What if you could generate recurring income every month without constantly selling? Paid groups or subscription communities are one of the most profitable business models in 2026. They not only generate predictable income but also create a loyal community around your brand or expertise.
According to recent data, the digital subscription market will grow 20% annually through 2027. Platforms like Patreon have paid out over $3.5 billion to creators, and you don’t need millions of followers to start: with 100 members paying $15/month, you’re already generating $1,500 in monthly revenue.
In this article, we’ll explain step by step how to create your own paid group, what to offer, how to price it, and the tools you need to manage it effortlessly.
What are paid groups and why do they work?
A paid group is a closed community where members pay a recurring fee (monthly, quarterly, or annual) to access exclusive content, personalized support, or a valuable network of contacts.
Unlike selling a course (one-time payment), paid groups generate recurring income. This means you get paid again each month without having to constantly sell.
Why do they work so well?
• Predictable income: You know how much you’ll bill each month, allowing for better planning.
• Less sales effort: You don’t need to sell all the time. Members renew automatically.
• Higher engagement: Paying members are more committed than free followers.
• Community and compound value: You’re not just selling content, you’re creating a network of like-minded people who support each other.
• Scalability: Once the infrastructure is created, adding more members doesn’t require much additional work.
Types of paid groups: which one fits you?
Not all paid groups are the same. Depending on your expertise and audience, you can create different types:
1. Masterminds or mentorship groups
Ideal for: Coaches, consultants, business mentors, experts in specific areas.
What they include: Weekly or bi-weekly group sessions, personalized mentoring, project feedback, networking among members.
Typical price: $50-200/month (small, high-value groups)
Example: A nutritionist who creates a mastermind for professionals in the industry wanting to go digital.
2. Continuous learning communities
Ideal for: Educational content creators, technical specialists, trainers.
What they include: New content each week/month (tutorials, live classes, downloadable resources), private forum, access to past content library.
Typical price: $15-50/month
Example: A graphic designer who publishes exclusive tutorials and templates for members every week.
3. Support and accountability groups
Ideal for: Life coaches, fitness, nutrition, wellness, productivity.
What they include: Weekly check-ins, monthly challenges, space to share progress, group motivation.
Typical price: $20-60/month
Example: A personal trainer who creates a group where members share their daily workouts and receive feedback.
4. VIP access or exclusive content
Ideal for: Influencers, content creators with established audience, artists.
What they include: Behind-the-scenes content, early access to launches, private Q&A sessions, discounts on products/services.
Typical price: $5-25/month
Example: A photographer who gives early access to new projects and exclusive presets.
How to structure your paid group content
The biggest mistake when creating a paid group is not being clear about what you’ll offer each month. Members pay for consistent value, not vague promises.
The basic formula: content + community + support
1. Scheduled content (60%):
• Weekly: 1 tutorial, live class, or downloadable resource
• Monthly: 1 masterclass or deep dive on a specific topic
• Quarterly: 1 guest expert or special content
2. Active community (30%):
• Forum or private group (Telegram, Discord, or integrated into your platform)
• Spaces for members to share, ask questions, and connect
• Networking among members (you can facilitate connections)
3. Support and access (10%):
• Monthly live Q&A sessions
• Answers to specific questions (not 1-on-1 consulting, but guidance)
• Feedback on members’ projects/work
Example monthly calendar for a nutritionist group:
• Week 1: Video tutorial on a technical topic (e.g., ‘How to calculate caloric requirements for athletes’)
• Week 2: Downloadable template or resource (e.g., ‘Weekly meal plan template for families’)
• Week 3: Live Q&A session (45 min answering member questions)
• Week 4: Case study or analysis (e.g., ‘How I helped a client improve their relationship with food’)
• Ongoing: Active forum where members share experiences and you respond periodically
How to price your paid group
Setting the right price is crucial. Too cheap and it won’t be sustainable. Too expensive and no one will join.
Benchmarks by group type (2026):
• Exclusive content communities: $5-15/month
• Learning groups: $15-50/month
• Support and accountability: $20-60/month
• High-value masterminds: $50-300/month
Factors to consider:
1. Your level of expertise: Are you a reference in your industry or just starting? More experience = higher justified price.
2. Amount of content: Do you offer 4 videos/month or just 1? Does it include live sessions?
3. Group size: Small groups (10-30 people) with more personal access can charge more. Large groups (100+) are usually cheaper.
4. Your audience: Are they professionals with budget or students? Adjust the price to their capacity.
The 100-member rule:
A simple way to validate your price: Can you get 100 members paying $X/month in the next 6 months?
• If you charge $10/month → Need 100 members → $1,000/month
• If you charge $30/month → Need 100 members → $3,000/month
• If you charge $100/month → Need 100 members → $10,000/month
Start with an accessible price ($15-30/month) and increase it as you add more value and testimonials.
Platforms to manage your paid group
You need a tool that handles: recurring payments, content access, member management, and communication.
1. Dooyu (all-in-one solution)
Ideal if: You want a simple platform that integrates everything without technical complications.
What it includes:
• Creation of paid groups with automatic subscriptions
• Exclusive content management for members
• Integrated payment system (0% platform commission with Dooyu Pro)
• Group chat and private channels
• Customizable landing page without code
Price: Free plan to start. Dooyu Pro ($29.99/month) to sell groups without commissions.
2. Patreon
Ideal if: You’re a content creator (artist, podcaster, YouTuber) with an established audience.
Commission: 5-12% depending on plan + payment processor commission
3. Telegram + Grouptizer
Ideal if: Your audience is already on Telegram and you want something simple.
Note: Works well for communities but limited for organized content.
4. Memberful / MemberPress (WordPress)
Ideal if: You already have a WordPress website and want full control.
Note: Requires more technical configuration.
Quick comparison:
• Easiest to use: Dooyu
• Best for established creators: Patreon
• Most affordable: Telegram + Grouptizer
• Most technical control: WordPress + plugins
Strategies to retain members (avoid cancellations)
The real challenge isn’t getting members, it’s keeping them. A healthy churn rate (cancellation rate) is <5% monthly.
Proven tactics:
1. Impeccable onboarding:
• Immediate welcome email explaining what to expect
• Guided tour of available content
• Invitation to introduce themselves in the forum/group
2. Consistent and predictable value:
• Publish content on the same day each week/month (create habit)
• Don’t go months without providing anything new
• Quality > quantity, but consistency is key
3. Foster community:
• Members who interact with each other stay longer
• Create conversation threads, challenges, or networking spaces
• Publicly recognize active members
4. Listen to feedback:
• Quarterly survey: ‘What would you like to see more/less of?’
• Implement suggestions (and communicate that you did)
5. Occasional surprises:
• Unexpected bonuses (an extra resource, a special session)
• Surprise guests
• Exclusive discounts on your products/services
Important tip: If someone cancels, ask them why (short survey). You’ll learn a lot about how to improve.
Conclusion: Is it time to create your paid group?
If you have valuable knowledge, an audience (even if small) that trusts you, and the desire to build community, 2026 is the perfect year to launch your paid group.
Remember: You don’t need thousands of followers. With 50-100 committed members paying $20-30/month, you’re already generating $1,000-3,000 in monthly recurring revenue. That changes the game.
Start small, validate your offering, listen to your members, and grow organically. Recurring income not only provides financial stability but allows you to focus on creating the best possible content without the constant pressure to sell.
Ready to monetize your knowledge? Platforms like Dooyu make creating and managing paid groups easier than ever. No technical complications, no abusive commissions. Just you, your content, and a community that values what you bring.