> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://start.hitorino.tv/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Monetize Your Hitorino Channel as a Creator

> Set up subscriptions, tips, and paid VOD on Hitorino. Connect your payout account, define subscriber perks, and track earnings in the revenue dashboard.

Hitorino's monetization tools are built around the solo creator — you control your prices, define what subscribers get, and keep the majority of what you earn. Before enabling any monetization features, you need to complete identity verification and connect a payout method. Once that's done, every tool on this page is available to you.

## Eligibility and Verification

To unlock monetization, your channel must meet the following baseline requirements:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Channel Requirements" icon="circle-check">
    * Account is at least **30 days old**
    * At least **10 followers**
    * At least **5 hours** of streamed or uploaded content
    * No active strikes or policy violations on the account
  </Card>

  <Card title="Identity Requirements" icon="id-card">
    * Government-issued ID verification (passport, driver's license, or national ID)
    * Must be **18 years or older**
    * Must reside in a [supported payout country](https://hitorino.tv/help/payout-countries)
    * Tax form completion (W-9 for US creators, W-8BEN for international)
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start Verification">
    Go to **Dashboard → Monetization → Get Started**. Click **Begin Verification** to open the identity verification flow powered by Stripe Identity. The process takes 2–5 minutes and you'll need your ID ready.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete Your Tax Form">
    After ID verification, complete your tax form. US-based creators fill out a W-9; international creators fill out a W-8BEN. The form is fully digital — no printing or mailing required.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect a Payout Method">
    See the [Payout Setup](#payout-setup) section below for full instructions on connecting your bank account.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Identity verification is handled by Stripe and typically completes within a few minutes. In rare cases, manual review can take up to 3 business days. You'll receive an email when your verification status changes.
</Note>

***

## Subscription Tiers

Subscriptions are the foundation of recurring revenue on Hitorino. You can create up to **5 subscription tiers**, each with its own price and set of perks. Viewers choose the tier that matches what they want to support.

Hitorino takes a **15% platform fee** on subscriptions. You keep **85%** of every subscriber payment.

### Creating a Subscription Tier

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Subscription Settings">
    Go to **Dashboard → Monetization → Subscriptions** and click **Add Tier**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the Price">
    Enter a monthly price for the tier. Prices must be between **$2.00 and $100.00 USD** (or equivalent in supported local currencies). Common tier price points used by creators on Hitorino:

    | Tier Level | Typical Price | Common Name |
    | ---------- | ------------- | ----------- |
    | Entry      | \$4.99        | Supporter   |
    | Mid        | \$9.99        | Fan         |
    | High       | \$24.99       | Super Fan   |
    | Premium    | \$49.99       | Champion    |
  </Step>

  <Step title="Name Your Tier">
    Give the tier a name (max 30 characters). Use something meaningful to your brand — *Supporter*, *Crew*, *Founding Member*, or a name from your channel's lore. This name appears on subscriber badges and in the subscription UI.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Perks">
    Add perks to the tier to communicate its value. Perks are descriptive labels visible on your channel's subscription page — Hitorino doesn't automatically enforce them, but they set expectations:

    * Ad-free viewing on your channel
    * Access to subscriber-only streams and VODs
    * Subscriber-only chat access
    * Custom channel emotes (see Emotes section below)
    * Exclusive Discord role (include your Discord invite link in your perk description)
    * Early access to new videos
    * Your name in end-of-stream credits

    <Tip>
      Make each tier feel meaningfully different from the one below it. A clear value jump between tiers — rather than vague "more support" language — converts better and reduces tier confusion for potential subscribers.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Custom Emotes">
    Upload custom emotes for subscribers on this tier. Emotes are unlocked for subscribers at the selected tier and all tiers above it.

    | Plan            | Emote Slots per Tier |
    | --------------- | -------------------- |
    | Creator Starter | 3 emotes             |
    | Creator Pro     | 10 emotes            |
    | Creator Studio  | 25 emotes            |

    Emote requirements: PNG, 112×112 px (scaled to 28×28 and 56×56 in chat), transparent background, no text smaller than 8px.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Publish the Tier">
    Click **Save & Publish**. The tier goes live on your channel's subscription page immediately. Existing tiers are not affected.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Managing Existing Tiers

* **Edit a tier** — Change the name, description, or perks at any time. Price changes take effect at each subscriber's next billing cycle, and subscribers are notified by email 14 days in advance.
* **Archive a tier** — Archived tiers stop accepting new subscribers but existing subscribers remain on the tier until they cancel. Use archiving instead of deleting to avoid billing disruptions.
* **Delete a tier** — Immediately cancels all active subscriptions on that tier. Subscribers receive a refund for the unused portion of their current billing period. Use with caution.

***

## Tips and Donations

Tips let viewers send you one-time payments during a live stream or directly from your channel page, without requiring a subscription.

### Enabling Tips

<Steps>
  <Step title="Turn On Tips">
    Go to **Dashboard → Monetization → Tips** and toggle **Enable Tips** on. The tip button appears on your channel page and in the stream overlay for viewers immediately.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Tip Minimums and Maximums">
    Configure limits to shape the kinds of tips you receive:

    * **Minimum tip:** $1.00 – $50.00 (default: \$1.00)
    * **Maximum tip:** $5.00 – $500.00 (default: \$500.00)

    Setting a higher minimum reduces the volume of very small tips while encouraging higher-value contributions.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Tip Messages">
    Enable **Tip Messages** to let viewers attach a message to their tip (max 300 characters). Messages appear as alerts on your stream overlay and in the **Tips** feed in Stream Manager.

    Toggle **Require Message** if you want every tip to include a message. Toggle **Filter Messages** to run tip messages through Hitorino's automated moderation filter before they display.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Hitorino charges a **10% platform fee** on tips. Your net on a $10.00 tip is **$9.00\*\* before payment processor fees.

<Info>
  Tip alerts appear in your stream overlay automatically if you're using Hitorino's browser-based streaming. For OBS and other RTMP setups, add your **Alert Overlay URL** (found at **Dashboard → Alerts → Overlay URL**) as a Browser Source in OBS to display tip alerts on your stream.
</Info>

***

## Paid VOD

Paid VOD lets you sell access to individual pre-recorded videos as one-time purchases, separate from your subscription tiers.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Set a Video as Paid">
    In **Library**, open any published or draft video and click **Edit**. Under the **Monetization** section, toggle **Paid VOD** and enter a price ($1.00 – $200.00).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Access Duration">
    Select how long a buyer's access lasts after purchase:

    * **Lifetime** — permanent access to the video
    * **30 days** — access expires 30 days after purchase
    * **7 days** — access expires 7 days after purchase (good for time-sensitive content like event recordings)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Subscriber Exemptions">
    Choose whether subscribers on specific tiers get free access to the paid VOD. Under **Free for Subscribers**, select the minimum tier required for free access. Subscribers at that tier or above can watch for free; others see the purchase prompt.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Publish">
    Save the video. A **Buy Access** button appears on the video page for viewers who haven't purchased it yet. Buyers are charged immediately and receive a receipt by email.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Hitorino takes a **20% platform fee** on paid VOD purchases. You keep **80%** of each sale.

***

## Payout Setup

Payouts move your earned revenue from Hitorino to your bank account on a regular schedule.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connect Your Bank Account">
    Go to **Dashboard → Monetization → Payouts → Connect Bank Account**. You'll be redirected to a Stripe-hosted setup flow. You'll need:

    * Your bank's routing number and account number (US), or IBAN/SWIFT details (international)
    * The account holder name exactly as it appears on your bank account
    * For business accounts: your business name and EIN/tax ID
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Your Payout Schedule">
    Select how often Hitorino sends payouts to your bank:

    | Schedule                | Minimum Balance to Trigger Payout |
    | ----------------------- | --------------------------------- |
    | Weekly (every Monday)   | \$25.00                           |
    | Monthly (1st of month)  | \$10.00                           |
    | Manual (you request it) | \$10.00                           |

    <Note>
      Payouts initiate on the schedule date, but bank transfer times vary. US bank accounts typically receive funds in **2–3 business days**. International wire transfers can take **5–7 business days**.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Your Payout Currency">
    Hitorino pays out in the currency of your connected bank account. Supported payout currencies include USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, and others depending on your country. Currency conversion uses the Stripe rate at the time of payout initiation.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Your payout account name must match your verified identity. Payouts to third-party accounts are not permitted and will be held pending manual review. If you need to update your payout details, go to **Payouts → Edit Bank Account** — existing payouts in flight are not affected by the change.
</Warning>

***

## Revenue Dashboard

The Revenue Dashboard gives you a real-time and historical view of everything you're earning. Access it at **Dashboard → Monetization → Revenue**.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Earnings Overview" icon="circle-dollar-sign">
    See your total revenue broken down by source (subscriptions, tips, paid VOD) for any time range. Toggle between daily, weekly, and monthly views to spot trends.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Subscriber Metrics" icon="users">
    Track total active subscribers, new subscribers, churned subscribers, and net subscriber change over time. Drill into individual tiers to see which price points perform best.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Tip History" icon="hand-holding-dollar">
    View a full log of tips received, including the sender, amount, message, and the stream or video it was sent on. Export as CSV for your own records.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Payout History" icon="building-columns">
    See every payout Hitorino has sent to your bank, the date it was initiated, the amount, and its current transfer status. Download individual payout statements as PDFs for tax filing.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Understanding the Revenue Breakdown

Your earnings summary shows **gross revenue** (what viewers paid) and **net revenue** (what you receive after Hitorino's platform fee). The platform fees by product are:

| Revenue Type  | Platform Fee | Your Share |
| ------------- | ------------ | ---------- |
| Subscriptions | 15%          | 85%        |
| Tips          | 10%          | 90%        |
| Paid VOD      | 20%          | 80%        |

<Note>
  Payment processor fees (Stripe) are deducted from Hitorino's platform fee share — they do not come out of your share. The percentages above represent what you receive before your local taxes and any applicable bank wire fees from your financial institution.
</Note>

<Tip>
  Download your monthly **Earnings Statement** from the Revenue Dashboard before tax season. Each statement lists gross earnings, platform fees, net earnings, and all payouts for the calendar month — formatted to simplify reporting to your tax authority or accountant.
</Tip>