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13 Best Community Platforms For Creators to Get Paid in 2024

August 13th 2024
Home > Blog > 13 Best Community Platforms For Creators to Get Paid in 2024
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In the ever-evolving digital landscape, content creators need reliable platforms to monetize their work and engage with their audiences. As we move into 2024, there are numerous community platforms that offer robust monetization opportunities for creators. 

Whether you’re a coach, educator, course creator, or influencer, finding the right platform can significantly impact your earning potential and community engagement. This article will explore the 13 best community platforms for creators to get paid in 2024. 

Want to Earn $10K/Month as a Creator?

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  • No #1 community for creators
  • FREE training worth $4498
  • Strategies to monetize your content
  • Professional help & support

What Makes a Good Monetization Platform For Content Creators?

Before diving into the list, it’s essential to understand what makes a good monetization platform for content creators. Key factors include:

  1. Ease of Use: The platform should be user-friendly, allowing creators to set up and manage their communities without technical hassles.
  2. Monetization Options: Various ways to earn money, such as subscriptions, pay-per-view, donations, and affiliate marketing.
  3. Engagement Tools: Features that help creators interact with their audience, such as live streaming, chat functions, and forums.
  4. Analytics: Insights and analytics to track performance and understand audience behavior.
  5. Support: Robust customer support and resources to help creators succeed.

Best Community Platforms For Creators

teach

1. Teach.io

Teach.io is a comprehensive platform designed for educational creators and coaches. It offers a suite of tools to help creators build and monetize their communities effectively.

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface
  • Multiple monetization options (subscriptions, pay-per-view, etc.)
  • Excellent customer support
  • Detailed analytics and insights

Cons:

  • May require a learning curve for new users

Teach.io stands out for its robust features tailored specifically for educational creators. The platform offers course creation tools, webinars, and community forums, making it a one-stop solution for educators looking to build a thriving online community. 

With Teach.io, creators can develop and sell online courses, host live webinars, and create membership sites that offer exclusive content to paying subscribers. Detailed analytics help creators track student progress and engagement, enabling them to adjust their strategies for better outcomes. Furthermore, Teach.io’s customer support is highly responsive, ensuring that creators have the help they need to overcome any challenges. The platform’s intuitive design makes it accessible for both tech-savvy and less tech-savvy users, allowing educators to focus on creating content rather than managing technical issues.

Try Teach.io for Free

patreon

2. Patreon

Patreon is a popular platform that allows creators to earn a stable income through membership subscriptions. Fans can support their favorite creators by subscribing to different membership tiers.

Pros:

  • Multiple membership tiers
  • Direct communication with patrons
  • Reliable payout system

Cons:

  • Platform fees can be high
  • Competition among creators

Patreon has been a game-changer for many creators, providing a stable income stream through fan support. Creators can offer exclusive content, early access, and personalized perks to their patrons, fostering a strong community and rewarding loyal fans. 

With multiple membership tiers, creators can cater to different levels of support, from casual fans to dedicated followers. This flexibility allows creators to tailor their offerings to meet the needs of their audience. However, the platform’s fees can be a drawback, as Patreon takes a percentage of the earnings, which can add up, especially for smaller creators. Despite this, the direct communication with patrons and the ability to build a sustainable income make Patreon a top choice for many creators.

Join Patreon

substack

3. Substack

Substack is a platform for writers and podcasters to monetize their content through paid subscriptions. It is particularly popular among journalists and independent writers.

Pros:

  • Easy to set up and use
  • Built-in newsletter functionality
  • Strong community of writers

Cons:

  • Limited customization options
  • Dependent on email subscribers

Substack has revolutionized the way writers and podcasters monetize their work. By allowing creators to charge for subscriptions, Substack provides a straightforward way to earn money. The platform’s built-in newsletter functionality makes it easy to manage subscribers and send out content. 

Substack offers various tools to help writers grow their audience, including integration with social media and analytics to track performance. However, Substack’s reliance on email subscribers can be a limitation, as it requires creators to build and maintain a robust email list. The platform’s limited customization options can also be a drawback for those looking for more control over their branding and design. Despite these limitations, Substack remains a powerful tool for writers looking to build a paid subscriber base and connect with their audience.

Start Writing on Substack

youtube

4. YouTube Memberships

YouTube offers a membership feature where creators can offer exclusive content to subscribers who pay a monthly fee. This is in addition to ad revenue and sponsorships.

Pros:

  • Large audience base
  • Multiple monetization options
  • Integration with existing YouTube channel

Cons:

  • High competition
  • YouTube takes a significant percentage of earnings

YouTube remains a powerful platform for video creators, and its membership feature adds another layer of monetization. By offering exclusive content to paying subscribers, creators can generate a steady income. 

YouTube memberships allow creators to provide perks such as exclusive videos, live streams, and community posts to their subscribers. Additionally, YouTube’s massive audience base provides ample opportunities for growth and exposure. Creators can also earn money through ad revenue, sponsorships, and super chats during live streams. However, the platform’s high competition means that standing out can be challenging. YouTube also takes a significant cut of the earnings, which can be a downside for creators looking to maximize their income. Despite these challenges, YouTube remains a top choice for video creators looking to monetize their content and engage with their audience.

Monetize with YouTube Memberships

podia

5. Podia

Podia is an all-in-one platform for selling online courses, memberships, and digital downloads. It’s perfect for educators and coaches who want to monetize their expertise.

Pros:

  • No transaction fees
  • Easy to use
  • Multiple monetization options

Cons:

  • Limited customization
  • Some features require higher-tier plans

Podia offers a comprehensive solution for educators and coaches looking to monetize their expertise. The platform allows creators to sell online courses, memberships, and digital downloads without transaction fees, maximizing their earnings. 

Podia’s user-friendly interface makes it easy to set up and manage content, with features such as drip courses, email marketing, and affiliate marketing. Creators can also offer memberships with exclusive content and community access. However, the platform’s limited customization options can be a drawback for those looking for more control over their branding. 

Some advanced features also require higher-tier plans, which can increase costs. Despite these limitations, Podia remains a popular choice for educators and coaches looking to monetize their knowledge and build a sustainable online business.

Sell Your Courses on Podia

kajabi

6. Kajabi

Kajabi is a premium platform for creating and selling online courses and memberships. It’s feature-rich and offers extensive customization options for creators.

Pros:

  • Highly customizable
  • Integrated marketing tools
  • Excellent customer support

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • May be overkill for small creators

Kajabi is a premium platform that provides a wide range of features for creating and selling online courses and memberships. Its extensive customization options allow creators to design their community to match their brand perfectly. 

Kajabi offers tools for course creation, marketing automation, and website building, making it a comprehensive solution for creators looking to grow their online business. Integrated marketing tools help creators promote their content and attract new members, while detailed analytics provide insights into performance and engagement. 

Kajabi’s excellent customer support ensures that creators have the help they need to succeed. However, the platform’s high cost can be prohibitive for small creators, and its feature-rich environment may be more than some creators need. Despite these challenges, Kajabi remains a top choice for creators looking to build a professional and profitable online business.

Grow Your Business with Kajabi

mighty

7. Mighty Networks

Mighty Networks is designed for creators who want to build their own social network. It offers robust community-building tools and monetization options.

Pros:

  • Customizable community platform
  • Multiple ways to monetize (courses, memberships, etc.)
  • Strong community engagement tools

Cons:

  • Can be expensive for small creators
  • Steeper learning curve

Mighty Networks stands out for its ability to help creators build their own social network. The platform offers extensive customization options, allowing creators to design a community that fits their brand. 

Monetization options include courses, memberships, and paid events, providing multiple revenue streams. The strong community engagement tools, such as discussion boards, direct messaging, and live events, foster interaction and collaboration among members. 

Mighty Networks also offers tools for content creation, event management, and analytics, making it a comprehensive solution for community building. However, the platform can be expensive for small creators, and the steeper learning curve may require additional effort to master. Despite these challenges, Mighty Networks remains a powerful tool for creators looking to build a thriving and engaged community.

Build Your Community on Mighty Networks

circle

8. Circle

Circle is a community platform that allows creators to build engaging membership sites. It’s great for creating private communities with rich interaction features.

Pros:

  • Clean and intuitive interface
  • Strong community engagement tools
  • Easy integration with other platforms

Cons:

  • Limited monetization options compared to others
  • Relatively new, so fewer features

Circle offers a clean and intuitive interface for building membership sites. The platform’s strong community engagement tools, such as forums, direct messaging, and events, help foster interaction among members. Circle’s easy integration with other platforms, such as Zapier and Slack, makes it a versatile option for creators. The platform supports various content types, including videos, articles, and courses, allowing creators to offer a diverse range of content to their members. However, its limited monetization options compared to other platforms can be a drawback. 

Circle primarily supports membership subscriptions, which may not be sufficient for creators looking for more diverse revenue streams. Additionally, as a relatively new platform, Circle may have fewer features than more established competitors. Despite these limitations, Circle remains a strong choice for creators looking to build an engaged and interactive community.

Create Your Community on Circle

discord

9. Discord

Discord, originally for gamers, has evolved into a powerful community platform. It offers various ways for creators to monetize their communities through subscriptions and donations.

Pros:

  • Real-time engagement
  • Extensive customization options
  • Free to use

Cons:

  • Can be overwhelming for new users
  • Monetization options are limited to server boosting and donations

Discord has grown beyond its gaming roots to become a versatile community platform. Its real-time engagement features, such as voice and video chat, make it ideal for fostering interactive communities. Discord supports text, voice, and video communication, allowing creators to engage with their audience in multiple ways. 

Extensive customization options allow creators to design their servers to fit their brand, with features such as custom roles, channels, and bots. Discord is free to use, making it accessible to all creators. However, the platform can be overwhelming for new users due to its many features. 

Monetization options are also limited, primarily to server boosting and donations, which may not be sufficient for all creators. Despite these challenges, Discord remains a popular choice for creators looking to build a vibrant and interactive community.

Build Your Community on Discord

facebook

10. Facebook Groups with Subscriptions

Facebook Groups now offer subscription options, allowing creators to charge for exclusive content and access. It’s an easy way to monetize an existing audience on Facebook.

Pros:

  • Easy to set up
  • Access to a large audience
  • Integration with Facebook’s ecosystem

Cons:

  • Limited customization
  • Dependent on Facebook’s algorithm

Facebook Groups with subscriptions provide an easy way for creators to monetize their existing audience on Facebook. Setting up a subscription-based group is straightforward, and creators can leverage Facebook’s large user base to grow their community. The integration with Facebook’s ecosystem means that creators can use existing tools and features to manage their groups, such as event creation, live streaming, and group insights. 

However, the limited customization options can be a drawback for those looking for more control over their branding. Additionally, the group’s visibility and engagement are dependent on Facebook’s algorithm, which can fluctuate and impact reach. Despite these challenges, Facebook Groups with subscriptions remain a convenient option for creators looking to monetize their content and engage with their audience on a familiar platform.

Monetize Your Facebook Group

kofi

11. Ko-fi

Ko-fi is a platform where fans can support creators through one-time donations or monthly memberships. It’s ideal for artists, writers, and small creators who want a simple way to earn money.

Pros:

  • No platform fees for donations
  • Easy to set up
  • Integrates with other platforms

Cons:

  • Limited monetization options
  • Reliant on one-time donations

Ko-fi offers a straightforward way for creators to earn money through one-time donations or monthly memberships. The lack of platform fees for donations means that creators keep more of their earnings. 

Ko-fi’s ease of use and integration with other platforms make it a convenient option for artists, writers, and small creators. The platform supports various content types, including blog posts, images, and videos, allowing creators to share their work with their audience. 

Ko-fi also offers a shop feature, where creators can sell digital downloads and physical products. However, its limited monetization options can be a drawback for those looking for more robust income streams. 

Reliance on one-time donations can also make income less predictable. Despite these limitations, Ko-fi remains a popular choice for creators looking for a simple and fee-free way to earn money from their work.

Support Creators on Ko-fi

buy me a coffee

12. Buy Me a Coffee

Buy Me a Coffee is a platform that allows creators to receive one-time donations or memberships from their audience. It’s designed to be simple and accessible for all types of creators.

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Low transaction fees
  • Flexible payment options

Cons:

  • Limited advanced features
  • Less well-known than some competitors

Buy Me a Coffee provides a simple and effective way for creators to monetize their content through one-time donations or memberships. The platform’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for creators to set up their page and start receiving support from their audience. 

Buy Me a Coffee offers low transaction fees, ensuring that creators keep more of their earnings. The platform supports various payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, and Apple Pay, providing convenience for supporters. However, Buy Me a Coffee’s limited advanced features can be a drawback for creators looking for more comprehensive tools. 

Despite being less well-known than some competitors, Buy Me a Coffee remains a solid choice for creators looking for a straightforward and flexible way to earn money from their audience.

Get Started with Buy Me a Coffee

memberful

13. Memberful

Memberful is a membership platform that integrates seamlessly with your existing website. It’s ideal for creators who already have a strong web presence and want to add membership functionality.

Pros:

  • Easy integration
  • No coding required
  • Flexible payment options

Cons:

  • Limited to membership subscriptions
  • Requires an existing website

Memberful is perfect for creators who already have a strong web presence and want to add membership functionality. The platform integrates seamlessly with existing websites, allowing creators to maintain their brand while offering membership subscriptions. 

Memberful’s flexible payment options provide convenience for both creators and subscribers, supporting various payment methods and currencies. The platform also offers tools for managing members, creating exclusive content, and tracking performance through analytics. 

However, the platform is limited to membership subscriptions, which can be a drawback for creators looking for more diverse monetization options. Additionally, it requires an existing website, which may not be ideal for those starting from scratch. Despite these limitations, Memberful remains a strong choice for creators looking to add a membership component to their existing online presence.

Integrate Memberships with Memberful

Want to Earn $10K/Month as a Creator?

feature image
  • No #1 community for creators
  • FREE training worth $4498
  • Strategies to monetize your content
  • Professional help & support

How to Get Paid for Content Online

Monetizing content online involves various strategies, and choosing the right platform is just the first step. Here are some common methods creators use to get paid:

  1. Subscriptions: Offer exclusive content to subscribers who pay a monthly fee. This model provides a steady income stream and rewards loyal fans with unique content and perks.
  2. Ad Revenue: Earn money from ads displayed on your content. Platforms like YouTube and blogs with ad networks like Google AdSense allow creators to generate income based on ad impressions and clicks.
  3. Affiliate Marketing: Promote products and earn a commission on sales through your referral links. By partnering with brands and companies, creators can recommend products and services to their audience and earn a percentage of each sale made through their links.
  4. Sponsorships: Partner with brands to create sponsored content. Sponsored posts, videos, and social media mentions allow creators to earn money while promoting products and services that align with their brand.
  5. Donations: Receive one-time or recurring donations from your audience. Platforms like Ko-fi and Patreon allow fans to support creators directly through donations and memberships.
  6. Merchandise Sales: Sell branded merchandise to your audience. Custom products like T-shirts, mugs, and stickers can provide an additional revenue stream while promoting your brand.
  7. Online Courses: Create and sell online courses to share your expertise. Platforms like Teach.io and Podia make it easy to create and sell educational content to your audience.
  8. Digital Downloads: Sell digital products such as eBooks, templates, and printables. Digital downloads offer a convenient way for creators to monetize their knowledge and creativity.

For a more detailed guide on how content creators can make money online, check out our comprehensive article: How Content Creators Make Money on YouTube: A Deep Dive Into Monetizing Your Passion

Conclusion

Choosing the right community platform is crucial for creators looking to monetize their content and engage with their audience. Each platform offers unique features and benefits, so it’s essential to consider your specific needs and goals. Whether you’re a coach, educator, or influencer, these 13 platforms provide excellent opportunities to get paid in 2024.

For more insights and strategies on monetizing your content, visit our Teach.io Blog.

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