Welcome to the world of content creation, and I am going to assume you already have an ecosystem of free content before coming here. It is wise to give out your information for free first, THEN you throw the right hook.

Creators from all over forget that you have to build up your audience, and provide value before trying to ask for something back. This post is more of a listicle, than I ever really have made. However I don't have a particular opinion to share on most of these, but I know OF them. Sometimes just by putting this together you'll find the right fit for YOU. Plus you can buy me a coffee later if works out for you!

First I'm going to talk about the various tools for monetization, that come up into unique positions for you. Then I'm going to share with you the newsletter platforms, and finally the learning management systems.

I prefer a subscription model, and if you like my work, and want to support me then sign up for PolyPRO!


Unique Tools to Share Paid Products/Services

Some of these overlap with others in a way, and while some actually make Patreon redundant. It is still a good fit here, and you'll see the same mentality with other tools. I'd take a look at as many as you can because choosing only one may not be your solution!

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NOTE: Some of the links did an embed, some just did a url, not sure as to why. Although that doesn't make any more valuable than the other. Just wanted to make sure I mention.

BuyMeaCoffee

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/

Ko-Fi

While buymeacoffee is a bit more well known, Ko-Fi is growing a lot in the gamer or cosplayer spaces. I also signed up for both, just in case the person who wants to support me is already logged in through one or the other. In that I found I really preferred the Ko-Fi user experience, design, and overall feel.

https://ko-fi.com/

Patreon

Never really liked this platform, even as a consumer, when a YouTube channel said to go support their Patreon. I usually just checked it out, and realized I didn't want to go into that platform deeply.

Ironically I spent a ton of time taking their courses, and was planning to set up my own Patreon more. I set it all up in a basic/get started sort of way, then they deactivated my account. Probably due to inactivity, but this one seems to be old compared to all of these other tools.

Creativity powered by membership | Patreon
Patreon is the best place for creators to build memberships by providing exclusive access to their work and a deeper connection with their communities.

Pickmybrain.world

Founded by a wonderful mind, whom I Picked her brain on the PolyCast. An interesting tool, with a diverse network.

Pick My Brain
Pick My Brain makes it easy for people to book and pay you for your time, knowledge and experience. Set your own rate, rules, and availability and invite your network to connect with you on your own terms.

CreatorStack

CreatorStack
We want to empower YOU to launch your creative career and turn your passion into a profitable venture.

Stck.me

Sell your stories directly to fans
Get your own corner on the web to offer articles, books, audio, video or drop NFTs

Pensight

This one actually got me to work on my courses again, which I had been putting off for ages. Particularly because I wanted to make my own LMS for the Modular Degree system. However until then I DO need to release courses, like the Self-Education MiniCourse. I'll be using this tool to manage my meetings, coaching, and courses.

Pensight - Monetize Your Knowledge
All the tools you need to build a coaching business with video meetings, coaching bundles, video shoutouts & Q&A

Backstage

Build Your Army
Build, engage, grow, and monetize your fanbase. Backstage provides the best way for creators to build a loyal fanbase with freedom from algorithms and social media.

Uhmi

Monetize your content
Uhmi is a platform that makes it easy to monetize your content with memberships and pay per view and to grow your fanbase.

Subscription Systems

These are the tools to create your own Netflix for video, or your own "Morning Brew" for newsletters. There are some options for audio only, but I'm just gonna focus on the big two.

Avocado | Sell Audio Courses & Audiobooks
Sell and deliver audio courses and audiobooks straight to your audience. Start today for free!

Video:

Dacast

Dacast: Live Streaming Platform | Online Video Hosting
Dacast’s Video Streaming Software is the leading Online Video and Hosting Platform. Stream live and on demand video leveraging a video API and 24/7 support.

Adilo

Adilo

Vimeo OTT

https://vimeo.com/ott

Uscreen

A very interesting tool, with a ton of educational content coming from the brand. I can't justify the cost at the moment, but I think it will be an interesting combination with Ghost down the line.

uscreen.tv/

Written:

Ghost CMS

Curiously, I am using this cms as a catch all, and I am putting my videos and podcasts into blog posts as well.

ghost.org/

Substack

Substack - A new model for publishing
With Substack, anyone can start a publication that combines a personal website, blog, and email newsletter or podcast. It’s quick and simple, so you don’t have to be tech savvy. Your audience can pay you directly through subscriptions, with no ads to get in the way. Writers and podcasters can own th…

Paragraph.xyz

Paragraph | all-in-one publishing & newsletter platform
Create, publish and share web3-native blogs & newsletters.

Beehiiv

https://www.beehiiv.com/

Substack vs Beehiiv vs Ghost vs Revue vs Paragraph.xyz
It honestly takes a polymathic mindset to do a comparison this big. There are some great tools in the newsletter space, here they are, and my thoughts on them as a prolific writer.

Learning Management Systems

I have spent more time than most people ever will with learning systems. Probably way more than I needed to if I'm being honest. While I haven't tried Xperiencify, all of the others I have used extensively. Either as a learner, or a creator, or both.

Xperiencify

Xperiencify, the Best Gamified Online Course Platform
The Simple (And Fun) Way to Get More People to Complete Your Online Course

Thinkific

Create, Market & Sell with the #1 Online Course Platform: Thinkific
Create online courses and membership sites with Thinkific and feel confident that you’ve got the easiest technology and the best support in the industry.

Teachable

I love their ethos, the team seems really helpful, but the user interface has barely changed or improved.

Teachable Online Course Platform: Create & Sell Courses
Create & sell online courses and coaching with the best online course platform used by the entrepreneurs to sell $500m+ to over 18 million students. Try it free.

Kajabi

Sort of an all in one system, but quite pricey.

Kajabi: Create and sell online courses, coaching, and memberships
Kajabi has everything you need to create, grow, and manage your knowledge and creator business. Start for free.

Digital Goods Storefront

Gumroad

Quite common for a lot of creators out there, but I found another tool to be a good alternative for myself.

Gumroad – Sell what you know and see what sticks
Gumroad is a powerful, but simple, e-commerce platform. We make it easy to earn your first dollar online by selling digital products, memberships and more.

Podia

Podia - Get a free website. Sell products. Build your community.
Get a free website, host a community for free, or sell courses and digital products. Podia is an all-in-one platform that lets you start and grow a business.

Sellfy

Unless the tool I chose for myself includes merch down the line, this may be the one I go with in the future for physical products. Although you can do digital here as well!

Sellfy | Sell Your Products Online Hassle-free
Opening a store on Sellfy is the easiest way to sell products to your audience on social media or your own website. Start a 14-day free trial today!

While I did not include a list for print on demand sites, or merch sites, that can come in a later post. All of these tools I feel like could help someone.

If I felt that it didn't have a fit at all I wouldn't have put it on this list.

This is more of a roundup, rather than a review or ranking, but I did express some opinions here and there.

I hope this helps you!