In this episode of the Membership Geeks Podcast, I dive deep into the contentious topic of whether you should enforce a minimum term for your online membership.

Many membership site owners grapple with locking members into commitments, but is this approach truly beneficial for your business and your members?

I explore the potential pitfalls of enforcing minimum terms, including the financial, ethical, and legal implications, and discuss alternative strategies that focus on providing genuine value rather than forced commitment.

• Why do some membership owners consider enforcing a minimum term, and what are the typical justifications given?
• What are the potential challenges and risks associated with enforcing a minimum term for memberships?
• How might minimum term commitments negatively impact the member experience and perception of your membership business?
• What are some alternative strategies to improve retention without resorting to locking members into long-term commitments?

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 challenges of people pleasing as a membership site owner.

Balancing responsiveness to your community with maintaining the integrity of your membership can be difficult, especially when faced with loud and demanding voices.

I explore why it's impossible to make everyone happy and how trying to do so can undermine your goals. Learn how to make informed decisions that benefit the whole community and back your expertise with confidence.

• How can you navigate the challenge of not being able to please everyone in your membership?
• Why is it dangerous to accommodate every request, demand, or complaint from members?
• How should you handle pricing pressures from members who claim your membership is too expensive?
• What is the importance of trusting your expertise and making decisions for the benefit of the entire community, rather than catering to individual requests?

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 tackle a common question: Does a membership site need its own mobile app?

We dive deep into the reasons why a mobile app might not be necessary for most memberships and explore the cost implications, usage patterns, and potential alternatives. I also discuss scenarios where having an app might actually make sense and share some insights from my extensive experience with membership sites.

• Is it necessary for my membership site to have a dedicated mobile app?
• What are the costs and challenges associated with developing a mobile app for my membership site?
• How do most people use mobile apps, and does it justify the investment for my membership?
• Are there specific situations where having a mobile app for a membership is truly beneficial?

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 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.

• 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?

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.

• 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?

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?

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?

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?

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?