Okay, let me tell you something I wish someone had told me when I started my membership site: “Build it and they will come” is a lie.
I spent weeks. No, months — building out content, setting up my tiers, tweaking every little detail… and when I launched? Crickets. I had maybe five members. One of them was my mom. The other was my friend, who felt bad for me.
So, I dove headfirst into marketing strategies. I tested everything — email funnels, content upgrades, early bird pricing, you name it. Some flopped hard. Others? Gold.
After a ton of trial, error, and caffeine-fueled learning, I figured out what actually works. So here you go — 8 proven tips for marketing your membership site without losing your mind (or your audience’s interest).
1. Start Your Email List Before You Launch
Yup. Before. Not after.
I know it’s tempting to wait until everything’s perfect. But if I could go back, I’d start collecting emails the second I had the idea. All you need is a one-page landing page with a waitlist opt-in and a quick “what’s coming soon” teaser.
Offer something like:
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A free checklist
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A behind-the-scenes preview
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A mini-resource or sample content
People want to be early insiders — make them feel like VIPs from day one. If you don’t already have a launch plan, check out this step-by-step guide to starting a membership site before you build out your funnel.
2. Tease the Transformation, Not Just Features
Here’s the hard truth: no one cares about “50 video lessons” or “members-only Q&As” — not unless they know what those get them.
Sell the outcome, not the content.
Instead of saying:
“Includes 10 modules on nutrition”
Say something like:
“Finally stop yo-yo dieting and feel confident about what’s on your plate every day — without giving up your favorite foods.”
That shift in how I described my offer made a massive difference in conversions. Focus on transformation. Period.
3. Use Founding Member Launches
This was a game-changer for me.
Open up a short window to offer your membership at a discounted “founding member” rate — in exchange for feedback and testimonials. People love being part of something new. It creates urgency and makes your earliest fans feel special.
Plus, those early reviews? GOLD for your future marketing. Here’s what I learned when I ran a founding member launch including what not to do.
4. Create Weekly Free Content That Leads to the Membership
Okay, this one requires consistency, but it works.
I started writing one blog post per week answering the exact questions my target members were struggling with. At the end of each post, I’d plug the membership:
“Want deeper support like this every week? Join [Site Name] and get exclusive content, live coaching, and more.”
It’s soft, organic, and builds trust. You can do this with blog posts, podcasts, YouTube videos — whatever suits your vibe. Not sure what kind of content works best? Here are the best content types for membership sites to get you started.
5. Use Testimonials Like Stories
Not just “This was great.” That doesn’t move the needle anymore.
I started collecting stories. One member told me she finally landed her first freelance client after using the strategies I taught. Boom — that became a full case study I shared.
Use screenshots, DMs, real wins. Highlight transformation, not just praise. Social proof + relatability = conversions.
6. Offer a $1 Trial or 7-Day Access
People are skeptical. I get it. They want to test the waters before diving in.
So I ran a $1 trial for 7 days. Conversion rate tripled. It gave people a taste of the full value and made them more likely to stick around.
Bonus tip: If you’re not sure how to set this up, check out why I recommend offering trial periods for memberships. It’s easier than you think — especially with platforms like Payhip.
7. Partner With Micro-Influencers in Your Niche
I used to ignore this one, big mistake.
I reached out to a few micro-creators (folks with 1k–10k followers) who had highly engaged audiences. I offered them a free membership and an affiliate link. They shared it in their newsletter and BOOM — 30 new members in 3 days.
You don’t need a mega influencer. You need people who already have your dream members’ attention. If you combine this with a strong retention strategy, the results can be long-lasting. Here’s how to boost member retention even after the first sale.
8. Show Up Live, Even If Only 5 People Watch
This one took guts. But it builds trust fast.
I started doing weekly Instagram Lives and occasional Zoom Q&As just to talk about topics covered inside the membership. I’d explain what we’d been learning that week, how members were applying it, and invite folks to join.
It didn’t matter if 3 or 30 people showed up. It humanized my brand and made conversions way easier. Real-time connection = real interest.
Final Thoughts: It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint
Marketing a membership site is like building a fire. You don’t just throw one log on and expect flames. You build it stick by stick — a blog here, a DM there, a testimonial, an email, a live session.
Some days, it feels slow. But momentum does build. And once it does, it’s magical.
So try one or two of these tips this week. Don’t wait for perfect. Start messy. Iterate. Be real.
You’ve got this.