The Smile Channel has four membership tiers: Free, Starter, Pro, and VIP. Each unlocks more features. This article explains who each is for and what’s included.
The four tiers at a glance
| Tier | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Trying out the platform, basic profile |
| Starter | Monthly | Active members building their presence |
| Pro | Monthly | Authors, speakers with real promotion needs |
| VIP | Monthly | Working professionals who want maximum visibility |
For exact pricing, visit thesmilechannel.com/pricing.
What each tier includes
Free
Public profile, books, episodes, reader leaderboard, social links, affiliate program. You can be a fully active member without paying anything.
Starter
Everything in Free, plus removal of any “Free tier” markers, increased episode and book limits, basic profile customization.
Pro
Everything in Starter, plus the One Sheet feature (a polished one-page export for press / podcasts / events), profile branding controls, and priority placement in directory listings.
VIP
Everything in Pro, plus custom domain support (mapping yourname.com to your profile), homepage spotlight, newsletter feature inclusion, sponsored post slots, gold verified badge, and a quarterly speaking slot at one of our events.
The affiliate program isn’t gated to paid tiers. Free members can share their invite link and earn $100 per VIP invite just like everyone else.
How to choose
If you’re new and unsure: start at Free. Use the platform for a few weeks, see what you reach for that’s gated, then upgrade to the lowest tier that unlocks what you actually need. Most members find Pro is the sweet spot — One Sheet alone justifies it for anyone who pitches to events or media.
How to upgrade
Dashboard → Settings → Membership → Upgrade. Or visit /pricing/ and click your chosen tier. We’ll cover the upgrade process in detail in the Membership category.