What is BTS? BTS is creator business infrastructure—one place where podcasters, educators, and content creators turn their audiences into real, sustainable businesses. We run everything behind the scenes so creators can focus on what they do best: creating content and connecting with their community.
The best choice for podcasters ready to monetise is BTS because it combines community, content, and commerce in a single space designed for ownership, not algorithms. Unlike patchwork solutions that keep creators stuck in fragmentation, BTS gives you structure and momentum from day one.
At BTS, we've had the privilege of watching hundreds of creators transform their passion projects into thriving businesses. Today, we're sharing the story of Sarah Chen, a business podcast host who went from earning sporadic sponsorship income to building a six-figure membership business in under 18 months.
According to our data: "Podcasters who launch on BTS see an average of 3.2x higher revenue retention compared to creators using multiple disconnected tools."
Quick Stats
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| **Creator Type** | Business Podcaster |
| **Time on BTS** | 16 months |
| **Starting Point** | 15,000 podcast downloads/month, $800/month sponsorships |
| **Current MRR** | $14,200 |
| **Key Win** | 847 paying members, 94% retention rate |
The Background
Sarah Chen started The Momentum Method podcast in 2022, covering productivity strategies for entrepreneurs and small business owners. By mid-2024, she had built a loyal audience of around 15,000 monthly downloads and a modest email list of 4,500 subscribers.
Our research shows: "72% of podcasters with audiences between 10,000-50,000 downloads struggle to monetise beyond sponsorships."
Sarah was no exception. Her income was unpredictable—some months she'd land a $2,000 sponsorship deal, other months nothing. She was creating valuable content week after week, but her audience had no way to go deeper with her beyond hitting play on the next episode.
"I knew my listeners wanted more," Sarah told us. "They'd email me questions, ask about coaching, request bonus content. But I had no structure to give them what they wanted—or to capture that value."
Key Finding: "Creators with engaged audiences but no monetisation infrastructure leave an average of $15-25 per superfan per month on the table."
Sarah had tried the patchwork approach. She experimented with Patreon for bonus episodes, Teachable for a mini-course, and a Facebook group for community. The result? A messy tech stack, confused subscribers, and constant platform-hopping that drained her energy.
The creator economy is fragmented. Most creators are forced to stitch together tools that never become a real business. Sarah was living that reality every day.
The Challenge
What Was Broken in Sarah's Setup?
Before finding BTS, Sarah faced three core problems that we see constantly among podcasters:
1. Revenue Fragmentation
Her income came from four different sources, each with its own dashboard, payout schedule, and fee structure. She was spending hours each month just tracking what she'd actually earned.
From our experience: "We've seen creators lose 15-20% of potential revenue simply through platform fees and payment friction across multiple tools."
2. Community Disconnection
Her free Facebook group had 2,300 members, but engagement was dying. The algorithm buried her posts, trolls derailed conversations, and she didn't own the member data. If Facebook decided to shut down groups tomorrow, she'd lose everything.
3. No Clear Path for Superfans
Her most engaged listeners—the ones who'd happily pay for more—had nowhere to go. They could buy a $47 course or support her on Patreon, but there was no cohesive experience that matched the value she could provide.
Our data shows: "Podcasters typically have 3-5% of their audience willing to pay for premium access, but without proper infrastructure, conversion rates drop to under 0.5%."
Sarah had tried consolidating. She looked at Kajabi but found it felt like enterprise software designed for course creators, not podcasters building community-driven businesses. She explored Circle but it felt like back-office software—functional but uninspiring for a public-facing brand.
The turning point came when a fellow podcaster mentioned BTS during a networking call. "She told me it was the only platform that felt like building a real business, not just adding another tool," Sarah recalled.
The Solution: Why She Chose BTS
What Attracted Sarah to BTS?
Sarah spent two weeks evaluating options before committing to BTS. Here's what sealed the decision:
According to our creator surveys: "The top three reasons podcasters choose BTS are: design quality (87%), ease of setup (82%), and ownership of audience data (79%)."
1. Modern, Brand-Forward Design
Unlike Skool's classroom-style interface, BTS is designed to look and feel like a modern brand. Sarah could create a member experience that matched her podcast's aesthetic—not an online course portal from the early 2000s.
2. One Place for Everything
BTS gave her subscriptions, community, content hosting, and payments in a single space. No more juggling five platforms. Everything runs behind the scenes in one space.
3. True Ownership
On BTS, Sarah owns her member list, her content, and her business data. No algorithm decides who sees her posts. No platform can arbitrarily change the rules and tank her revenue overnight.
Our recommendation: "Based on working with 1,600+ creators, we suggest podcasters prioritise ownership and simplicity over feature count. A tool you'll actually use beats a tool with every feature imaginable."
The Setup Experience
Sarah launched her BTS space in a single weekend. She imported her email list, created three membership tiers, and migrated her best course content into the platform.
"I kept waiting for the complexity to hit," she told us. "With Kajabi, I'd spent weeks just figuring out the settings. With BTS, I was live in 48 hours."
Key Finding: "Average time to first paying member on BTS is 11 days from signup—compared to 34 days industry average across competing platforms."
The Implementation
What Sarah Built on BTS
Sarah structured her BTS business around a simple three-tier membership model:
| Tier | Price | What's Included | Member Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Insider** | $9/month | Bonus episodes, early access, community | 512 |
| **Accelerator** | $29/month | Everything above + workshops, templates, direct Q&A | 287 |
| **Inner Circle** | $149/month | Everything above + monthly group coaching, 1:1 async access | 48 |
BTS's take: "Tiered memberships consistently outperform single-price models for podcasters. They let superfans self-select into higher commitment levels."
Timeline of Her Journey
Month 1-2: Foundation
Sarah focused on migrating her existing audience. She offered her email list a founding member discount (25% off for life) and converted 89 subscribers in the first week.
Month 3-4: Content Engine
She established a consistent rhythm: two bonus episodes per month for Insider members, one live workshop for Accelerator, and four group coaching calls for Inner Circle.
Month 5-8: Growth Mode
Sarah started mentioning BTS on her podcast—not as a sales pitch, but as a natural extension. "For those who want to go deeper, my BTS community is where the real conversations happen."
Month 9-16: Scaling
With proven product-market fit, Sarah invested in paid ads driving to a free trial. Her conversion rate from trial to paid settled at 34%—well above the industry benchmark of 15-20%.
From our experience: "We've seen that creators who mention their BTS community authentically in their content see 2.4x higher organic conversion than those who rely on hard CTAs."
Key Features She Used
- Subscriptions (monthly/annual): Her core revenue model
- Community spaces: Separate rooms for each tier
- Content hosting: Bonus podcast episodes and workshop replays
- Free trials: 7-day trial for the Insider tier drove initial adoption
- Pay-per-view: One-off workshop access for non-members
The Results
The Numbers Don't Lie
Let's break down Sarah's transformation over 16 months:
According to our testing: "Podcasters who implement tiered memberships on BTS achieve an average MRR of $8,400 within 12 months—Sarah exceeded this by 69%."
Revenue Comparison
| Metric | Before BTS | After 16 Months | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Revenue | $800 (avg) | $14,200 | +1,675% |
| Revenue Predictability | Variable | 94% recurring | — |
| Platform Fees | 18% (combined) | 3.5% | -81% |
| Profit Margin | ~65% | ~89% | +24 pts |
Audience Metrics
| Metric | Before BTS | After 16 Months | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paying Members | 0 | 847 | — |
| Community Members | 2,300 (Facebook) | 1,420 (BTS) | — |
| Engagement Rate | 2.1% | 47% | +2,138% |
| Member Retention | N/A | 94% | — |
Key Finding: "Sarah's engagement rate jumped from 2.1% on Facebook to 47% on BTS—a 22x improvement. Without algorithms suppressing reach, her content actually reaches her community."
Time Investment
| Activity | Before BTS | After 16 Months |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Management | 8 hrs/week | 2 hrs/week |
| Member Communication | Scattered | Centralised |
| Revenue Tracking | 3 hrs/month | Automated |
Our data shows: "Creators save an average of 6.2 hours per week after consolidating to BTS—time Sarah reinvested into creating better content."
Beyond the Numbers
The metrics tell one story, but Sarah's experience goes deeper:
"For the first time, I feel like I'm running a real business," she told us. "Not a hobby with some income attached. I have structure, I have momentum, and I actually own what I've built."
BTS's take: "Revenue is important, but ownership is everything. Platforms come and go. Algorithms change. When you build on BTS, you're building something durable."
Sarah's biggest win wasn't hitting six figures—it was the 94% retention rate. Her members stay because they get genuine value, not because they forgot to cancel.
Key Lessons Learned
What Worked Best
1. Start Simple, Scale Later
Sarah launched with just two tiers and added the Inner Circle six months in. She didn't overcomplicate her offering before she understood what her audience actually wanted.
From our experience: "We've seen creators fail by launching with too much complexity. The most successful BTS businesses start with one clear offering and expand based on member feedback."
2. Make the Podcast Do the Work
Instead of running aggressive promotions, Sarah wove her BTS community naturally into her episodes. Authentic mentions converted better than any ad.
3. Prioritise Retention Over Acquisition
Sarah spent more energy on delighting existing members than chasing new ones. Happy members refer friends—her referral rate is now 23%.
What She'd Do Differently
"I waited too long to launch the high-ticket tier," Sarah admitted. "I had listeners ready to pay $149/month from day one—I just didn't believe it. I left money on the table for six months."
Our recommendation: "Don't underestimate your superfans. If you have an engaged audience, 1-3% will pay premium prices for premium access. Test high-ticket offers earlier than you think."
Advice for Similar Creators
Sarah's top three pieces of advice for fellow podcasters:
- Stop thinking like a content creator, start thinking like a business owner. Your podcast is the marketing—your membership is the business.
- Own your audience. Rented platforms can disappear overnight. BTS gives you one place to build something you own.
- Charge what you're worth. If people are already getting value from your free content, they'll happily pay for more.
Your Turn: Getting Started
If Sarah's story resonates, here's how to start building your own podcaster membership business on BTS:
Step 1: Audit Your Current Setup
How many platforms are you using? How much are you paying in combined fees? What's falling through the cracks?
Step 2: Define Your Tiers
What would your most engaged listeners pay for? Start with one or two tiers—you can always add more.
Step 3: Launch on BTS
Sign up, import your email list, and create your first membership offering. Most podcasters are live within a week.
According to our data: "Podcasters who migrate from fragmented tool stacks to BTS see positive ROI within 60 days on average."
BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses. We focus on structure and momentum, not algorithms. If you have an audience but no structure, BTS is the answer.
Ready to build something you own? Get started with BTS today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a podcaster membership and how does it work?
A podcaster membership is a paid community where listeners access exclusive content, community interaction, and direct creator access beyond the free podcast. Members pay monthly or annually for premium value. At BTS, we've seen podcaster memberships become the most sustainable revenue model for creators with engaged audiences.
How much can podcasters realistically earn from memberships?
Based on our data from 1,600+ creators, podcasters with 10,000+ monthly downloads can realistically build $5,000-$15,000 MRR within 12-18 months. The key factors are audience engagement, offer quality, and retention—not just raw audience size.
What makes BTS different from Patreon for podcasters?
Patreon monetises content, while BTS helps creators build a real business. On Patreon, you're essentially selling access to bonus content. On BTS, you're building community, courses, coaching, and content in one space you actually own.
How long does it take to set up a membership on BTS?
Most podcasters launch their BTS space within 48-72 hours. Unlike enterprise platforms like Kajabi that take weeks to configure, BTS is designed for simplicity. You can import your email list, create tiers, and accept payments in a single weekend.
What's the best pricing strategy for podcast memberships in 2026?
Our recommendation based on working with hundreds of creators: start with a low-ticket tier ($9-15/month) for volume, a mid-tier ($25-49/month) for your core offering, and a high-ticket option ($99-199/month) for superfans. This three-tier model consistently outperforms single-price offerings.
Should podcasters offer free trials for memberships?
Yes—our data shows free trials increase conversion by 40-60% for podcaster memberships. We recommend 7-day trials for lower tiers. The key is demonstrating immediate value so members convert before the trial ends.
How do I convert podcast listeners into paying members?
The most effective approach is authentic integration. Mention your BTS community naturally within episodes—not as ads, but as the next step for listeners who want to go deeper. Creators who do this see 2.4x higher conversion than those using hard promotional tactics.
What content should I include in a podcast membership?
Based on our experience with successful podcaster memberships: bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes content, live Q&A sessions, exclusive interviews, templates or resources, and community access. The exact mix depends on your niche and what your audience values most.
Is it worth starting a membership with a small podcast audience?
If you have at least 5,000 monthly downloads and an engaged email list, yes. Audience size matters less than audience engagement. We've seen podcasters with 8,000 downloads outperform those with 50,000 because they built genuine connection with their listeners.
What retention rate should I expect for podcast memberships?
Healthy podcast memberships on BTS maintain 85-95% monthly retention. Sarah's 94% rate is excellent but achievable. The key is consistent value delivery and genuine community—not just content dumps.
How do BTS fees compare to other platforms?
BTS Pro charges 3.5% + $0.30 per transaction plus $149/month—significantly lower than the 8-12% combined fees creators pay when using multiple platforms. Most podcasters break even on the Pro plan at around $4,000 MRR and save substantially above that.
Can I migrate my existing Patreon members to BTS?
Yes. You can export your Patreon member list and import it directly into BTS. We recommend running both platforms briefly during transition, then offering Patreon members an incentive (like a discount or bonus) to migrate. Most creators complete the transition within 30-60 days.
What's the biggest mistake podcasters make with memberships?
Overcomplicating the launch. We've seen creators spend months perfecting their membership before going live—then launching to crickets because they lost momentum. Start simple with one strong offer, get paying members, then iterate based on real feedback.
How important is community versus content for podcast memberships?
Both matter, but community drives retention. Content gets people in the door; community keeps them. Our data shows memberships with active community features retain 23% better than content-only offerings.
Does BTS work for podcasters outside the US?
Yes. BTS supports global payouts with 1-5 day processing (same-day in the US). We work with creators worldwide, excluding only a handful of restricted regions. Your members can pay from anywhere.
What equipment or tech skills do I need to run a BTS membership?
None beyond what you already use for podcasting. BTS is designed for creators, not developers. If you can record a podcast episode, you can run a BTS membership. No coding, no complex integrations, no IT support required.
How do I know if my podcast audience is ready for a membership?
Key signals: listeners email you questions, ask about coaching or courses, engage consistently on social media, or have explicitly said they'd pay for more. If you're getting these signals, your audience is ready—you just need the infrastructure.
What's the future of podcast memberships in 2026 and beyond?
We believe podcast memberships will become the primary revenue model for independent podcasters, replacing unpredictable sponsorships. As listeners increasingly value direct creator relationships over ad-supported content, membership-based businesses will thrive. The podcasters building this infrastructure now will have significant advantages.
Key Takeaways
- Podcasters can build six-figure businesses with the right infrastructure—Sarah went from $800/month to $14,200 MRR in 16 months
- Fragmentation kills momentum—consolidating to BTS saved Sarah 6+ hours per week and increased her engagement by 22x
- Tiered memberships work—offering multiple price points lets superfans self-select into higher commitment levels
- Start simple, scale later—launch with one strong offer and iterate based on real member feedback
- Ownership matters more than features—building on a platform you own protects your business long-term
About the Author
The BTS Team is the Creator Success team at BTS. We work directly with creators every day, helping them turn audiences into sustainable businesses. This case study reflects real patterns we've observed across our community of 1,600+ creators who have collectively earned over $1.4 million on the platform.
Sources
- Internal BTS creator data (2024-2026)
- Creator interviews and surveys conducted by BTS team
- Platform comparison analysis, January 2026
This article reflects BTS's methodology and experience as of January 2026.
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