High-Ticket One-Time Purchases for Discord Communities

Not everything should be a subscription.

If you’re a coach, consultant, or course creator, you already know this: your Discord community isn’t Netflix. You’re not charging $10/month for unlimited access to reruns. You’re delivering transformational programs, high-touch coaching, and premium experiences worth thousands of dollars.

Yet most Discord monetization content focuses exclusively on recurring subscriptions—$5/month here, $15/month there. What if your community access is worth $2,000 upfront?

PayBot supports one-time purchases alongside subscriptions, enabling a monetization strategy that actually aligns with how premium communities work: high-ticket on-ramps that lead to recurring mastermind upgrades.

This is the playbook for coaches, consultants, and educators building serious businesses on Discord.

The Problem with Subscription-Only Thinking

The SaaS industry has trained us to think in terms of Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR). While MRR is great for tracking predictable income, subscription-only thinking leaves massive money on the table for premium community builders.

Not Everything Is a Subscription

Consider these scenarios:

Coaching Programs

• 12-week transformation program: $2,500
• Includes weekly group calls + Discord access for support
• Members get lifetime community access after completion
• This is a one-time purchase with ongoing value, not a subscription.

Online Courses

• Self-paced course: $497
• Includes private Discord for Q&A and networking
• Students get permanent community access
• Pay once, learn forever—not monthly.

Mastermind Entry

• One-time entry fee: $5,000
• Grants access to high-level Discord mastermind
• Ongoing monthly dues: $97/month (separate tier)
• Big upfront commitment, then recurring at a different level.

Event Access

• Virtual summit ticket: $297
• Includes Discord for live event + post-event networking
• 30-day access included
• Time-limited one-time purchase.

The Revenue Math Is Better

Let’s compare two approaches for a business coaching community:

Subscription-Only Model:

• Price: $47/month
• 100 members sign up in 6 months
• Monthly churn: 10% (typical for $50/month subscriptions)
• Revenue in 6 months: ~$20,000
• Revenue in 12 months: ~$32,000

High-Ticket + Subscription Model:

• Cohort program: $2,500 one-time (includes Discord access)
• 20 students in 6 months
• After program: 50% convert to $97/month mastermind
• Revenue in 6 months: $50,000 (programs) + $5,820 (mastermind MRR starting month 4) = $55,820
• Revenue in 12 months: $100,000 (programs) + $35,000+ (recurring mastermind) = $135,000+

The high-ticket model generates 4x more revenue in the same timeframe.

Premium Buyers Prefer One-Time

There’s a psychological truth about high-ticket buyers: they often prefer to pay once rather than commit to a recurring charge.

Why?

• Mental overhead: One fewer subscription to track and cancel
• Perceived value: Paying $2,000 once feels like “owning” something vs renting it
• Decision fatigue: One decision vs monthly renewal anxiety
• Tax advantages: Business expense in one year vs spread across multiple
• Simplicity: “I paid, I’m in” vs “am I getting enough value this month?”

When you’re selling a $2,500 coaching program, framing it as “$208/month for 12 months” reduces the perceived value. It becomes a subscription instead of a transformation.

How PayBot’s One-Time Purchases Work

PayBot’s Discord payment bot treats one-time purchases as first-class citizens, not an afterthought.

The User Experience

A member runs /subscription in your Discord server and sees:

🎓 Business Coaching Cohort
💰 $2,500 (one-time)
📋 12-week intensive program with lifetime community access
🔵 Subscribe Now

💎 Mastermind Tier
💰 $97/month
📋 Ongoing high-level group coaching and network access
🔵 Subscribe Now

They can choose either option—or both. The experience is identical:

1. Click “Subscribe Now”
2. Complete Stripe checkout
3. Instantly receive their Discord role
4. Get access to exclusive channels

For one-time purchases, there’s no recurring charge. They pay once, get lifetime access (or time-limited if you configure it that way).

How It’s Configured

In /setup, you create tiers just like subscriptions, but select:

• Payment type: One-time
• Price: $497, $2,500, $5,000 (whatever makes sense)
• Role assignment: Same automatic role management as subscriptions
• Optional expiration: Set if you want time-limited access (e.g., 30 days for events)

PayBot handles everything else:

• ✅ Stripe one-time payment processing
• ✅ Instant role assignment
• ✅ Lifetime access (no expiration by default)
• ✅ Optional time-limited access
• ✅ No recurring billing
• ✅ Welcome DM with confirmation

Payment Links for High-Ticket

PayBot’s payment link system is perfect for high-ticket one-time purchases. We announced this feature to enable exactly these use cases—selling premium programs outside of Discord.

Share your portal link:

• On your website’s sales page
• In your course platform
• Via email to qualified leads
• On social media when promoting programs

Potential clients see:

• Your Discord server branding
• Professional pricing display
• Clear value proposition
• “Login with Discord” → Pay → Instant access

High-ticket buyers expect a professional checkout experience. PayBot + Stripe delivers exactly that.

The High-Ticket On-Ramp Strategy

Here’s the monetization strategy that premium communities actually use—and that PayBot enables perfectly:

The Three-Tier Model

Tier 1: Free/Low-Ticket Community

• Price: Free or $10-20/month
• Access: Basic channels, general networking
• Purpose: Top of funnel, relationship building
• Role: @Community Member

Tier 2: High-Ticket Program (One-Time Purchase)

• Price: $1,500-$5,000
• Access: Cohort channels + lifetime community access
• Purpose: Core revenue driver, transformation delivery
• Role: @Cohort Student (during program) → @Graduate (after)

Tier 3: Recurring Mastermind (Subscription)

• Price: $97-$297/month
• Access: High-level ongoing coaching, private channels, weekly calls
• Purpose: Recurring revenue, continued transformation
• Role: @Mastermind Member

The Progression Path

Month 1-3:

• New member joins free/low-tier to explore
• Engages with content, sees transformation stories
• Program cohort opens → member purchases Tier 2 ($2,500 one-time)

Month 4-6:

• Member goes through 12-week cohort program
• Gets results, builds relationships, sees deeper value
• Program ends → pitched on Tier 3 mastermind ($97/month)

Month 7+:

• Member continues in mastermind as recurring subscriber
• Participates in future cohorts as teaching assistant or mentor
• Refers new students to Tier 2 program

Why This Works

For Members:

• Clear progression path (free → transformation → mastery)
• Pay big once for big results
• Option to continue at manageable monthly rate
• Feel like they “graduated” into an elite tier

For You:

• Front-load cash flow with high-ticket sales
• Build recurring base of graduates
• Higher lifetime value per member
• Creates natural scarcity (cohorts have start dates)

For Your Business:

• $50,000+ in high-ticket revenue per quarter
• Growing base of $97/month recurring (low churn with graduates)
• Predictable cohort launches (evergreen or scheduled)
• Professional positioning (not just “pay me monthly”)

Real-World Use Cases

Let’s look at how different types of businesses use one-time purchases with PayBot:

Business Coaching Community

Structure:

• Free tier: @Community ($0)
• Foundations Program: @Foundations Student ($1,997 one-time)
• Mastermind: @Mastermind ($197/month)

The Foundations Program includes:

• 8-week live group coaching program
• Weekly 90-minute Zoom calls
• Private Discord channels for cohort
• Lifetime access to Community tier
• Workbooks, templates, resources

Results:

• 4 cohorts per year, 15 students each = 60 students/year
• Revenue: 60 × $1,997 = $119,820/year from one-time purchases
• Mastermind conversions: 30 students (50% of graduates) × $197/month = $5,910/month = $70,920/year
• Total: $190,740/year from a community of ~150 active members

Course Creator with Product Suite

Structure:

• YouTube Bootcamp: $497 one-time
• Content Creator Academy: $997 one-time
• Creator Mastermind: $97/month

How it works:

• Courses are hosted on Teachable/Kajabi
• Purchase includes private Discord for each course
• Students get role based on which course they bought
• Each course has dedicated channels for Q&A
• Graduates can join Mastermind for ongoing support

Results:

• 100 YouTube Bootcamp students = $49,700
• 40 Academy students = $39,880
• 25 Mastermind members = $2,425/month = $29,100/year
• Total: $118,680/year with single-product purchases + recurring upsell

Fitness Coaching Community

Structure:

• 6-Week Shred: $297 one-time (time-limited: 6 weeks)
• 12-Week Transformation: $597 one-time (time-limited: 12 weeks)
• Lifetime Membership: $997 one-time (permanent access)
• Monthly Membership: $27/month

Why time-limited one-time purchases work here:

• Programs have defined start and end dates
• Creates urgency and cohort cohesion
• After expiration, members can upgrade to monthly or lifetime
• Forces decision: commit to lifetime or continue monthly

Results:

• 6-Week Shred: 50 students × 4 cohorts/year = 200 × $297 = $59,400
• 12-Week Transformation: 30 students × 3 cohorts/year = 90 × $597 = $53,730
• Lifetime conversions: 50 students × $997 = $49,850
• Monthly recurring: 100 members × $27 = $2,700/month = $32,400/year
• Total: $195,380/year

High-Ticket Mastermind

Structure:

• Application-only entry: $5,000 one-time
• Ongoing monthly dues: $297/month
• No free tier (exclusive positioning)

What’s included:

• Private Discord with <100 members
• Weekly group coaching calls
• Monthly in-person meetups (major cities)
• Direct access to founder
• Network of proven entrepreneurs

Results:

• 40 members per year × $5,000 = $200,000/year (entry fees)
• 40 members × $297/month = $11,880/month = $142,560/year (ongoing)
• Total: $342,560/year from <50 people

Key insight: High-ticket entry fee acts as qualification filter. Only serious people pay $5K upfront. Then $297/month feels small and keeps them engaged.

Event Organizer with Virtual Summits

Structure:

• VIP Summit Ticket: $297 one-time (30-day access)
• All-Access Pass: $497 one-time (lifetime replays + community)
• Monthly Community: $17/month (basic tier)

How it works:

• Virtual summit with 15+ speakers over 3 days
• VIP ticket includes live access + 30 days of Discord
• All-Access includes lifetime Discord + replay library
• After 30 days, VIP members can upgrade to lifetime or monthly

Results per summit:

• 200 VIP tickets × $297 = $59,400
• 100 All-Access passes × $497 = $49,700
• 50 VIP → Monthly conversions × $17/month = $850/month
• Total per summit: $109,100 + growing monthly base

Run 2 summits/year = $218,200 + recurring subscriptions from every cohort.

Setting Up High-Ticket One-Time Tiers

Let’s walk through exactly how to structure high-ticket one-time purchases in PayBot.

Step 1: Define Your High-Ticket Offering

Before touching PayBot, answer these questions:

What’s the core transformation?

• 12-week business coaching program
• Self-paced course with lifetime community
• Entry into exclusive mastermind
• Virtual event + replay access

What’s the price point?

• Under $500: Introductory courses, small programs
• $500-$1,500: Standard coaching programs, comprehensive courses
• $1,500-$3,000: Premium coaching, transformation programs
• $3,000-$10,000: High-level masterminds, intensive programs

What do they get in Discord?

• Dedicated cohort channels (for program duration)
• Lifetime community access
• Q&A channels with you
• Networking with other graduates
• Resource library channels

Is access permanent or time-limited?

• Permanent: Courses, lifetime community access
• Time-limited: Event tickets (30 days), program duration (12 weeks)

Step 2: Create Discord Infrastructure

Create roles:

1. Go to Server Settings → Roles
2. Create your one-time purchase role(s):
   • @Cohort Student (current program participants)
   • @Graduate (completed program, lifetime access)
   • @Mastermind (recurring high-tier members)
3. Position PayBot’s role above all managed roles

Create exclusive channels:

For Active Cohort:

• #cohort-announcements (visible to @Cohort Student)
• #cohort-chat (program discussion)
• #cohort-wins (share victories)
• #cohort-resources (worksheets, recordings)

For Graduates:

• #graduate-lounge (visible to @Graduate)
• #graduate-networking (connections)
• #graduate-resources (ongoing content)
• #job-board or #opportunities

For Mastermind:

• #mastermind-lounge (visible to @Mastermind)
• #mastermind-strategy (deep dives)
• #mastermind-wins (big results)
• Private voice channels for calls

Step 3: Configure PayBot Tier

Run /setup in Discord (see our setup guide for detailed instructions):

1. Click “Add Membership Tier”
2. Fill in details:

Tier Configuration for High-Ticket Program:

Name: "12-Week Business Coaching Program"
Price: $2,500
Payment Type: One-time
Discord Role: @Cohort Student
Description:
🎯 12 weekly live group coaching calls
📚 Comprehensive business building curriculum
💬 Private Discord cohort community
✅ Lifetime community access after completion
🎁 Templates, SOPs, and resources

Important: If you want to upgrade members from @Cohort Student to @Graduate after program completion, you’ll handle this manually or with a scheduled tier change (after 12 weeks, swap their role).

3. Click “Save Tier”
4. PayBot creates the Stripe product automatically

Step 4: Configure Payment Link

In Portal Management:

1. Click “Generate Payment Links”
2. Copy your portal URL: go.paybotapp.com/YOUR_CODE
3. Customize portal theme to match your brand
4. Copy direct tier link for specific promotions

Step 5: Build Your Sales Flow

On your website:

<a href="https://go.paybotapp.com/YOUR_CODE/TIER_CODE" class="cta-button">
  Join the Next Cohort - $2,500
</a>

In your email funnel:

“Ready to transform your business? Our next 12-week cohort starts October 15th. Join now and get instant access to our private Discord community: [Payment Link]”

During discovery calls:

“Great, I think you’d be perfect for the program. I’ll send you the payment link—once you complete checkout, you’ll immediately get access to our private Discord and the program materials.”

On social media:

“Enrollment is open for our Q4 cohort. 12 weeks to completely transform your business. Link in bio → [Payment Link]“

Advanced Strategies for High-Ticket Communities

1. Tier Group Hierarchies

Use PayBot’s tier groups to create automatic progression:

Tier Group: “Alumni Access”

• @Graduate (one-time purchase alumni)
• @Mastermind (recurring high-tier)

Set up channels visible to entire tier group:

• #alumni-lounge (any graduate or mastermind member)
• #alumni-resources

Result: When someone buys your $2,500 program and later upgrades to $97/month mastermind, they keep all graduate benefits plus get mastermind exclusives.

2. Payment Plans for High-Ticket

While PayBot’s one-time purchase is literally one payment, you can simulate payment plans using subscriptions:

Option 1: One-Time

• $2,500 one-time
• Instant full access

Option 2: 5-Month Plan

• $550/month × 5 months (total: $2,750)
• Same access, higher total price
• Cancellation removes access (incentivizes completion)

Create both as separate tiers. One-time purchasers save $250 (incentive to pay in full), but payment plan option removes barrier for cash-conscious buyers.

3. Application Funnels

For very high-ticket offerings ($5,000+), use application funnels:

1. Application form (Typeform/Google Forms)
2. Review applications (accept qualified leads only)
3. Discovery call (sell the value, confirm fit)
4. Send payment link (personalized, time-limited)
5. Instant access after payment

Why this works:

• Scarcity: Not everyone gets in
• Qualification: Only serious buyers apply
• Personalization: Call creates relationship before sale
• High close rates: You’re not selling cold

4. Cohort Launch Strategy

Create urgency around one-time purchases:

Evergreen launches (quarterly):

• Cohort starts January 1, April 1, July 1, October 1
• 2-week enrollment window before each start
• Limited spots (15-20 per cohort)
• Price increases each quarter ($1,997 → $2,197 → $2,497)

Marketing timeline:

• 6 weeks before: Teaser content, testimonials
• 4 weeks before: Official announcement, early bird pricing
• 2 weeks before: Enrollment opens at regular price
• 1 week before: Last chance messaging
• Day of: Cohort closes, program begins

Benefit: Scarcity + deadlines = higher conversions. One-time purchases work better with defined start dates.

5. Upsell Paths

Map out the member journey with clear upsells:

Entry Point:

• Free webinar or lead magnet
• Low-ticket product ($47-97)
• Free Discord tier

Core Offer:

• $1,997 one-time program (first upsell)
• Get results, see transformation

Ascension:

• $97/month mastermind (after program)
• $5,000 high-level intensive (for proven students)
• 1-on-1 coaching ($500/session or $5,000 package)

Each tier feeds the next. One-time purchases are often the bridge from free to recurring premium.

Pricing Your One-Time Offerings

Under $500: Introductory Programs

What works:

• Mini-courses (4-6 weeks)
• Workshop recordings + Discord
• Event tickets
• Lifetime access to low-tier community

Examples:

• $297: Weekend workshop + 30 days Discord
• $497: Self-paced course + lifetime community
• $197: Event ticket + replay access

Ideal for:

• Course creators building email lists
• Testing new content before creating full programs
• Upselling from free content

$500-$1,500: Standard Programs

What works:

• 6-8 week group coaching programs
• Comprehensive online courses
• Certification programs
• Premium community lifetime access

Examples:

• $997: 6-week coaching program + Discord
• $1,297: Certification course + graduate community
• $697: Course bundle + ongoing Q&A access

Ideal for:

• Established coaches with proven frameworks
• Course creators with multiple products
• Service providers building community

$1,500-$3,000: Premium Transformation

What works:

• 12-week intensive coaching programs
• High-touch group programs (smaller cohorts)
• Complete transformation systems
• Access to premium community + recurring option

Examples:

• $1,997: 12-week business coaching + lifetime access
• $2,500: Transformation program + graduate tier
• $2,997: Agency intensive + ongoing mastermind option

Ideal for:

• Coaches with 6-7 figure businesses
• Proven track records and testimonials
• High-ROI transformations (business, health, relationships)

$3,000-$10,000: High-Level Masterminds

What works:

• Mastermind entry fees
• 6-12 month intensive programs
• In-person + virtual hybrid experiences
• Ongoing community + recurring membership

Examples:

• $5,000: Mastermind entry + $297/month ongoing
• $7,500: 12-month transformation + lifetime elite access
• $10,000: Executive coaching program + private community

Ideal for:

• Established experts with strong personal brands
• B2B coaches serving high-income clients
• Network effects (connections worth the price)

Handling Objections and Concerns

”Can I really charge $2,500 for Discord access?”

The reframe: You’re not charging $2,500 for Discord access. You’re charging $2,500 for transformation, coaching, curriculum, results—and Discord is the delivery vehicle.

Compare:

• ❌ “Join my Discord for $2,500”
• ✅ “Join my 12-week business transformation program (delivered via private Discord) for $2,500”

The value is in the program, not the platform.

”What if someone wants a refund?”

Stripe handles refunds directly from your dashboard. Your refund policy should be clear before purchase:

Sample refund policies:

• 7-day money-back guarantee (common for digital products)
• No refunds after first coaching call (you’ve delivered value)
• 30-day guarantee if you don’t see results (confidence builder)

Best practice: Over-deliver so fast that refunds never cross their mind.

”Won’t people feel scammed paying so much?”

Only if you don’t deliver value. High-ticket buyers expect:

• White-glove onboarding
• Immediate response to questions
• Over-the-top value delivery
• Results within first 2 weeks
• Personal attention from you

If your $2,500 program transforms their business and generates $25,000 in new revenue, they got a 10x ROI. That’s not a scam—that’s the best investment they’ve ever made.

”What about chargebacks?”

Stripe’s fraud detection is world-class. For high-ticket purchases:

• Clearly describe what’s included
• Send welcome email with expectations
• Over-deliver immediately (first win in week 1)
• Document all communication and delivery

Chargebacks are rare when value is real and expectations are set properly.

”How do I justify the price?”

Show the ROI:

• Business coaching: “My clients typically generate $50K+ in new revenue within 6 months”
• Fitness: “Invest $997 now to avoid $10,000+ in medical bills later”
• Career: “A $2,500 program that lands you a $20K raise is a 8x return”

Show the alternative costs:

• “Hiring a business coach 1-on-1 costs $500/hr × 12 sessions = $6,000”
• “MBA programs cost $100,000+ and take 2 years”
• “Trial and error for the next year will cost you $50,000 in lost opportunity”

Show social proof:

• Testimonials with specific results
• Case studies showing transformations
• Video testimonials from past graduates

Combining One-Time and Recurring: The Ideal Model

The most successful Discord communities don’t choose between one-time and recurring—they use both strategically.

The Hybrid Monetization Model

Free Tier (Community)

• Purpose: Top of funnel, relationship building
• Access: Basic channels, general content
• Monetization: None (or low $10-20/month)

One-Time Tier (Program/Course)

• Purpose: Core revenue, transformation delivery
• Access: Program channels + lifetime community
• Monetization: $997-$2,997 one-time

Recurring Tier (Mastermind)

• Purpose: Ongoing support, recurring revenue
• Access: High-level channels, exclusive calls
• Monetization: $97-$297/month

The Revenue Flywheel

Month 1-3: Acquire

• Run ads/content to free tier
• Nurture relationships
• Launch cohort, sell one-time program
• Revenue: $30,000 (15 students × $2,000)

Month 4-6: Deliver

• Run program, over-deliver value
• Get testimonials and wins
• Pitch mastermind to graduates
• Revenue: $30,000 (15 more students) + $3,000/month (10 mastermind graduates)

Month 7-9: Scale

• Recurring revenue grows
• New cohort launches
• Previous graduates stay in mastermind
• Revenue: $30,000 (15 more students) + $6,000/month (20 in mastermind)

Month 10-12: Compound

• 3+ cohorts completed (45 total students)
• 25+ in recurring mastermind ($7,500+/month)
• New cohorts continue quarterly
• Annual run rate: $180,000 (programs) + $90,000+ (recurring) = $270,000+

This is how real premium communities scale: Front-load cash with high-ticket, build recurring with graduates.

Getting Started with High-Ticket One-Time Purchases

Ready to add one-time high-ticket offerings to your Discord community?

Your Action Plan

Week 1: Strategy

1. Define your high-ticket offering (program, course, mastermind)
2. Determine pricing ($997, $1,997, $2,500, $5,000?)
3. Map out what’s included (calls, content, Discord channels)
4. Write sales page or deck outlining transformation

Week 2: Setup 5. Create Discord roles and exclusive channels 6. Run /setup in PayBot and create one-time tier 7. Generate payment link for easy sharing 8. Test the flow with a test account

Week 3: Pre-Launch 9. Announce upcoming program to existing community 10. Create content showcasing transformation (case studies, testimonials) 11. Set cohort start date and enrollment deadline 12. Build urgency (limited spots, early bird pricing)

Week 4: Launch 13. Open enrollment with payment link 14. Share on website, social media, email list 15. Host webinar or info session about program 16. Close enrollment at deadline

Week 5+: Deliver 17. Onboard students into Discord immediately after payment 18. Over-deliver from day 1 19. Document wins and transformations 20. Set up recurring mastermind for graduates

The Mindset Shift

If you’ve been stuck in “$10/month subscription” thinking, here’s the mindset shift:

Old thinking:

• “I need 500 subscribers at $10/month to make $5,000/month”
• Requires massive community, high churn, constant content treadmill
• Feels like you’re always selling to survive

New thinking:

• “I need 10 clients at $2,500 per quarter to make $100,000/year”
• Requires deep transformation, high touch, premium positioning
• Feels like you’re changing lives and getting paid what you’re worth

Both models can coexist. But high-ticket one-time purchases change the game entirely.

The Bottom Line

Discord monetization isn’t just $10/month subscriptions.

For coaches, consultants, course creators, and premium community builders, one-time purchases at $500-$5,000+ are how you build a real business.

PayBot’s one-time purchase functionality enables:

• ✅ High-ticket programs delivered via Discord
• ✅ Instant role assignment after one-time payment
• ✅ Lifetime or time-limited access (your choice)
• ✅ Professional payment experience via Stripe
• ✅ Payment links for easy sharing
• ✅ Zero platform fees (keep 100% minus Stripe’s ~3%)

The hybrid model is the ultimate strategy:

• One-time high-ticket for core revenue and transformation delivery
• Recurring mastermind for ongoing support and MRR
• Free/low tier for top of funnel and community building

You don’t need 1,000 subscribers at $10/month. You need 20 students at $2,500 + 15 mastermind members at $97/month.

That’s $50,000 in high-ticket revenue + $1,455/month in recurring = $67,460/year from 35 people.

Stop underpricing your expertise. Start using one-time purchases to match the real value you deliver.

Ready to Launch Your High-Ticket Discord Community?

Add PayBot to Your Server →

Already using PayBot? Run /setup → Add Tier → Select “One-Time Payment” to create your first high-ticket offering.

Questions about high-ticket strategy? Join our support Discord or check out our membership tiers guide.

Related Resources

Getting Started:

• Discord One-Time Payments - Complete guide to one-time payments feature
• Setup Guide - Connect Stripe and start accepting payments
• Creating Membership Tiers - Configure one-time and recurring tiers
• Payment Links Documentation - Share payment links anywhere

Product Features:

• Discord Payment Bot - How the bot handles payments automatically
• Payment Links Feature - Accept payments on your website and social media
• Discord Server Monetization - Complete monetization strategies

Related Articles:

• The /subscription Command Guide - How members subscribe in Discord
• Monetize Large Discord Communities - Scale from 100 to 1,000+ paid members
• Payment Links Are Live - Share subscription links everywhere

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I charge more than $5,000 for a one-time purchase?

Yes. If you’re delivering $50,000+ of value (business transformation, executive coaching, agency services), charge accordingly. High-level masterminds regularly charge $10,000-$25,000 entry fees.

Can I combine one-time payment with a recurring subscription?

Absolutely. This is the recommended model: $5,000 entry fee (one-time) + $297/month ongoing dues (recurring). Create both as separate tiers and use tier groups for unified access.

What if someone pays but doesn’t complete the program?

That’s on them. You delivered access and value—they chose not to use it. (This is why clear expectations and quick wins in week 1 are crucial.)

Can I offer time-limited one-time purchases?

Yes. Configure role expiration in PayBot (e.g., 30 days for event tickets, 90 days for program duration). After expiration, they lose access unless they upgrade to a different tier.

How do I move someone from @Cohort Student to @Graduate after program completion?

Manually swap their role in Discord, or create a second one-time tier for “Graduate Access” and have them claim it (free checkout) after completing the program. Advanced automations coming soon.

Do payment plans work with PayBot?

You can simulate payment plans by creating a subscription tier (e.g., $550/month × 5 months) instead of a true one-time purchase. When they complete payments, upgrade them to permanent access.

Can I use one-time purchases for physical products + Discord access?

Yes. Sell a physical product (course materials, books, merchandise) as a one-time purchase, and automatically grant Discord access when they buy. You fulfill physical goods separately.

What happens if someone requests a refund?

Issue the refund in Stripe Dashboard → PayBot automatically removes their Discord role within minutes. Clean and automatic.

Can I see who purchased one-time vs recurring?

Yes. Check your Stripe Dashboard for payment type, or use PayBot’s upcoming analytics dashboard to see subscriber breakdowns by tier type.

Is there a limit on how many one-time purchase tiers I can create?

No limit. Create as many as you need: different programs, courses, event tickets, etc. Each gets its own Discord role and exclusive channels.