Are You Thinking About Adding a Paywall
Lessons Learned from Having One
If you’re reading this post then you have signed up to receive posts from my project Creators Getting Paid. There are two important components to it-there’s a free tier where a large percentage of my community members hang out and then there’s a paid tier where a smaller number of community members hang out. For many people deciding to grow a community resource can feel very mission driven and important. Monetizing that work and considering adding a paywall can feel a bit intimidating or overwhelming.
I was (and still am ) very comfortable adding a paywall to my work. However, I spent a ton of time thinking about what should go behind “The Wall” If you’re building a newsletter and are thinking about adding a paywall, I want to share some lessons learned about adding “The Paywall”
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Listen to the Podcast
What I talk about in the episode is different from what I’m sharing in this post and shares deeper insight into why I’m changing what’s behind the Creators Getting Paid paywall.
Lesson #1-Now vs. Later
Growing a paywall can be so painful in the beginning. It’s really important to keep a long-term view of the potential of long-term income for your paywalled content.
Now-Typically you won’t be earning a lot now BUT early paying subscribers are a wonderful way to validate your project. I absolutely love and appreciate both my free and paying subscribers. The paying subscribers in particular have really kept me going during moments when I wondered…why am I doing this? Are people understanding or appreciating the vision of this project?
Later-Have you worked through the following
The ideal minimum number of paying subscribers you would like to have for your project
When you would like to achieve that number?
Your long-term goals are directly connected to growing momentum, energy and enthusiasm around your project. And it’s not unusual for newsletter builders to report a spike in their project a few years into building it. I think this happens because of building a marketing skillset overtime, making connections and understanding what it really takes to make sales.
Lesson #2-Each Project “Paywalls” Differently
When I originally paywalled my project, I was heavily influenced by projects that curated curated opportunities. My project is structured differently and even though I’ve begun to add curated opportunities to the project, the experience of Creators Getting Paid is very different from a hyper-focused curated opportunities list. I’m subscribed to several and am a paying subscriber as well.
As time has gone by and my project has evolved it has become more of a community space and membership experience behind the scenes and I LOVE IT. The copy for my paywalled content has been changing to reflect the true experience of what happens behind the wall.
Lesson #3-Don’t Just Focus on the Paywall
If you’re only focusing on converting people to saying “Yes” to the paywall you’re potentially missing out on the following ways you could be serving your community while making and attracting money to your project.
Some Examples:
Publishing ebooks
Affiliate marketing
Designing and selling a course
Hosting a workshop
One time donations
Sponsorships
Partnerships
Podcast sponsorships
Brand collaborations at an event
In-person events
Online events
Apparel and other physical products
Masterminds
Guided experiences such as trips
Don’t get distracted by your paywall. It’s often a slow and steady build to a sustainable income. You have to make money as you work towards your paywall income goals.
Creators Getting Paid (Moving Forward)
Starting from this week 95% of all future conversations will be available to everyone. Please note-I do backlink to previous posts so you will still encounter older creator conversations that will remain behind the paywall.
I’m so excited to share upcoming conversations, wisdom and inspiring stories with you and hope you enjoy them too. What are your thoughts?
