With Guest Access, fans who open your channel link land right in your channel and can look around before joining. That means your channel is your first impression. Taking a few minutes to set it up before you share your link gives guests something to explore and a reason to join.
This guide walks through what to set up, in the order fans will notice it.
Step 1: Set Up Your Channel Basics
Your channel name, description, and photos are the first things a guest sees at the top of your channel.
Click Settings in the left menu
Open General
Add or update your:
Channel Name: a name that clearly represents you
Channel Description: a short line on what fans can expect
Web URL: the link you'll share with fans
Profile Photo and Cover Photo
Save your changes
Step 2: Make Your First Posts
Guests can scroll your channel before they join, so an empty feed gives them no reason to stay. Post a few things before you share your link.
Ideas for your first posts:
A welcome post introducing yourself and what your channel is for
A behind-the-scenes photo or video
A song, demo, or clip fans can't find anywhere else
When guests try to open, like, comment on, or play anything, they're asked to join, so every post is a chance to turn a guest into a fan.
š” Tip: Mix free posts with posts locked to a paid tier. Add a Media Preview to locked posts so guests and free fans get a teaser of what they're missing.
Step 3: Add Content to Your Media Folders
Guests can see your Media folders but can't open them until they join. Clear folder names and thumbnails show fans what's waiting for them.
Go to the Media tab
Click New Folder
Add a name, description, and thumbnail
Choose who can access it: free for everyone, locked to paid members, a One Time Purchase, or Pay What You Want
Upload your songs and videos
š” Tip: Don't have media ready yet? Create a folder with "Coming Soon" in the description so the tab isn't empty and fans know more is on the way.
Step 4: Start a Conversation in Discussion
Guests can see that your channel has a Discussion tab, but only members can read and post there. Starting a topic before fans arrive gives new members somewhere to jump in right away.
Go to the Discussion tab
Start a new topic, like "Introduce yourself" or "What song should I play next?"
Pin it to the top so it's the first thing new members see
š” Tip: Ask a question fans can answer in one line. Easy questions get more replies.
Step 5: Set Up Your Tiers and Message to Fans
When a guest goes to join, they see the Choose your membership screen, with your Message to fans above your tiers.
Click Settings in the left menu
Open Tier Settings
Write your Message to fans. Tell fans why they should join and what each tier gets them
Rename your free tier if you'd like, and add any paid tiers
Check the Tier Preview to see exactly what fans will see
š” Tip: Keep your Message to fans under 200 characters so the whole message shows without See more.
Learn more about Message to fans and your free tier in Guest Access: What Changed and How It Works.
Step 6: Personalize Your Welcome Email
Every fan who joins gets a welcome email. A personal one makes them feel at home right away and tells them what to do next.
Click Settings in the left menu
Open Welcome Message
Update the subject line and message
Click Update to save
Step 7: Preview Your Channel as a Guest
Before you share your link, see your channel the way a guest will.
Click Settings in the left menu
Open General
Click View as Guest in the top right
The bar at the top shows Previewing your channel as a guest and your channel URL. Scroll through and ask yourself: would I want to join? When you're done, click Back to settings.
Optional: Extra Touches
These aren't needed before launch, but they're worth setting up once you're live:
Cancellation Experience: Customize what fans see if they cancel, including an optional video or a subscription extension offer. See Creating a Cancellation Experience for Your Fans.
Promotions: Create coupon codes or gift memberships. See How to Gift a Membership to a Fan.
Ready to Share Your Link
Once your channel is set up, share your Web URL everywhere your fans are: your social bio, posts, emails, and shows.