Membership Geeks Podcast with Mike Morrison

In this special episode, I celebrate 10 years of running Membership Academy by sharing the biggest insights and lessons I’ve learned along the way.

I pull back the curtain on both the triumphs and tough moments, going beyond surface-level tactics to discuss what really matters for long-term membership success.

From dealing with imposter syndrome to the importance of feedback and embracing imperfection, I dive into the realities of membership site ownership.

Whether you're just starting out or scaling your community, this episode delivers honest, hard-won wisdom for building a thriving membership business.

• What are the most important lessons I’ve learned from a decade of running a successful membership?
• How do you create effective, focused learning content without overwhelming your members?
• Why is stepping back from being the “guru” essential for building a vibrant membership community?
• How can feedback, data, and embracing imperfection help you grow and maintain a healthy membership site?

Key Quotes & Takeaways:

"If you are looking for a magic bullet, the magic bullet is not marketing strategies. It's not an ad strategy, it's not wording in a social media caption, it's not a funnel, it's not closing your doors and opening it. There is no magic bullet in marketing, but the magic bullets for membership and for all business is feedback and data."

"Not hearing from people, not seeing people in your community, doesn't mean they're not happy, doesn't mean they're not active. And even, even if they're not lurkers like I am, some people will be part of your membership and be happy paying just because they like to know that it is there when they need it."

"People are there for transformation, not information. And if they can accomplish something significant in just five minutes of logging into your membership site and never log in again the rest of that year, but that five minutes moves the needle for them in a way that is seriously groundbreaking, then they're going to be happy."

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 special episode of the Membership Geeks Podcast, I open up about the toughest moments and biggest challenges I’ve faced over a decade of running a membership business. As we kick off a month of anniversary content, I dive deep into pivotal decisions, unexpected setbacks, and the realities that most membership owners rarely talk about publicly. Whether you’re just starting out or have been running your own membership for years, my honest reflections are here to shed light on what it really takes to keep going—especially when things get tough.

• What were the most difficult decisions I had to make in the early days of launching and shifting my business model?
• How did I handle sudden competition from a well-funded, well-connected industry player—and what impact did it have on my mindset and business?
• In what ways did external crises like COVID-19 test my resilience and force me to adapt my membership offer and team structure?
• What was it like to experience internal challenges, such as letting my first team member go and navigating the unexpected departure of a cofounder—and how did these affect my business moving forward?

Key Quotes & Takeaways:

"If you've been listening to us for a while, you'll know that I never shy away from the uglier side of the membership world of business, and I always give it to you straight."

"We couldn't compete with the black book, the huge financial backing, and the fact that they could incentivize others to portray them as this ever knowing, all knowing guru, and fast track them to their place in the industry by paying them a thousand dollars for every customer that they referred."

"A lot of people kind of revealed what their true motivation was. And I've got to be honest, that that made me a lot more cynical about the online business world and the kind of people who were influential within it"

"You can never go wrong just refocusing on your people. Right? Refocusing on your members. Why you're doing it for them? What they need from you? How you can best serve them?"

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 fascinating story of Freelancer Magazine’s innovative hybrid membership model with founder and editor Sophie Cross.

We explore how an independently published print magazine not only survives but thrives by blending traditional publishing with a thriving online membership and community for creative freelancers.

From virtual coworking sessions to exclusive member directories and content, I uncover the secrets behind building a sustainable, community-driven membership alongside a premium print product.

Whether you’re a membership owner, a publisher, or just love creative business ideas, there’s a lot to learn from Sophie’s journey.

• What does the membership offering at Freelancer Magazine include beyond the print and digital publication, and how are these elements structured for members?
• How did the transition from a print-only magazine to a hybrid membership model come about, and what evolved along the way?
• In what ways has the online community and member features impacted retention, member engagement, and the direction of the magazine?
• How are marketing strategies for Freelancer Magazine adapted to suit both the traditional print side and the dynamic online membership community?

"Virtual just seemed to make more sense. It's really accessible to people. We started doing some virtual co-working and it just took off - it's really popular. We probably get between 15 and 30 people every morning, and when volunteer hosts started running the sessions, it began running itself. Some people join the membership just for that community, while the magazine becomes a nice add-on."

"We actually don't have a Facebook group or a circle group - and that's intentional because other communities do that well. The magazine has become the hero product, but it's all about getting the community connected in different ways"

"Because we're relatively small, with about a thousand paid subscribers and 5,000 in the newsletter community, I can personally reach out and offer solutions - like a complimentary digital copy if someone's struggling financially. That kind of one-to-one feedback is really, really nice, and chasing specific churn percentages isn't of interest to me right now."

• Freelancer Magazine
• Connect with Sophie Cross on LinkedIn

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 deep into the essential traits that set thriving membership owners apart from the rest.

Rather than focusing on marketing tactics or retention strategies, I shine a spotlight on the personal development and mindset shifts that make building and running a successful membership sustainable—and enjoyable—for the long haul.

If you want to know what it really takes to grow a membership business you’re proud of, this episode is for you.

• What key personal traits do membership owners need to succeed over the long term?
• How can clarity of purpose impact decision-making and growth in your membership?
• Why are resilience, empathy, and strong people skills critical for membership leaders?
• What boundaries and habits should you develop to avoid burnout and foster sustainable success?

Key Quotes & Takeaways:

"Clarity isn't just something that gives you a strategic advantage, it's also an emotional anchor because if you really dive deep into who you are serving, what the purpose of your membership is, then that passion that's going to elevate your membership comes from knowing your purpose, knowing what you're here to do."

"But you do need to care about your members as human beings, not just numbers on a spreadsheet and money in your bank account."

"Your membership lives or dies by your ability to teach, explain, engage, and connect, whether that is through, courses, video tutorials, live q and a's, email newsletters, forum posts inside your community, workshops, challenges, whatever format you're using, your success hinges on how well you can take your expertise, your knowledge and deliver it to someone else in a way that sticks."

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 sit down with Michael Stelzner, founder of Social Media Marketing World and the Social Media Marketing Society, to dive deep into why he made the big decision to close down his successful membership after a decade.

We unpack the strategic thinking, the data, and even the unexpected tech issues that led to this major pivot in his business.

I also explore the launch of his new AI Business Society membership and what it means both for him and the wider membership industry.

If you’re at a crossroads with your own membership, you’ll find plenty of actionable insights and thought-provoking guidance in our conversation.

• What were the main factors and turning points that led Michael Stelzner to sunset the Social Media Marketing Society after ten years?
• How did market changes and the rise of AI influence the strategic pivot towards launching the AI Business Society?
• What was the process and communication strategy for closing down an established membership, and how were existing members supported during the transition?
• What lessons has Michael learned from running multiple memberships, and how is he approaching the new landscape in the world of online communities and AI?

Key Quotes & Takeaways:

"that idea of pivoting, even just a small amount can be daunting. But some of the lessons and some of the things that you've done in terms of maintaining that long term vision, looking for those overlaps and not rushing it, not just cutting everything off and considering it as an entirely new business."

"I'm militant about saying no to anything that's not in alignment to my mission because I can't do it all. And those who do it all end up failing."

"We at Social Media Examiner believe very strongly to do fewer things well is better than doing lots of things poorly."

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 controversial world of scarcity marketing, especially as it relates to memberships.

I unpack why the “closed door” model and pressure tactics aren’t the magic bullet many gurus claim—and how they can actually do more harm than good to your membership business.

Instead, I share a more sustainable approach focused on trust, value, and genuine urgency.

If you’re tired of being told you “must” use countdown timers and manufactured FOMO, this one’s for you!

• Do you really need scarcity tactics—like limited-time enrollment—to grow a successful membership?
• What are the risks and downsides of relying on pressure and artificial urgency to sell memberships?
• How can you create genuine urgency that leads to better, more engaged long-term members?
• What marketing strategies actually work best for building a thriving, sustainable membership business?

"The urgency to join your membership shouldn't come from some arbitrary deadline or some daft countdown timer. It should come from your product. The urgency should come from having a compelling product that people just have to have. From the fact that what you offer helps people solve a real problem."

"But if your entire sales strategy hinges on act now or else, then you're not giving people time to actually evaluate, trust, and commit."

"Quite often, marketing tactics that apply pressure, that manipulate your potential members with false scarcity or leaning too heavily on scarcity quite often will convert very well in the short term. You will see a big influx of members during your limited open period if you have a closed door membership."

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 deep into the topic of legacy pricing for membership businesses—a practice I’ve long advocated, but one that can pose major challenges as your membership grows and evolves.

I discuss the benefits and pitfalls of letting members lock in their original pricing, explore when legacy pricing stops serving your business, and outline strategies for dealing with long-term members who are paying far less than new signups.

If your membership has gone through significant changes over the years, this episode will help you navigate the often-tricky conversation around updating your pricing structure while staying fair to your most loyal members.

• What is legacy pricing, and why has it traditionally been seen as a best practice for member retention and conversions?
• When does legacy pricing begin to work against you and your membership business, rather than for you?
• How can you fairly and effectively address the issue of long-term members paying outdated rates, especially when your offering has fundamentally changed?
• What are the practical options and communication strategies for transitioning legacy members to new pricing, and how can you do this while maintaining trust and goodwill?

Key Quotes & Takeaways:

"The fact that I would lose out on that legacy pricing, the fact that if I left and then came back in the future would mean I'd be paying a lot more. That can be enough of an incentive for me to not cancel, for me to leave my membership active for a month or two, even if I'm real busy, in order to hold on to that really advantageous, really attractive legacy pricing."

"So instead of going from $20 a month to $80 a month, you maybe go $20 to $50 a month, and they're locked in at that rate. So you acknowledge their loyalty by giving them still a significant discount, but you also acknowledge the fact that the product has changed, and you're taking care of them essentially by saying, you know, what you're paying for now, this is a total different product."

"You can take the original offer as a basic tier whereby what people get at that level more closely resembles what was originally offered at the time those members signed up."

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 the dangers of blindly following membership plugin recommendations you see in Facebook groups and online communities.

I discuss why generic advice can often lead you astray, and share practical steps for cutting through the noise to make tech choices that truly fit your unique membership business.

You'll learn how to critically assess plugin advice and what questions you need to ask yourself—and others—before committing to any platform.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting plugin recommendations, this episode will help you make smarter decisions.

• Why is asking, “What’s the best membership plugin?” a potentially risky question in online communities?
• How can you tell if someone’s plugin recommendation is actually relevant to your specific business needs?
• What key factors should you consider before choosing a membership plugin for your site?
• How can you avoid falling for hype, affiliate-driven suggestions, or outdated advice when evaluating tech options for your membership?

Key Quotes & Takeaways:

"Anyone who offers you advice on plug ins or software, but doesn't ask what your membership actually is, what you're offering, how you wanna run it, what features you need, They're just giving you generic advice with zero basis, and generic advice is dangerous for your member"

"If you're not technically inclined, don't pick the most complex plug in just because someone says it's the most powerful, it's the most flexible, you can do everything with it."

"good tools will not make a bad membership work, but the wrong tools can definitely get in your way."

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 one of the most common questions I get from soon-to-be membership site owners: how big does your audience actually need to be before launching your membership?

I get real about the numbers, explain why your email list is so much more important than your social media following, and break down how engagement and quality matter far more than pure quantity.

If you’ve ever wondered if you’re “ready” to launch or what you should focus on before taking the leap, this episode is here to give you clarity.

• What’s the recommended size for your email list before it makes sense to launch a membership?
• Why is the quality and engagement level of your audience more important than just having a big subscriber list?
• Why shouldn’t you rely on social media followers when measuring your potential audience?
• What specific steps can you take if you don’t yet have a large, engaged email list and want to launch a membership in the future?

Tune in to get practical, honest advice that will set you up for membership success!

Key Quotes & Takeaways:

"a list of 300 highly engaged, relevant, interested people beats a list of 3,000 who don't even remember who you are when you pop up in their inbox and they have no idea why they're on your list in the first place."

"You can only create a solution in the form of a membership if you understand the problems that membership will solve."

"Focus more on email subscribers than the vanity metrics of social media. Don't just play the numbers game. Make sure you're attracting the right kind of people and ignore all that nonsense gimmicky advice..."

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 welcome back Robbie Kellman Baxter, author of "The Membership Economy," to explore how the world of memberships and subscriptions has transformed over the past decade.

We dive into the shifts brought by the boom during COVID, the increasing demands for meaningful value, the impact of AI, and what the future holds for membership businesses.

Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned membership owner, this conversation is packed with actionable advice and thought-provoking strategy for thriving in an ever-changing environment.

• What are the most significant shifts membership business owners need to understand in 2025 compared to previous years?
• How have automation and AI impacted membership models, and what balance should be struck between leveraging technology and maintaining a human touch?
• What can membership site owners do to stay relevant and valuable to their members in an increasingly crowded and competitive landscape?
• How can you future-proof your membership business for the next five to ten years in a world where subscription fatigue and global changes are a reality?

Key Quotes & Takeaways:

"a lot of people who launched memberships, maybe especially in that go go period from, let's call it, 2019 to 2022, suddenly got a rude awakening and realized, you know, I actually have to engage people once I bring them in. I have to have an offering, that justifies a forever transaction more scientific in the way that I run my business."

"This is a time to take a step back, and say, what are we doing right? What are we doing wrong? What would we and this is, I think, the money question. What would we be doing differently if we were starting today?"

"And they say our existing members love us, but we're having trouble acquiring new members. And that is a signal that your offering is no longer competitive, no longer relevant. That should be a huge wake up call to you."

"I think organizations that can continue to focus on aligning the member outcome, desired outcome with the way they package their value are the ones that are gonna do well."

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.