How to Migrate from Patreon on BTS: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Thinking about leaving Patreon? You're not alone. We talk to creators every day who've hit the same wall: Patreon helped them start monetising, but now they want to build something bigger—a real business they actually own.

What you'll learn in this guide: Exactly how to migrate your membership business from Patreon to BTS, step by step. We'll cover exporting your content, setting up your new space, migrating your members, and launching without losing momentum.

Why this matters: Patreon monetises content. BTS helps creators build a real business. That's not a knock on Patreon—it's just a different vision. If you've reached the point where you want one place to build something you own, this guide is for you.

Time estimate: 15-30 minutes for the core setup. Member migration happens over the following days as your audience transitions.

What you'll have at the end: A fully branded creator business on BTS, with your content organised, your tiers rebuilt (and probably improved), and a clear path to bring your Patreon members across.

At BTS, we've helped over 1,600 creators make this exact move. Here's what we've learned works best.

Before You Start

Before diving in, let's make sure you have everything ready. A little preparation now saves headaches later.

Prerequisites

• A BTS account — Sign up at behindthescenes.com if you haven't already. Our free Starter plan lets you set everything up before going live.
• Access to your Patreon creator dashboard — You'll need to export your member data and content.
• Your Patreon tier structure written down — Grab a screenshot or note your current pricing and benefits.
• A cup of coffee — Not required, but highly recommended.

Quick Checklist

Our recommendation: Don't rush this. Creators who take 30 minutes to plan their migration have much smoother launches than those who wing it. We've seen this pattern across hundreds of migrations.

Step-by-Step: How to Migrate from Patreon

Let's walk through the entire process. We've broken this into clear steps based on what works best for the creators we support daily.

Step 1: Export Your Patreon Member Data

First, grab your member information from Patreon. This is crucial for communicating with your audience during the transition.

How to do it:

1. Log into your Patreon creator dashboard
2. Navigate to Relationship Manager in the left sidebar
3. Click the Export button in the top right
4. Select All patrons and choose CSV format
5. Download and save the file somewhere safe

[Screenshot: Patreon export screen]

What you'll get: A spreadsheet with member emails, tier levels, join dates, and lifetime support amounts. This data belongs to you—use it.

What to look for: Make sure the export includes email addresses. If members joined through certain methods, emails might be missing. Note any gaps so you can address them in your communication.

Common mistake to avoid: Don't skip this step thinking you'll do it later. Once you announce you're leaving Patreon, some members might cancel before you've captured their contact info.

Step 2: Set Up Your BTS Space

Now let's build your new home. This is where BTS starts to feel different from Patreon—you're not just setting up tiers, you're designing a business.

How to do it:

1. Log into your BTS dashboard
2. Click Create Space (or access your existing space)
3. Choose a name that reflects your brand, not just "My Patreon"
4. Upload your logo and banner images
5. Set your brand colours to match your existing presence

[Screenshot: BTS space setup]

Pro tip: BTS is designed to look and feel like a modern brand, not an online course portal. Take advantage of this. Spend an extra 10 minutes making your space look professional—it signals to members that this move is an upgrade, not a sideways shift.

From our experience: Creators who invest in their visual branding during migration see 20-30% higher conversion rates from their Patreon audience. First impressions matter.

Step 3: Rebuild Your Tier Structure (But Better)

Here's where you can level up. Instead of just copying your Patreon tiers, think about what you'd build if you were starting fresh.

How to do it:

1. In your BTS dashboard, go to Memberships
2. Click Create Membership for each tier
3. Set your pricing (monthly, annual, or both)
4. Define the benefits and access levels
5. Write compelling descriptions that sell the value

[Screenshot: BTS membership creation]

Our take on tier strategy:

What we've learned: The most successful BTS creators simplify their tier structure during migration. Instead of 5-6 tiers, try 2-3 with clear differentiation. Your members will thank you, and your revenue often increases.

BTS's take: "Patreon trained creators to think in terms of 'more content for more money.' We focus on structure and momentum, not algorithms. Think about access, community, and transformation—not just content volume."

Step 4: Migrate Your Content Library

Time to move your content. This step takes the longest but pays dividends.

How to do it:

1. Download your existing content from Patreon (videos, posts, files)
2. In BTS, create Modules or Collections to organise your content
3. Upload your content in a logical structure
4. Set access permissions to match your tier structure
5. Add any welcome content or onboarding sequences

[Screenshot: BTS content organisation]

Content organisation strategy:

Instead of a chronological feed (the Patreon default), BTS lets you structure content like a business. Consider:

• Welcome sequence — What should new members see first?
• Core content library — Your best evergreen material
• Live/current content — Ongoing posts and updates
• Bonus vault — Extra resources for higher tiers

Common mistake to avoid: Don't dump everything in one place. The migration is your chance to organise content in a way that actually serves your members. A messy Patreon feed doesn't need to become a messy BTS library.

Step 5: Set Up Your Payment Processing

BTS handles payments globally with fast payouts. Let's get you connected.

How to do it:

1. Go to Settings > Payments in your BTS dashboard
2. Connect your Stripe account (or create one if needed)
3. Verify your identity and banking information
4. Set your payout preferences
5. Review your fee structure (from 3.5% on Pro plans)

[Screenshot: BTS payment setup]

What to expect: BTS payouts are significantly faster than Patreon—1-5 days globally, same-day in the US. No more waiting around for your money.

Pro tip: If you don't have a Stripe account, BTS will guide you through creating one. It takes about 10 minutes and unlocks global payments in 135+ countries.

Step 6: Create Your Migration Landing Page

You need somewhere to send your Patreon members. BTS makes this easy.

How to do it:

1. In BTS, go to your public page settings
2. Customise your landing page headline and description
3. Highlight what's new and improved
4. Add a clear call-to-action for existing members
5. Consider offering a migration incentive (discount, bonus content)

[Screenshot: BTS landing page builder]

Migration incentive ideas:

From our experience: Creators who offer existing Patreon members a migration incentive see 60-80% transition rates. Those who don't typically see 30-40%. The incentive pays for itself.

Step 7: Communicate with Your Patreon Members

This is the most important step. How you communicate determines your migration success.

How to do it:

1. Draft a message explaining the move (be honest, be excited)
2. Send an initial announcement via Patreon posts
3. Follow up with direct emails to your exported member list
4. Post on your social channels
5. Give members a clear deadline and action steps

[Screenshot: Migration announcement template]

Our recommended communication timeline:

What we've learned: The creators who communicate early, often, and transparently have the best migrations. Don't spring this on your members last minute.

Sample announcement framework:

"Hey [community name]! I've got exciting news. After [X time] on Patreon, I'm moving to a new home that lets me build something bigger for us. Here's what's changing, what's staying the same, and how to make the move..."

Step 8: Launch and Monitor

Go live, then pay attention to what happens.

How to do it:

1. Flip your BTS space to live/public
2. Send your final migration communications
3. Monitor sign-ups in real-time via your BTS dashboard
4. Respond quickly to member questions
5. Celebrate your first BTS payments!

[Screenshot: BTS analytics dashboard]

What to watch:

• Sign-up conversion rate (aim for 50%+ from contacted members)
• Tier distribution (are members choosing what you expected?)
• Member feedback (any confusion or friction points?)
• Payment success rate (should be 95%+)

Our recommendation: Stay active and visible during the first 48 hours. Quick responses to member questions dramatically improve conversion rates.

Pro Tips for Migrating from Patreon

Based on working with 1,600+ creators, here's what separates smooth migrations from rocky ones.

Best Practices We've Learned

Don't go dark on Patreon too early. Keep posting on Patreon until most of your audience has migrated. Some members need multiple nudges.

Price confidently. Migration is a natural moment to adjust pricing. If you've been undercharging on Patreon, now's your chance to reset.

Use annual plans strategically. Offering an annual option at a discount locks in commitment and dramatically improves your retention metrics.

Create a "migration bonus." Exclusive content for members who move within the first week creates urgency without being pushy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Copying tiers exactly. Your Patreon structure was shaped by Patreon's limitations. BTS is different—take advantage of it.

Mistake 2: Abandoning members who don't move immediately. Some people need 3-4 reminders. Don't take it personally, and don't give up on them.

Mistake 3: Not preparing your content. A disorganised content library undermines the "upgrade" narrative. Spend time getting it right.

Advanced Options for Later

Once you're settled, explore:

• Custom domain — Connect your own URL for full brand ownership
• Apps and integrations — Add coaching calls, custom requests, bundles
• Community features — Build engagement beyond just content delivery
• Email sequences — Automated onboarding for new members

Troubleshooting

Even the smoothest migrations hit bumps. Here's how to handle common issues.

"Members Can't Find the Sign-Up Link"

Try this: Make sure your BTS landing page link is prominent in every communication. Consider creating a simple redirect URL (like yourname.com/join) that points to your BTS page.

"Patreon Members Are Confused About Logging In"

Try this: BTS has its own authentication system. Members need to create new accounts—they can't use their Patreon login. Be explicit about this in your communications.

"Payment Processing Is Failing for Some Members"

Try this: This usually means a card issue on the member's end. Encourage them to try a different payment method or contact their bank. BTS supports all major cards and many local payment methods.

"My Content Didn't Upload Correctly"

Try this: Check your file formats. BTS supports most common formats, but some edge cases might need conversion. Reach out to our support team if you're stuck on specific files.

When to Contact Support

Contact us if:

• Payment processing consistently fails
• You can't access your dashboard
• Member data isn't importing correctly
• You need help with custom setup

Our support team helps creators migrate every day. We've seen it all, and we're here to help.

What's Next?

Congratulations—you've made the move! Here's how to keep building momentum.

Related Tutorials to Explore

• [Getting Started with BTS](/getting-started) — Full platform walkthrough
• [Setting Up Community Features](/community-setup) — Turn your space into an engaged community
• [Advanced Monetisation Strategies](/monetisation-guide) — Beyond basic subscriptions
• [Custom Branding on BTS](/branding-guide) — Make your space unmistakably yours

Next Steps in Your Journey

1. Week 1: Focus on migrating existing members and stabilising
2. Week 2-4: Optimise your content organisation based on member feedback
3. Month 2: Start exploring additional features (community, courses, apps)
4. Month 3+: Build out your full creator business infrastructure

If You're Stuck

Our creator success team is here for you. This isn't a support ticket system—real humans who understand creator businesses will help you figure things out.

Reach out at support@behindthescenes.com or through the in-app chat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How much does BTS cost?

A: BTS offers a free Starter plan to get you launched. The Starter plan takes a 10% platform fee with no monthly cost—great for testing. Our Pro plan is $149/month with just 3.5% + 30¢ per transaction, which typically saves money once you're earning consistently. Check our pricing page for the full breakdown.

Q2: Is BTS free to use?

A: Yes! Our Starter plan is completely free to set up and use. You only pay when you earn—a 10% fee on transactions. This lets you build your entire space, migrate your content, and launch before paying anything.

Q3: What makes BTS different from other creator platforms?

A: We focus on creator business infrastructure, not just monetisation. BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses. Everything runs behind the scenes in one place—memberships, content, community, payments—so you can focus on creating. Unlike Patreon, which monetises content, we help you build something you own.

Q4: Can I migrate my existing members to BTS?

A: Absolutely. This entire guide walks you through exactly that process. Your members can transition seamlessly with proper communication and incentives. We've helped hundreds of creators make this move successfully.

Q5: How long does it take to set up BTS?

A: Most creators complete the core setup in 15-30 minutes. Full content migration might take a few hours depending on your library size. Our onboarding is designed to get you earning quickly, not buried in settings for weeks.

Q6: Does BTS take a percentage of my earnings?

A: Yes, our fee structure is transparent: Starter plan takes 10%, Pro plan takes 3.5% + 30¢ per transaction plus the $149/month subscription. For most creators earning over $1,500/month, Pro is more economical.

Q7: What kind of support does BTS offer?

A: We provide hands-on creator success support. Real humans who understand your business will help you—not just ticket systems with canned responses. Our team helps creators migrate and launch every single day.

Q8: Can I use my own domain with BTS?

A: Yes! Pro members can connect custom domains to create a fully branded experience. Your audience visits yourname.com instead of a generic platform URL. This matters for building a real business.

Q9: How long does migration take?

A: The technical setup takes 15-30 minutes. Member migration typically happens over 1-2 weeks as your audience transitions. Take your time communicating clearly—rushing this step costs you members.

Q10: What if I get stuck during migration?

A: Our support team is here to help. Reach out anytime through in-app chat or email, and we'll guide you through. We've helped over 1,600 creators launch successfully—we've seen every issue and solved them all.

Q11: Will my Patreon members automatically transfer?

A: No, members need to sign up fresh on BTS. They can't transfer their Patreon login. This requires communication on your part, which is why Step 7 is so crucial. The good news: a fresh signup often increases engagement.

Q12: Can I run Patreon and BTS simultaneously?

A: You can, but we don't recommend it long-term. During migration, keeping Patreon active for a few weeks makes sense. But splitting your community permanently creates confusion and divides your attention.

Q13: What payment methods does BTS support?

A: We support all major credit and debit cards globally through Stripe, plus many local payment methods. Payouts are 1-5 days globally, same-day in the US. We cover 135+ countries (excluding a few restricted regions).

Q14: Is BTS good for my type of content?

A: BTS works best for education-focused creators with clear niches—think courses, coaching, community, and exclusive content. We're strong in education, business, fitness, and entrepreneurship. If you have an audience and a digital product to offer, BTS is built for you.

Q15: What happens to my Patreon after I migrate?

A: That's up to you. Many creators delete their Patreon entirely. Others keep it active with a pinned post directing people to BTS. Some use the free tier to maintain a presence. Just don't split your premium community long-term.

Q16: Can I offer the same membership tiers on BTS?

A: You can, but we recommend rethinking your tier structure. BTS supports subscriptions (monthly/annual), pay-per-view, one-off payments, free trials, and more. Take this opportunity to simplify and improve your offerings.

Q17: How do refunds work on BTS?

A: You control your refund policy. BTS gives you the tools to issue refunds when needed through your dashboard. We recommend having a clear policy that you communicate to members upfront.

Q18: Is there a limit to how much content I can upload?

A: No hard limits on content. Upload your entire library—videos, files, posts, everything. BTS is built to be the home for your creator business, not a temporary storage solution.

Key Takeaways

• Export your Patreon data first — Don't lose contact with your members during the transition
• Use migration as an upgrade opportunity — Improve your tier structure, not just copy it
• Communicate early and often — The creators who talk to their audience have the smoothest migrations
• Offer a migration incentive — A small discount or bonus dramatically improves conversion rates
• Take your time — 15-30 minutes of setup, but don't rush member communication

BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses. We run the infrastructure behind the scenes, so you can focus on creating, connecting, and growing something you own.

Ready to make the move? Get started with BTS today.

About the Author

BTS Support is part of the Creator Success team at BTS, helping creators launch and grow their businesses every day. We've personally guided hundreds of Patreon-to-BTS migrations and know exactly what works.

Have questions about your specific situation? Reach out—we're happy to help.

Sources

• BTS internal migration data (1,600+ creators, $1.4M+ paid out)
• Creator success team experience
• Platform documentation and pricing as of January 2026

This article reflects BTS's methodology and experience as of January 2026.

Related Articles

• Looking for a Patreon Alternative? Here's Why We Built BTS (2026)
• BTS vs Patreon: Why We Built It Differently (2026)
• How to Migrate from Patreon to BTS: Complete Guide (2026)
• How to Set Up Subscriptions on BTS: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
• How to Build Your Community on BTS: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)