Start a community
Community, membership, cohort, or course? Choose the right model
Separate four ideas that are often bundled together, then choose the one your offer actually needs.
The short version
- Choose the model based on where the value is created, not what is fashionable.
- A recurring payment needs recurring value; access alone is rarely enough.
- Combining models works best after one primary promise is already clear.
The four models solve different jobs
The confusion starts because all four can use posts, lessons, events, and member profiles. The software can look similar while the promise and operating work are completely different.
- A community creates value through member relationships, shared practice, and timely conversation.
- A membership sells continuing access to a useful environment, person, resource, or rhythm.
- A cohort helps a defined group reach an outcome together within a set period.
- A course packages a repeatable path that people can follow with less direct involvement from you.
Choose by where the value comes from
- 1
Choose community
When the right people, questions, and shared experiences are more valuable than a fixed curriculum.
- 2
Choose membership
When members need ongoing access and you can name what becomes newly useful each month.
- 3
Choose cohort
When timing, accountability, and moving together materially improve the result.
- 4
Choose course
When the path is stable, the result is repeatable, and learners benefit from moving at their own pace.
Combine models only when each part has a job
A course plus community is useful when discussion helps learners apply or finish the lessons. A membership plus community works when relationships and current guidance make the ongoing fee worthwhile. A cohort plus course works when shared timing adds accountability to a proven path.
Do not add a community merely to make a course sound more valuable. If no one has a clear reason to talk, the empty feed becomes evidence against the offer.
Course sales and membership in Lockers
Selling is available after the Locker owner connects a Stripe account and completes payment setup.
Each Locker has its own Free or Pro plan. A free-to-join Locker can sell individual courses: the Lockers platform fee is 5% on Free and 1% on Pro. Paid membership requires Pro, includes every course, and has a 1% platform fee on each membership payment. Courses cannot be sold separately in a paid-membership Locker.
Payment processing costs extra. We calculate the platform fee after discounts and before tax. When a payment is refunded, we return the proportional platform fee; payment-provider fees follow the provider’s rules.
The course sales, paid memberships, and fees guide explains payment setup, event tickets, and the rules for existing buyers. Your Locker's member, course, file, and video allowances still apply.
Build the smallest useful version of your community.
Start with a feed, classroom, calendar, messages, and member list. No card required.
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