How to Use Payhip for Membership Sales?

But I kept getting emails from people like, “Hey, do you have a subscription version of this?” or “Can I pay monthly for new templates?”

At first, I ignored it. Sounded like too much work. But curiosity got the better of me, and I started poking around my Payhip dashboard. That’s when I saw it: Memberships. Like, built-in. No extra software. No crazy setup. Just toggle it on and go.

Mind. Blown.

So yeah, here’s how I actually use Payhip for my membership sales today. No fluff. Just what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d do differently if I had to start over.

1. Start With a Simple Offer (Seriously, Keep It Easy)

Here’s the biggest mistake I made: I overcomplicated it.

I launched with three tiers, each with different deliverables, price points, and access levels. I thought I was being clever. Nope. People got confused. Sales were slow. I ended up scrapping it and restarting with one tier: $12/month, cancel anytime, get all my digital templates + monthly exclusive drops.

Once I simplified it, sales picked up.

Tip: Start with one clear tier. You can always add more later. If you’re still figuring out your offer, this beginner’s guide to choosing the right membership model can help you keep things lean and aligned with your audience.

2. Use the Payhip Membership Builder (It’s Surprisingly Good)

Not gonna lie, I expected the builder to be clunky. But Payhip actually makes it easy:

• You give your plan a name and price

• Choose if it’s monthly, yearly, or both

• Add your member-only products (like downloads, videos, etc.)

• Customize the thank-you page, welcome email, and access message

No coding. No integrations. I set up my whole membership in like 30 minutes while sipping lukewarm coffee.

Pro move: I added a welcome PDF with links to everything — people love getting something instantly after they pay.

And if you want to make a great first impression, this guide on how to set up a strong onboarding experience gives you an easy roadmap to follow.

3. Drip Content or Drop Monthly Packs? I Tried Both

Payhip lets you drip content over time or give members access to everything upfront.

I tested both, and here’s what worked:

• Drip feeding = better retention. Members stay longer when they know new stuff’s coming.

• All-access = faster cancellations. People grab the files and bounce.

Now I do a hybrid. Members get a small starter bundle immediately, then I email them each month with fresh content drops (Payhip auto-notifies them too, which is nice).

For anyone debating between these styles, this breakdown of drip content vs all-access memberships is a must-read before you choose.

4. Connect With Your Members (Even If It’s Just Email)

Here’s the part people skip — actually talking to your members.

I send a quick check-in email every couple weeks. Nothing fancy. Just:

• “What do you want me to create next?”

• “Here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming.”

• “Thanks for sticking around — you rock!”

You’d be shocked at how many replies I get. People feel seen. They stay longer. They tell their friends.

If you’re wondering how to build connection at scale, check out this guide on how to build a membership community. Even a few small changes can make your members feel like they’re part of something.

5. Promote It Like a Product, Not a Passive Thing

I used to just tuck my membership link in the menu bar and hope people would click it. Big mistake.

Now I treat my membership like a full-on launch every quarter. I’ll:

• Run a limited-time bonus (e.g., “Join by Friday and get a free 1-on-1 session”)

• Use a waitlist in ConvertKit to build hype

• Create bundle offers (e.g., “Buy my template set, get 1 month free inside the membership”)

• Post testimonials from current members — even just screenshots of thank-you DMs

The more I promote it, the more recurring income I build.

If promotion feels overwhelming, here are 8 proven tips for marketing your membership site that’ll help you get the word out — without sounding salesy.

Things That Didn’t Work (Learn From Me)

• Offering too much, too soon – I got overwhelmed, and so did my members.

• Pricing too low – $5/month attracted freebie hunters. I raised it to $12 and got fewer cancellations.

• No onboarding – Early members were confused. Now I use a simple “Start Here” PDF.

Don’t be afraid to tweak your offer. That’s the beauty of Payhip — changes are instant and easy.

Final Thoughts: Memberships = Long Game

Running a Payhip membership isn’t just about setting it up and walking away.

It’s about community, value, and showing up consistently — even if it’s just once a month. And Payhip honestly makes it dead simple. You don’t need Zapier, Kajabi, or anything fancy. You can literally run a membership from your laptop on a weekend.

So if you’ve got content you update regularly, a loyal audience, or even just a small but mighty group of buyers — try it.

You don’t need a huge following. Just something people want every month.

Start small. Make it easy. Be consistent. And you’ll be surprised how fast that recurring revenue adds up.