Live Q&A: Learn how to get paid again and again (and again) with predictable revenue streams

[Tom]

Square’s subscription management software allows any business to easily create recurring revenue streams. If your business utilizes subscriptions, memberships, donations, or other forms of recurring payments, our product team wants to hear from you. Not using this service but interested in learning more? This is also the discussion for you. 

On Wednesday, September 28, we welcomed back @jean_sq from the Subscriptions team for another Question & Answer session! Her team is always eager to learn about how they can better address your business's recurring payment needs as well as answer any questions you may have.

Have a look below to see what topics business owners brought up, and be on the lookout for a "Best Answers" summary post (coming soon) that covers the main takeaways from this discussion.

Note: Although we can't share specific details on our product roadmaps, this information will be helpful as we continue to make improvements.

 Photo Credit: Ambitious Creative Co. - Rick Barrett on Unsplash.

[Mi-Assistant]

These are things I haven't even experienced yet haha! I have yet to launch Sub's on account of the issues I'm having alone, now this other stuff seems like this really is way behind. Bummer!

[BodyByBInay]

Would love to be able to get add ons to subscription, so when a person subscribes, "would you also like to add on a once a month XXX?"....

[jean_sq]

Hi @BodyByBInay, 

Great suggestion! I’ll be sure to have it added to our feature suggestions.

[Billions2030]

I am a business growth expert  helping my clients grow their business and this would be great for my clients instead of me sending them monthly statements every month.    

[jean_sq]

Hi @Billions2030,

Subscriptions may be a good option for you. Are there particular features you require?

[weredoughcookie]

I have wanted to get into a membership or subscription for my bakery but I am unsure of what would really work? Are subscriptions a thing for food businesses? we do shipping for our cookies and cookie dough, but I am not sure how to go about marketing a subscription. Cookie club?

I've had some people express interest in something like a cookie club membership before.

[jean_sq]

Hi @weredoughcookie,

I’ve definitely seen plenty of cookie subscriptions! As far as what to offer, there are lots of options. I found this link to help you start with some ideas. (Square is not affiliated with this link in any way). Hopefully the Seller Community has a few more suggestions for you!

[BeyondFitness]

Am I able to set up a portal or login space on this platform for each member. So when a member signs in, they have there own list of information from me? 

[jean_sq]

HI @BeyondFitness 

What type of information do you wish to display to your members? Any additional information you can provide is helpful to better answer your question. Thank you!

[BeyondFitness]

I run a personal training and nutrition coaching business. I want to set up questionnaires that would then generate videos for exercises and meals or meal plans tailored to members on an individual basis based on what they answered. 

[1kNaCl]

We have an education services company that provides services on an academic year, semesterly, trimester, and summer schedules. From the way we've implemented Square, it doesn't seem like there is an automatic setting for clients to "subscribe" to a class and join a pre-determined gap or "end date" and re-enrollment period according to the class / term they've enrolled in. Is there a way to achieve this with another app / function?   

[jean_sq]

Hi @1kNaCl,

Sounds like you may be looking for an integration between Subscriptions and Square Appointments? That is on the roadmap for 2023. Feel free to elaborate a bit more on your question if I missed the mark here.

[TheSPAaaht]

With subscriptions is there a way to seamlessly incorporate the email marketing that thanks, reminds and follows up with the subscriber so the relationship building does not get lost in just the transactional monthly or bi weekly subscription payment? Is there ever the ability to use the marketing templates without having to constantly delete the automatic coupons when your company does not extend “coupons” but offers value added services upon the personal interactions?

[steveh123]

I have a monthly newsletter that i would like to make a paid subscription newsletter   Will Square send reminder notices for a renewal?  Can I have two tiers of pricing?

[jean_sq]

Hi @steveh123,

I’m sorry but Square Subscriptions does not currently send out reminder notices for renewal. With regards to multiple tiers of pricing, you would want to set up each tier as a separate subscription plan (eg. Gold plan - $49, Silver Plan - $39, etc.)

[steveh123]

So, I would have to monitor each person's renewal date, and send them a bill for renewal?  Can an email be sent from the Subscription service from my email address for this purpose?

[jean_sq]

HI @steveh123 Yes, at this time you will have to monitor renewal dates at your end and send emails. You are not able to send emails from the Subscription service - they would need go out in your name. I apologize for the inconvenience of this work flow 😞

[Tiy]

Hello, can you explain what would be some good examples of membership programs for a massage ?

[jean_sq]

Hey @Tiy,

I’ve seen many massage therapists offer monthly memberships that include discounts on some services as well as some fixed amount of another service (eg. one 30 minute body massage per month). Currently Subscriptions does not have a way to keep track of those membership benefits (eg. which member has used which benefits each month) though we are looking into that for 2023.

I’d also recommend reaching out to other massage therapists in the Seller Community to see what ideas they may have!

[TobaccoLeaf]

I have a monthly membership for my members where we have different tiers of membership the lowest being 100$ a month. We would like to charge this amount monthly for a 1-year contract term. The 100$ should be charged to each customer's gift card that we keep on file. The charge should be automatic from the card on file for the members. Is there a way to do this?

[jean_sq]

Hi @TobaccoLeaf,

I’d love to learn more about this workflow. Are these Square gift cards? Is the reason for charging the membership fee to a gift card so that the buyer can then use it to purchase items within your store?