What to Include in Your Membership Site (And What to Skip)
So you've decided a membership model is the right move for your business. Now comes the exciting part: deciding what to actually put inside your program.
Creating the perfect mix of content, community, and support can feel overwhelming. If you offer too little, members won't see the value. If you offer too much, you'll burn yourself out and confuse your audience. The key is to find the right balance that delivers consistent value without creating a content monster you can't tame.
Here’s a look at what to consider including in your membership program and what you're better off skipping.
What to Include in Your Membership
A strong membership program usually includes a few core components. You don't need to offer everything on this list. Pick and choose what makes the most sense for your audience and your capacity.
1. A Core Content Library
This is the foundation of your membership. It’s a curated collection of resources that members get instant access to when they join. This immediately demonstrates value and gives new members something to explore. Your content library could be a "success path" of courses that guides them from A to B or a vault of searchable resources.
What it looks like: Pre-recorded video trainings, tutorials, PDF workbooks, checklists, and templates.
Why it works: It provides instant value and a self-serve resource for members, which reduces your need to answer the same questions repeatedly.
2. Fresh, Regularly Scheduled Content
To keep members engaged month after month, you need to provide something new. This shows that the membership is alive and evolving. The key is to be consistent, whether you release new content weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Choose a schedule you know you can stick to long-term.
What it looks like: A new expert workshop each month, a new course module, or a new set of templates.
Why it works: It creates anticipation and gives members a reason to log in regularly and maintain their subscription.
3. Community Interaction
People join for the content, but they often stay for the community. A dedicated space for members to connect, ask questions, and share wins is a powerful retention tool. It fosters a sense of belonging and transforms your membership from a simple content library into a living, breathing ecosystem.
What it looks like: A private Slack channel, a Discord server, or a dedicated forum on your website.
Why it works: It allows members to build relationships and learn from each other, which adds value beyond what you alone can provide.
4. Live Events and Access to You
Live events create a sense of urgency and direct connection. They are your opportunity to engage with members in real-time, answer their questions, and provide personalized guidance. This is often where members feel they get the most direct value.
What it looks like: Monthly live Q&A calls, member "hot seat" coaching sessions, or expert guest interviews.
Why it works: It provides a direct line to your expertise and makes the membership feel personal and responsive.
What to Skip in Your Membership
Just as important as what you include is what you leave out. Avoiding these common traps will save you time and keep your members focused on what matters.
1. A Giant, Unorganized Content Dump
It’s tempting to throw every piece of content you’ve ever created into your membership to "add value". Don’t do it. A massive, disorganized library is overwhelming, not helpful. Members will be paralyzed by choice and won't know where to start.
What to do instead: Curate your content carefully. Create a clear path or onboarding sequence that guides new members through the material. Quality over quantity always wins.
2. 1:1 Access for Every Member
Offering unlimited one-on-one access is not scalable. It might be feasible with your first few members, but it will quickly become impossible to manage as you grow. This can lead to burnout for you and a poor experience for members who can't get your time.
What to do instead: Offer one-to-many support through group coaching calls and live Q&A sessions. If you do offer 1:1 support, price it as a premium, separate tier.
3. Anything You Can’t Deliver Consistently
Don't promise a new daily video if you can only manage one a week. Don’t promise a 24-hour response time if you have other commitments. Unmet promises are the fastest way to lose trust and increase churn.
What to do instead: Be realistic about your time and energy. Under-promise and over-deliver. It's better to start with a few core offerings that you can deliver flawlessly than to offer a dozen things that you struggle to maintain.
Build a Sustainable Membership Today
Building a successful membership is about creating a focused, high-value experience. It’s not about offering more, it’s about offering the right things. By carefully selecting what you include and what you skip, you can build a sustainable and rewarding program that your members will love.
If you have questions about structuring your membership program, feel free to book a call with me. I'm here to help you get it right from the start.