Your Guide to Transitioning from Free Beta to Paid Plans on Made Live
It has been quite the journey to get here. We started Made Live with the goal of creating an easy-to-use, intuitive platform for authors of illustrated books. The journey, though, took longer than any of us imagined. Now, after countless hours of development, incredible user input, feedback, testing, and lots of patience, we're ready to launch our biggest update yet. And that comes with other changes, including the move from an unlimited free beta program to paid access.
If you’ve been with us during our Beta phase, we can’t thank you enough for being a part of this incredible ride. But as with all great stories, a new act is about to begin. Starting in November, we're transitioning from our Free Beta to a suite of Paid Plans designed to offer you more features, greater customization, and enhanced support. So let's walk you through everything you need to know to make this transition as smooth as possible. Let's get started!
Why We're Making the Change
Change is the only constant, especially in the fast-paced world of digital publishing and technology. As Made Live has evolved, so too have the needs and expectations of our user community. Here's why we're making this pivot:
- Enhanced Features: Our new Paid Plans will enable us to invest more in Research and Development, bringing you advanced functionalities and better user experience than ever before.
- Sustainable Growth: While we've loved offering a free Beta, the move to a paid model ensures that we can continue to grow sustainably, offering you dependable service for the long haul.
- Improved Support: With the added resources, we can now provide even better customer support, including faster response times and more comprehensive help articles.
- Focused Development: By understanding the needs of our paid customers, we can more effectively prioritize feature development, bug fixes, and overall improvements.
- Community Building: The transition allows us to engage more deeply with our most committed users, learning from you to create a better platform for everyone.
We believe this transition is a win-win for everyone involved, providing you with a superior product and us with the resources to keep improving it. Thank you for your understanding and continued support as we take this important step together.
What’s Changing?
As we embark on this exciting new phase, we're not just introducing Paid Plans—we're also rolling out our most significant feature update to date. Here's what's changing:
Billing and Plans
Introduction of Paid Plans: Free Beta access will be sunsetted, and we are introducing tiered Paid Plans offering an array of features to fit your needs.
New Capabilities
Advanced AI Support: Our new AI capabilities can help optimize your writing, offer suggestions, and even generate sketches to bring your narrative to life as you storyboard.
Enhanced Design Workspace: Beyond manuscript writing, our advanced design workspace will allow for intricate layout designs, image editing, and more to get your book ready for publishing.
Premium Features
Collaborative Editing: This highly-requested feature will now be available, ensuring you can invite beta readers, editors, illustrators and other collaborators into a shared workspace.
Priority Support: Premium customers will now have access to priority support, including faster response times.
Grandfathering Current Projects
Project Continuity:
- No data loss: Rest assured, any project started in the Free Beta will remain intact. You won't lose any of your hard work.
- Subscription Required for Edits and New Features: While your existing projects will remain intact, you will need a subscription to make any further changes, access new features, or continue working on them.
- Access to Project Files: If you choose not to subscribe at this time but need access to your project files, please contact our support team at support@made.live.
We believe these changes will substantially elevate the capabilities and user experience of Made Live. Whether you're an author of children's books or graphic novels, these new features are designed to take your work to the next level.
How to Choose Your Perfect Plan
Choosing the right subscription plan might feel like a big step, but we've designed our offerings to cater to a diverse set of needs. Here's how to pick the plan that's perfect for you:
For the Beginner: Lite Plan
Who It's For: Perfect for those just getting started on their publishing journey.
Key Features: All the essential tools you need to craft your manuscript, including basic AI support and user-friendly interface.
Why Choose This: If you're new to publishing and looking for an intuitive platform to help shape your narrative, the Lite plan offers a robust starting point.
For the Avid Creator: Premium Plan
Who It's For: Designed for committed authors seeking comprehensive tools for both writing and design.
Key Features: In addition to manuscript crafting, get access to advanced features like storyboarding, book formatting, layout and design, with click-and-drag ease.
Why Choose This: If you're serious about your work and need sophisticated tools for formatting and design, the Premium plan is your all-in-one solution.
Coming Soon: Premium Pro
Who It Will Be For: Geared towards author-preneurs with multiple titles and big publishing goals.
Key Features: Includes post-publishing support among other advanced functionalities.
Why Consider This: If you're managing a portfolio of titles and need post-publishing support, keep an eye out for our upcoming Premium Pro tier.
Still uncertain? For a detailed look at our subscription plans, features, and benefits, consult our Pricing Page.
Need personalized advice? Our support team is just an email away at support@made.live.
Navigating the Payment Process
Transitioning from our free beta to a subscription plan is a seamless process. Here's what you need to know to get started:
- Select Your Plan - Navigate to the 'Billing' section in your account dashboard and choose between the Lite or Premium plans based on your needs.
- Enter Location Information - To comply with tax regulations, we'll ask for your ZIP/Postal code and country. This information is strictly confidential and will only be used for billing purposes.
- Provide Payment Details - You'll be redirected to a secure payment page powered by Stripe, where you can enter your payment information.
- Confirm and Subscribe - Review your options, follow the instructions on screen confirm your selections. Once payment has been processed, you'll receive an email confirmation as well as an invoice for your records.
Payment Security
All transactions are encrypted and secure, adhering to industry standards for payment processing.
Support & Assistance
If you encounter any issues or have questions, our support team is readily available at support@made.live.
Your Account Status: What to Expect
As we transition to a subscription model, we want you to be fully aware of how this will impact your account status. Here's what you can expect:
Before the Cut-Off Date
- Active Account: Continue to use all features available in the free beta.
- Notification: You'll receive email reminders to switch to a paid plan as the cut-off date approaches.
On the Cut-Off Date
- Account Freeze: You'll no longer be able to access or make changes to your projects, but all your work will remain secure.
- Final Reminder: A pop-up will appear in-app, asking you to choose a paid plan to continue accessing paid features.
After the Cut-Off Date
- Limited Access: You can still log in to update billing and subscription details, but will not be able to edit or update your project.
- File Retrieval: If you decide not to subscribe, contact support@made.live to request access to your project files.
Upgrading to a Subscription
- Immediate Access: Once payment is confirmed, you'll regain full access to your existing projects and unlock new features based on your chosen plan.
- Subscription Cycle: Your billing cycle will start on the day you subscribe. You'll receive an invoice by email upon renewal and for each billing transaction (monthly or annually, based on payment frequency selections you made during checkout).
Downgrading or Canceling
- Subscription Cycles: If you decide to downgrade or cancel at any time during your subscription cycle, the changes will take effect at the end of your current billing cycle.
- Data Retention: Your projects will be retained for a grace period of up to 90 days, during which time you may request an export of your data. Beyond the 90-day grace period, inactive accounts and data may be archived.
FAQs About the Transition
Still have questions about our move to a subscription model? Here's a quick guide to answer some of the most common queries:
What happens to my existing projects?
Your existing projects remain intact. After the cut-off date, you'll need a subscription to make any changes or to access new features.
Can I still access my projects if I don't subscribe?
Unfortunately, no. You will be able to access your account to manage subscription and billing details, but will not be able to view or make any changes to your project. You can contact support@made.live within the 90-day grace period if you would like to retrieve project files.
What are the payment options?
We strive to make the payment process as seamless as possible, offering a range of options to suit different needs. Here's how you can pay for your Made Live subscription:
- Credit Cards - We accept major credit cards including, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, and JCB.
- Digital Wallets - For a quicker, more convenient payment process, we also support payments through Apple Pay and Google Pay.
How do I switch between plans?
You can change your subscription level via the 'Billing' section in your account dashboard. Changes will be effective at the end of your current billing cycle.
What is your data retention policy for canceled subscriptions?
We retain your project data for 30 days after canceling a subscription, giving you time to recover your work or resubscribe.
What happens after the data retention period expires?
After a 90-day grace period, your account and project may be archived unless you choose to resubscribe or request data retrieval.
Will the subscription price ever change?
While we aim to provide consistent pricing, adjustments may be made in the future. Existing subscribers will be notified well in advance of any changes.
Who do I contact for further questions?
For any other queries, reach out to us at support@made.live.
In Conclusion: Embracing the New Chapter
As we move forward, our commitment to supporting authors at every step of their creative journey remains unwavering. Our new subscription model is designed to enhance your experience and offer advanced features to elevate your craft.
Key Takeaways:
- New Features: Alongside our transition to a subscription model, we're introducing advanced AI-support, design workspaces, and much more.
- Flexible Plans: Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned author, our Lite and Premium plans are crafted to meet your needs.
- Payment Convenience: We support a variety of global credit cards and digital wallets to streamline your subscription process.
- Your Work is Safe: You won't lose any existing projects; however, a subscription will be necessary to make further changes.
Feel free to peruse the FAQ section for more details, and don't hesitate to contact support@made.live for further queries or assistance.
We're excited about this new chapter and look forward to continue being a part of your storytelling journey.
Additional Resources
If you're looking for more information or further assistance, check out these additional resources:
Help Articles
- Understanding Our New Features [coming soon]
Tutorials
- Visit and Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel for video walkthroughs, tutorials, and more. Stay updated by hitting the 'Follow' button.
Community
For direct support or any further questions, you can always reach us at support@made.live.
