Ready to turn your audience into a real business? Creating a membership site is one of the most powerful moves you can make as a creator. Instead of chasing algorithms and hoping for platform payouts, you build something you actually own. At BTS, we've helped over 1,600 creators launch their membership businesses, and we've paid out more than $1.4 million to creators on our platform.
This guide walks you through exactly how to create a membership site on BTS from scratch. Whether you're migrating from another platform or starting fresh, you'll have a fully functional membership site ready to accept paying members in about 15-30 minutes.
What you'll have by the end of this guide:
- A branded membership site that looks professional, not like an online course portal from 2010
- Your first membership tier set up and ready to accept payments
- A content structure that keeps members engaged
- The foundation for a creator business you actually own
BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses. Let's build yours.
Before You Start
Before diving into the setup, let's make sure you have everything ready. Taking five minutes to prepare will save you time during the actual build.
Prerequisites:
- A BTS account (sign up free at behindthescenes.com if you haven't already)
- A clear idea of what value you'll provide to members
- At least one piece of content ready to upload (course, exclusive content, etc.)
- Your pricing decided (don't overthink this—you can always adjust later)
Quick Checklist:
- [ ] BTS account created and email verified
- [ ] Profile picture and basic info added
- [ ] One piece of content ready to publish
- [ ] Membership tier name and price decided
- [ ] Brief description of what members will get
From our experience: Creators who prepare their first piece of content before starting setup launch 3x faster than those who try to create content while building their site.
Step-by-Step: How to Create a Membership Site
We've designed BTS to get you from zero to earning as quickly as possible. Here's exactly how to create your membership site, step by step.
Step 1: Set Up Your Creator Profile
Your profile is the foundation of your membership site. This is what potential members see first, so make it count.
What to do:
- Log into your BTS dashboard
- Navigate to your profile settings
- Upload a high-quality profile photo (at least 400x400 pixels)
- Write your bio focusing on the transformation you provide, not just your credentials
- Add your social links so members can find your other content
[Screenshot: Step 1 - Profile Setup]
Pro tip: Your bio should answer one question: "Why should I pay to learn from this person?" Lead with results, not resume items. "I've helped 500 creators launch profitable businesses" hits harder than "10 years of marketing experience."
Common mistake to avoid: Don't leave your profile incomplete. An empty bio or default avatar screams "I'm not serious about this." Members are trusting you with their money—show them you're invested.
Step 2: Create Your First Space
Spaces are where your membership content lives. Think of a Space as a container for everything related to one topic or offer.
What to do:
- From your dashboard, click "Create Space"
- Choose a name that clearly communicates the value (e.g., "The Growth Lab" not "My Membership")
- Add a compelling description (2-3 sentences about what members will learn/access)
- Upload a cover image that represents your brand
- Set the visibility to "Members Only" for premium content
[Screenshot: Step 2 - Creating a Space]
What we've learned: The most successful creators on BTS name their Spaces like brands, not products. "The Fitness Inner Circle" performs better than "Monthly Workout Videos." Make it feel like somewhere people want to belong.
Our recommendation: Start with one Space. We see creators overcomplicate their first launch by creating multiple tiers and spaces before they have any members. Get your first paying member, then expand.
Step 3: Configure Your Membership Tiers
This is where you decide how members will pay to access your content. BTS supports multiple monetization models, but for a membership site, you'll want to focus on recurring subscriptions.
What to do:
- Go to your Space settings and select "Monetization"
- Click "Add Subscription Tier"
- Name your tier (e.g., "Founding Member," "VIP Access," "Inner Circle")
- Set your monthly price (more on pricing below)
- Optionally add an annual option with a discount (we recommend 2 months free)
- Write a clear description of what's included
- Enable free trial if you want to let people sample your content
[Screenshot: Step 3 - Membership Tier Configuration]
Pricing guidance from our data: Across our 1,600+ creators, the sweet spot for membership pricing is $29-$49/month for most niches. Education and business creators often charge $97-$297/month. Fitness and lifestyle typically fall in the $19-$39 range. Start where you're comfortable and adjust based on conversion rates.
BTS's take: Annual subscriptions are underrated. Our data shows creators who offer annual plans (with a discount) see 40% of their members choose the yearly option. That's predictable revenue and lower churn. We make it easy to offer both.
Step 4: Upload Your Content
Now for the fun part—adding the content that makes your membership valuable. BTS supports multiple content types so you can deliver value in whatever format works best for your audience.
What to do:
- Inside your Space, click "Add Content"
- Choose your content type:
- Videos for courses, tutorials, or behind-the-scenes content
- Posts for written guides, updates, or announcements
- Files for downloadable resources, templates, or worksheets
- Links for curated resources or external tools
- Add a title, description, and thumbnail
- Set access level (free preview vs. members only)
- Organize content into sections if you have multiple pieces
[Screenshot: Step 4 - Content Upload Interface]
Pro tip: Create at least one "free preview" piece of content that non-members can see. This gives potential members a taste of your teaching style and content quality before they commit. Our creators who use free previews convert at 2x the rate of those who don't.
Common mistake to avoid: Don't upload everything at once if you have a large content library. Start with your best 3-5 pieces and add more over time. This gives you a reason to email members with updates and keeps them engaged long-term.
Step 5: Set Up Your Community (Optional but Recommended)
A membership isn't just about content—it's about belonging. Adding a community element increases retention significantly.
What to do:
- Enable community features in your Space settings
- Create 2-3 initial discussion topics or channels
- Write a welcome post explaining how the community works
- Set community guidelines (keep it simple—3-5 rules max)
- Consider creating a weekly thread or recurring event to drive engagement
[Screenshot: Step 5 - Community Setup]
Our data shows: Memberships with active communities retain members 60% longer than content-only offerings. People stay for the connections, not just the content. We built community features into BTS because we've seen this pattern across hundreds of successful creators.
What we've learned: The best community engagement comes from creator participation. Plan to spend 15-30 minutes daily in your community when you first launch. This sets the tone and shows members you're invested.
Step 6: Customize Your Branding
Unlike platforms that make every creator look the same, BTS lets you create a branded experience that feels uniquely yours.
What to do:
- Navigate to your Space's branding settings
- Upload your logo (if you have one)
- Choose your brand colors (or use our pre-set palettes)
- Customize your URL (Pro members can connect custom domains)
- Preview your site on both desktop and mobile
[Screenshot: Step 6 - Branding Customization]
BTS's take: Your membership site should look like YOUR brand, not like you're renting space on someone else's platform. Unlike Skool's classroom-style interface, BTS is designed to look and feel like a modern brand. This matters for perception and pricing power.
Step 7: Test Your Payment Flow
Before you start promoting, make sure the money actually works. Nothing kills momentum like launching and then scrambling to fix payment issues.
What to do:
- Go to your payment settings and connect your payout method
- Use BTS's test mode to simulate a purchase (we'll walk you through this)
- Verify your payout details are correct
- Check that confirmation emails are being sent
- Test the member experience by viewing your site as a new member would see it
[Screenshot: Step 7 - Payment Testing]
Important: BTS processes payouts within 1-5 days globally (same-day for US creators). We handle all the payment infrastructure behind the scenes so you can focus on creating. Our platform fee starts at 10% on the free plan or drops to 3.5% + 30¢ on Pro—transparent and competitive.
Step 8: Launch Your Membership
You've built it. Now it's time to tell people about it.
What to do:
- Create a launch post or email for your existing audience
- Copy your membership link from your dashboard
- Share across your social platforms with a clear call to action
- Consider offering a founding member discount for the first 24-48 hours
- Celebrate your first member (screenshot it—you'll want to remember this moment)
[Screenshot: Step 8 - Sharing Your Membership]
From our experience: Creators who launch to an email list convert 5-10x better than those who only share on social media. If you don't have an email list yet, start building one today. Your social followers are rented; your email list is owned.
Pro Tips for Creating a Membership Site
We've watched 1,600+ creators build membership sites on BTS. Here's what separates the successful launches from the ones that struggle:
Start with one tier, not three. Multiple tiers sound logical but create confusion at launch. Launch with one clear offer, get members, then add tiers based on actual demand. We see creators spend weeks deciding between three tiers that no one has asked for yet.
Pricing confidence matters. The creators who struggle most are the ones who price too low because they're afraid of rejection. Your members aren't buying content—they're buying transformation. Price based on the value of that transformation, not the hours you spent creating.
Content consistency beats content volume. We've seen creators with 100 videos struggle while others with 10 thrive. The difference? Consistency. Members stay when they know new value is coming regularly. Commit to a schedule you can maintain.
Use launch momentum wisely. Your launch window is when people are paying attention. Don't soft-launch and hope people notice. Pick a date, build anticipation, and make it an event. Our most successful creators treat their launch like a product drop, not a quiet link share.
Advanced options for later:
- Add upsell tiers once you have 50+ members
- Create bundles combining courses and community access
- Implement affiliate programs for members to share your site
- Connect your custom domain for full brand control (Pro feature)
Troubleshooting
Even with the simplest platform, things occasionally don't work as expected. Here are the most common issues we see and how to fix them:
"My members can't access content they paid for"
Check that your content is properly assigned to the correct membership tier. Go to Content Settings > Access and verify the tier is selected. If it still isn't working, have the member log out and back in—sometimes cached permissions need a refresh.
"Payments aren't processing"
First, confirm your payout method is fully connected and verified. Then check that you've completed your account verification (we require this for payment processing). If payments still fail, check if the member's card is valid or if they're in a supported region.
"My site looks different than expected"
Clear your browser cache and view in an incognito window. If customizations aren't showing, make sure you clicked "Save" after making changes. Brand changes can take a few minutes to propagate.
"I'm not getting notifications"
Check your notification settings in your account dashboard. Also verify that BTS emails aren't being caught by your spam filter. Add our email domain to your contacts to ensure delivery.
When to contact support: If you've tried the above steps and still have issues, reach out to our creator success team. We provide hands-on support from real humans who understand creator businesses—not just automated ticket responses. We're here to help you launch successfully.
What's Next?
Congratulations! You've built your membership site on BTS. But launching is just the beginning. Here's how to keep the momentum going:
Your immediate next steps:
- Send a welcome email to your first members (personal touches matter at the start)
- Post your first community update to spark engagement
- Schedule your next piece of content so members know what's coming
- Set up a simple tracking system to monitor member retention
Related tutorials to explore:
- How to Grow Your Membership from 0 to 100 Members
- Creating a Content Calendar That Keeps Members Engaged
- Setting Up Custom Domains on BTS
From our experience: The creators who succeed long-term are the ones who treat their membership like a business, not a side project. That means consistent content, active community management, and continuous improvement based on member feedback.
If you get stuck at any point, our creator success team is here to help. We've helped thousands of creators launch, and we're invested in your success. Everything runs behind the scenes in one space—that's the BTS way.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does BTS cost?
BTS offers a free Starter plan that lets you launch and start earning immediately. Our Pro plan is $149/month with lower transaction fees (3.5% + 30¢ vs. 10% on free). For serious creators focused on maximizing revenue, Pro pays for itself quickly. Check our pricing page for the full breakdown.
Is BTS free to use?
Yes! Our Starter plan is completely free with a 10% platform fee on transactions. This means you don't pay anything until you're earning. Upgrade to Pro when the math makes sense for your revenue level.
What makes BTS different from other creator platforms?
We focus on creator business infrastructure, not just monetization features. Unlike Patreon (which monetizes content) or Skool (which looks like an online course portal), BTS helps you build a real business you own. Everything runs behind the scenes in one place—content, community, payments, and branding.
Can I migrate my existing members to BTS?
Absolutely. We help creators migrate from platforms like Patreon, Teachable, Circle, and others regularly. Your members can transfer with their subscription history intact. Our support team will guide you through the migration process to make it seamless.
How long does it take to set up BTS?
Most creators complete their full setup in 15-30 minutes and launch within a day. We designed the onboarding to get you earning quickly, not buried in endless settings and configurations. Start simple, then customize as you grow.
Does BTS take a percentage of my earnings?
Yes, and we're transparent about it. Starter plan takes 10% of transactions. Pro plan takes 3.5% + 30¢ per transaction with a $149/month subscription. There are no hidden fees. You keep the rest of what your members pay.
What kind of support does BTS offer?
We provide hands-on creator success support from real humans who understand the creator business. Not just a ticket system—actual help from people who want to see you succeed. Most questions get answered within a few hours.
Can I use my own domain with BTS?
Yes! Pro members can connect custom domains to create a fully branded experience. Your membership site can live at yourbrand.com instead of a BTS subdomain. This is huge for professional positioning and brand consistency.
How long does this tutorial take to complete?
Plan for 15-30 minutes to complete the basic setup. If you have your content and branding ready ahead of time, you can move through even faster. Take your time to do it right—a polished launch converts better.
What if I get stuck during setup?
Our support team is here to help. Reach out through the dashboard chat or email, and we'll guide you through any issues. We've helped thousands of creators launch successfully, and we're invested in yours.
What payment methods do members have?
BTS supports all major credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. We handle all payment processing behind the scenes, including tax calculations for applicable regions. Members have a smooth checkout experience.
Can I offer free trials to potential members?
Yes! Free trials are built into our membership tier settings. You can offer 7-day, 14-day, or custom trial periods. Our data shows free trials can increase conversions by 25-40% for the right offers.
Do I need any technical skills to use BTS?
Not at all. BTS is designed for creators, not developers. If you can use social media, you can use BTS. No coding, no complex configurations—just straightforward tools that work.
Can I sell courses AND run a membership on BTS?
Absolutely. Many of our creators combine one-time course purchases with ongoing membership access. You can use Spaces for different offers and set different pricing models for each. One place to build something you own.
What happens if a member wants a refund?
You control your refund policy. BTS supports processing refunds through your dashboard when needed. We recommend having a clear refund policy stated on your membership page to set expectations upfront.
Key Takeaways
- Creating a membership site on BTS takes 15-30 minutes from account creation to launch-ready
- Start with one Space and one tier—complexity comes later, not at launch
- Community features dramatically improve retention—enable them even if you start small
- Your launch matters—treat it like an event, not a quiet link drop
- Support exists when you need it—we're real humans helping creators build real businesses
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: creating, teaching, and building genuine connections with your audience.
If a creator has an audience but no structure, BTS is the answer. Now you have the structure. Time to launch.
About the Author
BTS Support is part of the Creator Success team at BTS. We help creators launch every day, troubleshoot issues, and build sustainable membership businesses. Our team has supported over 1,600 creator launches and counting.
This guide reflects BTS's methodology and experience as of January 2026.