How to message and chat with fans

Steps

1. Step 1

   Create a group chat

   Dashboard → Chat. A group can be open to all supporters (people who follow you), anyone with a membership, or a specific membership. You are always allowed into groups you created.

2. Step 2

   Share the public chats page

   yaff.io/yourname/chats lists groups. Visitors with access can join; others see a follow or membership prompt.

3. Step 3

   Start a DM

   Creators start one-to-one threads from the dashboard (search supporters). Messages are realtime. There is no supporter-initiated “message the creator” inbox in the public shop beyond joining a group or waiting for you to DM.

Lapsed members

A lapsed subscriber can keep a membership row in the database but lose access to groups that require an active subscription. Unread badges ignore groups they can no longer open.