My Journey Through the Challenges of Running a Membership Site

People frequently ask me how I juggle my various programs. The key thing to remember is that I didn’t start where I am today, and you shouldn’t compare your beginning to my current position. Since 2010, I’ve been working tirelessly to grow my business and understand the intricacies of running a membership site. This journey has been anything but smooth; I’ve faced numerous setbacks and made the tough decision to abandon projects that just didn’t pan out.

The Realities of Running a Membership Site

Operating a membership site is challenging and not suited for everyone. However, I find it fulfilling. After many attempts to build effective membership sites, I finally experienced a breakthrough, thanks to my amazing mentor, Stu McLaren. He is the founder of Wishlist Member, the software I’ve been using for my online courses and business for over ten years. He also created an outstanding training program titled The Membership Experience, which guides you on how to start and grow a profitable membership site.

I’ll share more about how Stu helped me dramatically improve my membership offerings and transform my life in the future. For now, I want to discuss the hard truths—my failures, where I stumbled, and the lessons I wish I had learned earlier.

Failures are crucial for growth. Every setback has taught me something, even the ones that were tough to endure.

Acknowledging My Mentor

Before I delve into my failures, I must acknowledge the incredible support I received from Stu McLaren. His extensive knowledge of marketing, recurring revenue, and community-building has been invaluable. He hosts a free workshop once a year, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. If you’re looking to delve into the world of membership sites, I encourage you to join. I’ll be attending the workshop with you, so let me know if you sign up—I’d love to support you along the way!

Download My Free eBook

Don’t forget to grab my new eBook, The 6 Secrets to a Successful Membership Site, which outlines the strategies that helped my membership grow from 100 to 470 members in just six months.

My 5 Biggest Failures in Growing Membership Sites

Failure #1: Abandoning My First Membership Site

In March 2014, I made the difficult decision to quit a membership site called The Get Ahead Club that I had launched a year prior. While it had around 50 engaged members, I found myself at a standstill. At just $15 per month, my earnings were only $750—enough for a side income but not sufficient to quit my day job and focus on my growing family.

Despite my hard work, I was stressed and overwhelmed, trying to manage everything from guest interviews to member inquiries. I felt like I was drowning, particularly because I also needed to prepare for my baby’s arrival. Ultimately, I closed the doors to the club, believing it wasn’t worth the stress, and considered it a failure.

Failure #2: Overwhelming Myself and My Members

When I first ventured into the world of membership sites, I thought there was only one format: constant content creation. Influenced by what I assumed members wanted, I overloaded them with hour-long training sessions, hoping to keep them engaged.

My desire to provide value backfired, as I soon realized that members felt overwhelmed and unable to keep up. I learned that simplifying content delivery is essential; offering manageable pieces each week prevents burnout—for both me and my members.

Failure #3: Trying to Do It All Alone

Many entrepreneurs struggle with the idea that no one can do their work as well as they can, including myself. I hesitated to delegate tasks because I was deeply invested in my business. This fear contributed to the downfall of my first membership site.

Eventually, I recognized that I needed help. I’ve since assembled a fantastic team, allowing me to focus on adding value to our members. Looking back, I realize that hiring the right people was crucial for the success of my membership sites.

Failure #4: Launching a Membership Site Without Understanding My Audience

A critical error I made was starting a membership for the wrong reasons. I craved the recurring income without truly understanding what my potential members wanted. Initially, I grew to 25 members, but that was as far as I got. My content was too diverse, and members didn’t see a clear path to their goals. If the months offered irrelevant topics, they simply left.

Since then, I’ve streamlined my offerings to target specific audiences—women seeking jobs and those wanting to start their own businesses. This focus has made marketing simpler and allowed me to create content that resonates with my members.

Failure #5: Neglecting Marketing and Avoiding Launches

My marketing strategy—or lack thereof—was a major setback. I did little more than occasionally blog about my membership and host a teleseminar, with no coherent marketing plan. Unsurprisingly, my membership growth stalled.

For a year, I shied away from launching anything, feeling intimidated by the process. However, with the help of my mentor’s training, I learned how to execute successful launches. I recently completed a launch that welcomed 70 new members and, for the first time, found the experience enjoyable.

When planned properly, launching becomes a streamlined process rather than a source of stress. Now, I’m excited to share my offerings with the world.

By reflecting on my experiences, I’ve uncovered valuable lessons. Each setback has played a crucial role in shaping the successful membership sites I run today. Remember, every failure offers an opportunity for growth.

So, as you embark on your journey, don’t shy away from the bumps along the way—they’re often the key to reaching your goals.