As a creator, you can establish a steady income stream through Buy Me a Coffee's membership feature. By adding various membership tiers, each with distinct advantages at different price points, you allow supporters to choose the level they wish to subscribe to. Upon subscription, they become members, and you can then enjoy a reliable flow of revenue on either a monthly or yearly basis going forward
Some tips to keep in mind
Starting with just one membership level is a wise choice for simplicity's sake. As your membership community grows, you can later introduce more tiers to provide fans with diverse options at varying price points.
Design each tier with unique advantages, and then set the prices accordingly. This approach accommodates different audience preferences and ensures everyone discovers the ideal membership level for them.
Don't overlook the importance of meaningful perks for each membership tier. The benefits you offer should hold value.
Consider perks like exclusive bonus content, access to a community forum, behind-the-scenes insights, and even physical rewards like stickers or t-shirts.
Remember, there's no universal solution when crafting a membership program. It's essential to tailor it to your specific business and fan group.
Why would we recommend you create multiple membership levels?
Having multiple membership levels in your program allows you to cater to different audiences, tailor distinct rewards to each level, and create a sense of exclusivity, ultimately contributing to the success and growth of your creative business.
Catering to Different Budgets: You accommodate different budget constraints by offering various pricing ranges. Some supporters may prefer a basic level with fewer benefits at a lower cost, while others may be willing to pay more for premium perks.
Appealing to Various Interests: Different audience segments might have varied interests and preferences. With multiple levels, you can tailor rewards to cater to these specific interests, making your membership program more attractive to a broader range of people.
Would you need a Membership giveaway?
If your membership launch didn't get the start you hoped for, or you're just starting, it's natural to feel concerned about an empty membership page. A membership giveaway is a fix for this issue. It is a method to offer free access to your Membership levels, which helps jumpstart things and create a lively community of members.
Will you create a Lifetime Membership Level?
Lifetime Membership is a special level where your members get access to perks forever. The unique thing is that instead of paying regularly, they make a single, larger payment upfront. This way, you collect a bigger amount at once. Now, it's up to you to choose if you want to offer this option sooner or later.
Here are some examples to see before getting started
Meet Chilling Chinese, a creator dedicated to boosting the listening skills of Chinese learners through real conversations. Here we can see two Membership levels, each with its price and perks. Members get access to podcast transcripts, weekly grammar lessons, engaging readings, and more.
Next, we would like to introduce you to two creators with a wonderful mission – to spread kindness and happiness. They're behind the account "Book Girls' Guide." They offer a membership level called "Book Girls' Guide BFF (Ongoing Support)" that allows them to dedicate more time to creating valuable book resources. And as a thank you for joining their membership, they've got some fantastic perks to offer as well.
Now take a look at TheNewAtlas, a Buy Me a Coffee account run by a skilled geopolitical analyst. With a range from $5 to $50, there are four diverse membership levels available. This setup ensures that potential members can effortlessly pick the option that aligns with their desired contribution. It's a user-friendly way to match preferences and support levels seamlessly.
Meet Alastair Johnson, an individual who is nurturing a community of woodworking business owners. He offers two distinct membership tiers tailored to different needs. The first is a budget-friendly basic level, while the second is a premium pro level that comes with additional benefits. The approach is straightforward and so the prospective members can effortlessly choose the membership that aligns perfectly with their preferences and priorities.
Lastly, we introduce The Tech Prepper, a content creator who makes weekly videos about preparedness. He offers three membership tiers: a basic one for $5, a mid-level for $25, and a premium for $100. Each tier provides different benefits based on its cost.
What comes next after creating a Membership level?
With effort and the right approach, your membership community can quickly flourish! Here's what you can do to make your membership plan a great success:
Start by promoting your membership page. Let your audience know about it and what it offers.
Create a post highlighting the benefits you provide to members. Clearly explain why joining your membership level is valuable.
Share a tweet with a link to the specific membership level you want to promote. Keep it short and enticing.
Make engaging videos on Shorts, TikTok, or Reels explaining each membership tier and the benefits it includes.
Always show your gratitude to new members who join your membership level. Thank them publicly on social media to let them feel special and let others know your membership community is growing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my membership price after launching my membership?
Can I change my membership price after launching my membership?
Yes, you can! Maybe you weren't ready to set a higher price back then or maybe it felt as if you were asking too much and you decided to go low with your membership price. But now, things are better you are not the rookie anymore and you would like to change your membership price. Don't think twice, just head to your membership settings, update the membership price, and click on "save changes"!
If I change the current price of my membership, will it change for my older members?
If I change the current price of my membership, will it change for my older members?
No, it won't. Whatever price people are charged when they sign up for the Membership is their price for life. Only your new members will be charged the new price, your old members can continue with the price they originally signed up for, unless you or they cancel their subscription and sign up for a new one.
What happens if a member cancels their membership immediately after subscribing?
What happens if a member cancels their membership immediately after subscribing?
The member will lose access to all the membership privileges and will not be able to access the membership page of the creator.
When are my members billed?
When are my members billed?
When your members first subscribe, they will be charged right away. After that, for monthly memberships, they'll be charged every 30 days from the date of their first payment. For yearly memberships, they'll be charged every 365 days from their first payment.
Are my members notified when their membership is auto-renewed?
Are my members notified when their membership is auto-renewed?
As per industry standards, your Members get an email notification for each renewal, after the payment is processed.
How can I reach out to my members?
How can I reach out to my members?
If you have an important announcement or a quick message to share with your members, you can use the "message all" option in your members tab to reach out to all your members at once.
Select the "message all" option, enter the subject and content of your email, and hit send!
How do I cancel a member's subscription for them?
How do I cancel a member's subscription for them?
In the event that your member is unable to cancel their membership and requests for a cancellation, you can do that directly from your membership dashboard. Look up the member using the "search members" option, select the subscription, and click on the "cancel membership" button.