What is a platform for online educators? A platform for online educators is the infrastructure that allows teachers, professors, and knowledge creators to package their expertise into digital products and build sustainable businesses around their content. At BTS, we define it as creator business infrastructure—one place to build something you own.
If you're an educator with an audience and knowledge worth sharing, you've probably noticed something frustrating: the creator economy is fragmented. You're forced to stitch together tools that never become a real business. One platform for courses, another for community, a third for payments, a fourth for email—and none of them talk to each other.
We built BTS because educators deserve better. You shouldn't need a computer science degree to monetize your teaching. You shouldn't lose 30% of your revenue to platform fees. And you definitely shouldn't feel like you're renting your business from someone else.
From our experience: "We've seen educators transform their side hustles into six-figure businesses when they finally have the right infrastructure in place."
This guide walks you through exactly how we help educators like you build real businesses. Not side projects. Not passive income experiments. Real, sustainable businesses that you own—built on a platform for online educators that actually works.
The Educator's Challenge
Let's be honest about what you're up against.
You've spent years—maybe decades—developing expertise in your field. Whether you're a university professor, corporate trainer, independent tutor, or subject-matter expert, you have knowledge that people will pay for. You know this because your students tell you. Your YouTube comments are full of requests for courses. Your DMs are flooded with questions about coaching.
But when you try to turn that demand into a business, you hit a wall.
The fragmentation problem is real. You start researching platforms and quickly discover there's no single solution. Course platforms like Teachable and Thinkific handle video hosting but force you into their templates. Community platforms like Circle feel like back-office software—functional but not something you'd want to show your audience. Patreon monetizes content but doesn't help you build anything lasting. And enterprise tools like Kajabi require a PhD in software just to set up.
What we've learned: "The most successful educator businesses we see aren't built on multiple tools stitched together—they're built on unified infrastructure where everything works as one."
So you do what every educator does: you compromise. You pick three or four tools, connect them with Zapier (or manually copy data between them), and hope it all holds together. Your payment data lives in Stripe. Your students live in Teachable. Your community lives in Discord or Slack. Your email list lives in ConvertKit.
The result? You're spending more time managing software than teaching. You're paying hundreds in monthly subscriptions. And worst of all, you don't actually own anything. If any of those platforms changes their policies, raises prices, or shuts down, your business goes with it.
The hidden cost nobody talks about: Every hour you spend troubleshooting tech is an hour you're not creating content, engaging students, or growing your audience. We've talked to educators who spend 10+ hours per week just keeping their tech stack running. That's not sustainable, and it's definitely not why you got into education.
Most creator platforms optimize for transactions, not ownership. They want you to process payments through them indefinitely. We think you deserve better.
How BTS Solves This
BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses. For educators specifically, this means having everything you need in one place—courses, community, memberships, payments, and branding—all running behind the scenes while you focus on teaching.
One Platform, Everything Connected
When a student joins your BTS-powered business, their experience is seamless. They can access your courses, participate in your community, receive your updates, and manage their membership—all without logging into five different tools. And on your end, you see everything in one dashboard.
Our data shows: "Educators on BTS spend an average of 70% less time on administrative tasks compared to managing multiple platforms."
Here's what that looks like in practice:
Before BTS: A student signs up on your landing page → payment processed in Stripe → added manually to Teachable → added manually to Discord → added to email list → you hope nothing breaks.
After BTS: A student joins your business → everything happens automatically → they get instant access to exactly what they paid for → you get notified and can focus on teaching.
Built for Educators Who Want to Look Professional
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. Your BTS business looks like your business. Custom colors, your branding, your domain—this is creator business infrastructure that makes you look professional.
We focus on structure and momentum, not algorithms. There's no feed trying to maximize engagement. There's no algorithm deciding what your students see. You control the experience completely.
Flexible Monetization That Actually Works
As an educator, you need options. Some content works as a monthly subscription. Some courses should be one-time purchases. Maybe you want to offer coaching calls as an add-on. BTS handles all of it:
| Monetization Type | How It Works on BTS |
|---|---|
| Monthly Subscriptions | Recurring billing with automatic access management |
| Annual Plans | Discounted yearly options that improve cash flow |
| One-Time Courses | Pay once, access forever |
| Pay-Per-View | Premium content that requires individual purchase |
| Free Trials | Let students experience before committing |
| Coaching/Custom Requests | High-ticket offerings managed through apps |
| Bundles | Package multiple products together |
BTS's take: "Educators shouldn't be limited to subscription-only or course-only models. The best businesses combine multiple revenue streams, and your platform should make that easy."
Your Pricing, Your Control
You set your prices. Period. We don't tell you what to charge or push you toward higher-priced offerings because we take a cut. Speaking of cuts—our platform fee starts at just 3.5% on Pro, compared to 10-20% on many competitor platforms.
Educator Success Stories
We've paid out over $1,400,000 to creators on BTS, with a strong concentration in education, business, fitness, and entrepreneurship. Here's what that looks like in practice.
Building Something Tangible
"I was already sharing a lot online... BTS just helped me turn it into something much more tangible." — George Mirosevich
George's story is one we hear often. He had the audience. He had the expertise. What he didn't have was infrastructure that let him package it into a real business. Within months of launching on BTS, he went from scattered content to a structured offering that his audience could actually buy into.
Our recommendation: "Based on working with hundreds of educators, we suggest starting with a simple membership structure before adding courses and coaching layers. Build momentum first."
From Professor to Business Owner
Nick Bell, one of our creator ambassadors, represents what's possible when educators think bigger than just "online courses." His BTS business combines live teaching, community interaction, and structured content—all managed in one place. The result isn't just passive income; it's an actual business with recurring revenue and engaged members.
What Success Actually Looks Like
We're careful about promising specific results because every educator's situation is different. But here's what we consistently see from educators who commit to building on BTS:
- First month: Initial members join, usually from existing audience
- Months 2-3: Steady growth as you refine your offering
- Months 4-6: Revenue becomes predictable and sustainable
- Month 6+: Additional revenue streams (coaching, premium content) layer on top
From our experience: "Educators who treat BTS as their business infrastructure—not just another tool—see 3-4x better retention rates than those who treat it as a side experiment."
The educators who succeed aren't necessarily the ones with the biggest audiences. They're the ones who take their business seriously and show up consistently for their students.
Your First 30 Days as an Educator on BTS
Getting started doesn't require weeks of setup. Most educators launch within a day and start earning within their first week. Here's what your first month looks like.
Week 1: Build Your Foundation
Days 1-2: Set up your business
- Create your BTS account and customize your branding
- Connect your custom domain (Pro feature) or use your BTS subdomain
- Set up your payment processing (payouts in 1-5 days globally, same-day in US)
Days 3-5: Structure your offering
- Decide on your initial pricing model (we recommend starting simple—one membership tier)
- Create your welcome content and introductory materials
- Set up your community space for member interaction
Days 6-7: Prepare for launch
- Write your launch announcement for existing channels
- Create a simple landing page or link for signups
- Test the entire flow yourself
Week 2: Create Your First Content
Don't overthink this. Your first content doesn't need to be perfect—it needs to be valuable.
What to create:
- A welcome module introducing yourself and your methodology
- 2-3 pieces of core educational content
- A community post inviting members to introduce themselves
Pro tip: Record yourself teaching something you've already taught before. Don't create new material from scratch—repurpose your existing expertise.
Week 3: Launch and Get Your First Members
This is where it gets real. Announce to your existing audience—email list, social media, YouTube subscribers—that you've launched.
What we've learned: "The most successful launches aren't elaborate marketing campaigns. They're authentic announcements to existing audiences explaining what's new and why it matters."
Set realistic expectations. Your first week might bring 10 members, not 1,000. That's fine. Those first 10 will give you feedback that shapes everything else.
Week 4: Optimize and Grow
After your first members join, you'll learn what works and what doesn't.
- Listen to feedback: What questions are members asking? What content do they want more of?
- Improve retention: Add regular touchpoints—weekly content drops, community check-ins, member highlights
- Test pricing: If demand is high, consider adjusting. If conversions are low, experiment with trial offers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting until everything is perfect: Launch with 80% ready and improve based on feedback
- Pricing too low: Educators consistently undervalue their expertise. Start higher than feels comfortable.
- Creating too much content upfront: Quality over quantity. A few excellent pieces beat dozens of mediocre ones.
- Ignoring community: The community aspect is what creates retention. A course alone isn't enough.
- Treating it as passive income: Sustainable businesses require active engagement, especially early on.
Pricing for Educators
We believe in transparent pricing that doesn't punish you for success. Here's how it breaks down.
Starter vs Pro: Which Is Right for You?
| Feature | Starter (Free) | Pro ($149/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Fee | 10% | 3.5% + 30¢ |
| Custom Domain | ❌ | ✅ |
| Monthly Cost | $0 | $149 |
| Best For | Testing, launching | Serious businesses |
When to Upgrade
Stay on Starter if:
- You're still validating your offering
- Monthly revenue is under $1,500
- You're not ready for a custom domain
Upgrade to Pro if:
- You're generating $1,500+ monthly (the math works in your favor)
- Brand presentation matters to your audience
- You want the lowest possible transaction fees
The ROI Math
Let's say you're earning $3,000/month on BTS.
On Starter: $3,000 × 10% = $300 in fees On Pro: ($3,000 × 3.5%) + $149 = $254 total cost
At $3,000/month, Pro already saves you money. And as you grow, the gap widens. At $10,000/month, Starter costs $1,000 in fees while Pro costs $499.
Our take: "Most educators break even on Pro at around $2,000-2,500 in monthly revenue. After that, every dollar you earn costs less on Pro."
How We Compare to Alternatives
Many platforms charge higher percentages, lock essential features behind expensive tiers, or take a cut while also charging monthly fees. Patreon monetizes content at 5-12% depending on tier. Kajabi charges $149-399/month with no transaction fees, but requires enterprise-level setup time. Skool charges $99/month with no percentage—but also no flexibility beyond their gamified community model.
We designed our pricing to reward growth, not punish it.
Getting Started Today
If you've read this far, you're probably serious about building something real. Here's what to do next.
Step 1: Create your free BTS account. You can explore everything on Starter without paying a cent.
Step 2: Set up your first offering. Keep it simple—one membership tier with a clear promise.
Step 3: Announce to your audience. You already have people who want what you're teaching. Let them know it's available.
BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses. We run the infrastructure behind the scenes so you can focus on what you do best: teaching.
If you have an audience but no structure, BTS is the answer. Get started now.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Q: How much does BTS cost?
A: BTS offers a free Starter plan that lets you launch immediately with a 10% platform fee. Our Pro plan is $149/month with a reduced 3.5% + 30¢ fee—designed for educators generating $2,000+ monthly where the lower percentage saves you money.
Q: Is BTS free to use?
A: Yes! Our Starter plan is completely free to use with no monthly charges. You only pay a 10% transaction fee on what you earn. This lets you validate your offering before committing to a paid plan.
Q: What makes BTS different from other creator platforms?
A: We focus on creator business infrastructure, not just monetization. Everything runs behind the scenes in one place—courses, community, payments, branding—so you're not stitching together multiple tools. Unlike marketplaces, we don't find you customers. Unlike social networks, we don't have algorithms. We're infrastructure for building something you own.
Q: Can I migrate my existing members to BTS?
A: Absolutely. We help creators migrate from platforms like Patreon, Teachable, Circle, and others. Your members can transfer seamlessly, and we provide support throughout the process.
Q: How long does it take to set up BTS?
A: Most educators launch within a day. Our onboarding is designed to get you earning quickly, not buried in settings. You can be live with your first offering in just a few hours.
Q: Does BTS take a percentage of my earnings?
A: Yes, but it's transparent and competitive. Starter takes 10%, Pro takes 3.5% + 30¢. We don't have hidden fees or surprise charges. Check our pricing page for the complete breakdown.
Q: What kind of support does BTS offer?
A: We provide hands-on creator success support. Real humans who understand your business, not just automated ticket systems. Our team has helped over 1,600 creators build their businesses.
Q: Can I use my own domain with BTS?
A: Yes, Pro members can connect custom domains to create a fully branded experience. Your business looks like yours, not like you're renting space on someone else's platform.
Educator-Specific Questions
Q: What types of content can I sell on BTS?
A: Anything digital. Video courses, written guides, live workshops, community access, coaching calls, downloadable resources, or any combination. Our platform supports multiple monetization types including subscriptions, one-time purchases, pay-per-view, and bundles.
Q: Can I offer both courses and community on BTS?
A: Yes—this is actually our recommended approach. The most successful educators on BTS combine structured courses with ongoing community engagement. It's all managed in one place.
Q: How do I know what to charge for my educational content?
A: In our experience, educators consistently undervalue their expertise. Start with pricing that feels slightly uncomfortable and adjust based on response. Members who pay more tend to be more engaged and get better results.
Q: Do I need a large audience to succeed on BTS?
A: Not necessarily large, but existing. We work best for educators who already have an audience of 10,000+ followers on social platforms and a clear expertise to offer. We don't help with audience discovery—you bring the audience, we help you build with them.
Q: Can I use BTS for live teaching, not just recorded content?
A: Yes. Many educators use BTS for live workshops, Q&A sessions, and coaching calls alongside recorded content. You can schedule events, notify members, and manage access all within the platform.
Q: How do payouts work?
A: Payouts process in 1-5 days globally, with same-day payouts available in the US. We support creators worldwide (excluding a few restricted regions). Your earnings go directly to you—no waiting weeks for payment.
Q: What if I'm already using another platform?
A: We help you migrate. Whether you're coming from Teachable, Kajabi, Patreon, Circle, or another platform, we'll help you move your content and members over. Many of our most successful creators started somewhere else.
Technical Questions
Q: Do I need any technical skills to use BTS?
A: No. If you can use social media, you can use BTS. We've designed everything to be intuitive for creators, not software engineers. No coding required.
Q: Can I integrate BTS with other tools I'm using?
A: Yes. While BTS is designed to be complete on its own, we integrate with email marketing tools, analytics platforms, and other services where needed.
Q: Is my content secure on BTS?
A: Yes. We take content protection seriously. Your paid content is accessible only to paying members, and we implement industry-standard security practices.
Q: What happens if I want to leave BTS?
A: Your business is yours. We don't lock you in. You can export your content and member data anytime. We'd rather earn your continued business through value than lock-in.
Key Takeaways
- The creator economy is fragmented. Educators are forced to stitch together tools that never become a real business. BTS fixes this by providing complete infrastructure in one place.
- BTS is creator business infrastructure, not just another tool. We help you build something you own—not rent space on someone else's platform.
- Start simple, then expand. Launch with one membership tier, get your first members, and add courses and coaching as you grow.
- The math works in your favor. Our pricing rewards growth. Pro pays for itself at around $2,000/month in revenue.
- Take action today. Create your free account and be live with your first offering by this time tomorrow.
About the Author
The BTS Team is the Product Team at BTS, building creator business infrastructure for education-focused creators.
We work directly with educators every day, helping them transform expertise into sustainable businesses. This guide reflects our methodology and direct experience with over 1,600 creators who've built their businesses on our platform.
Sources
- Internal BTS platform data and creator success metrics
- Direct creator feedback and case studies
This article reflects BTS's methodology and experience as of January 2026.
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