Unlock the secrets: Creators share their Channel Membership success stories
Jul 28, 2025 [[read-time]] minute read
At YouTube, we're always finding new ways to support creators and help fans connect more deeply with the content they love. Channel Memberships are a perfect example, offering creators a new revenue stream while giving fans an enhanced, more intimate connection to their favorite channels. For a small monthly fee, members unlock a world of exclusive perks, from custom emoji to exclusive videos and more. We recently spoke with two creators who have truly mastered Channel Memberships to build thriving communities. Meet Isaac and Mandy!
Isaac from @becauseisaac
Can you share a bit about yourself and your YouTube Channel?
I grew up being absolutely FASCINATED by creators posting content and creating their own version of a TV show. YouTube was my biggest obsession from then on. Not necessarily to be a creator, but I just enjoyed being let in on people’s lives and creative ideas as they uploaded content.
I went on to become a music producer and composer. I produced and composed 3 stage musical concept albums, multiple albums and singles for artists, and have garnered millions of streams on Spotify, Apple Music, etc.
When I finally found my profession, and was proficient at what I did, I decided to take it to YouTube and see if I could create something cool that people would want to watch. Through a ton of experimentation with content styles, concepts, and ideas, I found what works—which is what I do today: Reactions and Commentary on popular music from the perspective of a Gen-Z music producer.
What inspired you to get started with Channel Memberships?
I was inspired to get into Channel Memberships because I saw real value and potential consistency in revenue and audience engagement through it. My channel content rarely is monetized due to copyright claims on the music I react to, so a way to get paid and build a community through memberships was an easy decision.
What are two tips for creators who are just starting out with Channel Memberships?
My first tip is to figure out an easy way to create the extra content without it being too taxing on your workload, but still bring extra value that your members love. You don't want to burn out early trying to make membership-only videos before you have a big enough Members audience base to make it worth it. It takes time to grow that!
Second, advertise the heck out of your membership option in your main videos, but make sure to tie it in with the video— "My channel members helped me choose today’s topic, and if you want to help choose topics for future videos, hit that join button below!”
How did you decide what type of content or perks were best suited for your members? Did you involve your community in these decisions?
It's different for every creator, but I found the best way to start is with a group chat of some sort. Discord, Messenger, etc. That way you can ask them what they want to see, get a feel for what they’re looking for.
In my experience, they really just want two things— to be heard, and to support you.
Mandy from @careercoachmandy
What inspired you to become a creator and what kind of content can viewers expect to find on your channel?
Since 2017, I've run my own business as a career coach, working one-on-one with clients to help them navigate the emotional highs and lows of their jobs. I became really passionate about helping people find what they actually want to do with their lives, and break free of the achievement ladder. I was inspired to become a creator to share strategies on how to stay true to yourself. I've always loved YouTube as a viewer, and always wanted to start my own channel. My first dozen videos flopped, but I was persistent and kept making them even though no one was watching. In December of last year, my self-help videos started popping off, and I'm now at almost 50,000 subscribers! It is wild. I encourage my subscribers that anything is possible, and if I can make my creative dreams come true, so can they!
What helped you get started with Channel Memberships?
The incredible Channel Memberships bootcamp, of course! It was so fun. We got to meet regularly with dozens of other creators, and learned the ropes. We had live, interactive sessions where we could learn the basics of how to set up your membership, what to offer, what to charge, how to structure it, and how to make it easy and sustainable for yourself while being compelling to your subscribers. They shared case studies of other creators, and eventually I started to realize some of my favorite creators were also doing Memberships -- so I could study what they had done, too.
Can you share any specific strategies you use(d) to convert regular viewers into paying members?
To successfully launch my membership program, I started by surveying my YouTube audience to understand their desired perks, surprisingly discovering a strong preference for physical thank-you gifts over early access videos. This crucial feedback shaped my offering. For the launch itself, I released a public video followed by a members-only video, adding a teaser to the regular content to encourage sign-ups for deeper dives. Overcoming my initial hesitation, I consistently promoted the membership at the end of all my videos, recognizing its necessity for growth. A key perk I offered was a free physical gift (notebook, stickers, pens, and a crystal) mailed directly to members' homes, streamlined through an automated system on my existing e-commerce platform for shipping confirmations and tracking. To engage dedicated viewers, I produced longer-form content, including two-hour-plus live coaching sessions where I invited members to participate, fostering a sense of community. I also made an effort to connect with members through Q&A Shorts, where I'd pose a question to members and then respond with a members-only Short. Additionally, I prioritized responding to member comments and found that creating videos of myself packaging the members-only gifts significantly boosted new sign-ups.
How do Channel Memberships help you feel more connected to your most dedicated viewers?
I think as a creator, it can feel scary sometimes to put yourself out there. Will my community like this video? Is it too weird? Am I showing too much personality, or should I just stick to a topic that I know works? With Channel Memberships, I think the biggest benefit is the increased feeling of psychological safety: these are my most loyal viewers, they like me for me, and they continue to stick around, comment, and share in my journey. As a result, I've taken more risks in my members-only videos. I did a video where I walked around and filmed in a public park (which I've never done before), and a video where I filmed myself running my small business and adding voiceover on top. I find myself doing more experiments and taking more risks, which is so good for my creativity! I've even had members create unboxing videos of their gifts across social media, which has been so cool to watch.
For more tips and tricks on how to make the most of your Channel Memberships, check out the Creator Academy!