How to Create a Telegram Paid Channel and Make Money

Ready to monetize your content through a Telegram channel? Creating a paid channel is a simple and effective way to do it. Whether you're a knowledge blogger, community manager, or professional service provider, a paid channel can help you establish a stable subscription revenue model. This guide will walk you through the entire setup process, enabling your content to truly generate value.

Why Create a Telegram Paid Channel?

Compared to free channels, paid channels offer several distinct advantages:

• Precise User Filtering: The subscription fee filters out low-quality users, leaving subscribers who are genuinely interested.
• Consistent Revenue Stream: Monthly or annual subscription models help build predictable cash flow.
• Content Value Protection: The paid mechanism prevents high-quality content from being freely shared.
• Higher Quality Interaction: Paid subscribers typically engage more, fostering a better community atmosphere.

If you've already built a following on Telegram, or possess valuable content such as expert knowledge, exclusive resources, or in-depth analysis, a paid channel is a monetization method worth exploring.

Complete Steps to Create a Paid Channel

Step 1: Create a Private Channel

Open the Telegram app, tap the "pencil icon" in the bottom right corner to create a new channel. Select "Create Channel" from the options, then:

1. Enter a channel name (e.g., "Expert Investment Analysis").
2. Fill in the channel description, briefly outlining the content and value offered.
3. Tap the checkmark in the upper right corner to confirm.

Key Setting: Be sure to set the channel type to "Private Channel." Paid channels must be private so that only users with an invitation link can join, enabling payment control.

After setting this, tap the arrow at the bottom to proceed. Your basic channel will be created.

Step 2: Add the InviteMember Bot

Return to the main Telegram screen, tap the search icon in the upper right corner, type "InviteMember," and select the official bot from the search results.

Tap the "Start" button to activate the bot. It will display all the projects you've previously created. If this is your first time:

• Select the channel project you just created.
• Or tap "Add Project" to create a new project association.

Choose the "Paid Telegram Channel" option from the project list. The bot will then prompt you to make it an administrator of your channel, which is necessary for the paid functionality.

Step 3: Grant Admin Permissions to the Bot

Go back to your created channel, tap the channel name at the top to enter the settings, then:

1. Select "Administrators."
2. Tap "Add Administrator."
3. Search for and select "InviteMember."
4. Deselect all permissions except "Invite users via link."
5. Tap the checkmark in the upper right corner to confirm.

With these settings, InviteMember can only manage user invitations and won't interfere with your channel's other content.

Step 4: Configure Payment Settings

Return to the InviteMember bot's chat interface and tap "Done" to continue. You'll then need to forward a message from your channel to the bot to complete the association:

1. Send any message in your channel (e.g., "Test").
2. Long-press the message and select "Forward."
3. Choose to forward it to "InviteMember."

After verification, the bot will ask about your payment settings:

Select Currency

• Common currencies like USD, EUR, BTC, etc.
• Tap "More" for additional currency options.

Set Billing Cycle

• Monthly, Annually.
• Or choose other cycles (like Weekly, Quarterly) under "More."

Determine Subscription Price

• Enter the amount directly in the text box (e.g., "20").
• The system will automatically add the unit based on your selected currency.

For example, if you choose "20 USD per month," users will need to pay $20 monthly for continuous access to your channel content.

Step 5: Create a Payment Bot

InviteMember will require you to connect with BotFather (Telegram's official bot management tool). Click the "BotFather" link in the chat:

1. Tap "Start" to activate BotFather.
2. Enter the command: /newbot
3. Name your bot (e.g., "Tutorial Bot").
4. Set a username for the bot, which must end with "bot" (e.g., "tutorialhowtobot").

BotFather will generate an API Token (an access key), which is a long string of characters. Copy the token, then return to the InviteMember chat, paste, and send the token.

The system will then generate a unique paid subscription link. You can share these links with potential subscribers. Once they complete the payment via the link, they will be automatically added to your channel.

Step 6: Test the Payment Process

Before officially promoting your channel, it's crucial to test the entire payment flow:

• Use test payment information to simulate a user subscription.
• Verify that users can access the channel correctly after a successful payment.
• Confirm that expired subscriptions automatically remove users from the channel.

Once tested and confirmed, your paid channel is officially live.

How to Promote Your Paid Channel?

Creating the channel is just the first step; attracting subscribers is the key. Here are some practical tips:

Drive Traffic with Free Content: Share some free content on platforms like Twitter, Weibo, or official accounts to showcase your expertise and content quality. This encourages users to subscribe to your paid channel for more in-depth information.

Limited-Time Offers: Introduce early bird discounts, first-month half-price promotions, or similar offers to reduce the initial commitment for users. Once they experience the value, renewal rates tend to increase significantly.

Clearly State Your Value Proposition: In your channel description, clearly explain what subscribers will receive: exclusive data, expert analysis, practical case studies, or one-on-one consultations? The more specific the value, the higher the conversion rate.

Maintain Content Freshness: The biggest pitfall for paid channels is irregular updates or a decline in content quality. It's recommended to establish a consistent update schedule (e.g., three in-depth articles per week) to ensure subscribers feel they are continuously receiving value.

Common Questions About Paid Channel Operations

What happens if a user doesn't renew?

When a subscription expires, InviteMember will automatically remove the user from the channel. If the user pays again, they will regain access, and their previous chat history will be preserved.

Can I set up multiple pricing tiers?

Currently, InviteMember supports only one payment plan per channel. If you wish to offer content at different price points, you can create multiple channels (e.g., Basic and Premium) and set different prices for each.

What payment methods are supported?

InviteMember supports various payment methods, including credit cards and cryptocurrencies, depending on your region and chosen currency. It's advisable to select payment methods that are most commonly used by your target audience.

How much does it cost to create a paid channel?

Creating a Telegram paid channel itself is free. You only need to cover transaction fees for the payment gateway, which typically range from 2% to 5%. This cost is negligible compared to building an independent membership website or using third-party platforms.

How can I prevent paid content from being leaked through forwarding?

While it's impossible to prevent screenshots and forwarding 100%, you can take several measures: add subscriber-exclusive watermarks to your content, restrict the channel's forwarding feature, or publish time-sensitive information (like market analysis or real-time data) where forwarding diminishes its value.

Conclusion

Through these steps, you've gained a comprehensive understanding of creating a Telegram paid channel. Remember, technical setup is just the foundation; the real core lies in consistently providing high-quality content. When your subscribers feel they are receiving exceptional value ("more than what they paid for"), they will not only renew but also actively recommend your channel to others—this is the key to long-term success for your paid channel.