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."

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 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.

In this episode of the Membership Geeks Podcast, I tackle the dangers of blindly following membership plugin recommendations you see in Facebook groups and online communities.

I discuss why generic advice can often lead you astray, and share practical steps for cutting through the noise to make tech choices that truly fit your unique membership business.

You'll learn how to critically assess plugin advice and what questions you need to ask yourself—and others—before committing to any platform.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting plugin recommendations, this episode will help you make smarter decisions.

• Why is asking, “What’s the best membership plugin?” a potentially risky question in online communities?
• How can you tell if someone’s plugin recommendation is actually relevant to your specific business needs?
• What key factors should you consider before choosing a membership plugin for your site?
• How can you avoid falling for hype, affiliate-driven suggestions, or outdated advice when evaluating tech options for your membership?

Key Quotes & Takeaways:

"Anyone who offers you advice on plug ins or software, but doesn't ask what your membership actually is, what you're offering, how you wanna run it, what features you need, They're just giving you generic advice with zero basis, and generic advice is dangerous for your member"

"If you're not technically inclined, don't pick the most complex plug in just because someone says it's the most powerful, it's the most flexible, you can do everything with it."

"good tools will not make a bad membership work, but the wrong tools can definitely get in your way."

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 into one of the most common questions I get from soon-to-be membership site owners: how big does your audience actually need to be before launching your membership?

I get real about the numbers, explain why your email list is so much more important than your social media following, and break down how engagement and quality matter far more than pure quantity.

If you’ve ever wondered if you’re “ready” to launch or what you should focus on before taking the leap, this episode is here to give you clarity.

• What’s the recommended size for your email list before it makes sense to launch a membership?
• Why is the quality and engagement level of your audience more important than just having a big subscriber list?
• Why shouldn’t you rely on social media followers when measuring your potential audience?
• What specific steps can you take if you don’t yet have a large, engaged email list and want to launch a membership in the future?

Tune in to get practical, honest advice that will set you up for membership success!

Key Quotes & Takeaways:

"a list of 300 highly engaged, relevant, interested people beats a list of 3,000 who don't even remember who you are when you pop up in their inbox and they have no idea why they're on your list in the first place."

"You can only create a solution in the form of a membership if you understand the problems that membership will solve."

"Focus more on email subscribers than the vanity metrics of social media. Don't just play the numbers game. Make sure you're attracting the right kind of people and ignore all that nonsense gimmicky advice..."

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 welcome back Robbie Kellman Baxter, author of "The Membership Economy," to explore how the world of memberships and subscriptions has transformed over the past decade.

We dive into the shifts brought by the boom during COVID, the increasing demands for meaningful value, the impact of AI, and what the future holds for membership businesses.

Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned membership owner, this conversation is packed with actionable advice and thought-provoking strategy for thriving in an ever-changing environment.

• What are the most significant shifts membership business owners need to understand in 2025 compared to previous years?
• How have automation and AI impacted membership models, and what balance should be struck between leveraging technology and maintaining a human touch?
• What can membership site owners do to stay relevant and valuable to their members in an increasingly crowded and competitive landscape?
• How can you future-proof your membership business for the next five to ten years in a world where subscription fatigue and global changes are a reality?

Key Quotes & Takeaways:

"a lot of people who launched memberships, maybe especially in that go go period from, let's call it, 2019 to 2022, suddenly got a rude awakening and realized, you know, I actually have to engage people once I bring them in. I have to have an offering, that justifies a forever transaction more scientific in the way that I run my business."

"This is a time to take a step back, and say, what are we doing right? What are we doing wrong? What would we and this is, I think, the money question. What would we be doing differently if we were starting today?"

"And they say our existing members love us, but we're having trouble acquiring new members. And that is a signal that your offering is no longer competitive, no longer relevant. That should be a huge wake up call to you."

"I think organizations that can continue to focus on aligning the member outcome, desired outcome with the way they package their value are the ones that are gonna do well."

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, I dive into the world of ManyChat and Instagram automation with Mel Eilers, also known as the "ManyChat Queen".

We explore how you can leverage ManyChat to streamline lead generation on Instagram, shorten customer journeys, and keep your audience engaged—all while freeing up more of your time.

From practical strategies for capturing email leads to creative ways to use automation for member engagement and retention, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for membership owners at every level.

Whether you’re new to automation or looking for advanced tips, you’ll leave with a notebook full of ideas to test in your own membership business.

• What exactly is ManyChat for Instagram, and how does it differ from typical email lead generation or DM strategies?
• How can membership owners use ManyChat to grow their email lists, waitlists, or even run engaging quizzes and registrations directly on Instagram?
• In what ways can ManyChat be used beyond acquisition—such as supporting member onboarding, retention, and ongoing engagement via channels like WhatsApp and SMS?
• What are the common pitfalls to avoid when getting started with ManyChat automations, and how can you maintain a personal, human touch in a relationship-driven membership business?

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, I dive into the crucial elements that can significantly impact the success of your membership site’s registration process.

It’s not just about building a great membership or crafting an enticing sales page; the moment of truth happens when a potential member decides to join.

I discuss five common mistakes that membership site owners make in their joining process and how to effectively fix them, ensuring a smooth, efficient, and attractive path to membership, ultimately leading to higher conversion rates.

• How can I simplify my membership sales page to ensure potential members sign up?
• What pricing practices should I avoid to maintain transparency and honesty with potential members?
• Why is it important to display my membership pricing clearly on my sales page?
• How can I reduce friction and unnecessary steps in my membership checkout process to enhance user experience?

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.