Quick Answer: Three Access Options Available
LaunchPass gives you three ways to set up your Slack community:
Free Group: Members join for free. You cannot charge them.
Paid Group: Members pay to access your workspace. They get a private welcome channel plus all public channels.
Paid Channel: Members pay to access one specific channel. They don't get workspace-wide access.
You choose which option when you create your invite page in LaunchPass.
Understanding Workspace-Level Access
First, let's clarify what "workspace-level" means in Slack.
What is a Slack Workspace?
A Slack workspace is your entire Slack community. Think of it like a building:
The workspace is the whole building
The channels are rooms inside that building
Members are people who can enter the building
When someone joins your workspace, they can see multiple channels. When they join just one channel, they only see that specific room.
Old vs New Terminology
Slack used to call workspaces "teams." You might see old articles use "team-level invite" or "Slack team." These mean the same thing as "workspace."
Old Term: Slack Team Current Term: Slack Workspace
They're the same thing. Slack changed the name in 2017.
How Paid Groups Work (Workspace Access)
When you create a paid group in LaunchPass, members get workspace-level access.
What Members Get
Private Welcome Channel: LaunchPass creates a locked channel where new members land first. They see welcome messages and instructions here.
All Public Channels: Members can see and join any public channel you created in your workspace.
Not Private Channels: Members don't automatically join other private channels. You must invite them separately if needed.
Example: Business Coaching Community
You run a business coaching workspace with these channels:
Public Channels:
#announcements
#introductions
#general-chat
#wins-and-progress
Private Channels:
#vip-coaching (invite-only)
#admin-team
When someone pays $49/month for your paid group:
LaunchPass sends them a workspace invite
They join your workspace
They land in your welcome channel (private, locked)
They can see all four public channels
They cannot see the two private channels
They have workspace-level access but not every-channel access.
How Paid Channels Work (Single Channel Access)
When you create a paid channel, members only get one specific channel.
What Members Get
One Channel Only: They join the exact channel you specified. Nothing else.
No Workspace Access: They cannot browse other channels in your workspace.
Limited View: They only see that single channel in their Slack sidebar.
Example: Stock Trading Community
You run a stock trading workspace with these paid channels:
#day-trading-signals ($29/month)
#swing-trading-alerts ($39/month)
#options-strategies ($49/month)
Someone who pays for day-trading-signals:
Gets invited only to #day-trading-signals
Cannot see swing-trading or options channels
Cannot see your other workspace channels
Pays separately to join other channels
This creates tiered access. Different prices for different content.
Free Groups Explained
Free groups let you build a community without charging anyone.
What You Get
No Payment Required: Members join for free. No credit card needed.
LaunchPass Free Tier: You use LaunchPass's free plan.
Full Community Features: All the same Slack features work normally.
Why Use a Free Group?
Building an Audience: Start free, switch to paid later once you have members.
Testing Your Idea: See if people actually join before asking for money.
Community Support: Provide free support for customers who bought your other products.
Non-Profit Groups: Run charity or volunteer communities.
Limitation
You cannot charge members for access. If you want to earn money, switch to paid group or paid channel.
Comparing Your Three Options
Here's how the three options differ:
Feature | Free Group | Paid Group | Paid Channel |
Member Cost | $0 | You set price | You set price |
Access Level | Workspace | Workspace | Single channel |
LaunchPass Cost | Free tier | $29/month | $29/month |
Can Charge | No | Yes | Yes |
Welcome Channel | Optional | Yes (locked) | No |
Multiple Offers | No | Limited | Yes (unlimited) |
Best For | Building audience | Full communities | Tiered content |
When to Use Paid Groups (Workspace Access)
Choose paid groups when you want simple, all-access communities.
Best Scenarios for Paid Groups
Single-Tier Communities: Everyone pays the same price for the same access.
Simple Structure: You don't want to manage multiple pricing levels.
Community Discussion: Members talk to each other across many channels.
New Creators: You're just starting and want a straightforward setup.
High-Value Communities: You charge premium prices ($99+ per month) for comprehensive access.
Example Use Cases
Business mastermind groups ($199/month for everything)
Professional networks (one price, full access)
Course communities (students get all channels)
Support groups (single membership fee)
Advantages
Simple for Members: Pay once, access everything. No confusion about what they get.
Easy to Explain: "Join our community for $X/month" - clear value proposition.
Quick Setup: Create one invite page, one price, done.
Strong Community: Everyone has access to everyone. Builds connections.
When to Use Paid Channels (Single Channel Access)
Choose paid channels when you want tiered pricing and specialized content.
Best Scenarios for Paid Channels
Multiple Expertise Areas: You teach different topics at different prices.
Tiered Pricing Strategy: Offer bronze, silver, gold membership levels.
Upsell Opportunities: Start members at one channel, upsell to others.
Specialized Content: Some content is worth more than other content.
Large Communities: You manage hundreds of members across different levels.
Example Use Cases
Trading signals ($29 day trading, $49 options, $99 VIP)
Fitness coaching ($19 workout plans, $39 meal plans, $79 both)
Marketing advice ($49 SEO, $49 paid ads, $89 both channels)
Creative resources ($29 templates, $49 training, $99 everything)
Advantages
More Revenue: Members buy multiple channels over time. Higher lifetime value.
Clear Segmentation: Beginners in one channel, advanced in another.
Flexible Pricing: Match price to value for each specific channel.
Easy Upsells: "Want access to X? Add it for $Y more."
Setting Up Workspace-Level Invites
Here's how to create a paid group (workspace access) in LaunchPass.
Step 1: Create Your Slack Workspace
If you don't have one yet:
Go to slack.com/create
Enter your email address
Click "Create a New Workspace"
Follow the prompts
Choose a workspace name
This takes 2 minutes. It's completely free.
Step 2: Connect Slack to LaunchPass
Link your workspace to LaunchPass:
Go to launchpass.com
Click "Connect Slack"
Choose your workspace from the list
Click "Allow" to grant permissions
LaunchPass needs permission to send invites and manage members.
Step 3: Create Your Paid Group Invite Page
Set up your paid offer:
In LaunchPass dashboard, click "Create Offer"
Select "Paid Group" from the options
Choose a name for your welcome channel
Set your monthly price
Write your community description
Add images or videos (optional)
Click "Publish"
You now have a workspace-level paid community.
Step 4: Share Your Invite Link
LaunchPass generates a unique URL like:
launchpass.com/your-community-name
Share this link with potential members. When they pay, they get invited to your workspace automatically.
Setting Up Channel-Only Invites
Here's how to create paid channels (single channel access).
Step 1: Connect Your Workspace
Same as paid groups - connect your Slack workspace to LaunchPass first.
Step 2: Create Channels in Slack
Before creating paid channel offers:
Open your Slack workspace
Create the channels you want to monetize
Make them private channels (locked with a lock icon)
Name them clearly (e.g., "premium-signals" or "vip-coaching")
Step 3: Create Paid Channel Offers
For each channel you want to monetize:
Click "Create Offer" in LaunchPass
Select "Paid Channel"
Choose which Slack channel from dropdown
Set the price for this channel
Write description of what members get
Click "Publish"
You can repeat this for as many channels as you want.
Step 4: Share Individual Links
Each paid channel gets its own invite URL:
launchpass.com/your-community-name/channel-1 launchpass.com/your-community-name/channel-2 launchpass.com/your-community-name/channel-3
Share specific links with members interested in that content level.
Creating Multiple Paid Offers
LaunchPass lets you create as many paid channels as you want.
Unlimited Paid Channels
You can create:
2 channels at different prices
5 channels with tiered pricing
10+ specialized topic channels
No limit on how many paid channel offers you publish.
Combining Options
You can use both paid groups AND paid channels:
Paid Group: Basic membership ($29/month) - access to workspace
Paid Channels: Premium add-ons
VIP channel ($19/month extra)
Expert Q&A channel ($29/month extra)
Done-for-you services channel ($49/month extra)
Members can buy the base group and add premium channels.
Example: Photography Community
Base Paid Group ($39/month):
#general-chat
#photo-critiques
#weekly-challenges
Welcome channel with beginner content
Additional Paid Channels:
#pro-editing-secrets ($19/month)
#business-growth ($29/month)
#done-for-you-presets ($49/month)
Total possible: $136/month if member buys everything.
Understanding the Welcome Channel
When you create a paid group, LaunchPass makes a special welcome channel.
What is the Welcome Channel?
The welcome channel is a private, locked channel where new paying members land first.
How It Works:
Member pays through your LaunchPass page
LaunchPass sends them a Slack invite email
They click the invite link
They land in your welcome channel
They see your welcome message and instructions
What to Put There:
Welcome message for new members
Instructions on how to use your community
Rules and guidelines
Links to important channels
How to get help
Critical Warning
Never delete your welcome channel. This breaks LaunchPass's invite system.
If you delete it accidentally:
Email [email protected] immediately
Support helps you recreate it
You might need to reconnect LaunchPass
Some members might need new invites
Keep the welcome channel active always.
Managing Member Access Over Time
LaunchPass handles member management automatically.
When Members Pay
Payment Succeeds:
LaunchPass receives payment via Stripe
LaunchPass sends workspace invite to member's email
Member joins your Slack workspace
Member lands in welcome channel (paid group) or specific channel (paid channel)
Access granted immediately
Payment Fails:
LaunchPass attempts to charge member
If card declines, LaunchPass retries in a few days
After multiple failures, subscription cancels
Member's invite expires (they can't join new)
Existing members stay in Slack unless you remove them manually
Important: Slack Doesn't Auto-Remove
Unlike Discord, Slack doesn't automatically kick members when payment stops.
What This Means:
Cancelled members stay in your workspace
You must manually remove them if desired
Check your member list regularly
Compare LaunchPass active members to Slack members
How to Handle This:
Review your LaunchPass dashboard weekly
Note any cancelled subscriptions
Go to Slack and manually remove those members
Use the /remove command or workspace settings
Workspace Access vs Channel Access: Key Differences
Understanding the difference helps you choose the right option.
Workspace Access (Paid Group)
Member Perspective:
Joins your entire Slack workspace
Sees the workspace in their Slack sidebar
Can access all public channels
Feels like joining a full community
Owner Perspective:
Simple to manage (one offer, one price)
Members build connections across channels
Easier to build strong community culture
Less complex invite setup
Channel Access (Paid Channel)
Member Perspective:
Joins only the specific paid channel
Doesn't see other workspace channels
Focused experience on one topic
May join multiple channels separately
Owner Perspective:
More revenue potential (multiple paid channels)
Clearer value tiers (different content, different prices)
More complex to set up initially
Requires managing multiple offers
Which Creates Better Community?
Workspace Access: Stronger community feeling. Members interact across channels. Better for networking and connection-focused groups.
Channel Access: Clearer content separation. Better for education and specialized content. Members pay for specific value.
Both work well. Choose based on your goals.
Technical Requirements
Here's what you need to use workspace-level invites with LaunchPass.
Required Accounts
Slack Workspace: Free or paid Slack plan both work. You must be the workspace owner.
LaunchPass Account: Free to create. Premium plan ($29/month) needed to charge members.
Stripe Account: Free to create. Processes all member payments.
Permissions Needed
When connecting Slack to LaunchPass, you grant these permissions:
Send workspace invites
Create and manage channels
Add/remove members
Read workspace information
These permissions let LaunchPass automate member management.
Setup Time
Paid Group Setup: About 5 minutes total
Paid Channel Setup: About 10 minutes per channel
Multiple Offers: Add 5 minutes per additional offer
Pricing Considerations
Different access levels affect how you price your community.
Paid Group Pricing
Most paid groups charge:
Low Tier: $19-39/month (large audience, basic value)
Mid Tier: $49-99/month (moderate audience, good value)
High Tier: $149-299/month (small audience, high value)
Premium Tier: $299+/month (mastermind, elite access)
Paid Channel Pricing
Individual channels typically charge:
Single Channel: $19-49/month per channel
Add-On Channels: $15-29/month as upsells
Bundle Deals: Discount when buying multiple channels
LaunchPass Costs
Your Costs:
Free Tier: $0 (can't charge members)
Premium Plan: $29/month (can charge members)
Transaction Fee: 3.5% of each payment received
Member Costs:
Whatever you set as your price
Stripe processes the payment
Payments go directly to your bank account
Common Questions About Workspace Invites
Can I Switch from Paid Channel to Paid Group?
Yes. But this requires creating a new offer:
Create a new paid group offer
Share the new invite link
Existing members keep their current access
New members get workspace access
You cannot convert an existing paid channel offer to a paid group offer. Create a separate new offer.
Can Members Join Multiple Paid Channels?
Yes. Members can subscribe to as many paid channels as they want.
Each channel has its own invite page and subscription. Members pay separately for each one.
What Happens to Public Channels?
With Paid Group: Members automatically see all public channels when they join.
With Paid Channel: Members only see the specific paid channel unless you also give workspace access.
Public channels are channels without a lock icon in Slack.
Can I Combine Free and Paid Access?
Yes. Create a paid group or channel offer. Members who pay get access. Also maintain free public channels anyone can join.
Example:
Free public channels: #announcements, #general
Paid group: $49/month for #premium-content and other private channels
Do I Need Paid Slack for This?
No. Free Slack works perfectly with LaunchPass workspace invites.
Free Slack supports:
Unlimited members
Unlimited channels
Workspace-level invites
You don't need to pay Slack to use LaunchPass's paid features.
Best Practices for Workspace-Level Communities
Follow these tips for successful workspace-level paid communities.
Structure Your Channels Clearly
Organize by Purpose:
Welcome/onboarding channels
Main content channels
Discussion and networking channels
Support and help channels
Use Channel Descriptions: Every channel should explain its purpose in the description.
Create a Channel Guide: In your welcome channel, list all channels and what each is for.
Set Clear Access Rules
Tell members what they can access:
"Your $49/month membership includes:
#premium-training (new lessons weekly)
#live-qa (monthly expert calls)
#community-wins (celebrate together)
All other public channels
VIP members ($99/month) also get:
#vip-only (exclusive advanced content)
#1on1-coaching (schedule private calls)"
Monitor Member Access
Weekly Check:
Review active LaunchPass subscriptions
Check who's in your Slack workspace
Remove any cancelled members
Welcome new members personally
Prevent Access Issues
Common Problems:
Members join directly instead of using LaunchPass invite
Members share invite links publicly
Cancelled members stay in workspace
Solutions:
Disable open workspace invites in Slack settings
Change your LaunchPass invite link if leaked
Manually remove cancelled members weekly
Advanced: Tiered Subscriptions
LaunchPass Premium supports tiered subscriptions with workspace access.
What Are Tiered Subscriptions?
Different membership levels at different prices, all within one workspace.
Example Tiers:
Bronze ($29/month):
Workspace access
Basic channels only
Welcome channel
Silver ($59/month):
Everything in Bronze
Plus: Advanced training channel
Plus: Weekly group calls
Gold ($99/month):
Everything in Silver
Plus: VIP-only channel
Plus: Monthly 1-on-1 coaching
How to Set Up Tiers
Create multiple paid group offers in LaunchPass
Each offer grants workspace access
Manually add higher-tier members to premium channels
Create private channels for each tier
This requires more manual management but allows sophisticated pricing.
Migrating from Channel-Only to Workspace Access
Already have paid channels and want to switch to workspace access?
Migration Process
Step 1: Analyze Current Setup
List all your current paid channels
Note how many members in each
Calculate total revenue from each channel
Step 2: Design New Structure
Decide:
Will everyone get workspace access now?
What's the new pricing?
Will you grandfather existing members?
Step 3: Create New Paid Group Offer
Set up a new paid group in LaunchPass
Price it appropriately for full workspace access
Write clear description of what's included
Step 4: Communicate to Members
Email existing members:
"We're upgrading our community! Starting [date], all members get full workspace access for $X/month. Your current [channel] subscription continues at its current price, but you'll get access to everything. Questions? Reply to this email."
Step 5: Transition
Keep old paid channel offers active for current subscribers
Direct new members to the new paid group offer
Manually upgrade existing members to workspace access
This prevents breaking existing subscriptions while moving to workspace model.
Getting Help from LaunchPass
LaunchPass support helps with workspace setup.
Free Setup Consultation
LaunchPass offers free 1-on-1 setup calls:
Walk through connecting Slack
Help decide between paid group vs paid channels
Configure your first invite page
Answer all your questions
Book a call at launchpass.com or email [email protected].
What Support Helps With
Technical Setup:
Connecting Slack workspace
Granting permissions
Creating invite pages
Testing invite process
Strategy Decisions:
Choosing between workspace vs channel access
Pricing recommendations
Tiered subscription design
Channel organization
Troubleshooting:
Invite links not working
Members not receiving emails
Permission errors
Payment processing issues
Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Include in Your Email:
Your LaunchPass account email
Your Slack workspace name
Description of your question or issue
What you've already tried
Support typically responds within 24 hours. Premium members get priority support.
Related Resources
Learn more about LaunchPass and Slack:
How to create a paid Slack community step-by-step
Should I use Slack or Discord for my paid community?
How to re-activate a Slack member
My member was accidentally kicked out - what do I do?
LaunchPass Premium features explained
Setting up Stripe for payments
All guides available in the LaunchPass help center.
Quick Reference: Access Options
Free Group
Cost to Members: Free Access Level: Workspace Your LaunchPass Plan: Free Tier Can You Earn: No Best For: Building audience
Paid Group (Workspace Access)
Cost to Members: You decide Access Level: Full workspace Your LaunchPass Plan: Premium ($29/month) Can You Earn: Yes Best For: Simple all-access communities
Paid Channel (Channel-Only Access)
Cost to Members: You decide Access Level: Single channel Your LaunchPass Plan: Premium ($29/month) Can You Earn: Yes Best For: Tiered pricing and specialized content
Summary
LaunchPass fully supports workspace-level invites in Slack.
Three Options Available:
Free Group (no charge to members)
Paid Group (workspace access, one price)
Paid Channel (single channel, multiple tiers possible)
Paid Group = Workspace Access: Members join your entire Slack workspace. They get a private welcome channel plus all public channels. Simple setup, strong community.
Paid Channel = Single Channel Access: Members join only specific channels. Great for tiered pricing and specialized content. More revenue potential.
You Can Create Multiple Offers: Set up as many paid channels as you want. No limits on how many different subscriptions you sell.
Setup Takes 5 Minutes: Connect your Slack workspace, create your offer page, share your link. LaunchPass handles invites automatically.
Need Help? Email [email protected] for free setup consultation. The LaunchPass team walks you through your entire workspace setup at no charge.
Workspace-level invites work perfectly with LaunchPass. Choose the access model that fits your community goals.