7 Mistakes New Membership Owners Make (And How to Avoid Them)
When I launched my first membership site, I made almost every mistake in the book. I didn’t know how to price it, how to keep members engaged, or even how to manage the tech side. If you’re thinking of starting your own, I want to help you avoid the same headaches.
Here are 7 mistakes new membership owners make and exactly how you can avoid them to build a thriving community from day one.
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Mistake #1: Trying to Do Everything Manually
One of the biggest mistakes I made was trying to run everything by hand. I was manually adding members, sending emails, and tracking payments. It was overwhelming and unsustainable.
How to avoid it: Use an all-in-one membership platform like Skool that handles payments, member access, and community features automatically. This will save you hours each week and keep things organized.
Mistake #2: Overcomplicating the Offer
I thought I needed to include everything under the sun in my membership. Too much content overwhelmed my members and led to cancellations.
How to avoid it: Start simple. Focus on solving one clear problem for your members. You can always add more features later as your community grows.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Member Engagement
I assumed that once people joined, they would naturally stay engaged. That was a big mistake. Without engagement, members lose interest and leave.
How to avoid it: Create an engagement plan. Schedule live calls, ask questions in your community, and encourage member interaction. I’ve found that even small gestures like welcoming new members can make a big difference.
Mistake #4: Setting the Wrong Price
Many new membership owners undercharge because they’re afraid people won’t pay. This can hurt your business and make your community feel less valuable.
How to avoid it: Research similar memberships and price your offer competitively. Remember, people are willing to pay for value—especially when you deliver results.
Mistake #5: Relying Solely on Social Media
I used to think I had to post constantly on social media to grow my membership. Not only is that exhausting, but you’re also building on rented land.
How to avoid it: Focus on building your own assets like an email list or blog. This way, you control your audience and don’t have to worry about algorithms.
Mistake #6: Neglecting Onboarding
When members join, the first few days are crucial. If they don’t know where to start, they’ll quickly lose interest and cancel.
How to avoid it: Set up a simple onboarding process. Send a welcome email, create a “start here” guide, and personally welcome them inside your community.
Mistake #7: Not Tracking Metrics
I didn’t pay attention to key numbers like churn rate or engagement levels. This made it hard to know what was working and what wasn’t.
How to avoid it: Use your platform’s analytics tools to track member activity. This will help you make smarter decisions and improve your membership over time.
How to Build Your Membership the Right Way
The good news is you don’t have to learn everything the hard way like I did. If you want a platform that makes membership management simple, I highly recommend Skool. It has everything you need to host your content, engage your members, and collect payments—all in one place.
Click here to start your Skool account today and avoid these 7 mistakes from the start.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that starting a membership site doesn’t have to be complicated. Many new owners think they need a massive audience or perfect systems to launch. The truth is, you can start small and grow steadily as long as you avoid the common mistakes above.
Another mistake I often see is trying to deliver too much content too quickly. Members can feel overwhelmed when there’s too much to consume, and ironically, they end up canceling because they can’t keep up. Keeping your content focused and actionable is key to retaining members.
I also recommend that you take the time to understand your ideal member before you launch. If you don’t know who your membership is for, you’ll struggle to attract the right people. This clarity will shape your marketing, your content, and even your pricing.
Consistency is another area where new membership owners tend to struggle. Posting sporadically or going silent for long periods can lead to disengagement. I plan out my content calendar in advance and make sure members always know when to expect something new.
Offering exclusive perks is a great way to keep members engaged. This could be live Q&A sessions, early access to new resources, or special discounts on products. When people feel like they’re getting something unique, they’re more likely to stay.
I’ve also found that asking for feedback from your members can help you improve quickly. Simple surveys or polls inside your community can reveal what’s working and what needs adjusting. This keeps your membership fresh and relevant.
Another mistake is failing to build a sense of community. Members want to connect with you, but they also want to connect with each other. Facilitating conversations, introducing members to one another, and creating opportunities for networking adds huge value.
Don’t underestimate the power of good onboarding. Your first impression sets the tone for the entire experience. A clear “start here” path and a warm welcome can dramatically increase member retention.
It’s also important to celebrate your members’ wins. When someone achieves a milestone, acknowledge it publicly. This builds positive energy in the group and shows other members what’s possible.
One mistake I personally made was trying to do everything myself. Running a membership can feel like a full-time job if you’re not using the right systems. Leveraging tools like Skool that automate the tech side frees you up to focus on serving your members.
Be careful not to price your membership too low. While it might seem like a good idea to attract more members, low pricing can actually hurt your business. It may lead to a lack of commitment from members and make it harder to deliver quality support.
Finally, don’t forget that memberships are a long-term game. It takes time to grow a community and build recurring income. If you stay consistent, focus on providing value, and avoid these common mistakes, your membership will become a reliable and sustainable part of your business.