Membership Geeks Podcast with Mike Morrison

In this special 10th anniversary episode, I take you behind the scenes for a candid look back at the past year in Membership Academy.I reflect on our biggest wins, tough decisions, reasons for change, and the evolution of our offerings as we hit a major milestone—ten years of helping membership site owners grow and thrive.Plus, I dive into the launch of some exciting new features, share the realities of juggling conferences with running an Academy, and reveal what’s coming next. This is a raw, honest year-in-review that pulls back the curtain on both our successes and the obstacles we’ve overcome.In this episode:What were the major highlights, challenges, and changes within Membership Academy over the past year?Why did I decide to make the Membership Roadmap course completely free, and what does this mean for the future of the Academy?How did we bring back popular features like live masterclasses and member-only podcasts, and what impact have they had on our community?What’s on the horizon for Membership Academy and the wider membership community in the next decade?Key Quotes & Takeaways:"A lot of people when they say that they're going to do this, what they really mean is they're going to show off how fantastically well they're doing and then sell you the secret formula to emulating their success. But that's not really what I'm about. I'm more about showing you the realities, ugly sides and all.""The challenge of somebody who is five years in is different from someone who's five months in. The scope of what membership owners need support with and need help with once they've launched is much broader and much wider.""We didn't just want to release the version of the Roadmap that we had, we've re recorded the entire thing for 2025. So it's, it's all fresh, it's all bang up to date with the latest strategies. It incorporates, you know, the various advantages and challenges that AI is brought into the mix. And so it's the most up to date, cutting edge, practical, tactical, useful and all the other superlatives. The complete course for launching a new membership. And it's completely free."Thank You For ListeningWe 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 huge decision we've just made to give away our signature Membership Roadmap course completely free to everyone.I explain the reasoning and motivation behind this bold move, what it means for our community, and why I believe now is the time to spark a new wave of successful membership launches.I also walk through exactly what the course covers and how it’s been updated to be more actionable and practical than ever.Join me as I share the mission behind this seismic shift—and how you can be part of the membership movement.In this episode:Why are we making our comprehensive Membership Roadmap course available for free to everyone, and what led to this decision?What exactly does the Membership Roadmap cover, and how does it help you launch a successful membership site?How is this move connected to our bigger mission of igniting a new wave of sustainable, thriving memberships?What sets our approach and resources apart from other high-ticket courses or generic advice in the market today?Key Quotes & Takeaways:"We've just announced that our membership roadmap course, this is our signature course that has been the backbone of Membership Academy...we're giving this to the world completely free. No catch, no fancy funnel, no little marketing gimmicks or tricks.""I'm sick of not seeing memberships launch the way they should launch. Because people have been swept up in seductive marketing campaigns by affiliates who are making a fortune off the back of commission. And they've done these courses that have taught them the wrong way, that have rushed them into starting a membership without validating, without doing it the right way, and they blow their shot.""Our competitors were selling $2,000 courses and they were making a whole big thing once a year, doing this big launch of this 2002 and a half thousand dollar course to get you in. And we just knew that it wasn't delivering results because people will come to us a month or two later having done this course and spent all this money and they come to us for help because they hadn't gotten anywhere."Thank You For ListeningWe 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, 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.In this episode: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."Thank You For ListeningWe 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.

Delve into the real struggles of running a membership business over a decade. Discover the tough decisions made during the launch phase and the impact of facing fierce competition. Hear about the challenges posed by external crises like COVID-19 and the lessons learned from navigating team dynamics. Experience firsthand accounts of resilience and adaptation through unexpected setbacks and changes in the team. This candid reflection offers powerful insights for anyone in the membership landscape.

Sophie Cross, the editor and publisher of Freelancer Magazine, shares her journey of blending print with a vibrant online community designed for freelancers. She discusses the evolution from a print-only publication to a hybrid model, highlighting the success of virtual co-working sessions and how they boost member engagement. Sophie also delves into targeting a UK audience while managing global connections, and explores innovative marketing strategies to maintain the sensory appeal of print media. Her insights provide valuable lessons for anyone in membership or publishing.

Discover the nine essential traits that thriving membership owners possess, focusing on personal growth rather than just marketing. Clarity of purpose shapes decisions and fuels passion, while resilience and empathy are critical for fostering strong community ties. Learn how effective communication and strong people skills can turn members into more than just numbers. Avoid burnout by setting boundaries and nurturing sustainable habits. It's all about connecting deeply with your members and continuously evolving as a leader!

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.In this episode: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."Thank You For ListeningWe 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!In this episode: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?Key Quotes & Takeaways:"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."Thank You For ListeningWe 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.In this episode: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."Thank You For ListeningWe 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.

Explore the pitfalls of blindly accepting membership plugin advice from online communities. Discover why asking for the 'best' plugin can lead to confusion. Learn to critically evaluate recommendations based on your unique business needs. Important questions to ask before choosing a plugin are revealed. Avoid falling for hype or outdated suggestions by assessing your specific requirements. Smart decision-making can help you steer clear of generic, potentially harmful advice.