Creator toolkit
The tools we’d use, many of them free.
You don’t need a studio to start a membership. Here’s what we recommend for recording, editing, designing, streaming, selling merch and keeping things running, starting with what costs nothing.
ByUs isn’t paid to recommend any of these. They’re simply good tools that creators on any budget use every day.
Record great audio
People forgive average video. They click away from bad sound. A decent mic is the best money you’ll spend.
Samson Q2U
GearA budget dynamic mic that plugs in by USB now and by XLR later, if you ever add an audio interface. Forgiving in untreated rooms.
Shure MV7+
GearThe upgrade pick for podcasts, streams and voiceover. USB-C or XLR, and it keeps background noise down.
Focusrite Scarlett Solo
GearA simple one-input audio interface for an XLR mic or an instrument, when you outgrow USB.
Audacity
FreeFree audio recording and editing on Windows, Mac and Linux. Plenty for podcasts, voice notes and demos.
Shoot and edit video
Your phone is a fine camera. Spend on light and sound before you spend on a new camera.
DaVinci Resolve
FreeA professional editor with a generous free version: editing, color, sound and effects in one app.
Descript
Free planEdit video and podcasts by editing the transcript, like a document. Great for cutting long recordings fast.
A ring light or soft box
GearAny affordable light placed in front of you, a little above eye level, does more for your video than a new camera.
Go live
ByUs live streams work with free streaming software, so members can watch you right on your page.
OBS Studio
FreeThe free, open-source standard for streaming and screen recording. Paste your ByUs stream key and go live.
A webcam or your phone
GearA 1080p webcam is plenty for a members-only stream. Most phones can also act as a webcam with a free app.
Design and art
Thumbnails, tier images, cover art and the art itself.
Canva
Free planThumbnails, cover images and social posts from templates, in your browser or on your phone.
Procreate
One-time priceThe drawing and painting app most iPad artists use. Pay once, no subscription. It records time-lapses too, ready for a process post.
Krita
FreeFree, open-source painting software for Windows, Mac and Linux, made by artists.
Make music
Demos, stems and works in progress make great members-only posts.
GarageBand
FreeFree on Mac, iPhone and iPad. Record, arrange and export a demo in an afternoon.
BandLab
FreeA free music studio that runs in your browser or on your phone, with collaboration built in.
REAPER
One-time priceA full recording studio for Windows, Mac and Linux, with a free trial and a low one-time price for individuals.
Sell merch
Print-on-demand makes each item when someone orders it, so you never pay for a box of shirts up front.
Printful
Free planShirts, hoodies, posters and more, printed and shipped for you. Good quality control.
Printify
Free planA big catalog from many print partners, so you can compare prices and shipping times.
Give members a merch discount code as a tier benefit. It’s an easy perk that costs you nothing up front.
Reach your wider audience
ByUs emails your members for you. For everyone who hasn’t joined yet, an email list is the audience you own.
Kit
Free planAn email newsletter tool built for creators, formerly called ConvertKit. Grow a list and point it at your ByUs page.
Discord
FreeA home for your community. Connect your server on ByUs and members get their role automatically, and lose it if they leave.
Automate the busywork
ByUs Automations send new members and new posts to these tools, so the follow-up happens on its own.
Zapier
PaidConnects ByUs to thousands of apps: add new members to your email list, log them in a spreadsheet, and more. Its webhook trigger needs a paid plan.
Make
Free planA visual way to build the same kind of automations, with webhooks on its free plan.
Set these up under Automations on your creator dashboard. Open your dashboard
Got your tools? Here’s what to do with them.
The creator guides cover pricing, your first 100 members and what to post. Creator accounts are free to start, with no follower minimum.
Start your page