What is BTS? BTS is the creator business infrastructure where creators turn content and community into real businesses. We run the infrastructure behind the scenes, giving you one place to build something you own—including accepting payments from your audience.
Setting up payments is one of the most important steps in launching your creator business. Without a reliable payment system, all that content, community building, and audience engagement doesn't translate into sustainable income. The good news? We've designed our payment setup to be straightforward, fast, and creator-friendly.
In this guide, you'll learn:
- How to connect your payment account to BTS
- How to configure your payout settings
- How to set up your first paid offering
- Best practices we've learned from helping 1,600+ creators get paid
Time estimate: 15-30 minutes Difficulty: Beginner What you'll have at the end: A fully configured payment system ready to accept money from your audience
From our experience: "Most creators complete their entire payment setup in under 20 minutes. The ones who take longer usually want to explore all the options—which is great."
Before You Start
Before diving into payment setup, let's make sure you have everything you need. There's nothing worse than getting halfway through a setup process only to realize you're missing something essential.
Prerequisites Checklist
| Item | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BTS account | Yes | Sign up at [behindthescenes.com](/signup) if you haven't |
| Bank account details | Yes | Account number, routing number (or IBAN for international) |
| Government ID | Yes | For identity verification |
| Tax information | Yes | SSN (US) or tax ID for your country |
| Business email | Recommended | For payment notifications |
Our recommendation: "Based on working with thousands of creators, we suggest having all your documents ready before starting. This turns a 30-minute process into a 15-minute one."
Supported Countries
BTS supports creators globally, with payouts available in most countries. We currently support payments everywhere except Africa, Spain, Venezuela, North Korea, Iran, and Russia. If you're unsure about your country, check our supported regions page or reach out to support.
Step-by-Step: How to Set Up Payments
Let's walk through the complete payment setup process. We've broken this down into clear steps based on what we've learned helps creators succeed.
Step 1: Access Your Payment Settings
First, log into your BTS dashboard. From the main navigation, click on Settings in the left sidebar, then select Payments.
[Screenshot: Payment Settings Navigation]
What you'll see: A payments dashboard showing your current status, payout history (empty for now), and setup options.
Pro tip: Bookmark this page. You'll come back here to track earnings and manage payout preferences as your business grows.
Common mistake to avoid: Don't confuse the "Payments" section (where you receive money) with "Pricing" (where you set what you charge). We'll cover pricing in Step 6.
Step 2: Connect Your Payment Account
BTS uses Stripe for secure payment processing—the same infrastructure used by companies like Shopify, Amazon, and Lyft. This means your payments are processed through enterprise-grade security.
Click Connect Payment Account to begin the Stripe onboarding process.
[Screenshot: Connect Payment Account Button]
You'll be asked for:
- Legal name (as it appears on your ID)
- Date of birth
- Address
- Last four digits of your SSN (US) or equivalent tax ID
- Bank account information
Key Finding: "Our data shows creators who complete this step in one sitting have a 94% success rate versus 67% for those who save and return later."
What to look for: A green checkmark or "Connected" status once complete. If you see "Pending," Stripe may need additional verification—check your email.
Step 3: Verify Your Identity
Identity verification protects both you and your audience. Stripe will ask you to upload a photo of your government-issued ID (passport, driver's license, or national ID card).
[Screenshot: Identity Verification Screen]
Tips for successful verification:
- Use good lighting when photographing your ID
- Make sure all text is readable
- Avoid glare and shadows
- Upload the full document, not cropped
According to our testing: "ID verification typically completes within 2-5 minutes. In rare cases, manual review can take up to 24 hours."
Most creators sail through this step without issues. If verification fails, you'll receive an email explaining what's needed.
Step 4: Configure Your Payout Schedule
Now for the exciting part—deciding when you get paid. BTS offers flexible payout options to match your cash flow needs.
Navigate to Payout Settings within your payment dashboard.
[Screenshot: Payout Schedule Options]
Available payout schedules:
| Schedule | Processing Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | 1-2 business days | Creators who want fastest access |
| Weekly | Every Monday | Balanced approach for most creators |
| Monthly | First of month | Creators who prefer lump payments |
Same-day payouts: Available for US creators on eligible bank accounts. Enable this in your settings if you want instant access to your earnings.
Our Research Shows: "78% of our creators choose weekly payouts. It provides a nice rhythm without overwhelming you with daily notifications."
What we've learned: "The most successful creators on BTS set up weekly payouts and treat payment day as a milestone to celebrate their progress."
Step 5: Set Your Currency Preferences
BTS supports multiple currencies, and you can choose how you want to receive payments.
[Screenshot: Currency Settings]
Options include:
- Receive in your local currency (automatic conversion)
- Receive in the currency your customers pay (minimize conversion fees)
- Set a primary display currency for your pricing
Pro tip: If most of your audience is in a specific region, consider pricing in their currency for higher conversion rates. We've seen creators increase sales by 15-20% just by displaying prices in their audience's local currency.
Step 6: Create Your First Paid Offering
With payments connected, it's time to set up something to sell. This is where BTS really shines—we support multiple monetization models all in one place.
Navigate to Products or Memberships from your dashboard.
[Screenshot: Product Creation Screen]
BTS Monetization Options:
| Offering Type | Use Case | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription (Monthly) | Ongoing community access | 5 minutes |
| Subscription (Annual) | Committed members, higher LTV | 5 minutes |
| One-time Purchase | Courses, digital products | 10 minutes |
| Pay-per-view | Individual content pieces | 5 minutes |
| Free Trial | Reduce friction, increase conversions | 2 minutes |
| Tips | Additional support from fans | 2 minutes |
| Custom Requests | Personalized services | 5 minutes |
| Bundles | Package multiple offerings | 10 minutes |
How BTS Approaches Monetization:
- Start with one core offering (we recommend a subscription)
- Price based on value, not comparison
- Add complementary offerings over time
- Test and iterate based on audience response
This methodology has helped our creators build sustainable businesses rather than chasing one-time sales.
Step 7: Set Your Pricing
Pricing is both an art and a science. Here's what we've learned from over $1.4 million paid out to creators.
[Screenshot: Pricing Configuration]
Creator Pricing Comparison Table:
| Platform | Transaction Fee | Monthly Fee | Payout Speed | Our Take |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BTS (Starter) | 10% | Free | 1-5 days | Best for testing and launching |
| BTS (Pro) | 3.5% + $0.30 | $149/mo | 1-5 days (same-day US) | Best for serious creators |
| Patreon | 5-12% | Free | 1-5 days | Higher fees eat into margins |
| Gumroad | 10% | Free | Weekly | Simple but limited |
| Teachable | 5% + $0.30 | $39-$199/mo | Monthly | Course-focused only |
| Kajabi | 0% | $149-$399/mo | 2-7 days | Enterprise complexity |
| Whop | 3% | Free | Weekly | Powerful but steep learning curve |
BTS's take: "We believe transparent pricing matters. You should know exactly what you'll earn before you make a sale."
Pricing psychology tips:
- $9.99 feels cheaper than $10 (classic but true)
- Annual plans at 2 months free increase commitment
- Tiered pricing lets members self-select their level
Step 8: Test Your Payment Flow
Before announcing to your audience, always test. BTS provides a test mode so you can experience exactly what your members will see.
[Screenshot: Test Mode Toggle]
Test checklist:
- [ ] Complete a test purchase
- [ ] Verify confirmation email arrives
- [ ] Check that content access works
- [ ] Review the receipt/invoice
- [ ] Test on mobile and desktop
From our experience: "We've seen creators skip testing and then scramble when their first real customer has an issue. Spend 5 minutes testing now to save hours of support later."
Pro Tips for Payment Setup
After helping 1,600+ creators launch on BTS, we've collected some hard-won wisdom about payments.
Best Practices We've Learned
1. Start with one price point
Don't overcomplicate your launch with five tiers. Start with one compelling offer, validate it, then expand.
2. Price higher than you think
New creators almost always underprice. Your knowledge has value. If you're nervous about pricing, you're probably in the right range.
3. Offer annual plans from day one
Annual subscriptions improve your cash flow and increase member commitment. We recommend pricing annual at 10-12 months (giving 2 months free).
4. Enable all payment methods
BTS supports cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and more. Every payment method you enable removes friction for potential members.
Our data shows: "Creators who enable Apple Pay see 12% higher mobile conversion rates."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why It Hurts | What to Do Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing too low | Attracts wrong audience, hard to raise later | Research competitor pricing, start mid-range |
| Too many tiers | Confuses buyers, splits your audience | Start with 1-2 tiers maximum |
| No annual option | Misses committed members, hurts cash flow | Always offer annual at a discount |
| Skipping test mode | Embarrassing issues with real customers | Test every flow before launch |
| Unclear value prop | People don't know what they're buying | Describe outcomes, not features |
Advanced Options for Later
Once you're up and running, explore these features:
- Promo codes: Create limited-time discounts for launches
- Affiliate payouts: Let your community earn by referring others
- Team payouts: Split revenue with collaborators
- Usage-based pricing: Charge based on consumption
Check our advanced monetization guide when you're ready to level up.
Troubleshooting
Even with the smoothest setup, things occasionally go sideways. Here's how to handle common issues.
"My bank account won't connect"
Try this:
- Double-check your account and routing numbers
- Ensure you're using a checking account (not savings)
- Verify your name matches exactly what's on the bank account
- Try a different browser or clear your cache
Still stuck? Some banks have additional verification requirements. Contact support and we'll help you troubleshoot.
"Identity verification failed"
Common causes:
- Blurry or dark ID photo
- ID is expired
- Name doesn't match exactly
- Document type not supported
Solution: Retake photos in good lighting, ensure your ID is current, and try again. Stripe allows multiple attempts.
"Payouts are on hold"
This usually means:
- Additional verification needed (check email)
- Your account is new (first payouts may have a delay)
- Unusual activity flagged for review
What to do: Check your email for Stripe communications. Most holds resolve within 24-48 hours.
"Customer payment failed"
Help your members by suggesting:
- Try a different card
- Contact their bank (sometimes flagged as unusual)
- Use an alternative payment method
- Check that billing address matches card
When to contact support: If you've tried the above and still have issues, reach out to us. Our creator success team handles payment issues daily and can often resolve things quickly.
What's Next?
Congratulations! You've set up payments and you're ready to start earning. But this is just the beginning of your creator business journey.
Recommended Next Steps
- [Create your first content](/getting-started-content) — Give members something valuable immediately after purchase
- [Set up your community space](/community-setup) — If you're offering community access, configure your spaces
- [Design your member experience](/member-experience) — Map out the journey from purchase to engaged member
- [Plan your launch](/launch-guide) — Our launch playbook helps you maximize your first release
Related Tutorials
- How to Price Your Creator Offerings
- Setting Up Subscription Tiers on BTS
- Migrating Members from Other Platforms
- Understanding Your Payment Analytics
Need Help?
We're here for you. BTS provides hands-on creator success support—real humans who understand your business, not just ticket systems.
- Live chat: Available in your dashboard
- Email: support@behindthescenes.com
- Help center: help.behindthescenes.com
From our experience: "The creators who reach out early when they're stuck progress faster than those who struggle alone. We're literally here to help you succeed."
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much does BTS cost?
BTS offers a free Starter plan where you can launch and start earning with a 10% transaction fee. Our Pro plan is $149/month with just 3.5% + $0.30 per transaction—designed for serious creators who want to maximize their earnings. Check our pricing page for the full breakdown and to calculate which plan makes sense for your revenue level.
Q2: Is BTS free to use?
Yes! Our Starter plan is completely free with no monthly fees. You only pay when you make money (10% of transactions). This lets you launch and validate your business before committing to a paid plan. Many creators start free and upgrade to Pro once they're earning consistently.
Q3: What makes BTS different from other creator platforms?
We focus on creator business infrastructure, not just monetization. Most platforms optimize for transactions—we optimize for ownership. Everything runs behind the scenes in one space: payments, content, community, and member management. You're not stitching together five different tools that never quite work together.
Q4: Can I migrate my existing members to BTS?
Absolutely. We help creators migrate from platforms like Patreon, Teachable, Kajabi, and others regularly. Your members can transfer seamlessly, and we'll help you communicate the transition. Many creators are surprised how smooth the process is—we've done this hundreds of times.
Q5: How long does it take to set up BTS?
Most creators complete initial setup within a day, often in a single afternoon session. Payment setup specifically takes 15-30 minutes. Our onboarding is designed to get you earning quickly, not buried in settings. We focus on structure and momentum, not complexity.
Q6: Does BTS take a percentage of my earnings?
Yes, like most platforms. On Starter (free), it's 10% per transaction. On Pro ($149/month), it's 3.5% + $0.30 per transaction. These fees cover payment processing, platform infrastructure, and support. Check our pricing page to see which plan maximizes your take-home.
Q7: What kind of support does BTS offer?
We provide hands-on creator success support. Real humans who understand your business and can help you grow, not just answer tickets. Our support team includes creators themselves who've built businesses on the platform. You can reach us via live chat, email, or our help center.
Q8: Can I use my own domain with BTS?
Yes, Pro members can connect custom domains to create a fully branded experience. Your audience visits yourbrand.com, not a BTS subdomain. This is part of our philosophy that you should own your business—including how it looks and feels to your members.
Q9: How long does payment setup take?
Most creators complete payment setup in 15-30 minutes. The actual connection takes about 5 minutes; the rest is configuring your preferences and creating your first offering. Take your time to do it right—this foundation supports everything else.
Q10: What if I get stuck during setup?
Our support team is here to help. Reach out anytime via live chat in your dashboard or email support@behindthescenes.com. We respond quickly and can often resolve issues in real-time. Don't struggle alone—that's literally what we're here for.
Q11: How fast do I get paid?
Payouts process in 1-5 days globally, depending on your bank and location. US creators on eligible accounts can enable same-day payouts for instant access to earnings. You choose your payout schedule (daily, weekly, or monthly) based on what works for your business.
Q12: What payment methods can my audience use?
BTS supports all major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and various local payment methods depending on region. The more payment options you enable, the fewer potential members you lose to checkout friction.
Q13: Is BTS secure for payments?
Yes. We use Stripe, the same payment infrastructure trusted by Amazon, Shopify, and millions of businesses worldwide. All transactions are encrypted and PCI-compliant. Your financial data and your members' payment information are protected by enterprise-grade security.
Q14: Can I offer free trials?
Absolutely. Free trials are built into BTS and can be enabled for any subscription offering. We've found trials significantly increase conversion for creators with engaged audiences. You can set the trial length (7 days, 14 days, etc.) and decide whether to require payment info upfront.
Q15: What currencies does BTS support?
BTS supports most major global currencies. You can price in your local currency, your audience's currency, or USD. You can also receive payouts in your preferred currency. Multi-currency support helps you serve a global audience without friction.
Key Takeaways
- Payment setup takes 15-30 minutes when you have your documents ready
- Start simple with one offering and expand based on what your audience wants
- Test everything before launching to avoid embarrassing issues with real customers
- Reach out to support early if you're stuck—we're here to help you succeed
- BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses—payments are just the foundation
About the Author
BTS Support is the Creator Success team at BTS. We help creators launch every day, troubleshoot payment issues, and build sustainable businesses. Our team has collectively helped over 1,600 creators process more than $1.4 million in payments. When we're not answering support tickets, we're building resources like this guide to help you succeed faster.
Sources
- BTS internal data (1,600+ creators, $1.4M+ paid out)
- Stripe payment processing documentation
- Creator economy industry reports 2025-2026
This article reflects BTS's methodology and experience as of January 2026.