Starting a membership club is an exciting opportunity to build a community around shared interests, goals, or passions. Whether you’re looking to launch a professional networking group, a fitness club, or a hobby-based membership, creating a structured, value-driven club can foster deep engagement while also opening up monetization opportunities.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the key steps of how to start a membership club, from planning and defining your purpose to growing and sustaining your membership base.
Step 1: Define the Purpose and Value of Your Membership Club
The first step in starting a membership club is to define why it exists and what value it offers to potential members. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What is the purpose of your club?
Are you bringing together professionals in a specific field? Supporting a shared hobby? Creating an exclusive space for learning or self-improvement? Your purpose will guide every aspect of the club, from its content to its branding. - Who is your target audience?
Define the demographics, interests, and needs of the people you want to attract. Understanding your audience is crucial to offering the right benefits and experiences that will make your club appealing. - What value will members receive?
People join membership clubs for access to something special—whether it's exclusive content, expert insights, discounts, networking opportunities, or educational resources. Clearly outline the tangible benefits of joining your club to help potential members understand why they should be a part of it.
Step 2: Choose the Right Membership Model
Membership clubs can be structured in different ways, so it’s important to choose a model that aligns with your goals and audience. There are a few key options to consider:
- Free Memberships: A free model offers inclusivity and can quickly grow a large community. You can still monetize through optional upgrades, sponsorships, or event fees.
- Paid Memberships: A paid membership model typically offers more exclusive or premium content, such as specialized resources, webinars, or discounts. Platforms like Circle and Subbb allow you to create tiered memberships, where higher-paying members receive more benefits.
- Tiered Memberships: This model offers multiple membership levels, with varying benefits at each level. For example, basic members might get access to a community forum, while premium members enjoy one-on-one coaching or VIP event invitations.
When deciding on a model, consider what your members would be willing to pay for and how you can deliver value at each level.
Step 3: Select a Platform to Host Your Membership Club
Choosing the right platform is essential for running a smooth and engaging membership club. Today, there are several digital platforms designed specifically for hosting and managing communities. Here are a few popular options:
- Circle: A powerful platform for creating membership-driven communities, Circle allows you to build a branded space for your club, offer paid memberships, and manage interactions with your audience. It’s ideal for creators and businesses looking to build a scalable community.
- Subbb: If you're looking to monetize your membership from day one, Subbb is a great option. It enables you to create paid membership tiers and offer exclusive content directly to subscribers.
- Facebook Groups: For those starting out, Facebook Groups is a free and familiar platform where you can quickly gather an audience and offer members easy access to discussions, events, and group resources.
- Mighty Networks: This platform allows you to host both free and paid membership clubs, offering community spaces, online courses, and more. It’s a great all-in-one tool for those looking to provide a variety of member benefits.
Choose a platform that aligns with your goals, offers the features you need (such as event hosting, payment processing, and content sharing), and is easy for both you and your members to use.
Step 4: Set Up Membership Benefits and Pricing
Once you’ve decided on a platform and model, it’s time to outline exactly what your members will get and how much it will cost. Here are a few ideas for membership benefits:
- Exclusive content: Offer articles, videos, tutorials, or resources that are only available to members.
- Private forums or chat groups: Create dedicated spaces for members to interact and discuss topics relevant to your club.
- Member-only events: Host virtual or in-person meetups, webinars, or workshops exclusive to your members.
- Discounts and perks: Partner with other businesses or offer members discounts on your own products and services.
As for pricing, your fee structure will depend on the value you’re providing and your audience’s willingness to pay. When setting pricing, consider offering a range of options to cater to different budgets, such as:
- A low-cost monthly membership for basic access
- A mid-tier plan with added features or premium content
- A VIP membership with exclusive perks, events, or personal consultations
Step 5: Build and Grow Your Membership Club
Once your membership club is up and running, your next challenge is to build an audience and grow the community. Here are a few strategies to consider:
- Start with your existing network: Invite your current contacts, followers, or customers to join your membership club. Offer early bird discounts or founding member perks to entice sign-ups.
- Use social media to promote: Leverage platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to promote your membership club. Share testimonials, showcase the benefits of joining, and create a sense of exclusivity.
- Offer a free trial or preview: Allow people to experience the value of your membership by offering a limited-time free trial or a sneak peek of exclusive content.
- Partner with influencers or other communities: Collaborate with influencers in your niche or partner with complementary communities to expand your reach.
- Host live events or workshops: Offer a free webinar or live Q&A session to demonstrate the value of joining your club. These events create opportunities for engagement and introduce potential members to your community.
Step 6: Engage and Retain Your Members
Keeping your members engaged and ensuring long-term satisfaction is key to the success of your membership club. Regularly provide value through content, events, and interactions. Here’s how you can maintain engagement:
- Consistent content delivery: Create a schedule for delivering exclusive content, such as weekly blog posts, videos, or resource guides.
- Interactive events: Keep the community vibrant by hosting live webinars, Q&A sessions, or even in-person meetups (if possible).
- Member feedback: Regularly seek feedback from your members to understand what they want and how you can improve the experience.
- Personalized communication: Depending on the size of your community, offer personalized messages or shoutouts to make members feel valued.
- Gamification: Implement gamified elements like badges, challenges, or leaderboards to keep members motivated and engaged.
Step 7: Scale and Monetize Further
Once your membership club has a solid foundation, you can look for ways to scale and further monetize. Here are a few ideas:
- Add more membership tiers: Offer new premium or VIP membership options with higher-priced benefits.
- Launch digital products: Create and sell courses, eBooks, or other digital products tailored to your members’ needs.
- Collaborate with sponsors: Partner with brands or businesses that align with your club to offer additional value or perks while earning sponsorship revenue.
- Expand into events: Organize virtual summits, workshops, or conferences that members can attend at a discounted rate or for free.
Conclusion
Starting a membership club is an exciting way to build community, offer value, and generate revenue. By defining your purpose, choosing the right platform, and engaging your audience with exclusive content and benefits, you can create a thriving, sustainable membership club that grows over time.
Whether you’re starting a club for fun, for business, or for a cause you care about, following these steps will help you build a meaningful and successful community.
