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Subscription models are crazy powerful. Savvy small companies can easily deploy them to knock huge Goliaths off kilter. We’ve seen it in entertainment, software, hardware, news, retail, hospitality—the list goes on. In her podcast series, Robbie Kellman Baxter interviews the leaders of this revolution about how they’re using subscription pricing and membership models to redefine the biggest industries and generate predictable recurring revenue along the way.
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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 t…
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In this episode, I dive into the world of ManyChat and Instagram automation with Mel Eilers, also known as the "ManyChat Queen". We explore how you can leverage ManyChat to streamline lead generation on Instagram, shorten customer journeys, and keep your audience engaged—all while freeing up more of your time. From practical strategies for capturin…
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 If you've ever had to wait for your doctor first in the waiting room and then in the examining room, or struggled to get an appointment or had trouble getting a prescription filled while on the road, you know why primary care in the United States is in such desperate need of disruption. One Medical has been transforming primary care through the po…
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In this episode, I dive into the crucial elements that can significantly impact the success of your membership site’s registration process. It’s not just about building a great membership or crafting an enticing sales page; the moment of truth happens when a potential member decides to join. I discuss five common mistakes that membership site owner…
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In this special episode, I revisit a timeless topic from the Membership Geeks archives to explore how you can reignite your passion for your membership. Memberships are a long-term commitment, and it's not uncommon to find yourself feeling disconnected or burnt out. I share insights and strategies on how to fall back in love with your membership by…
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Something I've noticed over the years is that there's a natural membership economy mindset among many family-owned businesses and organizations, not on the venture-backed IPO acquisition path. Companies that aren't on a tight timeline to an exit have the ability to invest in long-term, trusted relationships with customers and with employees. After …
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In this episode of the Membership Geeks Podcast, I dive into a challenge many membership owners face: figuring out what to do when your membership isn't working as expected and you feel the need to pivot. I discuss how to determine if a pivot is truly necessary or if you're simply panicking and provide practical steps to assess and address the unde…
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In this episode, I dive into the essential steps for validating your membership idea to ensure it leads to long-term success. We explore the increasingly common misconception that you can simply launch your membership without preparation and share the importance of building a foundation before asking people for money. I highlight the pitfalls of ru…
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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 enfo…
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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 t…
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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 actu…
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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 m…
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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 n…
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 In today's episode, we're exploring one of the most ambitious and successful business model transformations in modern corporate history, the shift of Adobe from a traditional software company selling packaged products to a thriving subscription powerhouse. And who better to walk us through this journey than Mark Garrett, Adobe's former chief finan…
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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…
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Chess.com is one of the most popular freemium platforms in the world, offering millions of users free access to an engaging online chess experience. But how do you encourage players to upgrade to a paid tier when the free version is already so compelling? Adam, with his extensive background in revenue strategy and subscription growth, has played a …
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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 communit…
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 Pricing is probably the trickiest, most stressful part of managing a subscription business. How do you balance revenue and profitability? How can you keep your pricing simple to communicate and execute while personalizing it to optimize for elasticity of demand and value created? If these questions plague your organization, you'll want to take not…
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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…
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 When I wrote The Membership Economy, I knew that nearly every organization could build trusted recurring revenue relationships with their customers just by focusing on a forever promise. I really saw a huge future and hoped that companies would follow this path. But what I didn't realize was just how quickly and broadly they would heed my words an…
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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 ins…
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Season 7 is launching soon, but while you wait, catch up on our most recent season. Some of Season 6's most popular episodes include Best Practices in Subscription Funnel Management with Ken Houseman of the New York Times, Subscription Pricing, Metrics and the Changing Role of the CFO with Maxio’s Randy Wootton and How a Subscription can “Smooth th…
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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 membershi…
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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 …
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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 cancellation…
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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 sha…
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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 strate…
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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…
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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 …
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Making pricing simple can be really complicated, especially in the world of subscriptions, where every pricing change can affect how much your members trust you. How do you manage different pricing for different segments? And how do you change that pricing over time? Today's guest, Braeden Russell, is the Director of Pricing for American Home Shiel…
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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 …
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The subscription stories of publications like The Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Tortoise Media have one person in common, Katie Vanneck-Smith. In her latest role, Katie is going beyond subscriptions. She's leading Hearst UK's efforts to create deep, valuable memberships around each of their 16 specialty magazines, titles ranging from Elle to …
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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…
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With over 4,600 stores and nearly 1.6 million associates in the United States alone, Walmart is the largest retailer in the world. Walmart+, their membership program, is redefining the contours of paid memberships. I recently had the chance to interview Venessa Yates, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Walmart+, on the main stage at the S…
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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 pos…
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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 b…
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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…
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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 off…
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Budgets are tight and competition to get and keep subscribers has never been more fierce. But what if I told you that there was a way to nudge your prospects and subscribers to help them engage more deeply and rapidly? It's possible. Today's guest, Nancy Harhut, has a wealth of easy and inexpensive tactics that can motivate your members to do the r…
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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 busin…
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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 episo…
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One of the hottest growth areas for subscriptions is farming. Surprising? Maybe. But with small margins and big numbers, efficiency matters. And farming has become an increasingly high tech, high stakes business. Justin Rose is the President of Lifecycle Solutions, Supply Management, and Customer Success at John Deere, a 187 year old company with r…
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In this episode of the Membership Geeks podcast, I discuss the dos and don'ts of launching a brand new membership website. Join me as I share practical tips and advice to ensure that your membership launch is successful and sets the stage for long-term growth and engagement. In this episode: - How can I build anticipation for my membership website …
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In today's episode of the Membership Geeks podcast, I delve into the topic of tailoring your membership experience to cater to multiple segments within the member base. Join me for insights and strategies on identifying key segments and incorporating them into your content strategy, as well as ways of using new member questionnaires and leveraging …
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Many subscription entrepreneurs lament their lack of fancy software and dashboards to allow them to better manage their business. But if you know your ideal member and understand their pain points, and if you're always tinkering and adjusting your offering to better align with the needs of those members, you can build a powerful recurring revenue b…
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In this episode of the Membership Geeks Podcast, I delve into key strategies and techniques for attracting committed members to your membership site. I discuss key challenges, the importance of member commitment, and share six practical techniques for fostering long-term, engaged membership. Join me as we explore how to cultivate a thriving communi…
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In this episode, I discuss the importance of setting realistic expectations when aiming for growth in membership businesses. Learn why ambitious membership owners need to ground big goals in practical reality and logistics, and how to avoid banking on "moonshot" opportunities. I also share valuable insights on the philosophy of marginal gains and t…
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One of the great mysteries for me is why so many otherwise sophisticated companies don’t focus on involuntary churn. Also known as passive churn or accidental churn, involuntary churn happens when a payment issue raises a flag that causes a merchant to cancel a customer’s subscription. In 70% of these cases, there is no fraud, so the company is lit…
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In this episode of the Membership Geeks Podcast, I discuss whether membership businesses should prevent canceled members from ever rejoining. While not commonplace, it's a practice that does exist! But is it worth considering? I delve into the reasons behind this concept and how it can be detrimental to the growth and success of a membership busine…
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