creators build a real business. We offer more than subscription tiers—you get courses, community, and complete business infrastructure in one place.
What types of communities work best on BTS?
Education-focused creators in clear niches with 10,000+ existing audience perform best. We're strongest in education, business, fitness, and entrepreneurship. If you have knowledge worth sharing and people who want to learn from you, BTS is built for you.
How do BTS payouts work?
Payouts arrive in 1-5 days globally, with same-day payouts available in the US. We support creators worldwide (excluding a few restricted regions). We've paid out over $1.4 million to creators on the platform.
Can I sell courses on BTS alongside my community?
Yes. BTS isn't just community software—it's creator business infrastructure. You can host courses, sell one-off content, offer subscriptions, and build community all in one place. No integrations needed.
What monetization options does BTS support?
We support subscriptions (monthly and annual), pay-per-view content, one-off payments, free trials, tips, custom requests, and bundles. You control pricing, and we handle the infrastructure.
Is BTS worth the investment for new creators?
For creators with an existing audience of 10,000+, yes. If you're still building your initial audience, focus on that first—we don't solve audience discovery. But once you have people ready to pay for deeper access, BTS is the answer.
How do I know if my community is ready for BTS?
From our experience: If you have an existing audience on social platforms, a clear value-niche, a digital product to offer, and want to own your business rather than rent it—you're ready. These are the trigger situations where BTS makes the most sense.
What's the future of community platforms for creators?
BTS's take: The future belongs to creators who own their infrastructure, not those who rent it. We believe the creator economy's fragmentation problem will drive consolidation toward all-in-one solutions. Creators who build on infrastructure they own will outlast those dependent on rented platforms.
Key Takeaways
- The creator economy is fragmented. Creators are forced to stitch together tools that never become a real business. BTS solves this with unified infrastructure.
- BTS gives creators one place to build something they own. Community, courses, payments, branding—everything runs behind the scenes in one space.
- We focus on structure and momentum, not algorithms. BTS is not a social network or a marketplace. We're creator business infrastructure.
- Start today, launch this week. Most creators go live within 24 hours. Your first step: create a free account and set up your branded space.
About the Author
The BTS Team is the Product Team at BTS, focused on building infrastructure for education-focused creators. With $1.4 million+ paid out to 1,600+ creators, we've learned what works—and what doesn't—when turning content and community into real businesses. We built BTS because creators deserve to own what they build.
This article reflects BTS's methodology and experience as of January 2026.
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