How do you structure and create a membership program?
This video will show you how to create a membership program with only a small audience.
When I first created my membership, I was really worried that I only had a small audience.
I worried that no one would buy from me, but I realised that when you have a small audience, you can also have a really warm audience that it’s easier to sell to.
The good news is that you can create a successful and profitable membership regardless of your audience size.
I’ll show you how you can create a profitable membership site with a small audience.
The more niche your audience, the more successful your membership will be. How to find your niche audience.
How to Structure Your Membership for Success
Turning your expertise into a thriving membership doesn’t happen by accident. It takes clarity, structure and heartfelt connection. Here’s how you can set up your membership the right way – even if you’ve got a small audience.
1. Pick a focused niche & outcome
Your audience may be small, but that’s a strength. A smaller, warm audience means you know them, you connect with them, and they’re more likely to join because they feel seen. The more niche your audience, the more impact your membership will have.
Decide on the transformation you’re delivering. Ask: “After three months, what will members be able to do (or feel) that they can’t right now?”
2. Define your membership architecture
Break it into clear layers:
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Core monthly promise: What does every member get each month? E.g., I. do a weekly live group coaching call in my membership + a dedicated training + a private community space.
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On-boarding flow: How do you bring new members in, help them orient, and feel they’ve made the right decision?
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Content cadence: Decide how often you release new content (weekly, bi-weekly) and stick to it. Consistency builds trust.
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Community interaction: A membership isn’t just content, it’s connection – people want to feel loved and valued and part of something. Create space for Q&A, peer support, and real-time engagement.
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Retention strategy: Plan how you keep members engaged month after month – fresh topics, surprises, recognition of long-term members.
3. Choose your pricing & access model
With a membership, you’re selling ongoing access so price accordingly. Think: is this an entry-price low-cost monthly (£7/$9)or a premium monthly membership? Factor in your time, your support, and the value you’re delivering.
Decide whether you’ll offer:
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Monthly access only
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Annual payment (with a discount)
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Tiered levels (basic vs premium)
4. Map out your launch and promotion plan
Even the best membership will stall if nobody knows about it. Here’s your minimal launch checklist:
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Pre-launch: Tease your audience, open up the “why” and “why now” for membership.
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Launch period: Present the offer, share testimonials (even if early) or your personal story of transformation.
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Evergreen vs open-cart: Decide if you’ll keep it open all year or open with limited windows. If you have a smaller audience, a soft open + scarcity can help.
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Ongoing marketing: Each month, promote new topics, share member wins, use your own platforms (email, social) to remind people of value.
5. Create a sustainable content & delivery system
Because you’re working with a smaller audience but ambitious goals (you love hiking, sailing, cold-water swimming, adventure!) you’ll want a model that fits your life.
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Batch content: Create trainings in one day for the month ahead.
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Repurpose: A live call becomes a recording, extract clips for social, snippets for email.
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Delegate or automate: Use tools like AddEvent, ActiveCampaign (you own these workflows) to keep admin smooth so your time stays on strategy and delivery.
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Feedback loop: Ask members what works, what they want next. They’ll help you shape future months.
6. Build community culture
This is what turns a membership from “nice” to “sticky”.
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Welcome every new member personally (though at scale you might use a video or automation but make it feel human).
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Set the tone: your authenticity, your real-life (I share that I’m turning 50, adventures in my campervan and juggling single mum life and am ex-journalist) all bring richness. Use parts of that story.
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Encourage connection: Peer-to-peer forums, live group sessions, spotlight members.
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Celebrate wins: Even small steps matter. Acknowledge them. It boosts momentum and shows others what’s possible.
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7. Review, refine, grow
After your first 3-6 months:
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Check your numbers: how many members signed up? how many left? why?
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Survey members: What do they value most? What do they want less of?
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Adjust your offer: Maybe a new tier, maybe less frequent content, maybe more live sessions.
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Scale smartly: As you grow, you may need more support (tech, community managers, moderators) so you can keep the experience high quality.
And Finally….
Structuring a membership isn’t about perfection – it’s about clarity, connection, and consistency. With your lived experience you bring stories, wisdom and authenticity your membership is going to be you.
Start small, deliver huge value, build trust with your audience and your membership will grow with you.
If you love this video, you can watch more videos here to learn lessons about how to create a membership program :
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