Membership Geeks Podcast with Mike Morrison

In this episode, I dive into the five best investments I’ve made for my membership business—investments that made a significant impact and helped the business to grow sustainably. I reflect on where I chose to put my time, money, and attention, and why those decisions moved the needle more than anything else. You’ll hear candid insights drawn from my own experiences, including both the mindset beh...

In this episode, I come clean about a big lie I’ve been telling for years: that there’s no secret formula to membership business success. I reveal that, while there’s no easy button or magic tactic, there actually are two “magic bullets” behind thriving membership sites—but they’re not as flashy as you might hope. Join me as I break down what these real secrets are, why they matter more than any m...

In this episode, I take you behind the scenes as I share how we’ve pivoted and refined Membership Academy in response to major industry shifts and the evolution of our member community. I talk about why we decided to make our flagship Membership Roadmap course completely free, the thought process behind streamlining our membership tiers, and the exciting new resources and live programs we’re launc...

In this episode, I dive into the essential topic of delegating key tasks to a membership community manager. I walk you through the specific responsibilities that have made the biggest impact for us, and why freeing up your time is so crucial as your membership grows. I also share helpful advice for anyone considering hiring their first community manager, plus tips on how to get started if you’re u...

In this episode, I dive into the exciting world where gaming and memberships collide. Joined by gamification expert Kimba Cooper-Martin, we explore what gamification really means for online memberships and how you can use playful techniques to build stronger engagement, improve onboarding, and enhance member retention. We bust myths around gamification being just for fun topics or certain ages, ge...

In this special anniversary episode, I take a deep dive into what the future might hold for the membership industry over the next decade. Drawing from my experience and industry insights, I explore how foundational principles will persist even as we face seismic changes driven by technology, consumer expectations, and a rapidly evolving online landscape. I address the challenges and opportunities...

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 real...

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 up...

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 imperfec...

In this special episode of the Membership Geeks Podcast, I open up about the toughest moments and biggest challenges I’ve faced over a decade of running a membership business. As we kick off a month of anniversary content, I dive deep into pivotal decisions, unexpected setbacks, and the realities that most membership owners rarely talk about publicly. Whether you’re just starting out or have been...

In this episode, I dive into the fascinating story of Freelancer Magazine’s innovative hybrid membership model with founder and editor Sophie Cross. We explore how an independently published print magazine not only survives but thrives by blending traditional publishing with a thriving online membership and community for creative freelancers. From virtual coworking sessions to exclusive member dir...

In this episode of the Membership Geeks Podcast, I dive deep into the essential traits that set thriving membership owners apart from the rest. Rather than focusing on marketing tactics or retention strategies, I shine a spotlight on the personal development and mindset shifts that make building and running a successful membership sustainable—and enjoyable—for the long haul. If you want to know wh...

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...

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...

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...

In this episode of the Membership Geeks Podcast, I tackle the dangers of blindly following membership plugin recommendations you see in Facebook groups and online communities. I discuss why generic advice can often lead you astray, and share practical steps for cutting through the noise to make tech choices that truly fit your unique membership business. You'll learn how to critically assess plugi...

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 tha...

In this episode of the Membership Geeks Podcast, I welcome back Robbie Kellman Baxter, author of "The Membership Economy," to explore how the world of memberships and subscriptions has transformed over the past decade. We dive into the shifts brought by the boom during COVID, the increasing demands for meaningful value, the impact of AI, and what the future holds for membership businesses. Whether...

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 f...

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 effecti...

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 dissatisfac...

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 di...

In this episode, I dive into the essential steps for validating your membership idea to ensure it leads to long-term success. We explore the increasingly common misconception that you can simply launch your membership without preparation and share the importance of building a foundation before asking people for money. I highlight the pitfalls of rushing into a membership launch and offer practical...

In this episode of the Membership Geeks Podcast, I dive deep into the contentious topic of whether you should enforce a minimum term for your online membership. Many membership site owners grapple with locking members into commitments, but is this approach truly beneficial for your business and your members? I explore the potential pitfalls of enforcing minimum terms, including the financial, ethi...

In this episode of the Membership Geeks Podcast, I dive into the challenges of people pleasing as a membership site owner. Balancing responsiveness to your community with maintaining the integrity of your membership can be difficult, especially when faced with loud and demanding voices. I explore why it's impossible to make everyone happy and how trying to do so can undermine your goals. Learn how...