It’s easier than ever to do it — but many people aren’t fully familiar with the main reasons to own a membership site.
You don’t just start doing something because it’s easy, but why, then, should you run a membership site?
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the biggest and most important reasons membership sites are trending — and why you should at least consider running one.
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The Rise of the Creator Economy
According to Linktree, there are more than 4.2 billion internet users and 200 million creators on the internet, which represents an increase of no less than 48% from 2020. Despite the sudden growth, most specialists agree that the creator economy is just in its infancy.
There is a lot of room to tap into this rising market, and membership sites are one of the best ways to do so. After all, a big part of the reason the creator economy is on the rise in the first place is that people are more willing than ever before to pay for content they enjoy and find useful.
By starting a membership site now, you can ensure that you’re in a prime position to capitalize on this trend as it continues to grow.
A Membership Site Can Lead to Recurring Revenue
If you’re not familiar with the term, recurring revenue simply refers to money that comes in on a regular basis, rather than being a one-time payment.
Recurring revenue is important for two reasons:
1. It’s more predictable, which makes it easier to budget for and plan your expenses
2. It’s more stable, meaning that one-time dips in revenue won’t have as big of an impact
Membership sites are the perfect way to generate recurring revenue. Once someone signs up for your site, they ‘re likely to keep paying as long as you continue providing them with value.
This means that, unlike one-time products or services, your membership site can provide you with a more predictable and stable stream of income. Of course, there’s some maintenance and continuous engagement you will have to do — but even so, it really does beat the idea of actively working for every single extra cent you make.
It Puts You in Control
Social media plays a huge role in the rise of the creator economy. Along with the pandemic, which gave people more time to spend in front of their devices, social media lies at the foundation of the new business models we’re seeing right now.
The main issue with social media is that if you’re relying on it, you’re basically building a house on rented ground. Social media algorithms change their rules very often and before you know it, you could be bumped at the bottom of the machine’s preferences — or banned from your social media channel of choice, for that matter.
Owning your own website (a membership website, for example) and an email list gives you more power and control over what’s going on with your creator business.
People Want to Hear from You
It might sound like selling empty dreams, but the truth is that people actually want to hear from you. They want to know about your story and how you’ve managed to achieve what you have.
People are tired of being marketed to and sold to. Every ad on the internet does that already. They want to connect with other humans and learn from their stories. They want to feel inspired by real stories, real humans, with honest and unbiased views. And they’re willing to pay for this.
A membership site is the perfect way to build this connection and turn it into something that’s beneficial for both you and your audience. On your site, you can share your story, your knowledge, and your experiences in a way that feels natural and unforced.
Nowadays, people are more interested than ever in building personal relationships with the creators they follow — and a membership site is one of the best ways to make this happen.
Seth Godin, one of the founders of modern-day marketing, famously promotes the idea that you only need a “tribe” of ten people to start building a personal brand — and a business that’s based on it. Your membership website could be the beginning of that.
Membership Sites Are Low Investment Opportunities
Starting a membership site is one of the lowest investment opportunities you’ll find in the online space.
In fact, all you need to get started is a domain name (which you can get for less than $10 per year), a hosting plan (which you can get for around $5 per month), and a membership site plugin for WordPress (which can start at less than $60 as a one-time price). Once you have those three things sorted, you can start building your site using a platform like WordPress.
Of course, there are other expenses you’ll need to take into account, such as email marketing software and any plugins or themes you might want to use — but all of these are relatively low-cost items.
It Will Give You Tremendous Satisfaction
There’s something incredibly satisfying about owning a membership site. It’s like having your own little kingdom that you can build and nurture however you want. You get to be the king or queen of your domain, so to speak.
It’s a great feeling to see people engage with your site on a regular basis and know that you’re providing them with value that they’re happy to pay for. It’s a great feeling to be in complete control of your business and your income.
And it’s an even better feeling to see your membership site grow and thrive over time.
You Can Use Your Membership Site as a Side Gig
One of the best things about the creator economy is that it gives people the opportunity to start a business without quitting their day job.
If you’re looking for a way to make some extra money on the side, or even eventually turn your side hustle into a full-time business, starting a membership site is a great option. It’s a low investment opportunity with a high potential return — both financially and in terms of personal satisfaction.
It’s a Flexible Business Model
The amazing thing about the membership model is that it can be applied to absolutely any niche:
- Want to share your knowledge on a specific topic? Create a membership site and share exclusive content with your tribe.
- Are you an artist, a photographer, or a musician? Offer exclusive behind-the-scenes access, never before seen artwork, or early bird access to your concerts.
- Do you have a physical product you want to sell? Why not create a subscription website and include exclusive discounts, priority shipping, or early access to new products for your members?
The options are endless.
The only limit is your imagination — and even that can be stretched if you really put your mind to it.
It really IS easier than ever
Building a membership website is easier now than it’s ever been. You don’t need to have any kind of coding skills — you just need a functioning laptop or PC, a simple WordPress website (zero coding needed there too), and an easy-to-use plugin (like Ultimate Membership Pro, for example.)
That’s all. Once you’ve set up your website, you can start promoting it and growing your tribe.
Of course, there’s always the option of hiring someone to do it for you. But even if you go that route, the investments are going to be lower than what you’d need for other types of businesses.
Reasons to Own a Membership Site: Conclusion
Don’t get us wrong. Owning a membership site isn’t a walk in the park — but from a technical perspective at least, it’s never been easier to just jump into it. Plus, making this move might just be the thing that changes your life forever. One way or another, this will be a learning experience from which you can earn, both mentally and financially.
So why not give it a try? You definitely have something to say — and somewhere out there, a group of people is more than happy to listen.
Read More:
How to Create a Membership Site Your Members Will Love
The Best Membership Level Names You Can Use