In this episode, I sit down with Michael Stelzner, founder of Social Media Marketing World and the Social Media Marketing Society, to dive deep into why he made the big decision to close down his successful membership after a decade.

We unpack the strategic thinking, the data, and even the unexpected tech issues that led to this major pivot in his business.

I also explore the launch of his new AI Business Society membership and what it means both for him and the wider membership industry.

If you’re at a crossroads with your own membership, you’ll find plenty of actionable insights and thought-provoking guidance in our conversation.

• What were the main factors and turning points that led Michael Stelzner to sunset the Social Media Marketing Society after ten years?
• How did market changes and the rise of AI influence the strategic pivot towards launching the AI Business Society?
• What was the process and communication strategy for closing down an established membership, and how were existing members supported during the transition?
• What lessons has Michael learned from running multiple memberships, and how is he approaching the new landscape in the world of online communities and AI?

Key Quotes & Takeaways:

"that idea of pivoting, even just a small amount can be daunting. But some of the lessons and some of the things that you've done in terms of maintaining that long term vision, looking for those overlaps and not rushing it, not just cutting everything off and considering it as an entirely new business."

"I'm militant about saying no to anything that's not in alignment to my mission because I can't do it all. And those who do it all end up failing."

"We at Social Media Examiner believe very strongly to do fewer things well is better than doing lots of things poorly."

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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!

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In this episode of the Membership Geeks Podcast, I dive into the controversial world of scarcity marketing, especially as it relates to memberships.

I unpack why the “closed door” model and pressure tactics aren’t the magic bullet many gurus claim—and how they can actually do more harm than good to your membership business.

Instead, I share a more sustainable approach focused on trust, value, and genuine urgency.

If you’re tired of being told you “must” use countdown timers and manufactured FOMO, this one’s for you!

• Do you really need scarcity tactics—like limited-time enrollment—to grow a successful membership?
• What are the risks and downsides of relying on pressure and artificial urgency to sell memberships?
• How can you create genuine urgency that leads to better, more engaged long-term members?
• What marketing strategies actually work best for building a thriving, sustainable membership business?

"The urgency to join your membership shouldn't come from some arbitrary deadline or some daft countdown timer. It should come from your product. The urgency should come from having a compelling product that people just have to have. From the fact that what you offer helps people solve a real problem."

"But if your entire sales strategy hinges on act now or else, then you're not giving people time to actually evaluate, trust, and commit."

"Quite often, marketing tactics that apply pressure, that manipulate your potential members with false scarcity or leaning too heavily on scarcity quite often will convert very well in the short term. You will see a big influx of members during your limited open period if you have a closed door membership."

We 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.

In this episode of the Membership Geeks Podcast, I dive deep into the topic of legacy pricing for membership businesses—a practice I’ve long advocated, but one that can pose major challenges as your membership grows and evolves.

I discuss the benefits and pitfalls of letting members lock in their original pricing, explore when legacy pricing stops serving your business, and outline strategies for dealing with long-term members who are paying far less than new signups.

If your membership has gone through significant changes over the years, this episode will help you navigate the often-tricky conversation around updating your pricing structure while staying fair to your most loyal members.

• What is legacy pricing, and why has it traditionally been seen as a best practice for member retention and conversions?
• When does legacy pricing begin to work against you and your membership business, rather than for you?
• How can you fairly and effectively address the issue of long-term members paying outdated rates, especially when your offering has fundamentally changed?
• What are the practical options and communication strategies for transitioning legacy members to new pricing, and how can you do this while maintaining trust and goodwill?

Key Quotes & Takeaways:

"The fact that I would lose out on that legacy pricing, the fact that if I left and then came back in the future would mean I'd be paying a lot more. That can be enough of an incentive for me to not cancel, for me to leave my membership active for a month or two, even if I'm real busy, in order to hold on to that really advantageous, really attractive legacy pricing."

"So instead of going from $20 a month to $80 a month, you maybe go $20 to $50 a month, and they're locked in at that rate. So you acknowledge their loyalty by giving them still a significant discount, but you also acknowledge the fact that the product has changed, and you're taking care of them essentially by saying, you know, what you're paying for now, this is a total different product."

"You can take the original offer as a basic tier whereby what people get at that level more closely resembles what was originally offered at the time those members signed up."

We 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.