Free or. paid online communities: Which one is right for my business? |

Do you want your online community to be either paid or free or a combination of both? Consider the pros and cons of each one to figure out which one is the most suitable for your business.

TL;DR

Free Vs. paid community memberships online

Free and paid online communities could be a great asset for your business. The kind of community you create is contingent on your objectives, creativity bandwidth, and target audience.

• Free communities work well to increase brand recognition, capturing leads, helping existing customers and networking with many individuals.
• Paid communities are great for earning a steady income creating high-value content, hosting mastermind groupsand even allowing followers to contribute to your cause.
• Freemium communities combine elements of both. They allow the user to earn income while serving your whole population in one spot.

No matter what you choose the online community you join is an ideal tool to connect with your followers and sharing your interests.

In this piece we'll look at the pros and cons of free, paid, and freemium-based communities. We'll also cover specific ways to use each option so you can select the best arrangement for your company.

What's the best no-cost online community?

A community online is a virtual place where a group of people can meet for no cost. 70% of internet users are part of some kind of community online, therefore it is natural that companies use communities to build relationships.

In free online communities, users can access content, exchange knowledge, and work with other members without spending a cent.

There are many benefits to starting a free community for your business

Pros of free online communities

Since members don't have to open their wallets Your group is able to have the potential to grow quickly. More eyes on your efforts could result in an increase in raving customers and fans.

In social media, algorithms decide which users are notified when you share the latest information. There is also competition with distractions like epic cake decorating videos, humorous cat memes and captivating ads for other products.

When you have an online community, you control what people are able to see. It's quieter, which means you'll be able to make sure that your notifications and announcements are delivered to your users and are not lost in the chaos.

Additionally, community forums can be an enlightening starting point before going all-in with a premium program. Use your free group to learn about how community work, even though the risk is relatively small.

While there's a lot to love about free online communities, they aren't right for everyone. Below are some of the disadvantages of free communities to think about.

Cons of free online communities

Communities require a lot labor, and if manage a community that is free, you won't be compensated in any way for your efforts.

However, they can provide a multitude of functions to your company, and this may not be an issue.

If monetization is the objective, it's a good plan to develop a clearly defined plan for introducing community members to your paid products.

Free communities are bound to are more popular than paid ones. While attracting more members is exciting, it could mean heftier moderation requirements.

To mediate this, consider the inclusion of policies to deal with people who promote themselves in a way that isn't authorized or those who aren't abiding the group's rules.

Finally, free communities run the risk of attracting less active members. The majority of us only buy products that we are keen on However, we could sign up for things that we're not sure about, especially when they're offered for completely free.

It's better to have a few highly engaged members rather than a large number of people who are only interested in a small percentage So pay attention to your engagement rates if you're managing a non-profit community.

If you opt for the community-based free option, here are some ways you could use your space to grow your business and provide value to your members.

7 ways to benefit from communities that are free

If I'm unsure about the care I give my high-maintenance herbivore houseplants, I turn into an online group that is that is filled with botany lovers. The community is free, and I come away feeling inspired and more knowledgeable.

60% of users sign up to online communities in order to meet people who have similar desires. You have the potential to create one of your niche's go-to hangout spots.

#2: Research your audience. Would it be possible to find a way to learn exactly what your audience wanted but without the need to be a mindreader?

Through an online community, you can ask questions, run surveys, or even set up specific zones for your members to request new content.

Then when you create new products, it is possible to address your audiences' needs in great detail and provide them with exactly the information they need. This is why 59% of companies use online communities for market study.

3. Provide support to customers to your products and courses. 59% of community experts agree that online communities are an excellent method of providing customer service, and we agree.

When you are aware of the people you serve, you can create a better experience for them. customers who feel emotionalally connected to the brand stick with the company longer , and are more likely to recommend it to others.

This can be done by creating an assistance area in your community on the internet. Give helpful suggestions, respond to FAQs, and give the users more ways to contact you. Members can even offer their own solutions, and aid each other with troubleshooting issues which means less work for you.

4. Create cohorts that correspond with your paid courses. If you run cohort-based courses students are able to collaborate with each other and receive feedback from your group.

Additionally, you can post announcements for your courses or bonus materials as well as meeting links. While the community itself may be completely free, it can be an invaluable resource for your attendees.

For setting up co-curricular areas within a course, you must create a brand new area for each cohort. Set the topic to private and then add students as they enroll in the course.

Find out more information about how you can configure your topics by reading this article .

If it's the time to announce the new service or product Your audience will be aware of how amazing the work you do. Your days of pitching at a stranger's ear are over.

#6: Announce brand updates and occasions. If you need to alert your members about important news, you can use your brand's online community to share updates and announcements.

Emily Mills from Sketchnote Academy utilizes her community to promote upcoming events and workshops. Members can network as well as receive feedback about their work.

#7: Test out communities and see if they're a good fit for your audience. Learn how communities work by offering a free service prior to creating a paid one.

Explore the topics that resonate with your target audience. You can also identify the potential issues before launching your project publicly. You can even poll the community members who are free to determine what benefits they would like in a premium membership.

The community is primarily an area where creators and entrepreneurs creators meet, work together and support each other. Additionally, we use the community to inform users of product releases or events as well as other information.

The Creator Community will be available to you. Creator Community and all necessary tools to establish your own community.

Communities that are free are an ideal method to showcase your company's image, connect with your audience as well as enhance your product offerings.

Next, we'll take a look at how paid communities are a key element for your company.

What is a paid online community?

Paid communities are forums for discussion as well as chat rooms that are behind paywalls. In contrast to free communities, users must pay a monthly or annual fee for membership to join.

Paid communities are great to earn a steady income a creator, and they allow the most loyal fans to help your efforts.

These are just a few highlights from community paid for:

Benefits of paying online communities

With a paid community, you can provide high-level interaction with your most engaged clients and followers. Because followers have to pay for membership and pay for membership, you can be sure that your followers will be particularly interested in what you have to say.

Paid online communities enable you to earn ongoing income as a creator. Entrepreneur salaries can be inconsistent, but a recurring payment from your community adds stability.

All communities, free and paid, will require effort. But if you're compensated directly it could be that you have the time and funds to invest back into your projects.

The paid community is also a a unique opportunity to serve more people and scale your earnings without drastically increasing your workload.

In addition, those who complain and bots that are spammy typically don't have to pay for access to community services. You'll have smaller numbers to handle, which can result in fewer requirements for moderation.

Additionally, paid communities permit customers who are loyal to your efforts regularly. If they enjoy the content you've created and find value in the work you're creating and sharing, they are able to express their appreciation regardless of what they get in return.

That said, there are some negatives to paid communities to keep in mind:

The cons of online communities that are paid for

Since customers pay for access to the community, it requires an increased level of arrangement and organization. The expectations regarding your participation and the amount of material within the membership could be more extensive, so keep this in mind while you create.

It can also be difficult to find people to join if you don't have a following. Paid communities are ideal for creators who already have an audience via email, social media or other platforms.

In the coming weeks, we'll take a look at some examples of how you can use a paid community in your company.

4 ways to use paid communities

#1: Regularly offer in-depth and specific content. Simply put, a paid community is an opportunity to go in to a particular area that people are especially attracted to.

Paid communities work best when they have a wealth of value material, like mini-courses, expert interviews, challenges and ask-me-anything sessions masterminds, as well as online coaching calls.

In this kind of community, consistently providing unique resources is crucial.

Create a paid plan to your group, which gives members an access point to discussions boards as well as discussion forums. Post tasks, post reminders for calls and provide participants with the ability to work together during group discussions.

#3: Make large product bundles that grow over the course of time. If you sell many different products, a paid community membership is a fantastic way to bundle them together.

Instead of buying each product separately, your clients can enjoy all of your creative products in one spot. They get a valuable deal, and you earn recurring revenue. It is possible to add more products each month to keep members around for the long haul.

Talk about winning.

As an example, Tara from The Happy Artist Studio sells dozens of individual art courses. Aspiring artists can also join her community of members to gain access to all of her courses at a cost of a monthly flat fee. This allows her customers to take a look at her offerings in their own way.

Do you need a way to market your product? Register for a demo for a comprehensive overview of our tools for creatives.

#4 Allow your followers to assist you in your artistic endeavors. You can configure your paid membership community so fans get behind-the-scenes updates as well as fun interaction with you in exchange to their monthly membership.

As an example, Tiny Shiny Home offers membership tiers so supporters can contribute to their adventure. Contributions from followers allow them to create fun as well as free material.

If you rely on external funding and supporters to fuel your work, paying communities give supporters an opportunity to express gratitude.

Then, we'll look at how to merge paid and free communities in a structure that is freemium.

What is a freemium community? (Free + paid)

Freemium communities have areas that are open to all free and paid members, as well as exclusive areas reserved for paid customers only. Freemium gives creators the best of both worlds.

Community members who are free remove barriers to entry while still allowing interested followers to purchase upgrades as well as show their love.

How to structure an online community that has free and paid levels

There are many options of the way to structure your community online for free Therefore, it's beneficial to review some of the best models.

The community members who sign up for free get news about the brand, and they can also decide on future ebook topics. Additionally, they receive a behind-the-scenes article or video per month.

Premium subscribers get an additional monthly group chat in which you discuss the latest trends in the industry. Additionally, they have access to a special "Ask me anything regarding the home decor" thread where you respond to their questions.

Now, they have a free membership where followers receive new video updates as well as the opportunity to vote on design ideas and recipes that are coming up.

Additionally, they offer two levels of paid membership that include perks like the free eBook, access to courses, product giveaways, and discounts.

With freemium, you can reach out to your audience all under the same roof, while earning revenue from your premium membership plans.

Should I set up my community online for free or paid?

Free, paid, and free online communities can help your company. In order to determine which one is right for you, have an examination of your objectives as well as your audience and bandwidth as the community leader.

Consider your business goals. What should this community accomplish to benefit you?

Free communities could be the best choice if your goal is to offer customer support, add value to your courses and other products, or reach the people you want to reach so that they are likely to purchase your products in the coming years.

Consider your audience. Who do you employ for your job, and how big are your followers currently?

If you're a newcomer to the market but aren't getting your name noticed, free communities can build brand awareness and help you show your knowledge.

If you already have an active audience interested in your niche paying for a community may provide additional value to your audience and create an additional income stream.

Think about your bandwidth How much time do you need to devote to this community?

While both free and paid communities need time and effort, paid communities are the best option for those who are confident you can consistently deliver the information included in the subscription tiers.

If you're unsure of what amount of time you'll be able to devote to the community, starting by using a no-cost option could mean less pressure while you determine your process.

Still unsure? Have a go at the two!

makes it easy to set up free and paid plans for your online community to build an online community that is suited to your audience, goals, and abilities.

We're all about trying new things, whether that is a community that's free where people can join, a small paid group where you share your best advice, or a combination of both.

Whatever you choose We can't wait for you to see how your online community develops.