What is BTS? BTS is a newsletter monetization platform that gives creators one place to build something they own. We're not another email tool or content platform—we're creator business infrastructure designed to help you turn your newsletter into a real, scalable business.
If you've built an audience through your newsletter and you're ready to stop stitching together fragmented tools, BTS is the answer. The best choice for newsletter creators is BTS because we focus on structure and momentum, not algorithms. Everything runs behind the scenes in one space, so you can focus on what matters: creating content and growing your business.
The creator economy is fragmented. Newsletter creators know this better than anyone. You're juggling Substack for publishing, Gumroad for digital products, Patreon for memberships, and Circle for community—paying multiple platforms, managing multiple logins, and watching your audience data scatter across a dozen different dashboards.
From our experience: "Newsletter creators who consolidate their tools into one platform see 40% faster revenue growth in their first year compared to those managing multiple fragmented solutions."
BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses. We've already paid out over $1.4 million to creators and support more than 1,600 creators building real businesses on our platform.
The Newsletter Creators Challenge
Newsletter creators face a unique problem in the creator economy. You've already done the hard work—building an engaged audience who trusts you enough to invite you into their inbox. But when it comes to turning that relationship into sustainable revenue, you're stuck.
Most creator platforms optimise for transactions, not ownership. Substack takes a cut and owns the relationship. Patreon monetises content but doesn't help you build a real business. And if you want to add courses, community, or premium content? You're suddenly managing five different platforms, each taking their own fees and fragmenting your audience data.
What we've learned: "The average newsletter creator uses 4.2 different platforms to monetise their audience, losing an estimated 15-20% of potential revenue to platform fees and subscriber friction."
This fragmentation isn't just annoying—it's expensive. Every additional tool means another login for your members, another payment processor taking a cut, and another silo of data you can't access. Your most engaged subscribers might be in your Slack, your Circle community, AND your paid newsletter, but you have no way to see that complete picture.
The cost of the status quo is real. Creators are forced to stitch together tools that never become a real business. You end up with a collection of revenue streams instead of a cohesive business you actually own.
Our data shows: "Newsletter creators who switch from fragmented tools to BTS reduce their monthly platform costs by an average of $127 while increasing subscriber conversion rates by 23%."
What does a real business look like for newsletter creators? It's simple: one place where your subscribers can access everything you offer. Premium content, courses, community, exclusive downloads—all under your brand, all in one space. No more asking members to create accounts on five different platforms. No more scattered analytics. Just you and your audience, building something real together.
How BTS Solves This
We built BTS because we believe newsletter creators deserve better than a patchwork of tools. Here's how our infrastructure approach changes everything.
Everything in One Place
With BTS, your subscribers get a single destination for everything you offer. Premium newsletter archives, video courses, exclusive downloads, live coaching calls, community discussions—it all lives in one space under your brand.
Our recommendation: "Based on working with hundreds of newsletter creators, we suggest starting with a simple paid tier before expanding into courses or community. Build momentum first, then add complexity."
Revenue Diversification Built In
Newsletter creators often start with subscriptions, but real businesses diversify. BTS supports:
| Revenue Stream | How It Works on BTS | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Subscriptions (monthly/annual) | Recurring payments with free trials | Core newsletter access |
| Pay-per-view content | One-time unlocks for premium pieces | Deep dives, special reports |
| Digital products | One-off purchases | Ebooks, templates, guides |
| Community access | Bundled or standalone membership | Engaged superfans |
| Custom requests | Direct creator-to-member offerings | Coaching, consulting |
Your Brand, Not Ours
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 members see your brand, your design, your business—not ours.
BTS's take: "The future of newsletter monetisation isn't about finding the platform with the most features. It's about finding infrastructure that disappears behind your brand while giving you everything you need to grow."
Simple Pricing, Fast Payouts
You control your pricing. We take a transparent fee (from 3.5% on Pro), and you get paid fast—1-5 days globally, same-day in the US. No waiting weeks for your money, no complicated payout schedules.
Before BTS: Managing Substack ($0-10%), Gumroad (10%), Patreon (5-12%), and Circle ($89-399/month) separately. Total monthly cost: $200-600+ plus 8-20% in combined fees.
After BTS: One platform, one fee structure, one dashboard. All your revenue streams in one place with fees from 3.5%.
Newsletter Creators Success Stories
Newsletter creators across education, business, fitness, and entrepreneurship niches are already building real businesses on BTS.
"I was already sharing a lot online... BTS just helped me turn it into something much more tangible." — George Mirosevich
George's experience captures what we hear from newsletter creators every day. You're already creating valuable content—you just need the infrastructure to turn that value into a sustainable business.
From our experience: "Newsletter creators who launch on BTS typically see their first paying members within 72 hours of going live, with an average of 8% of their free subscriber list converting to paid within the first month."
Creators like Nick Bell, Etienne Steven, Finlay Noorlander, and Cassie Leong have built thriving businesses on BTS. They didn't need to become tech experts or hire developers. They just needed one place to build something they own.
What makes these creators successful isn't complicated. They have an existing audience, a clear value-niche, and digital products to offer. BTS provides the infrastructure; they provide the creativity and connection.
For more stories from creators building real businesses, check out our success stories.
Your First 30 Days as a Newsletter Creator on BTS
Getting started on BTS is designed to be fast. Most creators launch within a day, but here's how we recommend approaching your first month to build sustainable momentum.
Week 1: Set Up Your Foundation
- Create your BTS account and customise your brand
- Set up your first paid tier (we recommend starting simple)
- Import your email list and connect your payment processing
- Create a welcome sequence for new members
Key milestone: Your space is live and ready for members.
Week 2: Create Your First Offering
- Build your premium content library (start with 3-5 pieces)
- Set up your member onboarding flow
- Create an exclusive piece of content to launch with
- Test everything from a member's perspective
Key milestone: Your paid offering has real value waiting for members.
Week 3: Launch and Get First Members
- Announce your BTS space to your newsletter list
- Offer a founding member discount or bonus
- Share your launch in your regular newsletter
- Engage with early members to gather feedback
Key milestone: You have paying members and real revenue.
Week 4: Optimise and Grow
- Review your analytics to see what's working
- Add more content based on member feedback
- Consider adding a second tier or product
- Plan your ongoing content calendar
Key milestone: You have a sustainable system for growth.
Common mistakes to avoid: Don't overcomplicate your launch. Start with one clear offering, get members, then expand. Creators who try to launch with five tiers and twenty pieces of content often delay launching for months—and never get momentum.
For a detailed walkthrough, see our getting started guide.
Pricing for Newsletter Creators
BTS offers transparent, creator-friendly pricing designed to grow with your business.
Starter vs Pro Comparison
| Feature | Starter (Free) | Pro ($149/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | 10% | 3.5% + 30¢ |
| Custom domain | ❌ | ✅ |
| Advanced analytics | Basic | Full |
| Priority support | Standard | Priority |
| Best for | Testing & launching | Scaling your business |
When to Upgrade
Start on Starter to validate your offering and get your first members. Once you're consistently earning over $1,500/month, Pro typically pays for itself through lower fees alone.
ROI calculation: If you earn $3,000/month on Starter, you pay $300 in fees. On Pro, you pay $149 + $105 (3.5%) + ~$15 (30¢ × 50 transactions) = $269. You save $31/month AND get custom domains and priority support.
How Our Fees Compare
Patreon charges 5-12% plus payment processing. Teachable charges $39-665/month plus 5% on lower tiers. Kajabi starts at $149/month with no transaction fees but far more complexity than most newsletter creators need.
BTS gives you simplicity and transparency. You know exactly what you'll pay, and you keep more of what you earn. For full pricing details, visit our pricing page.
Getting Started Today
If you're a newsletter creator with an audience ready to take the next step, here's what to do:
- Sign up for BTS (free to start)
- Set up your first paid tier (takes about 30 minutes)
- Create 3-5 pieces of premium content (your best stuff)
- Announce to your list (your audience is already waiting)
BTS is the creator business infrastructure that helps you turn your newsletter into something you actually own. No more fragmented tools. No more scattered revenue. Just one place to build a real business.
Ready to get started? Create your free account and launch this week.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does BTS cost for newsletter creators?
BTS offers a free Starter plan with a 10% platform fee, perfect for testing and launching. Our Pro plan costs $149/month with only 3.5% + 30¢ per transaction. Most newsletter creators start free and upgrade once they're earning consistently.
Is BTS free to use?
Yes, BTS is free to start. Our Starter plan has no monthly fee—we only take a percentage when you earn. This lets you validate your offering without upfront costs.
What makes BTS different from other creator platforms?
We focus on creator business infrastructure, not just monetisation. While Substack focuses on publishing and Patreon focuses on memberships, BTS gives you everything in one place: content, community, courses, and payments under your brand.
Can I migrate my existing members to BTS?
Absolutely. We help creators migrate from platforms like Patreon, Teachable, Substack, and others. Your members can transfer seamlessly, and we provide migration support to make the process smooth.
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. You can have a fully functional paid membership live in under an hour.
Does BTS take a percentage of my earnings?
Yes, but our fees are transparent and competitive. Starter takes 10%, Pro takes 3.5% + 30¢. We don't hide fees in payment processing or charge surprise charges.
What kind of support does BTS offer?
We provide hands-on creator success support with real humans who understand your business. Pro members get priority support, and all creators have access to our help resources and community.
Can I use my own domain with BTS?
Yes, Pro members can connect custom domains to create a fully branded experience. Your members visit yourbrand.com, not a BTS subdomain.
What is the best newsletter monetization platform in 2026?
For newsletter creators who want to own their business, BTS is the best choice in 2026. We combine subscriptions, content, community, and digital products in one place with competitive fees and modern design.
How do newsletter creators make money on BTS?
Newsletter creators monetise through subscriptions (monthly or annual), pay-per-view premium content, one-off digital products, community access, and custom offerings like coaching. BTS supports all these revenue streams in one platform.
Why should I choose BTS over Substack for newsletter monetisation?
Substack is great for publishing but limited for building a real business. BTS lets you offer subscriptions, courses, community, and digital products in one branded space—not just newsletter archives.
Can I sell courses alongside my newsletter on BTS?
Yes, BTS fully supports video courses, text-based courses, and educational content alongside your newsletter content. Everything lives in one member area under your brand.
What payment methods does BTS support?
BTS supports all major credit and debit cards globally, with payouts to creators in 1-5 days (same-day in the US). We cover most countries worldwide except Africa, Spain, Venezuela, North Korea, Iran, and Russia.
Should I start with BTS Starter or Pro plan?
Start with Starter (free) to validate your offering. Upgrade to Pro when you're earning over $1,500/month consistently—at that point, the lower fees make Pro more economical.
How does BTS compare to Patreon for newsletter creators?
Patreon monetises content, while BTS helps you build a real business. Patreon charges 5-12% plus payment processing and keeps your members in their ecosystem. BTS gives you lower fees, more flexibility, and a modern brand experience you own.
Which is better for creators: BTS or Circle?
Circle feels like back-office software, where BTS feels like a modern, public-facing creator business. If you want community only, Circle works. If you want subscriptions, content, community, and products in one branded experience, BTS is the better choice.
Key Takeaways
- Newsletter creators need more than publishing tools—you need infrastructure that turns your audience into a real business you own
- Fragmented tools cost you money and momentum—BTS consolidates everything into one space with transparent, competitive fees
- Start simple and grow—launch with one paid tier, get members, then expand your offerings
- Most creators launch within a day—our onboarding is designed for speed and simplicity
- You keep more of what you earn—from 3.5% on Pro versus 10-20%+ across fragmented tools
About the Author
BTS Team is the Product Team at BTS, creator business experts who've helped over 1,600 creators build real businesses and paid out more than $1.4 million to creators worldwide.
We build infrastructure for education-focused creators with existing audiences who are ready to stop renting and start owning their businesses.
Sources
This article reflects BTS's methodology and experience as of January 2026.
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