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.

In this episode:

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."

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Episode 43: Mergers, Sales & Acquisitions Demystified w/ Brian Cohen