Recipe: Run a Private or Invite-Only Space
Goal: a space only the right people can see or join - a client project, a paid cohort, a staff-only room. You’ll need: BuddyNext Free for a private space; add Pro if you want to charge for access. Time: about 15 minutes.
Before you start
Section titled “Before you start”Decide how tight the door needs to be:
- Private - anyone can see the space exists and ask to join; you approve requests.
- Secret - the space is invisible to non-members; people get in only when you add them.
- Paid - entry requires an active subscription (needs Pro).
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Create the space and set its type. Choose Private or Secret when you create it, so it is closed before anyone can wander in. Full guide: Creating a Space and Space Types and Privacy.
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Add your people (or approve requests). For a secret space, add members directly. For a private space, approve the join requests that come in. Full guide: Managing Members.
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Appoint moderators. For anything beyond a handful of people, give one or two trusted members moderator rights so you are not the only one keeping order. Full guide: Roles and Moderators. To remove someone for good, see Space Bans.
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(Optional) Charge for entry. To make it a paid room, require a membership plan to join. Non-subscribers see a subscribe prompt instead of the feed. Full guide: Gated Spaces. To set up the plan and payments first, follow Launch a Paid Community.
What your members see
Section titled “What your members see”A private space shows a “Request to join” button until they are approved; a secret space does not appear in the directory or search at all until they are a member. Once in, it works exactly like any other space.
Related
Section titled “Related”- Launch a Paid Community - if the private space is a paid product
- Moderate at Scale - when one private space becomes many
- Space Types and Privacy - the full reference on open, private, and secret