How Much Should You Charge for Your Community? Complete Pricing Guide

Understanding Community Pricing Fundamentals

The Flexible Pricing Reality

LaunchPass gives you complete freedom to set your community pricing. There are no platform restrictions on minimum or maximum prices, allowing you to position your community at whatever price point makes sense for your value proposition and target market.

Key Insight: The "right" price isn't about what other communities charge—it's about the unique value you deliver to your specific audience.

Actual Price Ranges on LaunchPass

Based on thousands of successful communities, here's what we see:

Budget-Friendly Communities: $7-15/month

Entry-level content communities
Hobbyist groups
Social/networking focus
Emerging experts building audiences
High-volume strategy

Mid-Range Communities: $20-50/month

Professional development groups
Specialized skill-building
Industry-specific networking
Expert guidance and mentorship
Most common price range

Premium Communities: $50-100/month

Advanced expert access
High-value insights (trading, investing)
Professional masterminds
Exclusive networking opportunities
Comprehensive resources and tools

Elite Communities: $100-150+/month

Top-tier expert access
High-ROI opportunities (business, investing)
Executive-level networking
Intensive coaching and consultation
White-glove member experience

Factors That Determine Your Optimal Price

1. Your Expertise and Track Record

Emerging Expert (0-2 years experience)

Recommended range: $7-25/month
Building credibility and testimonials
Growing your audience and proof points
Focus on volume over premium pricing
Deliver exceptional value to establish reputation

Established Expert (3-5 years experience)

Recommended range: $25-75/month
Proven track record and results
Testimonials and case studies
Recognized authority in your niche
Can command mid-to-high pricing

Industry Authority (5+ years experience)

Recommended range: $75-150+/month
Well-known name and brand
Extensive proof of results
Published work, media appearances
Premium positioning justified

Your Experience Multiplier:

Published author: +20-30%
Speaking engagements: +15-25%
Media features: +10-20%
Awards/recognition: +15-30%
Verified results/case studies: +25-40%

2. The Value You Provide

Value Assessment Framework:

Information Value:

Exclusive insights not available elsewhere: $20-50/month
Curated content and resources: $10-30/month
Educational courses and tutorials: $30-75/month
Proprietary research or data: $50-150/month

Access Value:

Direct access to you (limited): $30-100/month
One-on-one consultation opportunities: $75-200/month
Small group coaching sessions: $50-150/month
Q&A and office hours: $20-75/month

Network Value:

Peer-to-peer connections: $15-40/month
Industry professionals networking: $30-100/month
High-net-worth individual access: $100-300/month
Partnership and collaboration opportunities: $50-150/month

Results Value (Highest Multiplier):

Potential income generation: $50-150+/month
Career advancement opportunities: $40-100/month
Business growth strategies: $75-200/month
Proven ROI track record: Premium pricing justified

Value Equation: If members can reasonably earn back 10x your monthly fee through community insights, you can charge premium prices.

3. Your Target Audience's Budget

Student/Early Career ($0-30k annual income)

Maximum viable: $7-20/month
Price sensitivity: Very high
Value focus: Educational content
Volume strategy: Essential

Mid-Career Professional ($30-75k annual income)

Maximum viable: $20-50/month
Price sensitivity: Moderate
Value focus: Career advancement
Standard market pricing

Established Professional ($75-150k annual income)

Maximum viable: $50-100/month
Price sensitivity: Low
Value focus: Networking and expertise
Premium pricing acceptable

High-Income/Executive ($150k+ annual income)

Maximum viable: $100-300+/month
Price sensitivity: Very low
Value focus: Time savings and exclusive access
Premium/luxury pricing expected

Business Owners (Variable Income)

Maximum viable: Based on ROI potential
Price sensitivity: ROI-dependent
Value focus: Revenue growth
Price based on value delivered

4. Your Community Niche

Price Benchmarks by Community Type:

Stock Trading & Investing Communities

Typical range: $50-150/month
Why: Direct financial value and ROI
Success factors: Proven track record, verified returns
Premium positioning: Common and expected

Business/Entrepreneurship Communities

Typical range: $40-100/month
Why: Revenue generation potential
Success factors: Member success stories, expert guidance
Premium positioning: Justified by growth potential

Professional Development Communities

Typical range: $25-75/month
Why: Career advancement value
Success factors: Industry connections, skill building
Premium positioning: Mid-to-high range standard

Creative/Artistic Communities

Typical range: $15-40/month
Why: Skill development and feedback
Success factors: Expert critique, portfolio growth
Premium positioning: Moderate pricing optimal

Fitness/Health Communities

Typical range: $20-60/month
Why: Accountability and programming
Success factors: Personalized guidance, results tracking
Premium positioning: Mid-range most common

Gaming/Entertainment Communities

Typical range: $7-25/month
Why: Social connection and entertainment
Success factors: Active community, exclusive content
Premium positioning: Lower pricing typical

Non-Profit/Cause-Based Communities

Typical range: $10-30/month
Why: Support and engagement
Success factors: Mission alignment, community impact
Premium positioning: Moderate, mission-driven

Reselling/E-commerce Communities

Typical range: $30-100/month
Why: Product sourcing, profit potential
Success factors: Deal alerts, supplier connections
Premium positioning: Mid-to-high based on ROI

5. Competitive Analysis

How to Research Competitor Pricing:

Step 1: Identify Direct Competitors

Find 5-10 communities in your exact niche
List their monthly membership prices
Note what's included at each price point
Identify their unique value propositions

Step 2: Analyze Price Distribution

Calculate average price: Sum ÷ number of communities
Find median price: Middle value when sorted
Note most common price point (mode)
Identify high and low outliers

Step 3: Assess Your Positioning

Price Below Average: Volume play, emerging expert
Price at Average: Safe, competitive positioning
Price Above Average: Premium play, requires differentiation
Price at Premium: Elite positioning, needs strong justification

Competitive Differentiation Strategies:

If Pricing Lower:

Emphasize accessibility and value
Build audience and testimonials
Plan to increase gradually
Focus on exceptional member experience

If Pricing at Market Rate:

Highlight unique methodologies
Emphasize your personal approach
Showcase member results
Build strong community culture

If Pricing Higher:

Demonstrate superior results
Offer more access or features
Provide exceptional support
Create premium experience

Pricing Strategy Options

Monthly Subscription (Most Common)

Advantages:

Lower commitment barrier for new members
Easier to acquire customers
Flexibility for members to adjust
Steady monthly recurring revenue
Simple to understand and sell

Recommended For:

Most community types
Building initial audience
Testing market price sensitivity
Content-driven communities
Network-focused groups

Pricing Considerations:

Standard billing cycle
Easy to budget for members
Higher potential churn vs. annual
Good for trying different price points

Example Structures:

Single tier: $29/month
Multiple tiers: Basic $19, Pro $49, Elite $99/month

Annual Subscription (Higher Value)

Advantages:

Lower effective monthly price for members
Higher upfront revenue for you
Reduced churn and longer commitment
Better cash flow for business planning
More committed member base

Recommended For:

Established communities
Members seeking long-term value
Communities with proven track record
Business and professional groups
High-value educational content

Discount Strategy:

Standard discount: 15-20% off monthly rate
Aggressive discount: 25-30% off monthly rate
Premium positioning: 10-15% off monthly rate

Example Structures:

Monthly: $50/month ($600/year)
Annual: $499/year (saves $101, 17% discount)
Premium monthly: $100/month ($1,200/year)
Premium annual: $999/year (saves $201, 17% discount)

Annual Subscription Formula: (Monthly price × 12) - (15-25% discount) = Annual price

Tiered Pricing (Maximum Revenue)

Why Use Tiers:

Captures different budget levels
Maximizes total revenue
Provides upgrade path
Segments audience by commitment level
Allows premium positioning

Common Tier Structures:

Two-Tier Model (Simple):

Basic Tier: $25/month
- Community access
- Core content
- Peer discussions
Premium Tier: $75/month
- Everything in Basic
- Direct expert access
- Advanced content
- Priority support

Three-Tier Model (Most Popular):

Starter: $20/month (30% of members)
- Basic access
- Essential resources
- Community participation
Professional: $50/month (60% of members)
- Everything in Starter
- Advanced training
- Monthly Q&A
- Priority features
Elite: $150/month (10% of members)
- Everything in Professional
- 1-on-1 consultations
- Exclusive events
- VIP treatment

Tier Pricing Multipliers:

Middle tier = 2-3x base tier
Top tier = 3-7x base tier
Price anchoring effect: Top tier makes middle tier attractive

Free Trial Strategy

Trial Length Options:

3-Day Trial:

Quick decision forcing
Reduces tire-kickers
Good for high-touch communities
Requires immediate value demonstration

7-Day Trial:

Most common trial length
Balance of evaluation and commitment
Standard for most community types
Allows experiencing weekly content cycle

14-Day Trial:

Extended evaluation period
Best for complex offerings
Reduces initial friction
Higher conversion when done well
LaunchPass standard for Premium features

30-Day Trial:

Full monthly experience
Best for high-priced communities
Allows deep integration
Lower sense of urgency

Free Trial Best Practices:

Deliver Quick Wins: Show value in first 48 hours
Active Onboarding: Guide new members personally
Engagement Loop: Get them participating immediately
Value Reminders: Highlight benefits throughout trial
Clear Conversion Path: Make upgrade seamless

Trial-to-Paid Conversion Strategies:

Send welcome sequence emails
Provide onboarding checklist
Offer trial-to-annual upgrade incentive
Highlight member success stories
Personal check-in from you

One-Time Payment (Alternative Model)

When to Use:

Course-based communities
Lifetime access positioning
Project-based programs
Limited-duration cohorts
Specific outcome focus

Pricing Consideration:

Should equal 12-24 months of subscription value
Accounts for reduced recurring revenue
Example: $500 one-time vs. $30/month subscription

Advantages:

Higher upfront revenue
Simpler member decision
No churn concerns
Attractive to budget-conscious buyers

Disadvantages:

No recurring revenue
Member commitment varies
Harder to sustain community
Lower lifetime value

Advanced Pricing Strategies

Price Anchoring

High Anchor Strategy: Create a premium tier you don't expect many to buy, making your main tier look affordable.

Example:

Basic: $25/month (looks cheap)
Pro: $50/month ← Target tier
Elite: $200/month (makes Pro attractive)

Result: Most members choose Pro, which appears reasonably priced.

Decoy Pricing

How It Works: Add a similar but less attractive option to make your target price look better.

Example:

Annual: $499/year (save $101) ← Appears attractive
Monthly: $50/month ($600/year)
6-Month: $275 (save $25) ← Decoy makes annual look better

Grandfathering (Price Increases)

Strategy: Existing members keep their original price when you increase prices for new members.

Benefits:

Rewards loyal members
Reduces churn during price changes
Allows gradual revenue increase
Creates urgency for new signups

How to Implement:

Announce price increase 30-60 days ahead
Specify current members keep existing price
Set date for new pricing
Create urgency for new signups before increase

Example Communication:

"Starting March 1st, our monthly price increases from $39 to $49. All current members will be grandfathered at $39/month forever. Sign up before March 1st to lock in the current rate!"

Important: LaunchPass automatically grandfathers existing members when you change pricing—new subscribers pay the new rate while existing subscribers keep their original rate.

Learn More: What Happens if I Change Pricing on My Invite Page?

Early Bird Pricing

Launch Strategy: Offer reduced pricing to first X members or for first X days.

Example Structure:

First 50 members: $19/month (founder rate)
Members 51-100: $29/month
Standard rate after 100: $39/month

Benefits:

Creates urgency and FOMO
Rewards early adopters
Builds initial community quickly
Tests price sensitivity

Seasonal Promotions

Strategic Discounts:

Holiday promotions: 20-30% off annual plans
Black Friday/Cyber Monday: Lifetime deals
New Year promotions: "New year, new you" angle
Birthday/Anniversary: Reward loyal members

Promotion Best Practices:

Limited time (creates urgency)
Clear expiration date
Specific to new members or upgrades
Don't discount too frequently (devalues)

Calculating Your Ideal Price

The Value-Based Pricing Formula

Step 1: Calculate Member Lifetime Value (LTV)

Average member stays: 8 months (industry average) Monthly price: $50 Member LTV = $50 × 8 = $400

Step 2: Determine Value Delivered

Member potential gain from community:

Professional network value: $2,000
Skills/knowledge value: $3,000
Time saved vs. self-learning: $1,500 Total value = $6,500

Step 3: Apply Value Ratio

Your price should be 5-10% of value delivered $6,500 × 0.07 = $455 LTV justified $455 ÷ 8 months = $56/month optimal price

The Cost-Plus Pricing Method

Step 1: Calculate Your Time Investment

Content creation: 10 hours/month Community management: 15 hours/month Member support: 5 hours/month Total time: 30 hours/month

Step 2: Determine Your Hourly Value

Your desired income: $100/hour Monthly time cost: 30 hours × $100 = $3,000

Step 3: Calculate Break-Even Members

Target price: $50/month Break-even members: $3,000 ÷ $50 = 60 members

Step 4: Add Profit Margin

Desired profit: 40% 60 members ÷ 0.60 = 100 members at $50/month Or charge $83/month for 60 members

The Competitive Positioning Method

Step 1: Research 10 Similar Communities

Competitor prices: $25, $30, $35, $40, $45, $50, $50, $60, $75, $90 Average: $50/month Median: $47.50/month

Step 2: Choose Your Positioning

Budget: $30-35 (below average, volume play)
Market rate: $45-50 (safe competitive price)
Premium: $60-75 (above average, requires differentiation)
Luxury: $90+ (elite positioning, needs strong proof)

Step 3: Justify Your Position

If pricing premium at $75/month when average is $50:

What additional value do you provide?
Do you have better credentials?
Are your results superior?
Is your community more exclusive?

The Psychology of Pricing

Price Perception Factors:

Ending in 9 vs. 0:

$49/month feels significantly less than $50/month
$99/month more palatable than $100/month
Works best for consumer pricing
Less effective for B2B/professional

Round Numbers for Premium:

$50, $100, $150 signal quality
Clean numbers feel more premium
Used by high-end communities
Conveys "worth it" positioning

Price Bracketing:

$29/month feels reasonable between $19 and $49
Middle option often gets 60% of sales
Extremes provide context

Testing and Adjusting Your Price

Price Testing Strategies

A/B Testing (Advanced):

Test two prices with different audiences
Track conversion rates
Measure lifetime value
Requires significant traffic

Price Laddering:

Start at conservative price: $25/month
Build to 50 members
Increase for new members: $35/month
Build to 100 members
Increase again: $49/month
Existing members grandfathered

Cohort Pricing:

Launch group 1 at $29/month
3 months later, launch group 2 at $39/month
Compare engagement and retention
Optimize based on results

When to Increase Your Prices

Strong Signals for Price Increase:

1. High Demand Indicators:

Conversion rate >30%
Waitlist forming
Overwhelmed with new members
Can't maintain quality at current volume

2. Value Enhancement:

Added significant new content
Increased your expertise/credentials
Enhanced member benefits
Improved community experience

3. Market Validation:

Member testimonials show high ROI
Competitors raised prices
Your positioning strengthened
Track record improved

4. Business Needs:

Need to reduce volume
Want higher-quality members
Time cost increased
Operating expenses rose

Price Increase Best Practices:

Announce 30-60 days in advance
Explain value increases that justify it
Grandfather existing members
Create urgency for new signups
Stay confident in new pricing

Communication Template:

"Great news! Starting [date], we're expanding [community name] with [new features/benefits]. To reflect this added value, our price will increase from $X to $Y for new members. All current members are grandfathered at your current rate—you'll never see a price increase. If you've been considering joining, now's the time to lock in the current price!"

When to Decrease Your Prices

Signals for Price Decrease:

1. Low Conversion:

Conversion rate <5%
Consistent price objections
Abandoned checkouts
Limited signups

2. Market Misalignment:

Priced significantly above competition
Target audience can't afford
Value perception gap
Wrong market segment

3. Strategic Pivot:

Building initial audience
Entering new market
Testing new positioning
Volume over profit strategy

Price Decrease Strategies:

Limited-time promotion (test lower price)
Create lower tier (keep premium tier)
Offer payment plans (break up cost)
Add more value before decreasing

Caution: Decreasing price can signal desperation or lower quality. Consider adding value instead.

Common Pricing Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Pricing Too Low

Why It Hurts:

Attracts wrong audience
Devalues your expertise
Creates unsustainable business
Difficult to raise later
Limits growth potential
Lower-quality members

The Underprice Trap: You think: "I'll start low to get members, then raise prices." Reality: Hard to justify increases without massive value adds.

Better Approach: Start at fair market value, offer trial period instead.

Mistake 2: Copying Competitor Pricing Without Context

Why It's Wrong:

Different expertise levels
Different value propositions
Different target audiences
Different business models
Different costs and goals

Example: Competitor charges $100/month for trading community. You're new, so you charge $100 too. Result: Can't justify premium price, few conversions.

Better Approach: Understand WHY they charge that price, then price based on your unique value.

Mistake 3: Pricing Based on Your Own Budget

The Trap: "I wouldn't pay $50/month, so I'll charge $20/month."

Why It Fails:

You're not your target customer
Your budget ≠ their budget
Your perception of value ≠ their perception
You undervalue your expertise

Better Approach: Research your target audience's budget and willingness to pay.

Mistake 4: Not Communicating Value Clearly

Pricing Without Context:

Just listing "$49/month" without explanation
Not showing what they get
Failing to demonstrate ROI
No comparison or alternatives

Better Approach: Frame your pricing with value:

"For less than $2/day, get daily trading signals worth $500+"
"One insight from this community paid for 6 months of membership"
Show testimonials with value statements

Mistake 5: Frequent Price Changes

Why It Damages Trust:

Confuses potential members
Existing members feel unfair treatment
Appears desperate or unstable
Hard to maintain consistency

Better Approach:

Set strategic pricing
Commit for 6-12 months minimum
Plan increases thoughtfully
Communicate changes professionally

Mistake 6: Ignoring Platform Fees

The Math Error: You charge $50/month

LaunchPass fee: 3.5% = $1.75
Stripe fee: ~3% = $1.50
Total fees: $3.25
Your actual revenue: $46.75 per member

Better Approach: Factor fees into pricing strategy:

If you need $50 net, charge $54/month
Or adjust your target member count
Don't let fees surprise you

Learn More: How Much Does LaunchPass Cost?

Mistake 7: No Clear Pricing Strategy

The "Guessing" Approach:

Pick random number
Change frequently
No research or justification
Reactive instead of strategic

Better Approach:

Use pricing frameworks from this guide
Test systematically
Track metrics
Make data-informed changes

Pricing for Different Community Types

Stock Trading & Investing Communities

Typical Range: $50-150/month

Pricing Factors:

Your Track Record: Verified returns and history
Signal Frequency: Daily signals vs. weekly analysis
Win Rate: Historical accuracy of calls
Market Type: Stocks, options, crypto, forex
ROI Potential: Member income opportunity

Value Justification: If members make $500-2,000/month from your signals, $100/month is easily justified.

Pricing Strategy:

Start: $50-75/month (building track record)
Established: $100-150/month (proven results)
Elite: $200+/month (exceptional returns)

Business & Entrepreneurship Communities

Typical Range: $40-100/month

Pricing Factors:

Your Business Success: Revenue, exits, experience
Member Results: Case studies and testimonials
Network Quality: Who they'll connect with
Resources Provided: Templates, tools, courses
Access Level: How much direct access to you

Value Justification: If community insights help members generate $5,000-10,000 in additional revenue, $75/month is justified.

Pricing Strategy:

Solo entrepreneurs: $40-60/month
Small business owners: $75-100/month
Growth-stage companies: $150+/month

Professional Development Communities

Typical Range: $25-75/month

Pricing Factors:

Career Impact: Promotion potential, salary increase
Industry Prestige: Finance vs. education pricing
Networking Value: Quality of peer connections
Skill Development: Certifications, training depth
Job Opportunities: Exclusive job boards, referrals

Value Justification: If community helps member get $10k salary increase, $50/month for year pays 6x ROI.

Pricing Strategy:

Entry-level professionals: $25-35/month
Mid-career: $50-75/month
Senior/executive: $100-150/month

Creative & Artistic Communities

Typical Range: $15-40/month

Pricing Factors:

Your Portfolio: Quality and recognition
Feedback Quality: Personalized critique
Community Size: Intimate vs. large group
Resources: Tutorials, templates, brushes, etc.
Career Support: Portfolio reviews, commissions

Value Justification: Portfolio improvement and skill development worth 10x monthly price.

Pricing Strategy:

Hobbyists: $15-25/month
Semi-professionals: $30-50/month
Full-time creatives: $60-100/month

Fitness & Health Communities

Typical Range: $20-60/month

Pricing Factors:

Your Credentials: Certifications, competitive record
Programming: Custom plans vs. general guidance
Accountability: Check-ins, progress tracking
Community Support: Peer motivation
Results Tracking: App integration, measurements

Value Justification: Compared to $150+/month personal training, community offers significant value.

Pricing Strategy:

General fitness: $20-30/month
Specialized training: $40-60/month
Competition prep: $75-150/month

Gaming Communities

Typical Range: $7-25/month

Pricing Factors:

Exclusive Content: Early access, behind-scenes
Community Size: Intimate vs. massive
Creator Access: How much interaction
Perks: Discord roles, game servers, tournaments
Entertainment Value: Social connection

Value Justification: Entertainment value compared to Netflix, gaming subscriptions, etc.

Pricing Strategy:

Social/casual: $7-15/month
Competitive/esports: $20-40/month
Creator-focused: $30-50/month

Testing Your Price Before Launch

The Validation Survey Method

Step 1: Create Survey Questions to ask your audience:

Would you pay for a [your niche] community?
What would you expect to get for your money?
What price would you consider:
- Too cheap (questioning quality)?
- Expensive but would consider?
- Too expensive (definitely no)?
- Fair and reasonable?

Step 2: Analyze Results Use Van Westendorp Price Sensitivity Meter: