Now is the perfect time to be a creator, with new ways to make money popping up every day. We’ve put together this guide at MemberUp to break down 10 different ways you can start earning as a creator today, plus the pros and cons of each.
MemberUp is a community platform designed to help creators and brands build thriving community-led businesses. You can host courses, manage your community, host events, and accept payments, all in one beautifully designed, simple to use place.
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To learn more about MemberUp: Click here
Questions about how MemberUp can support you and your business? Schedule a demo.
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Overview
Paid communities or memberships are arguably the best income stream for creators, offering steady, recurring revenue with high profit margins and low ongoing costs. Unlike one-time sales or unpredictable streams like ad revenue, memberships provide predictable income while fostering deep engagement with a loyal, paying audience. Creators can monetize their expertise through exclusive content, live sessions, and . If there is a skill you can teach or a hobby you are passionate about, there is an opportunity to build a thriving paid community around it.
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Pro Tip: If you have an online course, try offering it as an annual subscription at the same price. This way, you avoid providing long-term support for free and secure recurring revenue.
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Pros & Cons
Pros:
Recurring Revenue: Paid memberships provide a steady, predictable income stream through recurring subscriptions, which can stabilize cash flow and reduce the reliance on one-time sales.
Scalability: As membership numbers grow, creators can scale their community without proportionally increasing workload, especially when they structure their community using our 5C formula which works to keep members engaged and retained with less work (learn how here).
High Profit Margins: Once the platform and content are set up, running a paid community has minimal ongoing costs compared to physical products or services, resulting in high-profit margins.
Low Barrier To Entry: Unlike other revenue streams, memberships do not require a large audience to make significant revenue when you have the correct pricing strategy. ****
Cons:
Correct Strategy Required: Without the right strategy, creators can fall into the trap of pricing their community too low while trying to offer a lot of value. This approach isn’t a sustainable formula for long-term success.