Membership Geeks Podcast with Mike Morrison

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.

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.In this episode: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..."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.

Robbie Kellman Baxter, author of 'The Membership Economy' and expert consultant on subscription models, joins to unpack how membership businesses have evolved in recent years. She discusses the seismic shifts triggered by COVID-19 and the rise of AI in membership models, stressing the importance of meaningful member engagement. Listeners gain insights on future-proofing their businesses against subscription fatigue, alongside strategies for maintaining a human connection amidst tech advancements. This conversation is a treasure trove of actionable advice for thriving in a competitive landscape.

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 capturing email leads to creative ways to use automation for member engagement and retention, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for membership owners at every level. Whether you’re new to automation or looking for advanced tips, you’ll leave with a notebook full of ideas to test in your own membership business.In this episode:What exactly is ManyChat for Instagram, and how does it differ from typical email lead generation or DM strategies?How can membership owners use ManyChat to grow their email lists, waitlists, or even run engaging quizzes and registrations directly on Instagram?In what ways can ManyChat be used beyond acquisition—such as supporting member onboarding, retention, and ongoing engagement via channels like WhatsApp and SMS?What are the common pitfalls to avoid when getting started with ManyChat automations, and how can you maintain a personal, human touch in a relationship-driven membership business?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 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 owners make in their joining process and how to effectively fix them, ensuring a smooth, efficient, and attractive path to membership, ultimately leading to higher conversion rates.In this episode:How can I simplify my membership sales page to ensure potential members sign up?What pricing practices should I avoid to maintain transparency and honesty with potential members?Why is it important to display my membership pricing clearly on my sales page?How can I reduce friction and unnecessary steps in my membership checkout process to enhance user experience?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 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 understanding the root causes of your dissatisfaction and implementing practical steps to rekindle your enthusiasm. Whether you have specific issues or a general loss of passion, this episode offers actionable advice to help you reconnect with your purpose and ensure your membership journey remains fulfilling and rewarding.In this episode:How can I identify the root cause of my declining enthusiasm for my membership?What strategies can I use to change up my routine and reengage with my membership topic?How can I reconnect with my membership community to regain my passion for being a membership owner?What are some practical ways to reaffirm my "why" and maintain long-term enthusiasm for my membership business?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 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 underlying issues in your membership.We'll explore different pivoting strategies and how to communicate changes effectively to your audience.In this episode:How can I determine if a pivot is necessary or if I am just panicking about my membership's performance?What are the main issues that might be affecting the growth or engagement of my membership, and how can I assess them?What types of pivots should I consider if I decide that a change in direction is needed for my membership?How should I communicate and implement a pivot to ensure minimal disruption for current members while attracting new ones?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.

Discover essential strategies for validating your membership idea before launching. Learn the risks of skipping preparation and why building an audience is crucial. Explore how a waitlist can effectively gauge interest and the importance of a minimum viable membership. This insightful discussion provides a roadmap to avoid common pitfalls and set the stage for sustainable growth.