Membership Geeks Podcast with Mike Morrison

The online business world is in the middle of a trust recession. Influencer fatigue, polished-to-the-point-of-fake marketing, and one too many bad purchases have left your potential members cynical, guarded, and slower to commit than ever before. Your membership is feeling the effects - whether you've noticed it yet or not. And the frustrating irony is that it's the honest operators, the ethical b...

In this episode, I share a strange little tactic for your next membership promo - one that goes against pretty much everything you've been told about sales offers. Instead of giving people the lowest possible barrier to entry with a free trial or a discounted first month, I make the case for going in the complete opposite direction: incentivising new members to commit to a longer initial period of...

In this episode, I'm tackling one of the biggest mistakes I see membership owners make: treating content as the be-all and end-all of what their membership offers. So many people set out to build the Netflix of their niche, chasing the biggest, most comprehensive library they possibly can. But your members don't join for the volume of content. They join for what that content makes possible. I shar...

In this episode, I get into something that's becoming more important than ever for membership owners: the ability to actually deliver results. For years, memberships have leaned on giving people more content, more features, more bells and whistles. That was never the right approach, and now AI is exposing it. Members don't want information. They want transformation. I walk through what a results-d...

In this episode, I'm tackling a problem I see all the time: memberships with healthy-looking waitlists that convert far worse than they should when the doors finally open. The issue almost always comes down to the same thing: the waitlist has been treated like just another email list, when it's actually something very different. I share how to set up, nurture, and test your waitlist so the people...

In this episode, I tackle one of the most under-appreciated drivers of retention in any online membership: expectation management. I share why memberships are uniquely unforgiving when it comes to overpromising, and how a mismatch between what you sell and what you deliver will quietly kill your retention long before a cancellation email ever hits your inbox. We'll walk through seven practical way...

In this episode, I tackle one of the most common problems I hear from membership owners — people just aren't joining. Or not enough of them are. I share the three biggest reasons this tends to happen, and why the problem is almost never what owners think it is. Spoiler: it's usually not your sales page, your funnel, or your offer. I also give you the single most effective (and embarrassingly simpl...

In this episode, I dive deep into the crucial role that frameworks play in building a successful membership business. Joined by Charlotte Crowther, founder of Signature Framework , we explore why simply piling on content isn’t enough to help your members get results or to make your membership stand out in a competitive market. We break down what a framework actually is, the difference between meth...

In this episode, I share practical, quick tips for offering multiple tiers within your membership business. I dive into the common challenges faced when creating tiered memberships, from avoiding over-complication to choosing the right differentiators for each level. I also cover how to effectively focus your marketing, prevent friction for members, and optimize upgrade/downgrade pathways. If you'...

In this episode, I dive into the time management and productivity techniques I've personally honed through years of running a membership business. I share the exact frameworks and mental models I use each day to structure my workload, prioritize tasks, and maintain focus amidst the constant demands of membership ownership. You'll hear about the Eisenhower decision matrix, the “big rocks, little ro...

In this episode, I discuss three practical strategies to boost attendance for your live member calls, whether you run Q&As, workshops, masterminds, or office hours. I share actionable tips that can easily fit into your workflow, from leveraging technology to personalizing member onboarding. If you’ve ever worried about empty seats during your live sessions, you’ll find plenty of fresh ideas he...

In this episode, I dive into the crucial relationship between your marketing strategy and member retention. I explore how the way you attract new members to your membership business lays the foundation for whether they'll stick around long-term. I break down why focusing solely on sign-ups can backfire and how certain marketing tactics may actually set you up for higher churn rates. The aim is to...

In this episode, I dive into the concept of "1,000 true fans" and why it's the key to building a thriving membership business. Forget chasing massive audiences and vanity metrics—what truly matters is finding and nurturing a core group of highly engaged superfans who love what you do. I break down the myths about audience size, share why smaller, more passionate communities lead to deeper connecti...

In this episode, I dive into the most common reasons why membership site owners lose members—and more importantly, what you can actually do to prevent it. Taking a trip into the Membership Geeks archives, I unpack actionable strategies to tackle member cancellations, improve retention, and boost overall engagement in your community. xWhether you’re battling churn or simply want to keep your member...

In this episode, I take you back into the Membership Geeks Podcast vault to revisit one of the most pressing challenges facing membership owners today: subscription fatigue. I share insights into why consumers are becoming increasingly overwhelmed by the sheer number of subscriptions and how this impacts membership-based businesses. I break down practical strategies for making your membership esse...

In this episode, I take a deep dive into one of the most debated topics in the membership world: why member lifetime value is actually more important than focusing solely on churn rates. I share my insights on reframing how we look at member retention and challenge the idea that churn makes the membership model less viable than courses or other digital products. Whether you’re struggling to boost...

In this episode, I dive into the concept of "off-platform engagement" and why it's becoming essential for membership owners. I discuss how member behaviors have evolved and why relying solely on getting people to log in to your site is no longer the only—or even the best—way to deliver value. I share practical strategies for removing friction and ensuring your membership stays relevant and engagin...

In this episode, I dive into the crucial role member onboarding plays in the overall success and retention rates of your membership business. I share why retention efforts need to begin from the very moment a new member joins and not just when cancellation looms. We’ll explore the three essential pillars every onboarding process must include to supercharge your members’ long-term engagement. If yo...

In this episode, I dive into the two fundamental strategies for increasing the revenue of your membership business. I break down why making more sales and boosting the lifetime value of each member are the only real ways to grow your income, and share actionable tips for improving both areas. From smart marketing adjustments to retaining your members for longer, I offer proven, practical advice yo...

In this episode, I dive into what it really means to try and be a good boss to my membership team. I share my personal experiences, challenges, and the mindset shifts that have shaped my approach to leadership in a growing and virtual business. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how I balance flexibility, accountability, and compassion with my team, plus the practices and policies that keep us...

In this episode, I share some of the coolest and most innovative ideas I've recently encountered in the world of memberships. I dive into real-life examples from other membership sites that have inspired me, highlighting creative ways they’re engaging their members, improving onboarding, and making their communities stand out. Whether you’re looking to refresh your own membership or just want some...

In this episode of the Membership Geeks Podcast, I dive into the world of personal branding, exploring why it's crucial for membership owners and online experts to show up intentionally and authentically. Joined by personal brand strategist Bob Gentle, we have an honest conversation about the human side of building your brand—dealing with confidence, comparison, and imposter syndrome—while navigat...

In this episode of the Membership Geeks Podcast, I pull back the curtain on the major changes happening inside Membership Academy this year. After a decade of running our membership, I want to share how we're shifting our focus to better serve a rapidly evolving market and meet the needs of membership owners looking not just to launch, but to grow and thrive. From streamlining our content and embr...

In this episode, I dive into what it really means to be a productive membership owner with special guest Louise Miller. We explore why traditional approaches to productivity might be missing the mark and how to create more space and intention in your day-to-day operations. This conversation is packed with practical insights for redefining productivity, regaining focus, and helping both yourself an...

In this episode, I get on my soapbox about one of the most persistent myths in the membership world: the idea that scarcity marketing and closed-door enrollment are absolutely necessary to grow a successful membership. I break down why this notion is misleading, how it can harm your business in the long run, and why good marketing should never rely on manipulative gimmicks. I share real-world exam...