5 Ways to Make Recurring Income as a Creator in 2025
As a creator, one of the most freeing things I’ve learned is how to build recurring income online. When I started out, I was hustling for one-off sales and brand deals. But the real freedom came when I figured out how to earn money every month—without starting from zero.
If you’re like me, you want to create content you love and get paid consistently. Here are 5 ways to make recurring income as a creator in 2025, even if you don’t have a massive audience.
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1. Launch a Membership or Community
One of the easiest ways I’ve found to earn monthly recurring revenue is by launching a membership or community. Platforms like Skool make this simple because you can create a professional-looking space in minutes.
You can charge a monthly fee for access to exclusive content, live Q&A sessions, behind-the-scenes updates, or anything that gives your audience more value. This model works for creators in any niche, and I’ve personally seen it change lives.
2. Offer Subscription-Based Digital Products
Instead of selling one-off products, consider creating a subscription. For example, you could sell a monthly template pack, audio drops, workout plans, or lesson bundles.
I love this model because it’s predictable. You know exactly how much revenue you’re making each month, and you can focus on growing your online business instead of constantly chasing sales.
3. Start a Coaching or Mentorship Program
If you have expertise, people will pay to learn directly from you. Starting a coaching business online can give you recurring income when you package your services into a monthly retainer or group program.
I use Skool to host my coaching programs because it combines the community element with content delivery and payments all in one place. It looks professional and builds trust fast.
4. Create a Paid Newsletter
Newsletters are back in a big way in 2025. People want curated, high-value information they can’t get anywhere else. I started a paid newsletter and charged a small monthly fee, and it’s one of my favorite recurring income streams.
This works especially well if you’re already sharing tips, resources, or insights on social media. You just move your best stuff into a paid, exclusive format.
5. Build an Affiliate Program Around Your Content
Affiliate marketing is another way to build recurring income. Instead of selling your own products, you promote tools, platforms, or products you already use and love.
When I started recommending Skool as part of my content, I quickly built a steady stream of affiliate commissions. Many companies offer monthly payouts, so you can stack multiple programs and create a reliable income stream.
Why Recurring Income is the Key to Creator Freedom
When you build recurring income, you stop worrying about where your next paycheck is coming from. You can take time off, invest in better equipment, and focus on creating without the constant pressure of one-off sales.
If I could start over, I’d focus on recurring income from day one. It’s what allows you to scale and grow without burning out.
Ready to Build Your First Recurring Income Stream?
The easiest way to start is by launching a membership or community. You don’t need a huge audience, and you can set it up today using Skool.
Recurring income changed my life as a creator, and it can do the same for you. Start small, pick one of the methods above, and keep building month after month.
Create your Skool account now and set up your first membership or coaching program today.
Building recurring income as a creator is about shifting your mindset from short-term sales to long-term growth. When you structure your offers with monthly or yearly payments, you create financial stability for yourself and more value for your audience.
One of the most overlooked opportunities is creating tiers within your membership. Offering different price levels allows you to serve beginners and advanced customers at the same time. This approach has helped me increase my average monthly revenue without adding extra work.
I’ve also found that bundling products into a subscription works wonders. Instead of selling individual courses or templates, I package them into one subscription plan. This gives my customers continuous value and ensures I don’t have to constantly launch new products.
When you’re starting out, it’s important to focus on just one recurring income stream. Trying to build too many at once can leave you overwhelmed. Once you’ve mastered one method—like a paid community—you can layer on others like affiliate programs or coaching packages.
Engagement is key for recurring income. Whether you run a membership, community, or coaching group, you need to keep people interested and excited to stay. I do this by sharing live trainings, exclusive content, and answering questions regularly.
Another tip is to automate as much as you can. I set up recurring payments and use scheduling tools so that my systems keep running even when I’m not actively working. This is what makes recurring income truly passive over time.
Don’t be afraid to offer a free trial or a low-cost entry point. This gives potential customers a chance to see the value you provide before committing to a monthly payment. I’ve converted many trial users into loyal, long-term members this way.
Affiliate marketing can also become a big part of your recurring income if you approach it strategically. I only promote products I actually use and believe in. This builds trust with my audience and leads to consistent sales every month.
I also recommend creating exclusive bonuses for anyone who joins your recurring programs. This could be extra content, a private coaching call, or even discounted access to another product. People love feeling like they’re getting something special.
A common mistake I see is relying only on social media to drive sign-ups. Platforms change all the time, and algorithms can shift overnight. I focus on building an email list and community that I control so I’m not dependent on a single channel.
Tracking your metrics is essential. I regularly check how many members are joining, how many are staying, and what my churn rate is. Knowing these numbers helps me make adjustments and keep my recurring income growing month after month.
Finally, remember that building recurring income takes time. It’s not about quick wins but about setting up systems that pay you for years. Once you put in the work, you’ll enjoy the freedom of predictable income as a creator.