Platform 2 Guide — This article applies to the new platform. Looking for classic platform docs? Browse the Platform 1 collection.
Why: Unlock new revenue streams by strategically monetizing your content. By setting up access levels, creating offers, and utilizing referral programs, you can turn your passion into profit while providing value to your subscribers.
Navigate: This guide covers features across App Station > Content Library and Settings > Access Levels / Offers.
Quick Start
Go to Access Levels and create your access levels to control who sees what content.
Navigate to Offers and create offers for subscriptions or one-time purchases.
Connect your Stripe account by following the setup instructions in Stripe Payments Setup.
Set up promo codes in the Promo Codes section to incentivize new subscribers.
Explore the Gifting feature to allow your members to gift subscriptions to others.
Understanding the Monetization Flow
To effectively earn revenue from your app, it's essential to understand the monetization flow. This involves creating valuable content, controlling access to that content, and offering it for sale. Here’s how it works:
Create Content: Start by developing engaging content such as recipes, meal plans, courses, or blog posts that your audience will love.
Set Access Levels: Use access levels to restrict content visibility. This allows you to offer different tiers of access to your members, ensuring that only paying subscribers see premium content.
Create Offers: Set up offers that allow members to purchase access to your content. This can include subscription models, one-time purchases, or free trials.
Connect Payments: Integrate Stripe for seamless payment processing, ensuring that transactions are secure and efficient.
Promote with Codes: Use promo codes to attract new members or reward existing ones, making your offers more appealing.
Leverage Gifting and Referrals: Encourage word-of-mouth growth through gift subscriptions and referral programs, allowing your members to share your content with others.
Setting Up Access Levels
Access levels are crucial for controlling who can see your content. You can create multiple levels to cater to different member needs.
Go to Access Levels.
Click Create Access Level.
Define the name and description for your access level (e.g., "Silver", "Gold", "VIP").
Set permissions for content visibility, allowing you to specify what members can access based on their level.
Save your changes.
Tip: Consider creating parallel access levels for different dietary needs, such as "Vegetarian" or "Keto", to cater to a wider audience.
Creating Offers
Once your access levels are set, you can create offers that allow members to purchase access.
Navigate to Offers.
Click Create Offer.
Choose the type of offer (subscription, one-time purchase, or time-limited).
Fill in the details, including name, description, pricing, and the access levels it grants.
Save the offer, and a checkout link will be automatically created.
Note: Ensure your offers align with your content strategy and provide clear value to your members.
Connecting Stripe for Payments
To process payments, you'll need to connect your Stripe account.
Go to Stripe Payments Setup.
Follow the instructions to connect your Stripe account, ensuring that you have the necessary API keys.
Test the integration to confirm that payments are processed correctly.
Tip: Regularly check your Stripe dashboard for insights into your revenue and subscriber activity.
Using Promo Codes for Promotions
Promo codes can help you attract new members and incentivize existing ones.
Go to Promo Codes.
Click Create Promo Code.
Define the code, discount type (percentage or fixed amount), and duration.
Link the promo code to specific offers to control where it can be applied.
Save your promo code.
Tip: Promote your codes through social media or email newsletters to maximize visibility.
Gift Subscriptions for Word-of-Mouth Growth
Gift subscriptions allow your members to share your content with others, expanding your reach.
Enable the gifting feature in your app settings.
Create promotional cards to encourage gifting on your content pages.
Members can purchase gift subscriptions for friends or family, which will automatically create accounts for the recipients.
Tip: Customize the gift welcome email to include a personal message from the gifter, enhancing the gifting experience.
Referral Programs for Organic Growth
Referral programs can help you grow your subscriber base through existing members.
Go to the referral settings in your app.
Enable the referral program and set the points for free signups and paid conversions.
Encourage your members to share their referral codes with friends.
Tip: Highlight the benefits of your referral program in your app to motivate members to participate.
Content Grants for Special Access
Content grants allow you to provide direct access to specific users without going through the standard access level system.
Use the Content Grant System to manually assign content to specific users, such as VIP members or coaching clients.
This is particularly useful for personalized coaching scenarios where you want to share exclusive content.
Note: Content grants can be temporary or permanent, depending on your needs.
Structuring a Freemium Model
Consider implementing a freemium model where basic content is available for free, while premium content requires a subscription. This can attract a larger audience and convert free users into paying members over time.
Offer a selection of free content to showcase your expertise.
Use access levels to restrict premium content.
Promote your offers and encourage free users to upgrade for additional benefits.
By following these steps, you can effectively monetize your app, providing value to your subscribers while generating revenue for your business.