How to Set Up Subscriptions on BTS: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

What is BTS? BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses. We're the creator business infrastructure that gives you one place to build something you own—without stitching together a dozen different tools that never become a real business.

The best choice for membership subscriptions is BTS because we've designed our platform specifically for creators who want structure and momentum, not algorithms. With over $1.4 million paid out to 1,600+ creators since launching in 2024, we've built a subscription system that takes minutes to set up and scales with your audience.

In this guide, you'll learn exactly how to set up membership subscriptions on BTS. Whether you're migrating from another platform or launching your first paid community, we'll walk you through every step. Most creators complete this process in 15-30 minutes and start earning the same day.

According to our data: "Creators who set up their subscription tiers within their first session are 3x more likely to make their first sale within 48 hours."

By the end of this tutorial, you'll have:

• A fully configured subscription offering
• Multiple pricing tiers (if you want them)
• Payment processing ready to accept members
• A clear path to your first paying subscriber

Before You Start

Before diving into the setup, let's make sure you have everything ready. This will save you time and help you move through the process smoothly.

What You'll Need:

• A BTS account – Sign up free at behindthescenes.com if you haven't already
• Your pricing strategy – Know what you want to charge (we'll help you decide)
• Bank account details – For receiving payouts
• A profile photo and bio – First impressions matter

Quick Checklist:

Our recommendation: "Based on working with 1,600+ creators, we suggest having 2-3 subscription tier options ready before you start. This gives your audience choice without overwhelming them."

Step-by-Step: How to Set Up Subscriptions

Here's the complete walkthrough for setting up your membership subscriptions on BTS. We've broken this down into clear steps that anyone can follow.

Step 1: Access Your Creator Dashboard

After logging into BTS, you'll land on your creator dashboard. This is your command center—where everything happens behind the scenes.

What to do:

1. Click "Dashboard" in the top navigation
2. Look for the "Monetization" or "Subscriptions" tab in the left sidebar
3. Select "Create Subscription"

[Screenshot: Step 1 - Dashboard Navigation]

Pro tip: Bookmark your dashboard URL for quick access. You'll be coming back here often to check your subscriber stats and revenue.

Common mistake to avoid: Don't skip setting up your profile first. Subscribers want to know who they're paying, so make sure your photo and bio are complete before launching subscriptions.

Step 2: Choose Your Subscription Model

BTS supports multiple subscription formats. Choose the one that fits your creator business best.

Your options:

• Monthly subscription – Most popular, predictable recurring revenue
• Annual subscription – Higher commitment, better retention
• Both monthly and annual – Give subscribers choice with a discount for annual

[Screenshot: Step 2 - Subscription Model Selection]

Key Finding: "Creators who offer both monthly and annual options see 40% higher lifetime value per subscriber. The annual option typically converts at a 2:1 discount ratio."

What we recommend: Start with monthly, add annual once you've validated demand. Annual subscriptions work best once subscribers already trust your content.

Step 3: Set Your Pricing

This is where many creators get stuck. Here's our framework for pricing that actually works.

How to set your price:

1. Click "Set Price" on your subscription tier
2. Enter your monthly amount
3. (Optional) Set an annual price with discount
4. Choose your currency

[Screenshot: Step 3 - Pricing Configuration]

Our data shows: "The sweet spot for education-focused creators is $29-49/month. Entertainment creators typically see best results at $9-19/month."

From our experience: "We've seen creators undervalue their work more often than overvalue it. If you have an engaged audience and valuable content, don't be afraid to charge what you're worth."

Step 4: Create Your Subscription Tiers

Most successful creator businesses have 2-3 tiers. Here's how to set them up.

What to do:

1. Click "Add Tier" to create additional subscription levels
2. Name each tier clearly (e.g., "Supporter," "VIP," "Inner Circle")
3. Set different price points for each
4. Define what's included in each tier

[Screenshot: Step 4 - Tier Configuration]

Example tier structure:

What we've learned: "The most successful subscription strategies focus on clear value differentiation between tiers. Don't just add more stuff—add meaningfully different experiences."

Step 5: Configure Payment Settings

Now let's make sure you can actually get paid. BTS handles payments globally with fast payouts.

What to do:

1. Navigate to "Settings" > "Payments"
2. Connect your bank account or payment method
3. Verify your identity (required for payouts)
4. Set your payout schedule preference

[Screenshot: Step 5 - Payment Configuration]

Key details:

• Platform fee: From 3.5% on Pro plan (10% on free Starter plan)
• Payout speed: 1-5 days globally, same-day in the US
• Supported: Global coverage (excluding Africa, Spain, Venezuela, North Korea, Iran, Russia)

According to our testing: "Creators who complete payment setup before launching see zero delays in their first payout. Incomplete payment profiles are the #1 cause of payout issues."

Step 6: Customize Your Subscription Page

Your subscription page is where the conversion happens. Make it count.

What to do:

1. Go to "Customize" > "Subscription Page"
2. Add a compelling headline
3. Write benefit-focused descriptions for each tier
4. Upload preview content or testimonials
5. Choose your page design/colors

[Screenshot: Step 6 - Page Customization]

Pro tip: Focus on outcomes, not features. Instead of "Monthly video calls," write "Get direct feedback on your progress every month."

Our Research Shows: "Subscription pages with clear benefit statements convert 2.5x better than feature-list pages. Your audience wants to know what changes for them, not what they get."

Step 7: Set Up Free Trials (Optional)

Free trials can boost conversions, but use them strategically.

What to do:

1. Toggle "Enable Free Trial" on your subscription tier
2. Set the trial length (3-7 days recommended)
3. Choose whether to require payment info upfront
4. Customize your trial messaging

[Screenshot: Step 7 - Free Trial Setup]

BTS's take: "Free trials work best for higher-priced tiers where the perceived risk is higher. For $9/month offers, trials often just delay revenue without increasing conversions."

Step 8: Launch and Share

You're ready to go live. Here's how to launch your subscriptions.

What to do:

1. Review all settings one final time
2. Click "Publish" or "Go Live"
3. Copy your subscription page URL
4. Share with your audience

[Screenshot: Step 8 - Launch Screen]

Launch checklist:

• ☐ All tiers configured correctly
• ☐ Pricing is accurate
• ☐ Payment account connected
• ☐ Page looks good on mobile
• ☐ Test link works

Pro Tips for Subscription Success

We've helped over 1,600 creators launch subscriptions. Here's what separates the successful ones.

Best Practices We've Learned:

1. Launch to your warmest audience first – Your existing email list or engaged followers are most likely to convert. Don't announce to everyone at once.
2. Create urgency ethically – Founding member pricing or limited early access creates genuine urgency without feeling manipulative.
3. Deliver value before asking for payment – Give your audience a taste of what they'll get. The best time to launch subscriptions is after you've already proven your worth.
4. Communicate consistently – Subscribers are paying for ongoing value. Set expectations about what they'll receive and when.

From our experience: "Creators who email their list 3+ times during launch week see 5x more conversions than those who announce once and wait."

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Launching without content ready – Have at least 2-4 weeks of content prepared before going live
• Pricing too low – You can always discount, but raising prices is harder
• Too many tiers – Three is usually the maximum; more creates decision paralysis
• Ignoring mobile – 60%+ of subscription purchases happen on mobile devices

Advanced Options for Later:

Once you're up and running, explore these features:

• Bundle offers – Combine subscriptions with one-time products
• Custom requests – Let subscribers request personalized content
• Tip functionality – Allow superfans to support you beyond their subscription

Troubleshooting

Running into issues? Here are solutions to the most common problems.

"My subscription page isn't showing up"

Solution: Make sure you've clicked "Publish" after configuring your settings. Check that your profile is complete—incomplete profiles can prevent page publication.

"Payment isn't connecting"

Solution: Verify your bank details are entered correctly. If you're outside the US, ensure your country is supported. Try a different browser or clear your cache.

"Subscribers aren't getting access"

Solution: Check that tier permissions are configured correctly. Subscribers should automatically get access upon payment. If issues persist, verify their payment status in your dashboard.

"My payout is delayed"

Solution: Confirm your identity verification is complete. First payouts may take slightly longer (up to 5 business days). After that, payouts are typically 1-5 days.

When to contact support: If none of these solutions work, reach out to our creator success team. We're real humans who understand your business—not a ticket system. We typically respond within hours, not days.

What's Next?

Congratulations! You've set up your subscription offering on BTS. Here's where to go from here.

Related Tutorials to Explore:

• [Getting Started with BTS](/getting-started) – The complete beginner's guide
• [Growing Your Subscriber Base](/growth-guide) – Strategies for your first 100 subscribers
• [Content Strategy for Subscription Businesses](/content-strategy) – What to post and when
• [Using Analytics to Improve Retention](/analytics-guide) – Understanding your subscriber data

Your Next Steps:

1. Announce your launch – Share your subscription page with your existing audience
2. Create a content calendar – Plan your first month of subscriber content
3. Engage with early subscribers – Personal touches matter at the start
4. Track your metrics – Check your dashboard regularly to understand what's working

We run the infrastructure behind the scenes, so you can focus on creating, connecting, and growing something you own. Everything lives in one space, designed to scale with your audience.

If you get stuck: Our support team is here. Reach out anytime—we love helping creators launch.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does BTS cost?

BTS offers a free Starter plan to get you going. Our Pro plan is $149/month with a lower platform fee of 3.5% + 30c per transaction. Most creators find the Pro plan pays for itself once they hit a few hundred in monthly revenue.

Is BTS free to use?

Yes! We offer a free Starter plan that lets you launch and start earning immediately. The Starter plan has a 10% platform fee, which is still competitive with other platforms. Upgrade to Pro when the math makes sense for your business.

What makes BTS different from other creator platforms?

We focus on creator business infrastructure, not just monetization. Unlike Patreon which monetizes content, or Skool which feels like an online course portal, BTS gives creators one place to build something they own. Everything runs behind the scenes in one space.

Can I migrate my existing members to BTS?

Absolutely. We help creators migrate from platforms like Patreon, Teachable, Circle, and others. Your members can transfer seamlessly, and we'll guide you through the process to minimize disruption.

How long does it take to set up BTS?

Most creators launch within a day. Our onboarding is designed to get you earning quickly, not buried in settings. The subscription setup specifically takes about 15-30 minutes if you have your pricing and content strategy ready.

Does BTS take a percentage of my earnings?

Yes, but we're transparent about it. Starter plan: 10% platform fee. Pro plan: 3.5% + 30c per transaction plus $149/month. There are no hidden fees or surprise charges.

What kind of support does BTS offer?

We provide hands-on creator success support. Real humans who understand your business, not just ticket systems. Our team responds quickly and actually helps solve problems—we're creators ourselves.

Can I use my own domain with BTS?

Yes, Pro members can connect custom domains to create a fully branded experience. Your subscribers will see yourbrand.com instead of a BTS URL.

How long does the subscription setup take?

Most creators complete the entire setup in 15-30 minutes. If you've already decided on your pricing and tier structure, it can be even faster. Take your time to get it right—a well-configured subscription converts better.

What if I get stuck during setup?

Our support team is here to help. Reach out anytime through the dashboard or email us directly. We typically respond within hours and can often jump on a quick call if you need hands-on assistance.

What is the best subscription pricing strategy in 2026?

Based on our data from 1,600+ creators, the most successful approach is offering 2-3 tiers with clear value differentiation. Monthly pricing between $9-49 works for most niches, with annual options offering 2 months free.

How do I know if BTS is right for my audience?

If you have an existing audience (10,000+ for education creators, 100,000+ for entertainment), a clear niche, and a digital product or community to offer, BTS is built for you. We focus on creators ready to build something real.

Can I offer both free and paid content on BTS?

Yes. Many creators use a free tier or public content to attract subscribers, then convert them to paid memberships. BTS supports multiple access levels so you can design the right funnel for your audience.

How do subscription payouts work on BTS?

Payouts are processed in 1-5 days globally, with same-day payouts available in the US. We support most countries worldwide and offer various payout methods depending on your location.

Should I start with monthly or annual subscriptions?

We recommend starting with monthly subscriptions to validate demand, then adding annual once you've proven your value. Annual subscribers have higher lifetime value but require more trust upfront.

What happens if a subscriber's payment fails?

BTS automatically handles payment retries and dunning. Subscribers get notified of failed payments, and you can configure grace periods before access is revoked. This recovers a significant portion of would-be churned subscribers.

Is BTS better than Patreon for subscriptions in 2026?

Patreon monetizes content; BTS helps creators build a real business. If you want more than a tip jar—if you want infrastructure that scales with your audience—BTS is the better choice. We're designed for ownership, not just transactions.

How do I grow my subscriber base after launching?

Announce to your warmest audience first, create genuine urgency with founding member offers, and deliver value consistently. We cover this in depth in our growth guide. The key is treating your subscription like a business, not a side project.

What types of subscriptions can I create on BTS?

BTS supports monthly subscriptions, annual subscriptions, or both. You can also create multiple tiers at different price points, offer free trials, and combine subscriptions with one-off purchases and bundles.

Does BTS work for non-English creators?

Yes! We have creators from around the world building subscription businesses on BTS. The platform supports multiple currencies and our global payout system works in most countries.

Key Takeaways

• Setting up subscriptions on BTS takes 15-30 minutes and doesn't require technical skills
• 2-3 pricing tiers with clear value differentiation works best for most creators
• Complete your payment setup before launching to avoid payout delays
• Start with monthly subscriptions and add annual once you've proven demand
• BTS is creator business infrastructure—we help you build something you own, not just monetize content

About the Author

BTS Support is the Creator Success team at BTS. We help creators launch every day and have supported over 1,600 creators in building subscription businesses that generate real recurring revenue.

Our team combines hands-on launch experience with deep knowledge of what actually works in the creator economy. We're not just support—we're builders helping builders.

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

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