What Does It REALLY Take To Start and Launch a Membership From Scratch?

[@TotalWealth]

That was insanely helpful! Thank you… I am beginning my launch in TWO DAYS and have virtually nothing but an idea and a graphic… now I know, that’s enough!

[@StuMe]

Awesome! You are going to learn SO much by actually launching. Excited for you!

[@surefiancevisa5988]

This is brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! It is so simple and common sense that I had to stand up and clap in the last 10 minutes of the video before it had even finished. I got it! I got it! I got it! I can do this! You are the answer to my prayer of how to do it! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!!!

[@JayeeFromLA]

This really helped a lot.I was so stressed over how and where and what to start with but this just streamlined that whole process. This deserves a lot more views than it currently has.

[@dmac8605]

You’re awesome! Love the info and the energy behind.

[@justaskcan]

Love this video Stu but I have to be totally honest, it was the beautiful babies and the pup, for me! ♥️

[@ohmygodpod-thepodcastwithh7806]

Also...how much time in between the Founding Member launch and the Regular Member opening (with increase price, etc). How much feedback and input do you collect and implement from your Founding Members?

[@judyrafat]

I would also like to know the answer to this question

[@bethanyparkerfortune6838]

I love this so much!! Being a fellow perfectionist, I really needed to hear this!

[@prettypinklipps8894]

So glad I came across your video, so much helpful information and I love your energy😊😊

[@StuMe]

Thank you for your kind words! And thanks for watching :)

[@wonderfulwinnie]

I like how simple it is. I can't wait working with you on the creation of my business.

[@StuMe]

I can't wait either, Winnie!

[@pamcavallini1]

Directly from BRAZIL!! Thank you very much for these tips! Awesome video, congrats!

[@melodieboone3102]

Wonderful info Stu! Getting ready to reach out to Founding Members Launch.

[@StuMe]

Awesome! Also, I did a podcast all about this... check out marketingyourbusiness.com It's one of the more recent episodes!

[@GeorgetteElnar-JE]

wow it's so helpful to me now that am considering to create a relationship membership site and had the hard time figuring out how to launch it, thank you Stu

[@StuMe]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DigitalNomadsDaily]

This is great Stu!! Thanks so much for sharing this strategy! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@StuMe]

My pleasure! I am glad it was helpful!

[@JuracyJohnson]

What is the minimum number of followers you need to start a founding member launch?

[@StuMe]

I typically recommend an audience of 200 or more. This could be an audience on KZbin, Instagram, Facebook, a podcast, email list, customer list etc.

[@ConstanceToddSmithCreator]

Incredible content Stu thank you so much for your time and enthusiasm and kick ass content...😎

[@naeltahchi2272]

what do you recommend as software for sign-up and managing users ?

[@StuMe]

There is only one recommendation and that's Searchie.io. But just know that I'm EXTREMELY biased... because it's our own solution. We created it because it enables you to create the experience that will get the best result for your members and minimize the management on your side.

[@FUMSvideos]

So - the founding members pay to be a part of the membership community without a membership?? No place to "meet"?? Or is that a private Facebook Group?? And then you work on your content (courses, etc??) while working with your founding members on what you should have in the membership? And then you launch it to the public when it's all set up at a higher price and keep increasing it as you add more content and make it more valuable?? Do I have that right???

[@StuMe]

Yes you have that right. The key is to manage expectations upfront. You want to explain that part of the benefit is that people will be able to get in on the ground floor and you'll be creating it as you go. That's a BIG reason they are getting the "founding member price"

[@kathyyoung8751]

@@StuMe - Thanks so much. I so appreciate this video and your answers to my questions. You've really clarified things for me. Thank you.

[@gulnaresmat8172]

Hi Stu. Thank you for your great content. I have a question. I have a wellness center in Cairo Egypt. I have around 2000 client contacts ( 9 years worth of work). Can i make this list for my founding member launch , since they already know us and I can use their experience with us as a motivation to join our founding member subscribers. And then i can do a proper launch for my membership on social media. And second question, in Egypt , and with my target audience emails are hardly used. Mostly social media platforms and whatsapp. So do you think i can do my founding member launch on whatsapp? Thanks and Happy Father's Day

[@djmal27]

This was very inspiring for my upcoming travel and tour business. Am doing my founder's launch today, thanks to you. For more insight and guidance how can I reach you directly?

[@kimsneath]

How did it go? Any advice? What price did you set it at to start?

[@Dr.CelsoNolberto]

When asking others to join as founding members Should we mention the one fix priced?

[@StuMe]

Hey there Celso! Absolutely, be clear with your pricing from the start.

[@kimsneath]

Brilliant! Thank you.

[@StuMe]

You're very welcome!

[@markdanzig1380]

Steps 1: Where did the idea come from 2: Cast the Mission 3: Invite as founding members 4: Specific CTA (DM, email etc) 5: Follow up with paylink to join

[@facelesspodcaster5594]

I have an idea for a membership site but I just don't know how people will feel about it. Its a social membership site. I'm just looking for the right software. I'm still in the research and development process.

[@StuMe]

Bottom line, it all starts with the people you want to serve. If your membership site helps people solve a problem, create new habits or master a skill, these are all excellent indicators you are on the right track. Keep me posted with your progress and remember, you are awesome!

[@davidnewton190]

Great advice thanks very practical too!

[@StuMe]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nicolepiper.]

Thank you for the video - it was absolutely great ☺️ I feel lost in theme of the membership, the niche.

[@StuMe]

Glad it was helpful! Keep moving forward Niki!

[@anitaroussel3755]

This is awesome, Stu! Getting ready for our Founder's Launch this week! So many are struggling with their health and we can't wait to help them! :)

[@StuMe]

Anita Roussel - Thats awesome! That Founders Launch is going to create all kinds of momentum. Definitely keep me posted 👍

[@ohmygodpod-thepodcastwithh7806]

How long / duration should the launch be? 2 weeks? 90 days? what time frame between your first mention of it, to the actual launch is ideal?

[@StuMe]

We teach 5 phases of a launch in Stu's signature course... 1. Connection 2. Awareness 3. Desire 4. Purchase 5. WOW In the first two phases, it could be about 1 - 3 months. Desire phase is about 7 - 10 days... it could also be considered your pre-launch phase. The Purchase phase is shorter... for example a week to 10 days. This is your open cart period. And then the WOW phase is your delivery. Stu is a strong believer in having a longer runway. The bigger the runway, the bigger the result. Hope that helps. And thank you for watching. Rick from Stu's team :)

[@catherinesalvage2877]

I needed this!! Thanks for simplifying the process and helping my mind to back it up and stop complicating things.

[@StuMe]

You are so welcome Catherine!

[@jillymonson]

Where can I find the information on the Community Manager training? I'd like to send my VA to this so she can take on this role!

[@FUMSvideos]

I'm concerned about launching at this particular time in history. During a pandemic. People are losing their jobs and unable to pay for foods and medicine. What are your thoughts about launch timing????

[@StuMe]

I think it's all about perspective and who you're serving. Do I think you should sell to people who can't pay for food and medicine? Absolutely not. Those things are a priority. But not everyone is in that category. There are MANY markets that are thriving right now during the pandemic because it's created a new set of problems that people are seeking solutions for. For example, kids learning from home, working virtually, fitness from home, meal planning... and we're also seeing markets like art and guitar that are doing really well during all of this. Why? Because people have a new set of problems and/or they have time available to them that they didn't have before.

[@HolisticTraumaTherapy]

If I don't have a following per se but have contacts, such as non-profits where I worked, is that sufficient to do a founding launch? I am a trauma-focused expressive arts therapist and have been developing a year-long subscription for therapists that are burnt out, depleted, and want to both have a place to be nourished while learning skills. I am going to provide experiential interventions that are both going to support the therapists to feel nourished while also teaching them interventions to use with their clients. I was going to offer it to places where I worked before as I have a good reputation where I worked, agencies where there are up to 100 clinicians. Thank you for your support.

[@StuMe]

Great question, Angela. If you have an audience of about 100 people, that's a great place to start. The beauty of a Founding Member Launch is that you can test your idea and your Founding Members can help to shape the experience. I talked about this in more detail in episode 171 of the Marketing Your Business podcast. Thank you! www.marketingyourbusiness.com/podcast/simple-launch-strategy/

[@nutritiousdelicious]

Love that you also work beside your kids, I have two boys ages 5&6 it’s mahem!! Lol 😂

[@StuMe]

Nutritious & Delicious - Yes… the little ones are in and out of the home office a lot these days 🥴

[@facelesspodcaster5594]

@@StuMe Hey do you do consultation or have a course about creating a membership?

[@yagirljj2981]

what is the best software/platform to use for our membership site?

[@StuMe]

Searchie.io

[@beckyjones5970]

Hi there, I hope this is the correct place for the free membership training?

[@StuMe]

Hi there Becky! To join in with the live membership workshop, please head over to membershipworkshop.com We go live today at 3pm ET, I can't wait to see you there!

[@kennedyb.currie1674]

Thank you!

[@StuMe]

You're welcome :)

[@kimsneath]

Do you ask for a full year payment or monthly?

[@StuMe]

Hi there Kim, it completely depends on what type of membership you are offering. In our company, we prefer shorter payments. And yes, I understand that is taking less money upfront but it means we aren't chasing big payments. BUT with that mind, it is completely up to what your audience wants. Check out this podcast episode where I dive deep into which type of payment plan will suit you and your business: marketingyourbusiness.com/197 Let me know how you get on!

[@judyrafat]

Don’t I need to do some promotion before launching?

[@StuMe]

Some people will build their audience and their list first. Others will do a Founding Member Launch to test their idea... Put it this way, if you do an FML, and get interest and members, then that's a good indication that your idea is a good one! If no one takes you up on your Founding Membership offer, then you've tested the idea without putting a ton of time and effort into it. Both are viable options. And may vary depending on where you're at in your journey.

[@mediamusicmastery9348]

Aww the fam....my boys are teens now....whewww!

[@pattikaye4711]

Can we see the script you mentioned?

[@StuMe]

Hi there Patti! The Founding Member Launch script was something that I had offered previously. You can learn more about the Founding Member Launch here: marketingyourbusiness.com/171

[@hollymoore9656]

Stu, how do I contact you?

[@StuMe]

Hi there Holly, what's up?

[@askpharmacisttish]

excellent

[@muslimahmedia519]

Ur daughter is ur twin stu

[@JuracyJohnson]

But before all of that, you MUST have your CONTENT already developed (or your product), right?

[@StuMe]

Absolutely, to launch a membership it is always wise to have an idea of content or a product that you intend on selling. But hey, did you know you can create all your content for an entire month in just one day? I am a huge believer in batch creation- it makes the process SO much easier!

[@bringtheseo]

Dont believe the hype. Membership sites suck.

[@StuMe]

Well the stats would show differently. Forbes estimated that the membership and subscription economy grew from $72B in 2021 to $120B in 2022. And it's expected to reach $904B by 2026. That's a LOT of opportunity for growth. I guess it would only suck for someone who doesn't have a plan to use it in their business :P

[@bringtheseo]

​@@StuMe You can quote anything you like but the reality is, for most people it doesnt work and its a shitty business model. 1. Its near impossible to make the economics work on the front end, especially in terms of running paid ads. Infact for most, (especially those charging $20-30 a month), you may as well forget about paid ads completely. which means dribbling along using organic methods, hoping you'll get members. 2. Its the slowest way to make money. The time it takes to actually build a decent income is ridiculous. Someone said to me "Charge $99 a month and get yourself 1,000 members and you wont have to do sales calls anymore" which sounded amazing. Stupidly I fell for it. I went from $70,000 a month down to $10,000 a month. And now Im on this hamster wheel of trying members cycling in and out. 3. The whole notion of MRR is fanciful nonsense. Lets face it, its an easy sell, especially for those who dream of money coming in each and every month. But what they fail to realise is that you actually end up working HARDER (non stop) trying to constantly get members, whilst trying to retain the ones you already have. This constant never ending fight around retention is like having to juggle kittens every month in hope you can keep people entertained so they dont leave. 4. You can sugar coat it all you want but people dont give a shit and cancel anyway. Another lie is the whole "People love the community". Nonsense, you can get communities anywhere. People want the information they came for and nothing more. Sure you might get 10% who log in consistently, but 90% wont bother, and theyre the ones who cancel after 3 months because .......well, why would they continue to pay for something they've already consumed? Unless you want to juggle kittens every week. 5. The entire model is built around hoping that people pay without using the service. Its the gym membership model. Get them in, sign them up and hope they just keep paying. Most people dont have a membership they have an info-product business on a 3 month payment plan. Again its a stupid model. 6. And lastly, it seems to me the only people actually profiting from memberships are the ones teaching others how to build memberships. Its the whole "Do as I say, not as I do" nonsense.

[@StuMe]

@@bringtheseo ​Great discussion... let's unpack this because it sounds like YOU couldn't make it work and now you're saying the that's the case "for most people" and dismissing the whole business model. That's like me saying I couldn't get SEO to work so it's all bogus 🤪 First off, sorry you had a bad experience with your membership. I could have definitely helped you structure that to be a winner. You're in a GREAT market for a membership. Because it would be silly to assume that just because someone has watched your course videos that they will then have mastered all the SEO and sales techniques you're showing them, right? And the reality is, we have hundreds and hundreds of examples to prove that a membership can work REALLY well for business owners. Oh, and these are examples from all kinds of markets... that could NEVER charge a high fee for what they provide... like art, music, crafting, relationships, etc. But regardless, let's address your points... 1). RE: Economics - The economics actually work REALLY well if members are happy and getting what they came for. It sounds like with your membership that wasn't happening... especially if you were losing members after 3 months. That's not saying your content wasn't any good. It's likely you just didn't have it structured the right way for success. We could have helped you with that by showing you how to structure things properly and how to create a successful RETENTION PLAN. In fact, we recently helped restructure a client's membership who had over 8,000+ members (in the fitness niche BTW). In the first month we cut her churn IN HALF! That meant tens of thousands of dollars saved in month #1. Compounded over the year... that's hundreds of thousands of dollars. When you have a proper retention plan, people don't stay for months, they stay for years. 2). RE: Slow Way To Make Money - If you're looking for a quick buck, that might be true (and that's assuming someone could sell a high ticket item). But like compounding interest, when people are happy and paying, a membership or subscription is the greatest business model you can find. Why do you think so many big companies have transitioned to it? And why do you think valuations for companies with recurring revenue are on average 7-15X revenue when a business without recurring revenue is only 1-3X? It's because survey after survey of business owners reveals that the #1 source of stress is MONEY... aka the uncertainty of knowing where sales will come from next month. And not only that, there is the stress of having to go and do another promotion, campaign or sales call to generate revenue this month. And guess what? When you don't have recurring revenue, you're starting each month at zero and "hoping" things go ok. That sucks. And that's why a business WITH recurring revenue is valued so much higher. It's also why a "regular" business owner (like me) values recurring revenue... because I'd much rather eliminate the stress and have stability versus making "fast cash" this month and hoping it's the same next month. I'm playing the long-game. But everyone is different. You like the hamster wheel of having to constantly find new clients. I like just taking care of the ones who join my membership. 3). RE: MRR is fanciful - Is it though? Again, sounds like you had a bad experience with your retention. Not sure what you mean by "juggling kittens" but the key to good retention... especially with a topic like yours (SEO) are the results of your members. If they're not experiencing progress, then of course they're going to leave. And that progress relies on you actually designing an experience that helps people learn what to do and supports them in implementing what you're sharing. If they aren't getting results, they are going to leave. But the opposite is also true... if they ARE getting results, they will stay. So the moral of the story is, as long as people are happy, they'll keep paying. Isn't that a beautiful thing? The more happy our customers and clients, the more money we make. Nothing fanciful about it. 4) RE: Community - You're right in that sometimes, the community element isn't necessary. But the reason people stay even after they've "got the information" is because there is a HUGE gap between knowing what to do and actually getting the results with what they've learned. A membership bridges that gap by supporting them on the journey. Think about it. Do you really believe that when someone goes through your course they will have instantly mastered everything you shared? Don't be silly. It's taken you decades to become the expert you are today. So mastery doesn't happen just because someone has "access" to the information. And do you think they'll have ongoing questions as they begin implementing? Of course they will! And does your industry change all the time? Well duh! So they'd absolutely want to stay up to date and get support in implementing those ongoing changes. That's why I said, your market is PERFECT for a membership. And in fact, not having a membership would actually be a disservice for your customers! So, you don't NEED a community. Because the overarching reason people stay (for most memberships) is because they are being supported and are making PROGRESS with what they're learning. Remember, people don't leave when they're getting results. With all that said, a community (when it's managed properly) can be tremendously powerful. Just ask Karen Cinnamon of SmashingTheGlass.com. She ended up launching a SECOND membership because the women who joined her membership for Jewish brides then wanted to stay connected after their wedding. So Karen launched another successful membership (called Your Jewish Life) by providing them a community to stay connected. The community element is definitely attractive for certain memberships... especially when it's managed properly. 5). RE: Hoping People Don't Use the Service - Actually, that's the complete opposite of what I teach. Because you're right, if that's the mindset, then I wouldn't start a membership because clearly that person doesn't care about their members. But if you actually care about your member's progress, then we 100% want them logging in and consuming the content. Did you track your engagement rates? Your consumption rates? I mean you mentioned that 90% of people wouldn't login... were those your numbers? If so, then that should have been a red flag right away. At that point, you'd want to take a close look at your onboarding to make changes so that more members are logging in and consuming. Because those of us who care, obsess over the results our people get and what they are (or are not) doing within the membership. And if they aren't logging in or consuming the content, then we know they aren't getting the results we know are possible. Again, I'm not saying YOU don't care about your customers... but I am saying that if you know people aren't logging in and using the materials, then isn't that something to investigate and do something about? That's the thing to fix vs. just saying memberships are a "stupid model". 6). RE: Success with Memberships - We're happy to share all kinds of stories and examples of people who have built very successful memberships in a TON of different markets (with the vast majority actually having NOTHING to do with making money). In fact, you can go and check out a bunch at www.MembershipStories.com. Hey John... reach out next time. I've been helping experts just like you for 16+ years and I'd be happy to show you how to make it work. All the best! Stu

[@bringtheseo]

@@StuMe "​Great discussion", not exactly. You deleted all my comments.