In this episode of Membership Geeks Podcast, I dive into the exciting news of our upcoming live conference, Retain Live 2025!

I share the backstory of our first event in 2019, why we decided not to continue with annual events, and how we navigated the challenges posed by the global pandemic.

Join me as I talk about the renewed enthusiasm and strategic decisions behind running another membership conference and what attendees can look forward to.

Main Questions Addressed:

• Why did we decide to bring back Retain Live after a six-year hiatus?
• What were the key factors that influenced the decision to not hold annual events?
• How did the global pandemic impact our initial plans for future conferences?
• What can attendees expect from Retain Live 2025 in terms of content, speakers, and networking opportunities?

Find out more about Retain Live 2025 at www.retainlive.com

In this episode, I dive into the vault to bring back some timeless wisdom on validating your membership idea before launching.

Validation is crucial to ensure that your membership has strong foundations and stands the test of time.

I share valuable insights on researching, understanding the problem you aim to solve, and making sure there's a paying audience ready for your solutions.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the planning stages of starting a membership site.

In this episode:

- What steps should I take to ensure that the problem my membership addresses actually exists?

- How can I determine if my target audience has a recurring need or a lengthy journey that can be supported by a membership model?

- In what ways can I validate that the audience I am targeting is willing to pay for my solution?

- How do I evaluate my own long-term commitment and interest in running a membership site?

Thank You For Listening

We really appreciate you choosing to listen to us and for supporting the podcast.

We would be eternally grateful if you would consider taking a minute or two to leave an honest review and rating for the show. They're extremely helpful when it comes to reaching our audience and we read each and every one personally!

Finally, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast to make sure that you never miss an episode.

In this "From The Vault" episode, I delve into advanced membership pricing tactics that can significantly influence consumer decisions and enhance membership sales.

We explore concepts such as price anchoring, decoy products, and comparative pricing, providing practical examples from successful companies.

Additionally, we discuss the psychological impact of pricing strategies and the importance of limiting options to avoid overwhelming potential customers. Join me as we unravel these powerful techniques to fine-tune your membership pricing strategy.

In this episode:

- How can price anchoring be implemented to make a membership option more appealing compared to other choices?

- What are decoy products, and how can they be used to reframe buying decisions in favor of a preferred option?

- Why is it essential to limit the number of membership options to avoid decision fatigue, and how can this be managed effectively?

- How do psychological factors like the leading number in a price and the influence of prices ending in 9 or 7 affect consumer perception and decision-making?

Thank You For Listening

We really appreciate you choosing to listen to us and for supporting the podcast.

We would be eternally grateful if you would consider taking a minute or two to leave an honest review and rating for the show. They're extremely helpful when it comes to reaching our audience and we read each and every one personally!

Finally, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast to make sure that you never miss an episode.

In this episode, I dive into the archives to revisit one of our most talked-about topics from 2017: the closed door membership model.

While it's a tactic that’s gained traction over the years, I share five reasons why I generally dislike this approach for memberships.

You'll hear me discuss the potential downsides, such as community stagnation and attracting the wrong type of members, and provide insights that remain highly relevant today.

In this episode:

- Why do I believe the closed door membership model often results in higher costs and lower long-term member retention?

- How can a closed door strategy negatively impact the dynamics and engagement within your membership community?

- Why might relying on this model indicate lazy marketing and potentially attract less motivated members?

- What are the circumstances where a closed door membership model might actually make sense and benefit both the member and the business?

Thank You For Listening

We really appreciate you choosing to listen to us and for supporting the podcast.

We would be eternally grateful if you would consider taking a minute or two to leave an honest review and rating for the show. They're extremely helpful when it comes to reaching our audience and we read each and every one personally!

Finally, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast to make sure that you never miss an episode.

Do you know what the average churn rate is for a typical online membership?

How about revenue benchmarks?

Average conversion rates?

What about the most popular tech solutions? Or the most effective marketing channels?

Truth is, there's very little reliable data available about the online membership industry.

That's because this market is relatively tiny.

It's a niche, of a niche, of a niche.

What data we do have tends to come from either the broader subscription industry, or from membership associations.

Neither of which reflect the online membership world.

Years ago we made it our on a mission to change that by conducting a survey of thousands of membership owners designed to shine a light on the real data and benchmarks for the online membership industry.

And now it's time for an update...

We’ve spent the past fews months tapping into our audience of tens of thousands of membership business owners to identify how they’re performing, what challenges they’re facing and which benchmarks and trends are prevalent.

And we've compiled those results into the Online Membership Industry Report 2024

In today's episode of the Membership Geeks Podcast, I'm sharing some of my top observations, takeaways, trends and other interesting tidbits and insights taken from this year's report.

Thank You For Listening

We really appreciate you choosing to listen to us and for supporting the podcast.

We would be eternally grateful if you would consider taking a minute or two to leave an honest review and rating for the show. They're extremely helpful when it comes to reaching our audience and we read each and every one personally!

Finally, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast to make sure that you never miss an episode.

In this episode, I delve into the often frustrating topic of handling member refunds.

Listen in as I explore the importance of a fair and generous refund policy, the concept of risk reversal, and why it can be beneficial despite the occasional setbacks.

I also share insights on managing the emotional side of facing refunds and how to maintain a positive outlook.

In this episode:

- Why is it important to have a fair and generous refund policy for your membership?

- What is risk reversal, and how does it help in reducing customer reluctance?

- How can you mentally cope with the frustration and disappointment of handling refund requests?

- What are some practical steps for managing refunds effectively, including delegating them to a team member?

Thank You For Listening

We really appreciate you choosing to listen to us and for supporting the podcast.

We would be eternally grateful if you would consider taking a minute or two to leave an honest review and rating for the show. They're extremely helpful when it comes to reaching our audience and we read each and every one personally!

Finally, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast to make sure that you never miss an episode.

Membership Academy just turned 9 years old!

Listen in as I discuss the in's and out's of the past 12 months at Membership Academy and look ahead to what’s in store for the coming months and beyond.

In this episode:

• How we dealt with the single biggest change in the history of the business and the upheaval it caused
• What content and features we've brought back to the Academy, and what else in being planned
• How I've overcome my resistance to coaching, and the approach that's finally working
• The huge announcement for 2025 that has me VERY excited!

Thank You For Listening

We really appreciate you choosing to listen to us and for supporting the podcast.

We would be eternally grateful if you would consider taking a minute or two to leave an honest review and rating for the show. They're extremely helpful when it comes to reaching our audience and we read each and every one personally!

Finally, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast to make sure that you never miss an episode.

In this milestone 400th episode of Membership Geeks, I reflect on the valuable lessons learned over nearly a decade of podcasting.

From the early days of educating a fresh market about memberships to the overcomplicated strategy that led to putting the show on hiatus, I delve into the ups and downs of hosting a long-running podcast for over 9 years.

I share insights on staying true to your podcast's core purpose, repurposing content effectively, and the ongoing evolution that keeps the show fresh and engaging.

In this episode:

• How has the Membership Geeks podcast evolved since its inception in 2015?
• What are the challenges and benefits of repurposing podcast content?
• Why is it important to stay committed to the core purpose of your podcast?
• How can podcasters avoid burnout and maintain sustainable podcasting practices?

Thank You For Listening

We really appreciate you choosing to listen to us and for supporting the podcast.

We would be eternally grateful if you would consider taking a minute or two to leave an honest review and rating for the show. They're extremely helpful when it comes to reaching our audience and we read each and every one personally!

Finally, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast to make sure that you never miss an episode.

In this episode of the Membership Geeks Podcast, I delve into three simple yet effective perks that you can offer within your membership site to enhance value and attract more members.

These often-overlooked perks can set your membership apart and make it more appealing.

Whether you're just starting or looking to revamp your existing membership offering, these tips will help you add extra layers of value and stand out in a competitive market.

In this episode:

- How can offering early access to products and events outside of your membership be a beneficial perk?

- In what ways can preferential pricing for other products and services enhance the value of your membership?

- How can negotiating discounted offers with external suppliers add value for your members?

- What strategies can you use to leverage affiliate programs to secure discounts for your membership site members?

Thank You For Listening

We really appreciate you choosing to listen to us and for supporting the podcast.

We would be eternally grateful if you would consider taking a minute or two to leave an honest review and rating for the show. They're extremely helpful when it comes to reaching our audience and we read each and every one personally!

Finally, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast to make sure that you never miss an episode.

In this episode, I dive into the essential strategies for maintaining your sanity while managing customer service in a membership business.

I explore why customer service can sometimes be a challenge, how to handle difficult members, and the importance of keeping perspective. I'll also share some tips on keeping sight of the positives in your business, even when you're not feeling motivated.

In this episode:

- How can I handle hostile or difficult customer service inquiries without becoming demoralized?

- Is the customer always right, and how should I handle unreasonable demands?

- When is it okay to let go of a problematic member rather than trying to appease them?

- How can I keep my perspective and mental health in check when dealing with frequent customer service issues?

Thank You For Listening

We really appreciate you choosing to listen to us and for supporting the podcast.

We would be eternally grateful if you would consider taking a minute or two to leave an honest review and rating for the show. They're extremely helpful when it comes to reaching our audience and we read each and every one personally!

Finally, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast to make sure that you never miss an episode.

In this episode of the Membership Geeks Podcast, I discuss actionable strategies to help you get your membership up and running when things aren't going as planned.

Whether you’re experiencing low initial sign-ups or struggling to maintain momentum post-launch, I'll share four essential steps to diagnose and overcome these challenges.

In this episode:

• How can you effectively grow and engage your audience to boost membership numbers?
• What are some strategies to incentivize existing members to help promote your membership?
• How important is market research and validation in the early stages of developing a membership, and what steps might you have missed?
• Why and how should you remain open to pivoting your membership's strategy in response to feedback and initial results?