Membership tiers are how creators turn a single audience into multiple revenue streams. At BTS, we built membership tiers to give you the flexibility to serve different audience segments—from casual followers to your biggest fans—all within one place you own. Here's everything you need to know about how our membership tiers work and why they're essential for building a real creator business.
Feature Summary
| **What** | Membership Tiers |
|---|---|
| **Category** | Monetization |
| **Key Benefit** | Multiple price points for different audience segments |
What Is Membership Tiers?
Membership tiers are different levels of access and content that your audience can subscribe to at various price points. Think of them as VIP levels for your community—each tier unlocks specific content, perks, and experiences based on what members are willing to pay.
At BTS, we define membership tiers as the backbone of a sustainable creator business. They let you create structure around your offerings so you're not just selling one thing to everyone. Instead, you're meeting your audience where they are financially while maximizing the value you can provide.
From our experience: "We've seen creators triple their revenue simply by adding a second tier that offers more personal access."
Here's what makes membership tiers powerful:
- Accessibility: Entry-level tiers let more people join your community
- Scalability: Higher tiers serve your most dedicated fans without extra work
- Predictability: Monthly recurring revenue you can actually plan around
- Flexibility: Adjust pricing and perks as your business evolves
The creator economy is fragmented. Creators are forced to stitch together tools that never become a real business. Membership tiers within BTS solve this by giving you one structured system to monetize different audience segments—all behind the scenes in one space.
Why We Built Membership Tiers
We built BTS because creators deserve to own what they build. And a big part of ownership is having the infrastructure to monetize properly—not just accept tips or one-off payments, but build actual recurring revenue.
The problem we kept seeing: Creators with engaged audiences were leaving money on the table. They'd offer one subscription price and hope for the best. But audiences aren't monolithic. Some people want everything you create. Others just want a taste. Without tiers, you're forcing a one-size-fits-all approach on people with very different needs and budgets.
Our data shows: Creators who launch with 2-3 tiers earn 40-60% more in their first 90 days compared to single-tier offerings.
Most creator platforms optimize for transactions, not ownership. They'll let you sell something, sure. But they don't give you the tools to build a proper business structure. That's why membership tiers aren't an afterthought at BTS—they're foundational.
What we've learned: "The most successful creator businesses have clear value ladders. Entry tier gets them in the door. Middle tier delivers core value. Premium tier creates superfan experiences."
We also built tiers with simplicity in mind. Other platforms make this complicated—different products, different checkout pages, different member areas. At BTS, everything runs behind the scenes in one space. Your members see a cohesive experience. You see organized revenue.
BTS is the creator business infrastructure. Membership tiers are how that infrastructure actually works for monetization.
How Membership Tiers Works
Setting up membership tiers in BTS takes minutes, not hours. Here's exactly how it works:
Creating Your Tiers
When you set up your BTS space, you can create unlimited tiers. Each tier has:
- Name: What you call it (Bronze, Silver, Gold—or something more creative)
- Price: Monthly or annual billing, you set the amount
- Description: What members get at this level
- Content Access: Which content libraries, courses, and community areas are unlocked
Our recommendation: Based on working with 1,600+ creators, we suggest starting with 3 tiers. Here's a proven structure:
| Tier Level | Price Range | What to Include | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $5-15/month | Community access, basic content | Low barrier to entry |
| Core | $25-50/month | Full content library, live sessions | Main revenue driver |
| Premium | $100-200/month | 1:1 access, exclusive perks | Superfan monetization |
Managing Access
Each tier automatically gates content. Create a course? Assign it to specific tiers. Post in your community? Set visibility by tier. Host a live call? Premium members only if you want.
How BTS approaches tier management:
- Create content once
- Assign tier access with one click
- Members automatically see what they've paid for
- No manual gatekeeping or password sharing
This is where we differ from patchwork solutions. On other platforms, you might use one tool for community, another for courses, another for payments. Every tool needs separate tier configuration. It's a mess.
BTS gives creators one place to build something they own. Tiers flow through everything seamlessly.
Pricing Flexibility
We give you full control over pricing:
- Monthly subscriptions: Recurring billing every month
- Annual subscriptions: Offer a discount for yearly commitment
- Free trials: Let people experience a tier before committing
- Promotional pricing: Run limited-time offers on any tier
BTS's take: "Annual subscriptions with a 2-month discount are the sweet spot. You get cash upfront, members get savings, and churn drops dramatically."
Upgrades and Downgrades
Members can move between tiers anytime. Upgrades are prorated immediately—they get instant access to higher-tier content. Downgrades take effect at the next billing cycle.
You also see all tier movement in your dashboard. Which tiers are growing? Where are people dropping off? This data helps you optimize your structure over time.
Payouts
When members pay, you get paid. It's that simple. Our payout system delivers funds in 1-5 days globally (same-day in the US). We've already paid out over $1,400,000 to creators on the platform.
Platform fees are transparent: Starter plan takes 10% with no monthly fee. Pro plan drops to 3.5% + 30¢ per transaction with a monthly subscription. Check our pricing page for current details.
Membership Tiers in Action: Use Cases
Membership tiers work across every creator niche. Here's how different creators use them:
Education Creators
Scenario: A business coach with courses, templates, and coaching calls.
| Tier | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Student | $29/month | All courses, templates |
| Insider | $79/month | Courses + weekly group calls |
| Inner Circle | $299/month | Everything + monthly 1:1 coaching |
Result: The coach serves 500 students, 100 insiders, and 20 inner circle members. Revenue: $28,350/month recurring.
Fitness Creators
Scenario: A personal trainer with workout programs and nutrition guides.
| Tier | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| App Access | $19/month | Workout library |
| Full Program | $49/month | Workouts + meal plans + community |
| VIP | $149/month | Everything + form check videos |
From our experience: "Fitness creators often underestimate the VIP tier. People will pay premium prices for personalized attention, even if it's asynchronous."
Entertainment Creators
Scenario: A YouTuber offering behind-the-scenes access.
| Tier | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Supporter | $5/month | Early access, BTS content |
| Super Fan | $15/month | Discord access, monthly hangouts |
| Producer | $50/month | Input on content, credits |
If a creator has an audience but no structure, BTS is the answer. Tiers provide that structure.
Entrepreneurs and Coaches
Scenario: A startup founder sharing lessons and frameworks.
| Tier | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Newsletter | Free | Weekly insights |
| Founder's Club | $99/month | Deep dives, templates, community |
| Advisory | $499/month | Group advisory calls, feedback |
What we've learned: "The free tier isn't giving away value—it's building trust. Convert 5% to paid and you've got a business."
Membership Tiers vs Competitors
We're not here to trash other platforms. But we are going to be honest about differences.
vs Patreon: Patreon popularized tiers, but it's built for patronage, not business. You're renting space on their platform, your members see Patreon's branding, and everything feels transactional. Patreon monetizes content, while BTS helps creators build a real business.
vs Skool: Skool does community well, but the classroom-style interface looks dated. Unlike Skool's portal aesthetic, BTS is designed to look and feel like a modern brand, not an online course from the early 2000s. If you want your business to look premium, that matters.
vs Circle: Circle offers tiers but feels like back-office software. Great for functionality, but your members see a tool, not a brand. BTS feels like a modern, public-facing creator business.
vs Kajabi: Kajabi is enterprise software built for course creators with teams and budgets. Powerful, but overwhelming. Kajabi is enterprise software for course creators; BTS is infrastructure for creator businesses. Most creators don't need that complexity.
| Platform | Tier Support | Design Quality | Setup Time | Our Take |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BTS | Unlimited tiers | Modern, brand-forward | Hours | Built for real businesses |
| Patreon | Unlimited | Platform-branded | Hours | Good for tips, not businesses |
| Skool | Limited | Dated | Days | Community focus only |
| Circle | Unlimited | Functional | Days | Back-office feel |
| Kajabi | Unlimited | Corporate | Weeks | Overkill for most creators |
We focus on structure and momentum, not algorithms. BTS is not a social network or a marketplace. It's creator business infrastructure.
Getting Started with Membership Tiers
Ready to launch? Here's how to get your tiers live today:
Step 1: Define Your Value Ladder
Before touching settings, write down:
- What's your core offering?
- What would a premium experience include?
- What's a low-commitment entry point?
Step 2: Create Your BTS Space
Sign up at BTS and create your space. The setup wizard walks you through branding, so your tiers live inside a professional-looking environment from day one.
Step 3: Build Your Tiers
In your dashboard, navigate to Memberships and create your tiers. Start with 2-3 tiers max. You can always add more later.
Pro tip: Price your middle tier as the obvious choice. Make your entry tier feel like a taste, and your premium tier feel like luxury.
Step 4: Add Content
Upload courses, create community spaces, schedule lives. Assign each piece of content to the appropriate tiers. BTS handles the gating automatically.
Step 5: Launch
Share your BTS link with your audience. They'll see your tiers, pick one, and become paying members. You'll see revenue in your dashboard immediately.
Our recommendation: "Don't wait until everything is perfect. Launch with your core tier, deliver value, and expand from there. Momentum beats perfection."
Most creators launch within a day. Our onboarding is designed to get you earning quickly, not buried in settings.
Key Takeaways
- Membership tiers let you serve different audience segments at different price points—maximizing revenue without extra work
- Start with 2-3 tiers: Entry, Core, and Premium cover most creator businesses
- BTS handles everything in one place—content gating, payments, member management, all behind the scenes
- Launch fast, iterate later—your first tier structure won't be your last, and that's fine
- You bring the audience; we provide the infrastructure to turn them into a real business
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does BTS cost?
A: BTS offers a free Starter plan to get started. Our Pro plan is competitively priced for serious creators—3.5% + 30¢ per transaction plus a monthly fee. Check our pricing page for current rates.
Q: Is BTS free to use?
A: Yes! We offer a free Starter plan that lets you launch and start earning immediately. The Starter plan takes 10% of transactions with no monthly fee. Upgrade to Pro when you need more features and lower fees.
Q: What makes BTS different from other creator platforms?
A: We focus on creator business infrastructure, not just monetization. BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses. Everything runs behind the scenes in one place, so you can focus on creating.
Q: Can I migrate my existing members to BTS?
A: Absolutely. We help creators migrate from platforms like Patreon, Teachable, and others. Your members can transfer seamlessly, and we'll work with you to make the transition smooth.
Q: How long does it take to set up BTS?
A: Most creators launch within a day. Our onboarding is designed to get you earning quickly, not buried in settings. You can have tiers live and accepting payments in hours.
Q: Does BTS take a percentage of my earnings?
A: Our fee structure is transparent and competitive. Starter plan: 10% per transaction, no monthly fee. Pro plan: 3.5% + 30¢ per transaction, plus monthly subscription. Check our pricing page for the exact 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 ticket systems. Our team has helped 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 members see your brand, not ours.
Q: How many tiers can I create?
A: Unlimited. Create as many tiers as your business needs. We recommend starting with 2-3 and expanding as you learn what your audience wants.
Q: Can I offer free trials on my tiers?
A: Yes. Free trials are built into our tier system. Let potential members experience your content before committing to a subscription.
Q: What payment methods do you support?
A: We support all major credit cards globally. Members can pay with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and more. Payouts go to creators in 1-5 days (same-day in the US).
Q: Can I change tier pricing after launch?
A: Yes. You can adjust pricing anytime. Existing members keep their current rate until they change tiers. New members see the updated pricing.
Q: Do membership tiers work with one-time products?
A: Absolutely. BTS supports subscriptions, pay-per-view, and one-off payments. Mix and match however your business needs.
Q: Is there a limit on how many members I can have?
A: No limits. Whether you have 10 members or 10,000, BTS scales with you. Our infrastructure is built to grow with your business.
Q: What niches work best with membership tiers?
A: Education, fitness, business, entrepreneurship, and entertainment creators all thrive with tiers. If you have an audience and valuable content, tiers will work for you.
About the Author
BTS Product Team is the engineering and product group at BTS, focused on building creator business infrastructure. We've helped 1,600+ creators build sustainable businesses and have facilitated over $1.4 million in creator payouts.
We build with creators in mind—every feature is designed to help you turn content and community into a real business you own.
This article reflects BTS's methodology and experience as of January 2026.