Raising your prices is one of the most effective ways to grow your publication's revenue sustainably. With a price increase, you raise the price of a published plan for new and existing members, directly in your publisher area, whenever you're ready.
When you raise the price of a live plan:
New members pay the new price straight away.
Existing members get an email from Steady at least 30 days before they pay more. They pay the new price from their first renewal that is at least 30 days after the increase. If their next renewal is sooner, the new price applies from the renewal after that.
Members on an introductory offer keep their offer price until the offer ends. After that, they pay the new regular price. Their email tells them the date.
Members see the change in their membership settings, for example: “Your membership will renew at €10 per month from 19 December 2026”.
All communication is handled automatically. You don't need to contact members yourself.
To keep things fair and predictable, price increases have a few limits:
Minimum increase: €0.50 (or the equivalent in your currency).
Maximum increase: usually up to double the current price in one step. For established publications, up to four times the price is possible. If you'd like to go beyond your limit, email us at [email protected].
Once a year per plan: after an increase, you can raise the same plan's prices again after 12 months. Until then, the button is greyed out and shows the date from which you can increase again.
Monthly and annual together: you set the new monthly and the new annual price in the same step.
Applies to all members: a price increase affects new and existing members. There's no “new members only” option.
If you only want higher prices for new members: archive your current plan and create a new plan at the higher price. Existing members stay on the archived plan and keep their current price. Learn how to archive, change or delete plans.
Your actual payout boost depends on:
how much you increase your prices
how many members stay after the change
It's normal to see a few cancellations. But in most cases, the additional revenue from remaining members and new sign-ups at the higher price more than make up for them, often within just a few months.
It may take a few months for the full effect to show in your monthly payouts, as members renew at different times.
Go to the plans page in your publisher area, click the plan and choose Edit in the side panel.
Below the prices, click Increase prices.
Enter the new prices under New monthly amount (gross) and Annual plan, new monthly amount (gross). Steady suggests a moderate increase that you can change.
Check how much your monthly gross revenue would grow, then click Continue.
In the Confirm price increase window, check the old and new prices and from when existing members pay more. Then click Apply changes.
After the increase, the plan's side panel shows Price increased on with the date.
Steady sends the official notification email, but you can also explain the price change in your own words, for example in your newsletter, a podcast intro or a post.
Here are some ways to make that message effective:
Explain the “why”. Share how long prices have stayed the same, how costs have changed, or what you'll offer as a result of higher support.
Be transparent about the numbers. Tell your members how you decided on the new price, for example: “It's been three years since our last increase, and prices have risen by 20%.”
Be empathetic. Acknowledge that everyone's budget is different, and show appreciation for every form of support.
Appeal to their supportive nature. Your members already believe in your work. Frame this as a shared step towards sustainability.
Say thank you. Consider a small thank-you post, episode or behind-the-scenes update to mark the change.
Existing members get an email with the subject “Adjustment of your [publication] membership price” at least 30 days before they pay more. Steady fills in the member's name, your publication, the plan, the prices and the date.
Members on an introductory offer also read: “Your introductory offer ends on [date], so you will pay the new regular price from then on.”
If anything's unclear, email us at [email protected]. We're happy to help.
