Membership Geeks Podcast with Mike Morrison

Membership Geeks
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Join Mike Morrison - founder of the Membership Geeks - for advice, tips and insight on planning, running and growing a successful membership website plus interviews with existing membership owners and industry experts.

  1. The New Rules of Podcasting with Colin Gray

    1D AGO

    The New Rules of Podcasting with Colin Gray

    In this episode, I dive into the ever-evolving world of podcasting with special guest Colin Gray, founder of The Podcast Host and Alitu. Together, we unpack the new rules of the podcasting landscape in 2024, explore how independent creators can still stand out in a space now dominated by big names and AI-generated content, and discuss strategies for using podcasts to grow and deepen your membership business. Whether you're running a podcast or thinking of starting one, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and real talk on what really works right now. In this episode:Is it too late for independent creators to succeed in podcasting amid increased competition and the rise of celebrity-led and AI-generated shows?What are the most effective ways to increase discoverability and grow a podcast audience in today’s saturated market?How has podcasting changed in recent years, and what new strategies should membership site owners consider for using podcasts as a marketing tool?In a world of rapidly improving AI content, what makes a human-led podcast stand out and build a loyal, engaged community? Thank You For ListeningI really appreciate you choosing us and for supporting the podcast. What's your next step? If you haven't launched your membership yet, I've made my signature Membership Roadmap Course completely FREE, walking you through exactly how to get set up for success! Already have a membership and looking to grow and scale? Join me inside Membership Academy where I'll help you take your membership to the next level. And if you found this episode valuable, I'd be eternally grateful if you would leave an honest review and rating for the show. They're extremely helpful when it comes to reaching our audience, and I read each and every one! Key Quotes & Takeaways:"It feels like all of the general purpose, general conversation, broad appeal shows, they're now all just run by celebrities because they've all jumped into it, because it's proven that it can make them money, it's become popular." "You can make a living out of 100 listeners, 200 listeners, because you can build such trust and such credibility that you can sell a really high ticket, consulting package membership, whatever that might be." "Because they've got to know you, they go and listen to the show. And they're so much more likely to become fans that then pass it on to their friends and pass it around their communities. And those elements just scale so much more in a podcast than they do in any other medium because people spend so much time with you." "If you want to use clips, generally you want to commit to actually like making sure you've got a decent enough webcam and just get one like nice light that you'll place behind your webcam and that makes all the difference. It can, that can turn you from like a really crappy looking video into something that's like quite passable and quite decent."

    1h 5m
  2. My Top 5 Things That Will Fuel Your Membership Success This Year

    JAN 6

    My Top 5 Things That Will Fuel Your Membership Success This Year

    In this episode, I dive into my top five priorities that will fuel your membership success in 2026. I share the key actions and mindset shifts that every membership owner, whether just starting out or looking to scale, should be focusing on to ensure lasting growth. From getting a grip on your numbers to embracing a results-driven approach, experimenting more, and building the right support network, I break down practical, proven advice to set you up for an amazing year with your membership business. In this episode:Why is understanding your numbers and KPIs so essential for sustainable membership growth, and how do you get started?How has the value of content changed, and why should you stop positioning your membership as just a library of resources?In what ways can diversifying your offerings safeguard your membership business and better serve your audience's evolving needs?Why is experimentation, as well as surrounding yourself with the right support network, key to overcoming industry changes and staying ahead in 2026? Thank You For ListeningI really appreciate you choosing us and for supporting the podcast. What's your next step? If you haven't launched your membership yet, I've made my signature Membership Roadmap Course completely FREE, walking you through exactly how to get set up for success! Already have a membership and looking to grow and scale? Join me inside Membership Academy where I'll help you take your membership to the next level. And if you found this episode valuable, I'd be eternally grateful if you would leave an honest review and rating for the show. They're extremely helpful when it comes to reaching our audience, and I read each and every one! Key Quotes & Takeaways: "You can work hard all year bringing in 120 new people over the year, and you'll end the year with pretty much no increase in your member base. Because that 8% churn rate that maybe you don't realize is 8% will mean that you are just hemorrhaging as many members as you're attracting." "People want certainty. People like being sold proven formulas. That's why a lot of dodgy Internet marketers do so well, because they stand up there and say, you know what, I've got this proven formula. You just do this, then this, then this and this and you're guaranteed results. And yeah, that guarantees not worth the paper it's printed on." "We bring you that community, we bring you that accountability, that place that you can go to that is safe for you to vent about that problem member and get a little bit of advice for you to admit, you know what, I'm stuck. I've tried all these things and they have not worked." "But more importantly, you have the room to be in. You have the community that will give you that support network, that will give you the sounding board, that will cheer you on and pick you up, give you their experiences, give you the benefit of their knowledge, share what they're doing and work together to ensure that 2026 doesn't just see one or two of us growing our memberships. 2026 sees us all growing and thriving."

    34 min
  3. Here’s Why You Need To Take Time Out Over The Holidays

    12/16/2025

    Here’s Why You Need To Take Time Out Over The Holidays

    In this episode, I explore the importance of truly stepping away from your membership business over the holiday season. I share personal stories and practical advice on setting boundaries and embracing rest, debunking the myth that constant hustle is required for success. I also discuss how taking a real break not only protects your wellbeing, but can spark creativity and increase your effectiveness as a membership owner in the new year. Tune in for actionable tips to help you (and your community) enjoy the festive period guilt-free. In this episode:Why is it essential for membership owners to take genuine time off during the holidays, rather than just reducing work hours?What are the consequences of always being available and not properly disconnecting from your business?How can you plan and communicate your holiday break effectively to your team and members?What are the benefits—both personal and strategic—to stepping back from your membership, and how can it set you up for success in the new year? Thank You For ListeningI really appreciate you choosing us and for supporting the podcast. What's your next step? If you haven't launched your membership yet, I've made my signature Membership Roadmap Course completely FREE, walking you through exactly how to get set up for success! Already have a membership and looking to grow and scale? Join me inside Membership Academy where I'll help you take your membership to the next level. And if you found this episode valuable, I'd be eternally grateful if you would leave an honest review and rating for the show. They're extremely helpful when it comes to reaching our audience, and I read each and every one! Key Quotes & Takeaways:"If you burn yourself out because you're not able to pull yourself away from your business, you're going to take all of that exhaustion, all of that resentment, because that will build. You're going to take all of that into the new year and that will absolutely bleed into every aspect of what you do. Your members don't want a version of you that's running on fumes, that's not rested." "When the brain is distracted by other things is when some of the best actual ideas and creativity comes up. When you take that time out, when you allow yourself to step back, you make space for those big ideas to show up." "You'll find that any time going forward that you want to take a break away, it no longer feels like it's a risk. It no longer feels like something you should be guilty about. You start to see it as a normal, healthy part of running your membership, because it is. And you'll come back from that break fresher, motivated, with a clearer idea of how the next year is going to look than you would if you'd spent the holidays balancing your laptop on your knee when you should be having Christmas dinner and enjoying the break."

    20 min
  4. The Fatal Mistake I See Too Many Membership Businesses Making

    12/09/2025

    The Fatal Mistake I See Too Many Membership Businesses Making

    In this episode, I discuss the most critical mistake that I see far too many membership business owners making—neglecting their new member onboarding process. I emphasize why onboarding isn’t just a nice-to-have, but a fundamental pillar for ensuring member retention and long-term business success. Drawing on over a decade of experience, I break down actionable strategies to set new members up for a positive, engaging start. Whether you’re brand new or running a well-established membership, these insights will help you avoid costly pitfalls and boost your retention rates. In this episode:Why is the new member onboarding process so crucial for the success of a membership business?What typically goes wrong when onboarding is overlooked or poorly executed?What are the four essential steps that every onboarding strategy should include?How can membership owners improve their current onboarding experience to increase member retention and satisfaction? Thank You For ListeningI really appreciate you choosing us and for supporting the podcast. What's your next step? If you haven't launched your membership yet, I've made my signature Membership Roadmap Course completely FREE, walking you through exactly how to get set up for success! Already have a membership and looking to grow and scale? Join me inside Membership Academy where I'll help you take your membership to the next level. And if you found this episode valuable, I'd be eternally grateful if you would leave an honest review and rating for the show. They're extremely helpful when it comes to reaching our audience, and I read each and every one! Key Quotes & Takeaways:"And so now those first few minutes, those first hours of someone's memberships, instead of those being spent with them excitedly taking their first steps towards the success that they're seeking, they're instead going to have to spend a bunch of time figuring out where the heck everything is, how it all works, clicking around different links to see what they do, where they go, what's on offer." "A warm welcome. The first page that someone sees after they've completed registration should feature a message from you, preferably video, giving them that warm welcome. Big, smiley, happy, confident, thanking them for joining, validating their buying decision and telling them what's next." "Four to five simple actions that will get them started the right way. Give them a quick win, get them to introduce themselves into your community to sign up for their first live training call. Set them on the path towards whatever they joined your membership to accomplish."

    15 min
  5. How Your Membership Can Stand Out in a World of AI Slop

    12/02/2025

    How Your Membership Can Stand Out in a World of AI Slop

    In this episode, I tackle the rise of AI-generated "slop" and what it means for those of us running membership businesses. I share practical strategies for standing out in an era where generic, low-effort content is flooding the internet. I discuss why your real voice, perspective, and personal touch are more valuable than ever—and how to leverage these strengths both in your content marketing and inside your membership. Join me for a conversation on keeping things authentic, building trust, and rising above the AI noise. In this episode:How can membership owners differentiate themselves when AI-generated content is everywhere?What types of content and formats showcase your unique personality and expertise beyond what AI can replicate?Why is authenticity, storytelling, and vulnerability so crucial for building trust with your audience today?How should the value proposition of a membership evolve in a world where "more content" is no longer enough? Thank You For ListeningI really appreciate you choosing us and for supporting the podcast. What's your next step? If you haven't launched your membership yet, I've made my signature Membership Roadmap Course completely FREE, walking you through exactly how to get set up for success! Already have a membership and looking to grow and scale? Join me inside Membership Academy where I'll help you take your membership to the next level. And if you found this episode valuable, I'd be eternally grateful if you would leave an honest review and rating for the show. They're extremely helpful when it comes to reaching our audience, and I read each and every one! Key Quotes & Takeaways:"It doesn't matter how good your blog content is, because it's going to get buried. Your audience is going to have less and less trust because we don't always know. We can't tell whether we're reading something that is genuinely coming from the person whose name is is attached to it or Whether they've just cobbled it together in a few minutes from whatever chatgpt is spat out." "AI can summarize things, it can paraphrase, it can mix different sources around. But AI doesn't have a perspective, it doesn't care. It doesn't get heated up about something, it doesn't stand for or against anything, it doesn't attempt to convince, it doesn't attempt to make a strong argument, it doesn't feel, obviously." "We all know for so many years, social media has just become this curated highlight reel where everyone projects this version of themselves that they want other people to believe is reality. But actually more and more people want to see the real. They want to see the process, they want to see the messy version, they want to see the work, they want to see the real human, the stuff that AI will churn out. It's always going to be generic, it's always going to be a bit more polished, a bit more perfect, a bit middle of the road."

    22 min
  6. How We Use Feedback Loops To Drive Our Membership Growth

    11/26/2025

    How We Use Feedback Loops To Drive Our Membership Growth

    In this episode, I dive into the power of feedback loops and how they've been instrumental in driving membership growth for our community. I share exclusive insights from my session at Retain Live 2025, breaking down how to effectively gather, analyze, and act on feedback at every stage of the member lifecycle. You'll learn practical tactics for not only getting useful member input, but also using it to shape your offerings, refine your marketing, and boost retention. If you're ready to make your members feel heard and create a more engaging and successful membership, this episode is for you. In this episode:What exactly is a feedback loop, and why is it so vital for membership businesses?How can you effectively gather and use feedback from non-buyers, new members, existing members, and those leaving your community?What are the key stages in the member lifecycle where feedback loops should be implemented for maximum impact?How do you close the loop by showing members the tangible results and changes that result from their feedback? Thank You For ListeningI really appreciate you choosing us and for supporting the podcast. What's your next step? If you haven't launched your membership yet, I've made my signature Membership Roadmap Course completely FREE, walking you through exactly how to get set up for success! Already have a membership and looking to grow and scale? Join me inside Membership Academy where I'll help you take your membership to the next level. And if you found this episode valuable, I'd be eternally grateful if you would leave an honest review and rating for the show. They're extremely helpful when it comes to reaching our audience, and I read each and every one! Key Quotes & Takeaways:"You need to speak to your audience, to your members, to your buyers, your non buyers, your ex members. That feedback is critical for guiding the growth of your business. But it's not enough to just get that feedback. You need to know what feedback to ask for and what to do with it." "And when they respond, listen, reply, have that conversation, but also take the responses and start creating content from it. Address the frequently asked questions, the frequent obstacles and objections that come up." "If someone's leaving, we need to know why and this shouldn't be a passive thing. We need to survey our outgoing members. We need to ideally have something in place before the cancellation is final, where we ask them why they are no longer staying in the membership and then respond to that before the final decision is made, offer them some alternatives to cancelling, acknowledge any frustrations, show that we care and we want them to stay so it's not just a case of them clicking the button and they're gone."

    23 min
  7. From The Vault: 8 Ways to Reduce Stress When Running a Membership

    11/18/2025

    From The Vault: 8 Ways to Reduce Stress When Running a Membership

    In this from the vault episode, I dive into one of the most important yet often overlooked aspects of running a membership business: managing stress. As memberships grow and evolve, it’s easy to find yourself overwhelmed by unrealistic expectations, perfectionism, and trying to do everything yourself. I share eight actionable tips from the archives on how to ease that pressure and prevent burnout, with plenty of practical advice for maintaining your mental health and building a sustainable business. Whether you’re just starting out or are an experienced membership owner, this episode will help you keep things in perspective and enjoy the journey. In this episode:How can you set realistic expectations for your membership growth and success?What strategies help you avoid perfectionism and focus on sustainable, long-term progress?What boundaries and outsourcing tactics can reduce overwhelm and keep your work-life balance in check?How do you keep stress in context and avoid unnecessary anxiety about delays, changes, or member demands? Key Quotes & Takeaways: “With memberships, you get to set the terms. You get to create a business of your own design that fits with your goals for your life.” “You're not creating a finished product, you're starting a journey. You have the freedom and flexibility to adapt and evolve your membership over time.” “Don't try and do everything yourself. You're not a superhero.” Thank You For ListeningWe really appreciate you choosing to listen to us and for supporting the podcast. We would be eternally grateful if you would consider taking a minute or two to leave an honest review and rating for the show. They're extremely helpful when it comes to reaching our audience and we read each and every one personally! Finally, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast to make sure that you never miss an episode.

    41 min
  8. From The Vault: 6 Things to Do After You’ve Launched Your Membership

    11/11/2025

    From The Vault: 6 Things to Do After You’ve Launched Your Membership

    In this from the vault episode, I dive into the essential steps every membership site owner should take after launching their membership. It’s not just about getting started—the real work begins once your site is live, and what you do next can make or break your success. I revisit some timeless strategies for keeping your momentum strong, nurturing your new members, and planning for steady growth. Whether you’ve just launched, stalled, or are looking ahead, this practical guide will help you set a solid foundation for your membership’s future. In this episode:How can you effectively assess what worked (and didn’t) during your membership launch?What steps should you take to ensure new members are engaged and set up for success?How do you gather and leverage early social proof to fuel continued marketing?What are the best ways to follow up with non-buyers and plan your ongoing organic marketing efforts after launch? Key Quotes & Takeaways: “90% of success is all about what happens on the inside of a membership.” “In the afterglow of your launch, those first 30 days or so, really keep an eye out for any posts, comments, and feedback that you can use from your community…and then turn that into marketing collateral.” “You want those people that were on the fence during your launch and decided against joining to be kicking themselves for not signing up.” Thank You For ListeningWe really appreciate you choosing to listen to us and for supporting the podcast. We would be eternally grateful if you would consider taking a minute or two to leave an honest review and rating for the show. They're extremely helpful when it comes to reaching our audience and we read each and every one personally! Finally, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast to make sure that you never miss an episode.

    25 min
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Join Mike Morrison - founder of the Membership Geeks - for advice, tips and insight on planning, running and growing a successful membership website plus interviews with existing membership owners and industry experts.

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