Getting your first 100 paying customers for a membership website is always the hardest part. But once you reach that number, it becomes much easier to attract new members.
We've put together a 90-day plan for you to get your first 100 paying customers.
If you’ve ever wondered how to plan an event online, now is the time to learn. With 2020 being the year of Zoom, it’s no surprise that holding virtual events has skyrocketed as traditional live events are on hold. But you might be wondering, "Is that good thing?"
A landing page is a powerful tool in online marketing, designed to direct visitors toward a specific action. Unlike a full website, which serves multiple purposes, a landing page focuses on a single objective -convincing visitors to engage with your call to action.
In the world of membership sites, attracting new members is only half the battle—the real challenge lies in keeping them engaged and subscribed. Consistent, relevant content of course underpins success in membership businesses.But why?That's where understanding the psychology behind why people stay subscribed can help you craft a better, more loyalty-producing experience.
Repurposing your video content allows you to maximize its reach and impact across different platforms. Here are 10 ways to repurpose your YouTube videos to market your membership website:
YouTube is one of the most effective platforms for attracting, engaging, and converting potential members to your membership website. With billions of users and an ever-growing appetite for video content, leveraging YouTube can help you build brand authority, drive traffic, and grow your membership.
The principles of promoting a membership website haven’t changed much over the years. It requires innovative strategies that attract and retain paying members. What does change are the tools and tactics. In this article, we’ll talk about how to leverage the latest cutting-edge tools and trends to maximize visibility and engagement in 2025.
AI Tools in some ways are nothing new. Much of the marketing software that has been available for several years could be considered AI. But in the last couple of years, AI tools have come to mean something more useful and elaborate, especially when it comes to marketing.
As a membership website owner, you probably already spend a lot of time on marketing, so you know how important it is to a thriving business. Consistently getting new members to join your website is the most important mission you have, apart from consistently providing value to current members. Artificial intelligence (AI) can help. By using AI’s capabilities, you can create personalized experiences, fine-tune your marketing, and keep your website fresh and engaging. Here are 3 smart ways to harness the power of AI to keep your business growing.
Speak Directly to Your Visitor with Personalized Marketing
Everyone responds better to a personalized communication than a generic one. AI can look at data from social media, website activity, and even search habits to create tailored marketing messages. When your messages feel personal, people are more likely to pay attention and consider joining.
AI Tools: Facebook or Google ad campaign account, AdRoll to retarget ads based on user interactions with your website, Mailchimp to create personalized email campaigns, Google Analytics to track website visits.
Example: Dynamic advertising tools can be used to recommend your membership site to people based on their browsing history or preferences. For instance, if someone recently searched for "online fitness programs," an AI tool like AdRoll or Facebook retargeting ads could identify this and display an ad for your fitness-related membership site, highlighting its most relevant features. If the person seeing the ad clicks on it and ends up contacting you or signing up for something on your website, you can use the same information to target relevant emails to them. Google Analytics can track the process and record the conversion as well.
Find the Right Audience with Predictive Analytics
AI can help you figure out who is most likely to become a member by analyzing patterns in user behavior. This means you can focus on the people who are most interested in what you offer. AI-driven customer relationship management (CRM) tools can help you create targeted campaigns that really resonate.
Tools:Mailchimp for personalized email campaigns and audience segmentation, HubSpot CRM to identify the leads most likely to convert based on behaviour, Google Analytics to track user behaviour and identify engagement patterns, Pipedrive CRM.
Example: Customer relationship management tools like Pipedrive use AI to help you understand what your website visitors are doing and how you can use that information. It can grade leads by which are more likely to convert, and allow you to send personalized email campaigns and follow-ups.
For instance, someone who visits your pricing page multiple times and opens every email you send may be more likely to join your site. These tools can also remind you to follow up with leads at the right time, such as after they’ve completed your free trial but haven’t subscribed yet.
Let’s say you’re a nutrition membership website. AI tools can tell you if visitors are engaging with your website in the morning, in which case you could offer a “daily breakfast menu” to entice these potential members.
Turn Visitors Into Members with Chatbots
AI chatbots can answer questions, guide visitors through your site, and even help them sign up—all in real time. This instant interaction can make a big difference, especially if you have your chatbot offer free resources, like eBooks or webinars, to showcase the value of your membership.
Tools:There are multiple chatbots available, and most are easy to implement on your SubHub website. Simply add the provided embed code to your site and watch the magic happen! Popular chatbots are Intercom, Tidio, Drift, and ManyChat.
Example: Chatbots are smarter than you think. They can actually do a lot more than just tell your visitor to leave an email address and someone will get back to them. For instance, let’s say your membership website sells professional development courses. When a visitor lands on your site, a chatbot can ask a short series of questions. Based on the answers, the bot can direct your visitor to a particular article, course, or webinar. They can also handle common questions in real time. For instance, a visitor might ask “What’s included in the membership?”, “Can I cancel anytime?”, or “Do you offer discounts?” Your chatbot can provide instant, consistent answers, improving user experience and reducing bounce rates.
There you have it—three powerful ways to harness AI to attract and convert visitors into members, plus strategies to keep them engaged and coming back. No tool is foolproof, and AI doesn’t replace your expertise. But it can help you unlock your website’s full potential, making it more efficient and engaging at the same time. Start small, experiment with tools, and see how AI can elevate your membership website.
BONUS CONTENT: Quick Video - How to Install Tidio Chatbot into Your SubHub Website
Running a membership website is rewarding, but it can be a lot to manage—especially when it comes to keeping your members engaged and organized. That’s where Mailchimp’s automated workflows come in. Think of them as your behind-the-scenes assistant, handling communication so you can focus on growing your community.
Let’s explore how Mailchimp automation works and how you can use it to streamline tasks like welcoming new members, managing cancellations, and sending renewal reminders.
What Are Mailchimp Automation Workflows?
Mailchimp’s automated workflows are like pre-programmed email sequences that respond to specific triggers. For example, when a new member signs up, an automated workflow can send a series of emails to welcome them and show them the ropes.
The best part? It all happens automatically. No more manually sending emails or keeping track of everyone’s status. Mailchimp ensures your members get the right message at the right time, making your life a lot easier.
Why Automation Matters for Membership Websites
Membership websites thrive on connection, but managing communication can be time-consuming. Automation lets you handle these tasks effortlessly:
Welcome new members with personalized emails.
Gently nudge members to renew their subscriptions.
Remove canceled members from your mailing list without awkward manual updates.
With workflows in place, you can focus less on logistics and more on creating an amazing experience for your members.
How Membership Websites Can Use Mailchimp Automation Workflows
Here are five ways you can use Mailchimp’s automation features to make your membership website run more smoothly:
1. Roll Out the Welcome Mat
First impressions count, and a thoughtful welcome series can set the tone for your members’ entire experience.
How it works:
Trigger: A new member joins your site.
What happens next:
Email 1: A warm welcome with an overview of your community and resources.
Email 2 (a few days later): Tips on getting the most out of their membership.
Email 3 (a week later): An invitation to an upcoming event or feature spotlight.
This series helps members feel at home and excited about their decision to join.
2. Handle Cancellations Smoothly
Cancellations are part of running a membership site, but they don’t have to create extra work. Mailchimp can automatically unsubscribe members who cancel, keeping your mailing list up-to-date and avoiding awkward follow-ups.
How it works:
Trigger: Your membership platform (via an integration like Zapier) notifies Mailchimp of a cancellation.
What happens next:
The member is automatically unsubscribed or moved to an inactive list.
If the unsubscribed member has been moved to another list, you can send a polite goodbye email thanking them for their time and inviting them back anytime. (List members have to be “subscribed” to received list emails.)
3. Send Friendly Renewal Reminders
Keeping members engaged is key to reducing churn. A well-timed reminder can make all the difference when it’s time for them to renew.
How it works:
Trigger: A member’s subscription is about to expire.
What happens next:
30 days before expiration: Send a friendly nudge with a renewal link.
15 days before expiration: Highlight the value of their membership and what they’ll miss out on if they don’t renew.
5 days before expiration: Create urgency with a final reminder—perhaps offering a special discount.
This automated workflow ensures your members don’t miss their renewal window, helping you maintain a steady membership base. This functionality is available on some membership platforms, including SubHub, but you can enhance it using Mailchimp.
Trigger: A member hits a milestone, like six months of active membership, or frequently engages with your content.
What happens next:
Send an email showcasing premium-tier benefits.
Include testimonials from happy premium members.
Offer a limited-time upgrade discount to create a sense of urgency.
This approach makes upgrading feel like an opportunity rather than a hard sell.
5. Keep Members in the Loop About Events
Hosting a webinar, meetup, or virtual event? Use Mailchimp to make sure everyone stays informed and excited.
How it works:
Trigger: A member registers for your event.
What happens next:
Email 1: Send a confirmation email with event details and a calendar link.
Email 2 (3 days before the event): Share a quick reminder to keep it top-of-mind.
Email 3 (1 hour before the event): Send a final reminder with the login link or instructions.
With automated reminders, your members are far less likely to forget or miss the event.
Getting Started with Mailchimp Automation Workflows
Here’s how to set up your workflows:
Connect Your Membership Platform: Tools like Zapier make it easy to sync data between your membership site and Mailchimp.
Use Tags and Segments to categorize your lists: Organize your email list by categories like active members, inactive members, or premium-tier subscribers with the Segments feature.
Optionally, you can use the tagging feature to tag certain members of your lists, then segment the tagged group.
Design Your Emails: Use Mailchimp’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor to set up the list or segment you want to mail to, and create a polished, on-brand email sequence.
Test Before Launching: Run a few test workflows to ensure everything works as expected.
The Bottom Line
Mailchimp automation is a game-changer for membership websites. It helps you build strong, meaningful connections with your members while saving time and simplifying operations. From welcoming new members to managing cancellations and renewals, automation keeps your community running smoothly.
Some membership platforms, including SubHub, are integrated with Mailchimp, making these types of workflows a breeze to set up. If you’re on a platform that isn’t directly integrated with Mailchimp, you can most likely use Zapier to create the connection and set up your triggers and actions.
Ready to level up your membership site? Open a free SubHub trial and dive into Mailchimp’s automated workflows.
Creating a successful membership website requires a fundamental change in thinking of how you view your content. It's not just a product but a strategic marketing tool. Content is no longer just something you sell. It is the foundation of your value proposition to attract, engage and retain your audience.
Free content can act as a magnet, drawing in potential members while demonstrating the expertise and benefits your membership website offers. Meanwhile, premium content serves as the hook, enticing users to transition from casual visitors to committed subscribers. By aligning your content with both marketing objectives and member needs, you can create an ecosystem that both drives growth and revenue.
5 Steps to transform your content into a powerful marketing tool:
1. Identify what content is valuable in your market
Identifying what content is valuable in your market is crucial for creating resources that resonate with your audience and drive engagement. Start by understanding your target market's needs and pain points. Analyse trends and competitor strategies to pinpoint gaps in existing offerings and uncover opportunities to stand out.
Focus on creating content that educates, entertains or inspires. By delivering high-value content, you can establish your authority, foster trust and position yourself as an indispensable resource in your market.
2. Treat free content as a customer acquisition tool
Free content is one of the most effective tools for customer acquisition, serving as the first touchpoint to attract and engage your target audience. By offering high-quality, relevant and accessible free content, you create opportunities to showcase your expertise, build trust and demonstrate the value your product. Free content can take many forms, such as blog posts, courses, events, digital downloads or webinars.
Free content acts as a gateway to your premium offerings, drawing in potential customers who appreciate the value you’ve already provided and are more likely to invest in your paid products or services. When strategically designed, free content acts as a lead generator moving prospects through your sales funnel and turning them into loyal members.
3. Change your perspective on “free” content
Free content should be viewed as a strategic tool to drive growth and conversions. Instead of lamenting the inability to charge for every piece of online content, you should embrace free offerings as a powerful means to attract a broader audience. Free content can serve as a gateway, showcasing the value and quality of your paid subscriptions while establishing trust and credibility with potential members. By offering high-quality free content, membership websites can drive traffic and convert visitors into paying subscribers. This approach not only widens the reach of your brand but also creates a pipeline for member growth and revenue.
4. Create targeted content for new members
Purposefully create relevant content that focuses on the needs of your audience. Targeted content for new members fosters engagement and builds trust. Tailored content makes new members feel valued and understood. It could take the form of beginner-friendly tutorials, curated guides or live Q&A sessions. By focusing on the specific needs of new members, you create an environment that encourages active participation and long-term commitment.
5. Build a pathway from free to paid content
Once you’ve attracted new users with free content, the next step is to guide them toward becoming paying members. This requires a strategic blend of education, trust-building, and targeted offers:
Teaser content: Allow free users to sample parts of premium content or offer a free trial with limited-time access.
Harness Social Media: Use platforms like TikTok and Instagram to amplify your content and connect with potential members. Share snippets of valuable insights, direct users to your website and build communities around your niche.
Invest in Analytics: Track user behavior on your site to understand what content resonates most. Use this data to refine your offerings and better address your audience's needs.
Focus on Community Building: Membership websites that foster a sense of community enjoy higher retention rates. Provide forums, live Q&A events, or exclusive webinars where members can engage with experts and peers.
Conclusion
By thinking of your content as your marketing and leveraging these strategies, you can create a thriving membership website. Success lies in understanding your audience, delivering unmatched value and nurturing a clear journey from free content to paid membership. With the right mindset and tools, your content can do more than inform - it can drive sustainable growth and profitability.
As a membership business owner, one of your greatest challenges is driving traffic to your site and converting visitors into paying members. There are two primary methods for attracting this traffic: paid advertising (buying traffic) and organic marketing. Both have their own set of advantages and disadvantages, and understanding these can help you decide which approach best suits your goals and budget.
Let’s break down the pros and cons of buying traffic through digital ads versus relying on organic methods for membership website owners.
Buying Traffic Through Digital Ads: Pros and Cons
Pros
Quick Results
One of the biggest benefits of digital ads is how fast they can bring traffic to your site. Platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and Instagram Ads allow you to target your audience precisely and start seeing results almost immediately. This can be especially helpful if you're launching a new membership site and need to build awareness quickly.
Targeted Audience
Paid ads offer highly specific targeting options based on demographics, interests, and behaviors. You can focus your budget on reaching people who are most likely to be interested in your membership, which can lead to better conversions.
Scalable
If you find an ad campaign that works, you can increase your budget and scale up the results. The flexibility of adjusting ad spend based on performance allows you to control your investment and maximize returns.
Measurable Performance
Digital advertising platforms offer robust analytics tools that allow you to track your campaign’s performance in real-time. You can see how much you're spending, how many people are clicking on your ads, and how many of those clicks convert into memberships.
Cons
Cost
Buying traffic is an ongoing investment. The moment you stop paying for ads, your traffic dries up. This can be expensive, especially in competitive niches where the cost-per-click (CPC) can be high. For membership websites with a smaller budget, this approach can quickly become unsustainable.
Low Trust Perception
People often view ads with skepticism. Potential members might click on your ad, but that doesn’t mean they’re fully engaged or ready to commit. You may need to put in extra effort to build trust with leads who come through paid ads.
Short-Term Gains
While paid ads can drive traffic quickly, the results often don't last long. Unlike organic methods, which can create long-term value, the benefits of paid traffic only last as long as you keep paying for it.
Ad Fatigue
Users can get tired of seeing the same ads repeatedly, especially on social media platforms. This can lead to a decrease in engagement and effectiveness over time, requiring you to constantly update your ads.
Organic Marketing Methods: Pros and Cons
Pros
Cost-Effective
The biggest advantage of organic marketing is that it’s free (at least in terms of ad spend). By focusing on strategies like search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, and social media engagement, you can build traffic without paying for each click or visit.
Builds Trust and Authority
Organic methods like blogging, podcasting, or creating helpful videos build your credibility over time. When potential members discover your site through valuable content, they are more likely to trust you and your expertise, making them more willing to commit to a membership.
Long-Term Results
Once you’ve built a solid foundation of organic traffic, the benefits last long-term. Content that ranks well in search engines or attracts regular social media engagement continues to bring traffic without requiring constant spending.
Better Engagement
Organic traffic often leads to better engagement because people who find your site through search or social media are actively looking for the kind of value your membership site offers. This can lead to higher-quality leads and more conversions.
Cons
Takes Time
One of the biggest drawbacks of organic marketing is that it can take a long time to see results. Building an audience through SEO, content marketing, and social media engagement can take months or even years, making this a slow strategy for new membership site owners.
Requires Consistent Effort
While organic traffic doesn’t require ad spend, it still requires a significant amount of time and effort. You’ll need to consistently create high-quality content, engage on social media, and optimize your site for search engines. Without this ongoing effort, your organic traffic can stagnate.
Difficult to Scale Quickly
Scaling organic traffic can be challenging. It’s a long-term strategy, and there are no shortcuts to rapid growth. Unlike paid ads, which can be scaled up by increasing the budget, organic methods take time to build momentum.
Less Control
With organic methods, there’s less control over who finds your site. You can’t target specific demographics as precisely as you can with paid ads. You’re also at the mercy of search engine algorithms and social media trends, which can change at any time and impact your visibility.
Which Strategy Should You Choose?
The decision between buying traffic through digital ads and using organic methods depends on your specific goals, timeline, and budget as a membership website owner.
If you need quick traffic and have the budget to invest, digital ads can help you jumpstart your membership growth. It’s a great option for driving immediate sign-ups, especially during a launch or special promotion.
If you’re focused on long-term growth and building a sustainable membership base, organic methods are a better choice. While slower to produce results, they build trust, authority, and lasting relationships with your audience.
In most cases, a combination of both approaches will yield the best results. Paid ads can provide immediate traffic while your organic efforts build a strong foundation for long-term success. By using both strategies, you can maximize your reach and keep your membership site growing steadily over time.
Final Thoughts
Both paid ads and organic methods have their pros and cons, and neither approach is inherently better than the other. By understanding your needs and resources, you can create a balanced strategy that brings in traffic, converts visitors into members, and sustains long-term growth for your membership website.
Hosting an online competition is a great way to enhance member engagement while also spreading awareness about your membership site. It's an effective strategy to create buzz and connect with both existing members and potential new subscribers.
