Kick Just Launched an App to Make Creators Serious Money
Club: A New App Helping Creators Earn Money and Build Real Communities
What Is Club and Why Should You Care?
Imagine a place where your favorite livestreamers, artists, and creators can talk directly with fans, earn money without ads, and build a real community — not just chase likes and views. That’s the big idea behind Club, a brand-new app launching this week on iPhone and Android.
Club comes from the same people who built Kick, a popular livestreaming site. But Club isn’t just for streamers — it’s for any creator who wants a closer connection with their biggest supporters.
Important Point: Club is separate from Kick. It has its own team, its own rules, and its own mission: "Create a more human form of social media." — Henrik Pohlmann, Club CEO
How Does Club Work? (ELI5 Version)
Think of Club like a private VIP clubhouse for creators and their fans:
| Feature | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| Direct Payments | Fans pay creators directly — no middleman taking a huge cut first |
| Fan Profiles | Fans get their own profiles, not just anonymous usernames |
| Participation Badges | Earn cool badges for commenting, supporting, being active |
| Community Chat | Talk to the creator and other fans in one place |
| No Ads | Zero ads. Ever. Your experience isn’t sold to advertisers |
| No Explicit Content | Club doesn’t allow adult content (unlike OnlyFans) |
How Creators Make Money on Club
Club takes a 20% cut of what creators earn. Here’s how that compares:
- Club → 20% (simple, flat rate)
- OnlyFans → 20% (but allows adult content)
- Patreon → 10% platform fee + payment processing fees
- Substack → 10% on paid subscriptions
Important Point: Club’s 20% is higher than Patreon and Substack on paper — but Patreon has extra fees for payment processing that can add up. Club keeps it simple: one flat 20%.
Who’s Already Using Club?
- ~3,000 creators signed up during beta testing
- Mostly livestreamers from Kick (since Club didn’t do much marketing yet)
- Goal: Expand to all creator types — artists, writers, musicians, educators, and more
Why Is This Hard? (The "Chicken and Egg" Problem)
Starting a new platform is tough. Here’s why:
The Challenge
- Fans are comfortable on YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, Instagram
- Creators already post everywhere — why ask fans to download another app?
- Club needs a "killer feature" — something so good people switch
What Analysts Say
"If it’s the same type of thing, I have a question mark as to how effective that can potentially be. It’s got to have a defining feature."
— Ben Woods, Head of Creator Economy at Enders Analysis"Mainstream creators will ask: ‘What is the philosophy behind the platform?’"
— Matt Navarra, Social Media Industry Analyst
Club’s Secret Weapons: What Makes It Different?
Club is betting on three big things to win:
-
Real Community, Not Just Content
Fans aren’t just viewers — they’re members with profiles, badges, and relationships. -
Discovery Built In
New fans can find creators inside Club, not just follow links from elsewhere. - Human-First Design
No bots, no AI slop, no algorithm hiding your posts. Just people talking to people.
The Backstory: Who Built Club?
| Founder | Other Projects | Reputation |
|---|---|---|
| Bijan Tehrani | Kick, Stake.com | Known for lighter moderation on Kick |
| Ed Craven | Kick, Stake.com | Co-founder of crypto gambling site Stake |
| Henrik Pohlmann | Club CEO (age 30) | "We want a more human social media" |
Important Point: Kick has a reputation for looser content rules and hosting controversial creators. Club says it has its own moderation policy and wants to attract mainstream creators too.
Summary: Should You Care About Club?
| If You’re… | Club Might Be For You If… |
|---|---|
| A Creator | You want direct income, real community, and hate algorithms |
| A Fan | You want closer access, recognition (badges!), and no ads |
| An Investor/Observer | You’re watching the "creator economy" shift toward ownership |
Bottom line: Club is a bold bet that creators and fans are tired of noisy, bot-filled, ad-driven platforms — and will pay for something human.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Is Club only for livestreamers?
No! While most early users are from Kick (a streaming site), Club is built for any creator — writers, artists, musicians, teachers, podcasters, and more.
Does Club allow adult content like OnlyFans?
No. Club explicitly does not allow explicit sexual content. It’s a different model.
How much does Club cost fans?
Free to join. Fans only pay if they choose to support a creator directly (subscriptions, tips, etc.). Club takes 20% of that.
Is Club safe? What about moderation?
Club says it has its own content moderation policy, separate from Kick. They’re focusing on "human" interactions — but as a new platform, moderation will be tested as it grows.
Can I use Club and Patreon/YouTube/Twitch?
Absolutely. Most creators are "multi-platform." Club is meant to be a home base for your biggest fans, not your only platform.
Want to try Club? It’s live now on the App Store and Google Play. Download it, find your favorite creators, and see what a "more human" social media feels like.