You’ve decided to introduce Acast+ subscriptions for your fans. But where do you start? What kind of benefits should you be offering to paying subscribers? Let’s get you set up for success.

First, you should consider what would be most valuable to your listeners. Do they want exclusive access to new episodes, bonus content, or special discounts? 

Second, think about what you can realistically offer without stretching yourself too thin. It's important to be able to deliver on your promises, so make sure you can commit to offering the benefits you choose.

Finally, carefully consider your price point. You'll need to strike a balance between offering enough value to justify the cost of a paid subscription, while still making your podcast accessible to as many listeners as possible.

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Ad-free

This is an easy, low-effort benefit that you can offer immediately. Keep in mind, though, tiers that include only ad-free benefits tend to see lower subscription rates than those with bonus episodes or other benefit combos. Ad-free is still a great benefit to offer, but we recommend you pair it with something else.

Great for: Any podcast with ads or sponsorships placed through the Acast Marketplace (won’t work if you sell your own ads or have baked-in ones)

Suggested Price: USD $2-3

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Early Access

Another simple benefit to include in your membership packages, with minimum effort needed. When you publish your episodes, we make it incredibly easy for you to choose exactly when they should be released to your Acast+ members, and then to your free feed.

Great for: Creators with eager audiences — especially those who publish infrequently or cover timely topics. If your audience has ever said, "I can't wait for the next episode", this benefit will be ideal.

Suggested Price: USD $3-5

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Bonus Content

Bonus content comes in many forms — whether that’s extended episodes, mini episodes, uncut episodes, or full new episodes — and the effort needed depends on your show, your time, and your process. Tiers that include bonus content typically drive the most revenue and have a higher price point. Plus, bonus content gives your audience access to more of what they love, which is great for rewarding loyal fans who follow your show.

Great for: Creators with the time and resources to make additional content. If you already have extra content that's not making its way into your current show, this is a no-brainer.

Suggested Price: USD $5-10

Take a look at how WTF with Marc Maron uses bonus content to differentiate its tiers and make the $5 price point more attractive for listeners.

Archive Access

Acast+ also lets you set up a paywall for access to older episodes. It's another easy, low-effort way to monetize your existing content.

Great for: Shows with a big back-catalog

Suggested Pricing: USD $3-5

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Additional Benefits

Because Acast+ users have opted into giving you their email addresses, you can offer additional benefits outside of your podcast content as part of your membership tiers. Any platform that you can invite someone to via email can be incorporated into your Acast+ offering. These include, but are not limited to:

• Private communities: Discord, Slack, Facebook Groups
• Newsletters 
• Live chats: Q&As, AMA, Meet and Greets (via Zoom, for example)
• Livestreams
• Merch discounts
• Ticket presales
• Polls and voting
• Exclusive video

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Still not sure what benefits your audience would pay for?

Why not ask them?

Whether your listeners provide feedback through social media, directly via email, or on your website, ask them what they’d value most. Here are some ideas: 

• Create a Google form, Typeform or SurveyMonkey survey and distribute it on social media, email, or your website
• Leverage polling and question tools on platforms like Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, to get feedback from your audience

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Need some inspiration? Here’s how other shows put together their offering

• Tommy, Hector, and Laurita: Two tiers, one ad-free and the other including a weekly bonus episode. Ad-free is $3; bonus episodes plus ad-free is $7.

• Back from the Borderline: One tier for $9.99 that includes ad-free, weekly bonus and extended episodes, plus access to all archive episodes.

• Paranormal Activity with Yvette Fielding: Three tiers — a $1.99 ad-free only, a $2.99 ad-free plus early access, and a $4.29 tier that’s ad-free, early access, and includes a weekly bonus episode.