Haiden Hibbert
As a creator or professional running a membership website, you know that retaining your members is just as important as acquiring new ones (and even more cost-effective, too!) But how do you ensure that your members stick around? From providing ongoing value to putting cancelation alternatives in place, there are several easy-to-implement tactics.
In this post, we’ll walk through 11 of the best membership retention strategies. Let’s get started!
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Table of Contents
1. Keep your content fresh
One of the most effective membership retention strategies is to consistently add new content to your site. Whether it’s a new course, a series of blog posts, or a set of downloadable resources, fresh content gives your members a reason to keep coming back for more. Make sure to communicate these updates to your members regularly, so they know what’s new.
2. Give a sneak peek into the future
While delivering new content is crucial, it’s also important to build anticipation for what’s to come. Share your content roadmap with your members, highlighting the exciting things you have in store for them. This not only keeps them engaged but also helps them see the long-term value of their membership.
Take Letter Lore for example. This membership site releases a new chapter to its readers every week, so they have a reason to stick around.
3. Provide a seamless onboarding experience
First impressions matter, and that’s especially true when it comes to your membership site. Create a smooth and welcoming onboarding email sequence for new members, guiding them through your site’s features and resources. This helps them feel confident and comfortable navigating your site, making them more likely to stick around.
4. Learn from those who leave
While it’s never fun to see members go, it’s important to understand why they’re leaving. Implement an exit survey to gather insights into what led to their decision to cancel. This valuable feedback can help you identify areas for improvement and make necessary changes to prevent future cancellations.
5. Monitor member activity
Another one of the best membership retention strategies is to keep a close eye on your members’ activity levels. Are they logging in regularly? Engaging with your content? Participating in your community? By tracking active vs. inactive members, you can identify those who may be at risk of canceling and take proactive steps to re-engage them.
✨ Business Tip: With MemberSpace, you can check which of your product pages are most visited by your members. This helps you determine what they’re finding valuable and what you should be updating/creating more of.
6. Conduct live customer interviews
One of the best ways to improve your membership site is by talking directly to your members. Conduct live customer interviews to gather their thoughts, opinions, and suggestions. This not only helps you better understand their needs but also makes them feel valued and heard.
7. Foster a sense of community among members
Your membership site is more than just a collection of content – it’s a community of like-minded individuals. Encourage interaction and engagement among your members by creating forums, private social media groups, and other opportunities for them to connect with one another.
8. Host regular member events
Consider hosting regular member events, such as Q&A sessions, workshops, or webinars. These events not only provide additional value to your members but also foster a sense of community and belonging.
9. Offer a pause option
Life happens, and sometimes members may need to take a break from your site. Instead of forcing them to cancel their membership entirely, offer a pause option. This allows them to temporarily suspend their membership, with the intention of coming back when they’re ready.
10. Implement failed charge recovery
Payment failures are a common reason for membership cancellations, but they don’t have to be permanent. You can use MemberSpace to implement failed charge recovery and automatically notifies members when their payment method needs updating. By proactively addressing payment issues, you can prevent unintentional cancellations and retain more members.
11. Offer a discount when members go to cancel
When a customer goes to cancel their plan, consider offering them a discount as an alternative. This can be an effective way to retain members who may be canceling due to financial reasons or temporary dissatisfaction. By providing a discount, you show that you value their membership and are willing to work with them to find a solution that meets their needs. You can easily set this up in MemberSpace.
Final Thoughts
Retaining your members is an ongoing process that requires consistent effort and attention. By implementing these 11 membership retention strategies, you’ll be well on your way to creating a thriving, engaged community!
If you’re looking for more tips on scaling your membership site, check out MemberSpace University, your one-stop resource hub full of step-by-step guides, educational videos, helpful tips and tricks, and more.
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