APA Marketplace FAQ

 

Advocates Paying Advocates (APA) Marketplace

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Last Updated: March 23, 2026

 

ABOUT THE MARKETPLACE

What is Advocates Paying Advocates?

The Advocates Paying Advocates Marketplace is the first digital marketplace built specifically for advocates, survivor-leaders, and organizations supporting adults, children, and youth survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and trafficking. Share your training materials, templates, toolkits, training courses, and resources with advocates, leaders, volunteers, educators, businesses, and communities who need them - and earn income doing it.

Our mission: Supported advocates = sustained movement. We're building a communal economy where advocates support one another through knowledge sharing, fair compensation, and economic empowerment.

Who can sell on the APA Marketplace?

The marketplace is designed for anyone working in or supporting violence prevention, survivor services, and advocacy work, including:

• Current advocates and nonprofit staff working in domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, human trafficking, and related fields

• Survivors and survivor-leaders

• Activists and community organizers

• Consultants, trainers, and coaches

• Nonprofit leaders and board members

• Social change professionals and entrepreneurs

• Volunteers, students, and researchers in the field

Who can buy from the APA Marketplace?

Anyone! Buyers don't need an account to browse products. You only need to create a free account to make purchases. Our buyers include:

• Individual advocates seeking professional development resources

• Nonprofit organizations looking for training materials and tools

• Educational institutions teaching advocacy and social change

• Activists building grassroots movements

• Anyone supporting violence prevention and social justice work

What makes APA different from other marketplaces?

APA is explicitly designed for the violence against women, children, and people movement with several unique features:

• Movement-Aligned: We understand advocate salaries and the realities of nonprofit work

• Peer-to-Peer Economy: Advocates supporting advocates economically and professionally

• Complementary to Grant-Funded Services: We focus on fee-for-service capacity building, NOT grant-funded direct services

• Community-Driven: Built-in community support through the Advocate Creators Network, which is free for all APA Marketplace creators. You can join the Advocate Creators Network today.

• Fair Commission Structure: Creators keep 85%-90% of sales (industry standard is 50%-70%)

• Complete Ecosystem: Multiple income streams through products, consulting, and affiliates

GETTING STARTED AS A SELLER

How do I create a seller account?

1. Visit the APA Marketplace  "For Creators"

2. Click on the Become a Creator buttonTo create a seller account, start here: Choose Your Plan. Select the plan that fits your needs, then click "Get Now" to complete your registration.

3. Complete your profile information and creator application

4. Wait for account approval (typically 1-2 business days)

5. Connect your Stripe account for payments

6. Choose your membership tier (Free Creator, Pro Creator $149/year, or Organization $249/year)

7. Start uploading your products!

Is there an application process?

Yes. We review all creator accounts to ensure alignment with our mission and community values. Most applications are approved within 1-2 business days. You will receive an email when your account is approved and you can begin listing products.

What can I sell on the marketplace?

You can sell a wide variety of digital products and services across 40 categories in four strategic pillars:

Pillar 1: Leadership & Organizational Capacity

• Leadership & Career Development

• Fundraising & Financial Sustainability

• Policy Development & Analysis

• Strategic Planning & Program Development

• Board Governance & Engagement

• Communications & Public Awareness

• Technology & Data Analysis

Pillar 2: Peer Support & Frontline Tools

• Self-Care & Burnout Prevention

• Facilitation & Group Support

• Daily Workflow & Job Aids

• Training & Skill-Building

Pillar 3: Enterprise & Business Development

• Consulting & Independent Practice

• Business Operations & Systems

• Marketing & Business Development

• Revenue & Financial Management

• Contracts & Legal Compliance

• Training Product Development

• Funding Innovation & Sustainability

Cross-Cutting Categories

• Survivor-Led Solutions

• Youth-Led Initiatives

• Accessibility Resources

• Culturally-Specific Resources

• LGBTQIA+ Resources

• Indigenous Communities

• Housing & Economic Justice

• Military & Veterans

• Health Integration

• Operations & Administration

• Digital Graphics & Design

• Rural Communities

• Faith-Based Resources

• Social Services Integration

What CAN'T I sell on the marketplace?

You cannot sell:

• Physical products (digital-only marketplace)

• Grant-funded direct services (we focus on capacity building, not clinical services)

• Copyrighted materials you don't own or have a license to use

• Services unrelated to advocacy/social change work

• Illegal, harmful, or discriminatory content

• Products that violate our Community Guidelines or Content Moderation Policy

• Materials created with grant funding without proper authorization (see our Grant-Funded Materials Policy)

What are the technical requirements for products?

Accepted File Formats:

• Documents: PDF, DOCX, XLSX, PPTX

• Videos: MP4, MOV

• Audio: MP3, WAV

• Archives: ZIP files for bundled resources

• Images: JPG, PNG (for templates, graphics)

File Size Limits:

• Maximum 4GB per file upload

Quality Standards:

• Professional formatting and error-free content

• Clear, actionable information

• Accurate product descriptions

• Preview images or sample pages for buyers

MEMBERSHIP TIERS & PRICING

What are the membership tiers?

The APA Marketplace offers three creator membership tiers with simple annual pricing:

1. FREE CREATOR MEMBERSHIP

• Cost: $0/year (FREE forever)

• Commission: Creators keep 85% of all sales (APA marketplace admin takes 15% for maintenance)

• Product Limit: 10 products maximum

• Billing Cycle: Yearly (or Lifetime since it's $0)

• Best For:

• New creators who are interested in starting on the APA marketplace.

• A person who has 1-10 digital products to sell.

• The occasional sellers who plan to sell 1 or 2 products a year.

2. PRO CREATOR MEMBERSHIP

• Cost: $149/year

• Commission: Creators keep 88% of every sale

• (APA marketplace admin takes 12% for maintenance)

• Product Limit: Unlimited products

• Exclusive Benefits:

• Weekly or monthly payouts ($10 minimum)

• 2 featured product slots for APA Marketplace home page and newsletter

• Billing Cycle: Yearly, $149 per year

• Best For:

• The advocate who has spent years developing resources and is ready to make them accessible beyond their organization

• Creators building a signature series — think toolkits, training guides, and curriculum designed to mentor advocates and organizations

• Someone who wants their store to be a destination, not just a listing — with featured placement on the APA homepage and newsletter to put their work in front of buyers regularly

• At $149/year — that's about $12.42/month — Pro Creator is designed for the advocate who is serious about building a presence and wants their investment to work as hard as they do

3. ORGANIZATION CREATOR MEMBERSHIP

• Cost: $249/year

• Commission: Creators keep 90% of every sale

• (APA marketplace admin takes 10% for maintenance)

• Product Limit: Unlimited products

• Exclusive Benefits:

• Weekly or monthly payouts ($10 minimum)

• Team access up to (5 team members)

• 5 featured product slots for APA Marketplace home page and newsletter

• Billing Cycle: Yearly, $249 per year

• Best For:

• Organizations with a catalog of products designed to transform how programs, services, and supports are delivered to survivors

• Organizations and programs that have built something the field needs — toolkits, training curricula, practice guides — and want to share it beyond their own walls

• Teams whose work has the potential to generate unrestricted revenue that flows back into mission-driven programs and services

• The organization that is ready to build a storefront that reflects the depth of its expertise — with featured visibility and the field's best commission rate to match

• At $249/year — about $20.75/month — this tier is built for organizations that are serious about turning their knowledge into a sustainable, unrestricted income stream

What's included in the commission structure?

Your commission rate determines how much you keep from each sale:

Tip Jar Bonus: If buyers leave tips at checkout, you keep 100% with NO platform fee!

How do payouts work?

• Payment Processor: Stripe Connect (direct to your bank account)

• Payout Timing: Based on your Stripe account settings (typically 2-7 business days)

• Commission: Automatically calculated and split at time of purchase

When should I upgrade from Free to Pro?

Consider upgrading to Pro Creator ($149/year) when:

• You've hit the 10-product limit on Free Creator membership tier

• You're earning consistent sales and want better commission rates

• You're serious about building supplemental income from digital products

• You want unlimited product uploads to grow your catalog

Quick Math: The 3% commission difference (88% vs 85%) means you earn an extra $3 on every $100 in sales. At approximately $5,000 in annual sales, the improved commission rate covers the membership cost.

When should I upgrade to the Organization tier?

Consider upgrading to Organization ($249/year) when:

• You have a team creating products together

• You want the best commission rate (90%) to maximize revenue

• Your organization needs multiple user accounts

• You're consistently selling and want the lowest platform fees

UPLOADING & MANAGING PRODUCTS

How do I upload a product?

1. Log into your Creator Dashboard

2. Click "Add New Product"

3. Select your product category

4. Enter product title and descriptions

5. Set your price

6. Upload your product file(s)

7. Add a product thumbnail image (800x800px minimum)

8. Click "Submit for Review"

How do I price my products?

You set your own prices! Here are some guidelines:

Consider your experience level, product depth, and target audience when pricing.

Do products need to be approved?

Yes. All products are reviewed before going live on the marketplace. We check for:

• Relevance to the violence prevention/advocacy field

• Quality and completeness of content

• Appropriate pricing

• Compliance with marketplace policies

Most products are approved within 2-3 business days. You will receive an email when your product is approved or if changes are needed.

Can I offer discounts or promotions?

Yes! You can adjust your prices for promotional periods. Contact support if you need help with discount strategies.

How do I edit or update a product after publishing?

Go to your Creator Dashboard, find the product, and click "Edit." You can update descriptions, prices, files, or images anytime. Significant changes may require re-review.

PAYMENTS & EARNINGS

How do I get paid?

All payments are processed through Stripe Connect:

1. Buyer purchases your product

2. Stripe processes the payment securely

3. Your commission is automatically calculated

4. Funds are deposited to your connected bank account

When will I receive my money?

Payout timing depends on your Stripe account settings. Most creators receive payouts within 2-7 business days after a sale.

What about taxes?

You are responsible for reporting your marketplace income to tax authorities. We recommend consulting with a tax professional. Stripe provides tax documents (1099-K) for US creators meeting IRS thresholds.

How do I get help if I have a problem?

Contact Support: Submit a Support Request

Common Support Topics:

• Account and login issues

• Product upload questions

• Payment and payout inquiries

• Refund requests (within 7 days of purchase)

• Technical difficulties

Response Time: Within 48 hours (often faster)

BUYING ON THE MARKETPLACE

How do I purchase a product?

1. Browse or search for products

2. Click on a product to view details

3. Click "Add to Cart"

4. Review your cart and proceed to checkout

5. Add an optional tip for the creator (100% goes to them!)

6. Enter payment information (processed securely via Stripe)

7. Click "Place Order"

8. Download your files immediately

What type of digital products and services can be purchased in the APA marketplace?

The APA Marketplace offers a wide variety of digital products created by advocates, for advocates. Every product falls into one of the following types to help you find — or list — exactly what you're looking for.

📄 Downloadable Documents & Resources

eBook / Guide — A long-form written resource covering a topic in depth. Ideal for comprehensive frameworks, practice guides, and field-specific knowledge.

Workbook — An interactive document with prompts, exercises, and reflection spaces designed to guide the reader through a process or skill.

Template — A ready-to-use, customizable document that can be adapted for your organization's specific needs.

Toolkit / Resource Kit — A bundled collection of related templates, guides, or job aids packaged together around a common theme or workflow.

Checklist / Quick Reference Guide — A concise, practical job aid designed for rapid reference before, during, or after a task or process.

Assessment Tool / Rubric — A structured evaluation instrument for assessing readiness, performance, program quality, or organizational capacity.

Policy Template / Policy Framework — A model policy, procedure, or standard operating procedure that organizations can review and adapt.

Curriculum / Training Manual — A complete training program including learning objectives, session plans, activities, and supporting materials.

Facilitator Guide — A companion resource designed for the person leading a training, workshop, or group experience.

Participant Handout / Packet — Standalone or supplemental materials designed for participants in a training, workshop, or presentation.

Slide Deck / Presentation — An editable or PDF presentation file suitable for training, conference sessions, board meetings, or staff development.

Spreadsheet / Data Tool — A working Excel or Google Sheets file built for tracking, planning, budgeting, or data management.

Script / Talk Track — A written script or structured outline designed to guide specific conversations, presentations, or outreach efforts.

🎬 Video & Audio

Pre-Recorded Training / Workshop — A complete video recording of a training session or workshop, delivered as a standalone learning resource.

Webinar Recording — A recorded live webinar, including presentations and any accompanying materials.

Tutorial Video — A short instructional video walking through a specific skill, tool, or process.

Audio Training / Audio Recording — An audio-only learning resource such as a coaching session, guided training, or instructional recording.

Podcast Episode — A produced podcast episode focused on advocacy topics, professional development, or field-specific knowledge.

📚 Courses & Structured Learning

Self-Paced Course — A multi-module learning experience with structured lessons delivered asynchronously, accessible at the buyer's own pace.

Mini-Course / Micro-Learning Module — A shorter, focused course (typically 3–7 lessons) targeting one specific skill or outcome.

Workshop Package — Everything needed to deliver a specific workshop — facilitator guide, slides, participant handouts, and activities — packaged together.

Cohort-Based Program (Access Link) — Access to a live, time-bound learning experience delivered in a community. Fulfillment details are provided after purchase.

🛠️ Consulting & Service Packages

Consulting Package — A pre-defined scope of consulting services purchased through the marketplace. The creator coordinates delivery after purchase.

Strategy Session / Single Consultation — A one-time consulting session (typically 60–90 minutes). Scheduling is coordinated with the creator after purchase.

Technical Assistance Package — Structured support for implementing a specific initiative, program, or organizational change.

Program Review / Evaluation Service — A service offering expert review of a program, document, or initiative with written feedback provided.

🗂️ Bundles & Collections

Bundle — Two or more related products sold together at a combined price, offering greater value than purchasing individually.

Complete Program Package — All materials associated with an entire program — curriculum, facilitator guide, slides, handouts, and assessments — sold as one purchase.

🎨 Templates & Design Resources

Canva Template — An editable design shared via Canva template link, ready to customize with your organization's branding and content.

Graphic / Digital Asset — Ready-to-use designed graphic files for social media, presentations, awareness campaigns, or organizational communications.

Form / Survey Template — A pre-built form or survey instrument (Google Forms, Typeform, or similar) for data collection, intake, or evaluation purposes.

🔗 Access & Community Products

Community Access / Group Membership — Entry to a private community, peer network, or online group maintained by the creator.

Resource Library Access — Access to a curated, password-protected collection of resources maintained and updated by the creator.

Can I purchase without creating an account?

Yes! Guest checkout is available. Simply provide your email address to receive your download link. However, creating a free account gives you access to your purchase history and easy re-downloads.

What is the refund policy?

Because digital products can be downloaded immediately, we offer refunds only in specific circumstances:

• The product is significantly different from its description

• The files are corrupted or cannot be opened

• You were charged incorrectly

To request a refund, submit a support request here within 7 days of purchase with your order number and reason.

What is the Tip Jar?

At checkout, you can add an optional tip to show extra appreciation for the creator. 100% of tips go directly to the creator — we take no platform fee on tips!

What happens after I make a purchase?

After you complete your purchase, three things happen:

1. You'll see an on-screen confirmation page immediately after checkout.

2. You'll receive a Download Email with the subject line "Your Download Is Ready."

3. You'll receive an Order Confirmed Email confirming your order details.

In total, you will receive two emails after your purchase. Both emails come from noreply@advocatespayingadvocates.com.

How do I download my products?

• From the confirmation page: Use the download buttons immediately after checkout.

• From your Download Email: Click the download button next to each product.

• From your account: Go to My Account → Orders → Order Details anytime.

Can I re-download my products later?

Yes! Log in and go to My Account → Orders → Order Details to access your downloads anytime.

I didn't receive my download email. What should I do?

1. Check your spam or junk folder — the email comes from noreply@advocatespayingadvocates.com

2. Search your inbox for "Your Download Is Ready"

3. Log in to your account and go to My Account → Orders → Order Details

4. Still need help? Submit a support request here with your order number

I received my email but the download isn't working. What should I do?

• Make sure you're clicking the download button (not just the product name)

• Try using a different web browser

• Check that you have enough storage space on your device

• If the file appears corrupted, submit a support request here with your order number