Build a Business on WONDR — Different Business Models
As creators, there’s a common theme where we hesitate to ask for money from our communities. Primarily because we believe accessibility to education is a human right, especially, when it comes to environmental and social impact topics.
And it absolutely is. It’s very natural for us to be concerned about who can afford to learn and who can’t.
However, in the very essence of sustainability, producing free content is not sustainable either.
Don’t look at your community as just one type of person — it’s not. This allows you to realise opportunities for your paid tiers whilst supporting others with free access to other tiers. Allow me to explain (60 seconds) 👇
We have lived through an era of incredible cultural change driven by the Internet and specifically social media. Platforms have created a culture where people expect content to be free. But it’s not. It takes time, hard work and a lot of effort.
“Free” social platforms are subsidised by advertising. As “users”, our data is taken, amalgamated to create a digital profile, and then we’re sold to the highest bidder. As a creator, you have to fight an algorithm daily and you don’t even get paid by the advertisers who piggyback your content to target your audience and make money for themselves.
We must create a new world of sustainable content creation.
The World’s changing & it needs people like you
We agree that we should all be trying our darnest to provide people with accessible and equitable learning experiences. But that doesn’t mean your creativity needs to be free.
There are people in the world who value your knowledge to upskill and achieve economic gains for themselves. Here’s where the right type of business model can get interesting for you and fund your social impact.
📗 Read: Why Charging for Access to Knowledge & Community Will Create Positive Social Impact (7 mins)👈
If you’re already comfortable offering premium experiences to your community, read on 👇
We believe in helping you grow your career out of impacting people and the world.
The question is, how and who should power your creative career?
Here are four business models you can leverage to create huge value that people are already paying for.
1) Membership
This is where you create a real sense of community amongst your most passionate advocates and fans. A membership feels far more like a relationship between you and the learner. This could be where you give exclusive access to behind-the-scenes conversations, special events and group conversations.
It’s about bringing people into an inner-circle of people who care about you as a creator and the mission you share together.
A great membership subscription going on right now is with Circular Earth. They are taking businesses through a sustainable journey to fight the fast fashion industry 👗💥
2) Subscription
Similar to a membership, this is also a recurring revenue stream. However, this is more passive where your learners are gaining access to a regular recurrence of value — similar to a Spotify subscription.
You don’t eagerly await the next conversation or behind-the-scenes reveal but you do find the constant access to new content valuable.
The best way to make the most of this sort of model is to schedule a consistent series of content; news reviews and roundups or perhaps a vlog about a topic of the week/month.
Our new Space paywalls can help you easily collect knowledge, resources and content in a private area for only paying members to access. You can then always invite others for free — those who can’t afford the learning.
3) Micro-learning / Online Academies
On WONDR we’ve developed an experience that places your community at the heart of the content you create. Plus, you’re part of a wider ecosystem of activity that can be attracted into your community from across the WONDR network.
Our founding principles for WONDR on the basis of helping you create a career out of creating as you become the ‘educators’ of the way the world learns. We don’t mean you’re a teacher per se but we do recognise that people want to acquire information far faster than any school or University can provide. People are looking to upskill and take action daily — this is only possible through creator communities.
This model allows you to build a learning experience around your most passionate topics. Inviting members to become learners and upskill with you. Together, you’ll learn, find new career opportunities and build relationships to network and make progress as a group.
We know it can be super tough to ask your fans for money. We really do. We also know you’re worth every penny. So get clear on your business model and how you’d like your fans to empower your creative career. Then, don’t ask them to do it, simply educate them on the value of how to do it.
4) Ongoing support
This is the most passive approach towards revenue but sometimes your followers and audience want to say thanks with more than words. Typically this is a small amount (£1 or £2) but it’s a nod to you as a creator to say great work, without asking for anything more in return.
This helps you as a creator feel supported in the work you’re doing. It also allows your fans to feel proud in being able to support you with continuing to create informative and inspiring work.
Read: 25 Ideas on launching premium experiences from these models
We’re building WONDR to support the impact-driven creators of the world. The future educators and the community builders who want to create a positive change for people and planet 🌎🤘
If you’d like to apply to the Creator Network of Communities — visit here.
My team and I are on hand every step of the way:
- Direct Message me on WONDR here
- Hop on a 15min call in with me here
