In this episode of the Membership Geeks podcast, I reveal a surprising truth: even the largest and most successful membership sites make mistakes.

I dive into some of the most common blunders these membership giants are making, gleaned from our membership insider series, where I explore sites like Masterclass.com, Digital Marketer, and more. Join me as I unpack these mistakes, offering insights on how you can avoid them and improve your own membership experience.

In this episode:

• What are the common mistakes big membership sites make in their new member onboarding process?
• How do issues with integrating multiple tech systems impact the overall membership experience?
• Why is attention to detail crucial, and how can neglecting it affect your membership site?
• How can a well-designed offboarding process benefit a membership, and what are some examples of neglect in this area?

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’m joined by marketing expert Teresa Heath-Wareing to delve into the strategic use of webinars for driving member sales.

We unpack the essential ingredients that make a webinar effective in attracting and converting attendees into paying members.

From boosting registration and show-up rates to the nuances of live versus automated webinars, Teresa shares her wealth of experience and actionable insights.

Whether you're new to using webinars or looking to refine your current approach, this episode is packed with practical tips to elevate your membership marketing efforts.

In this episode:

• What are the key ingredients that make a webinar effective for attracting and converting attendees to your membership?
• How can membership owners improve registration and attendance rates for their webinars?
• What techniques can be used to keep attendees engaged throughout the webinar to ensure they stay for the pitch?
• Are automated or hybrid webinars a viable strategy, and how can they be executed without compromising authenticity?

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 how to make key connections within your industry that can significantly benefit your membership business.

Whether you’re looking to bring in guest experts, create joint ventures, or simply expand your network, I share practical tips and strategies for building strong, valuable relationships.

Discover how to leverage your existing network, attend industry events, and even use your own platforms to connect with influential figures.

Main Questions Addressed:

• Why making key connections within your industry is essential for benefiting your membership?
• How can you leverage your existing network to find valuable connections?
• What are the best practices for meeting and connecting with people at industry events?
• How can you use platforms, like podcasts, to establish relationships with bigger names in your industry?

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 chat with Funk Roberts, the founder of the Over 40 Alpha Brotherhood, about the secrets to building a loyal and engaged membership community.

We dive into strategies for fostering engagement, the importance of a transformative journey, and how you can maintain a personal touch even as your community scales.

Funk also shares actionable insights that membership site owners can immediately implement to see results.

In this episode:

• What key elements are often missing from membership communities in terms of engagement and building a vibrant community?
• How can membership owners stay connected with their audience over time, especially as their membership grows in size?
• What strategies can be applied to non-visual or less activity-driven memberships to foster engagement and community rituals?
• How do you balance content creation with community building, and what role does a structured transformation journey play in this process?

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 dive into the newly enacted "Click to Cancel" regulations introduced by the Federal Trade Commission in the US.

Effective as of January 15, 2025, these regulations mandate that cancelling a subscription must be as easy as signing up.

These new rules directly impact online membership businesses, and I'll be discussing what you need to know to comply and enhance member trust.

In this episode:

• What are the specific requirements of the FTC's click to cancel regulation?
• How should membership site owners adjust their cancellation processes to comply with the new rules?
• What are the implications of these regulations on the clarity and transparency of membership terms?
• Why is it important for membership owners, even those outside of the US, to adhere to these best 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 dive into the essential do’s and don’ts of marketing a membership website.

I share practical tips and advice to help you attract and retain the right members while avoiding common pitfalls.

Whether you're new to marketing or looking to refine your current strategies, this episode is packed with insights to set your membership up for long-term success.

In this episode:

• Why is it crucial to play the long game when marketing a membership site?
• What are the dangers of chasing "magic bean" strategies and how can they be avoided?
• How important is building an email list compared to relying on social media followings?
• What role does social proof and risk reversal play in building trust with potential members?

In this episode, I reflect on how the online membership industry has evolved over the past decade.

From the rise of AI to the decline of gimmicky marketing tactics, we'll explore the trends, challenges, and technological advancements that have shaped the world of online memberships over the past 10 years

Main Questions Addressed:

• How have membership marketing gimmicks and "founding member launches" fallen short, and what strategies have taken their place?
• What impact has subscription fatigue had on the membership industry, and how can providers effectively communicate their value to stand out?
• How has artificial intelligence influenced content creation and marketing within memberships, and what ethical considerations should be taken into account?
• In what ways have membership software and hosted platforms evolved, and how do these advancements affect the choices available for developers and business owners?

Just like that, another year is over...

And what a year 2024 has been!

It has certainly been a big year for the Membership Geeks! We hope it’s been a successful and productive year for you and your membership. 

With only a few days left of 2020, it’s time for our traditional end of year recap show.

Listen for our top 10 most popular episodes of the Membership Geeks podcast in 2024. 

Thank you so much for your continued support of the show this year - I really appreciate each and every one of you. 

Here’s to an awesome 2025. 

In this episode of the Membership Geeks Podcast, I delve into the crucial issue of what to do when members are leaving your membership site because they say they can't afford to stay subscribed.

I explore practical strategies you can implement to address both actual financial challenges and the perception of value that might be causing cancellations.

I'll also discuss how to gather valuable data from departing members and offer them alternatives to outright cancellation. Join me as I share actionable insights to help you retain more members and grow a successful membership business.

In this episode:

• How can you effectively collect data from outgoing members to understand their reasons for leaving?
• What strategies can you implement to address members' financial constraints without losing them permanently?
• How can you present the value of your membership to members considering cancellation due to perceived lack of worth?
• What are some alternatives you can offer to members instead of cancelling their membership outright?

In this episode of the Membership Geeks podcast, I discuss why an exceptional new member onboarding process is crucial for the success and longevity of your membership business.

I delve into how effective onboarding can significantly improve member retention, set the right tone from day one, and help new members feel welcomed and valued.

I also share practical steps and strategies to create a warm and guided onboarding experience that keeps members engaged and committed.

In this episode:

• Why is new member onboarding critical for membership retention?
• What are the essential elements of an effective onboarding process?
• How can you make new members feel welcomed and appreciated from the start?
• What follow-up steps should you take after the initial onboarding to ensure continued member engagement and satisfaction?

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