During the live stream last night, I talked a bit about membership fees and why I don’t really push it onto my viewers and blog readers. A massive part of why I don’t push hard on the monthly support is because I’m having a hard time coming up with something of value.

I mean, what can I offer to supporters that is worth $5 per month?

And that’s the most difficult part of this entire experience. I’m all about adding value, and I just can’t justify someone giving me $5 per month with what I provide at the moment.

Membership Fees…for What?

One of my viewers pointed out how I do provide value on the channel. I teach people how to get where I am in the world of online freelance writing, for free. And supporters would simply help me get to a point to where I can do it full-time.

But that’s just it, I don’t mind doing it for free.

The way my mind works is that if I can teach someone how to do something, I will. I don’t lock knowledge up behind a paywall.

Now, some creators, I completely get why they offer premium memberships or paid content. It all comes down to what others provide and the target audience.

But, what can I charge for something I am willing to give away for free? Most of my content centers around educating the audience. And I am all about free education.

However, it would be nice to bring in enough money to where I can afford to do it full-time.

Perhaps I need to change how I view myself and what I deliver to the audience. At least if I want to do this for a living, anyway. Because I will still have my own bills that need paid.

8 Ideas for Membership Fees

At the moment, I am having a hard time coming up with incentives for the membership fees with WriterSanctuary. To be honest, the other blogs just don’t have the traction to warrant such a thing.

From my point of view, I want people to feel as though they’re getting their money’s worth. Maybe I’m being too old fashioned, now that I think about it. After all, people pay Twitch streamers $4.99 for subscriptions to just support the broadcaster and get a new emoji to use in chat.

So, what are some ideas for justifying membership fees for WriterSanctuary?

Behind the Scenes Videos?

I was thinking about publishing behind the scenes videos for supporters. But in reality, I just don’t think I’m all that interesting of a person to watch all the time.

Part of this is because I don’t really get a lot of views on the videos I create already. Then again, that’s what happens when you narrow a niche down way too far.

Rough Drafts of Writing Work?

Perhaps rough drafts of the current novel would be a fun idea to show supporters. But, I would actually have to spend time working on something to publish.

On the other hand, if I’m getting supporter donations, it would drive me to finish my creative pieces. It would fuel my drive to write as I wouldn’t want to let my audience down and earn the membership fees.

Writing More eBooks?

At one point, I was thinking about writing more eBooks for supporters. But then, I don’t know what to write since I put everything I learn into blog posts and videos, anyway.

What can I write that goes above and beyond what I do on a daily basis? Well, outside of a collection of creative short stories?

Are Live Streams Worth Membership Fees?

The problem with members-only live streams is that I feel like I’m leaving out the audience who supports me by watching the live streams every other Monday. I hate the prospect of FOMO and don’t want to alienate anyone.

Besides, I don’t have the biggest audience during live streams anyway. I’m really not that interesting to the majority of audiences, I suppose.

Daily Blog Posts?

Out of everything, doing daily blog posts for supporters isn’t all that impossible. I try to write as much as I can first thing in the morning, anyway. But, is it something that is worth membership fees?

Usually, when I create an in-depth post or review of a product, I just slap it up on a blog. Are my morning insights something of value to my audience?

Pre-Release of Video or Written Content?

I’ve seen quite a few people offer pre-viewings of video content a day or two before it’s live on YouTube. And some authors will release the first chapters of upcoming books.

The problem I have with this aspect is that it takes a lot of time to plan, create, and then schedule the video to go live. Since I don’t have a lot of time in my day at the moment, it might not be something I could swing.

Recon Work!

I suppose I can get on Patreon, Buy Me a Coffee, and Ko-Fi to see what other writers are offering. Some of them make quite a bit, and perhaps I can get a few ideas from them.

But knowing me, I’ll forget to look them up after working for clients today…as I always do.

Let the People Decide

Maybe what I’ll do is run a new poll on the blog and YouTube channel. Perhaps by letting my readers and viewers decide, I can get a feel for what’s most valuable to my audience.

That’s probably the better way to go about setting up membership fees. That way, I feel like I’m providing what the majority wants.

What Would You Want from Membership Fees?

I guess what it really comes down to is what people view is worth membership fees themselves. As in the Twitch example above, people subscribe because of the creator and what he or she offers in terms of personality.

Perhaps I’m just reading too much into driving support from others. Part of this is because I feel I have to earn your money. And I don’t feel like I earn it if I don’t provide something of value to the supporter.

If you have any ideas or simply want to say, “hi,” let me know in the comment section below. I’d really love to hear from you…