6 Best Content Types for Membership Sites

When I launched my first membership site, teaching digital marketing to small business owners, I thought, “Hey, I’ll just upload some tutorials and people will stick around forever.” Spoiler alert: they didn’t.

My churn rate was brutal those first few months. It was like people came in, binge-watched the first week’s videos, then ghosted me. Poof. Gone.

That’s when I realized I wasn’t just selling content. I was selling continuing value — and if the content didn’t evolve, feel interactive, or meet members where they were, they’d leave. Simple as that.

After tweaking (and failing a few more times), I finally figured out the 6 content types that consistently keep members engaged. Let’s break them down — and trust me, if you’re just starting a membership or trying to reduce churn, these will help big time.

1. Video Tutorials (Short + Focused)

My first mistake? Dumping hour-long webinars into the content library and thinking that was value.

Turns out, people want short, bite-sized videos that solve one problem at a time.

• Keep videos between 5–12 minutes

• Use screen recordings, face-to-camera, or a mix

• Add time-stamped summaries or transcripts for accessibility

I saw engagement jump 40% after chopping up my videos into mini-lessons. These work great for skill-building communities — think coding, design, writing, fitness, and marketing.

If you’re still unsure what content works best, check out this beginner’s guide to choosing the right membership model to make sure your content aligns with your offer.

2. Downloadable Resources (Templates, PDFs, Checklists)

People love instant wins. A good template or checklist feels like skipping the line.

When I added a “Social Media Caption Bank” as a downloadable resource, it became one of the top reasons people signed up.

• Include fillable PDFs, Excel sheets, Canva templates, or Notion dashboards

• Make it easy to implement, not just look pretty

• Update monthly to give members a reason to check back in

This works especially well when paired with drip content vs all-access memberships  helping you decide how and when to release these assets.

3. Live Q&A Sessions or Office Hours

This one changed everything for me.

I started hosting a monthly live Q&A, and even if just 10 people showed up, the replay views skyrocketed. It built trust and made people feel seen.

• Use Zoom or a private YouTube stream

• Take questions ahead of time to avoid awkward silence

• Re-upload recordings into a “Live Session Archive”

It’s not just about delivering info — it’s about connection. And it makes your site feel alive, not static. If you’re looking to amplify this even more, building a membership community around these sessions makes them even more powerful.

4. Community Forum or Private Group

Now, I’ll be real — building community takes work. But it’s worth it.

I launched a private Circle space (think Facebook group, but not Facebook), and members started helping each other out. Peer support took the pressure off me to answer everything.

• Use platforms like Circle, Discord, or even Facebook Groups

• Organize channels by topic (goals, questions, wins, etc.)

• Start weekly prompts or challenges to spark conversation

When people feel part of a group, they stay longer. Period. And if you’re struggling with churn, you’ll want to explore membership retention strategies to understand the power of community-driven content.

5. Monthly Challenges or Action Plans

Ever notice how gyms keep people by offering monthly programs? Same idea here.

I began creating 30-day content calendars, “Mini Missions,” or “1-Hour Audits” to guide members through specific results.

• Give step-by-step tasks with small wins along the way

• Tie it to a goal (e.g., grow an email list, declutter your life, improve your writing)

• Include accountability check-ins through the community

To stay organized, I started setting up a content calendar for members and that helped keep everything structured and consistent.

6. Exclusive Interviews or Expert Guest Content

This one helped me stand out when I was feeling burned out from creating all the content myself.

I started bringing in guest experts — even just recording casual Zoom chats — and members loved it.

• Line up monthly interviews with niche influencers or specialists

• Keep it raw and real — don’t over-edit

• Include takeaways or a companion worksheet

Your members want new perspectives, and this keeps the content fresh — plus, it’s less content you have to make yourself.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Overload, Curate

I’ll end with this: you don’t need all these content types at once. What matters most is consistency and purpose.

Pick 2–3 that suit your niche and your energy levels, and go from there. I started with just video tutorials and a checklist bank, that was it. As I grew, I layered in lives and community.

And most importantly, ask your members what they want. It sounds basic, but the best ideas I’ve had? Came straight from a member’s suggestion.

So if you’re building or growing a membership site in 2025, focus on content that’s actionable, personal, and engaging. Because when members feel supported, they stick around.