Charging monthly subscription fees is a smart move for any business looking to secure a steady income stream. Switching to a subscription model will not only ensure a steady income for you but also make the payment procedure hassle-free for your users. You'll know exactly what's coming in each month, making it easier to plan ahead, budget effectively, and reinvest in your business.

In this article, we'll guide you through setting up automatic recurring charges for your online course. Keep reading to keep your income stream steady so you can focus more on growth.

What Is a Monthly Recurring Charge?

Monthly subscription fees are charges that customers pay regularly, usually each month, to gain access to a product or service. This model ensures that revenue flows into your business at consistent intervals. Subscription-based businesses are becoming more popular because of their perks like steady income, less initial investment, growth opportunities and more!

But how does it actually work?

Simply put, customers sign up once, and their payment method is automatically charged on a recurring basis until they decide to cancel. This automatic renewal keeps the process smooth both for you and your customers.

Benefits of Setting Up Monthly Recurring Charge?

Implementing a monthly recurring fee can seem like an ideal strategy for generating a stable income. When it works well, it can significantly enhance your cash flow. But that's not all that monthly recurring fees can help with. Here are a few key benefits you can enjoy from monthly recurring fees.

Convenience for customers: Customers appreciate the convenience of automatic billing. They don’t have to worry about making manual payments, and you can reduce the risk of late or missed payments.

Opportunities for upselling: A recurring payment model creates opportunities to upsell additional features or services to existing subscribers, further increasing revenue.

Lower customer acquisition costs: Retaining customers through recurring charges is often more cost-effective than acquiring new ones, which will help improve overall profitability.

Scalability and business growth: Monthly subscriptions allow businesses to scale efficiently by acquiring more subscribers without significantly increasing operational costs.

Increased business valuation: Companies with recurring revenue models often have higher valuations, as investors see predictable income as a sign of stability and growth potential.

Best Practices for Setting Up Monthly Recurring Charges

Now that you know how beneficial recurring fees are for your business, it's understandable if you can't wait to set it up! But we'd want you to prepare for success, and that brings us to the best practices. While recurring charging model is super effective, it comes with its challenges too. And being familiar with the best practices will help you ensure the right model for your business.

1. Understand Your Target Audience

Before launching a recurring billing model, it’s crucial to understand your audience’s needs, preferences, and behaviors. Conduct market research to determine what features or services your users value most and their willingness to pay. Customer personas can help you align your offerings with their expectations.

Knowing your audience ensures that your pricing strategy resonates with them and attracts long-term subscribers. On the flip side, if you run a subscription model without understanding your users' needs, you'll end up losing more users than retaining them!

2. Choose the Right Pricing Strategy

Your pricing strategy can make or break your subscription model. Consider different approaches such as:

• Tiered pricing: Offer multiple plans with varying features or limits. This gives customers the flexibility to choose based on their needs.
• Flat rates: Simplify the decision process by charging all customers a fixed monthly fee.
• Usage-based charges: Charge based on how much of your service or product is consumed.

You don't necessarily have to stick to these pricing models. Rather, based on your users and their willingness to pay for your service, you can devise a recurring payment model that works better for your business.

3. Provide Clear and Transparent Terms

Set clear expectations for your customers from the start. Communicate all the details about:

• Billing cycles (e.g., monthly or annual).
• Refund and cancellation policies.
• Any additional or hidden fees.

Credibility is the key to success in the subscription-based business world, and you can't prosper without being transparent about everything. Transparency builds trust and helps avoid disputes or dissatisfaction. Include this information in your terms of service, checkout page, and confirmation emails.

4. Use Reliable Billing Software

A robust and reliable billing system is the backbone of any subscription model. Choose software that automates recurring payments, tracks invoices, and handles failed transactions. Features to look for include:

• Automated reminders for upcoming payments.
• Secure storage of payment information.
• Support for multiple currencies.

The billing software that offers these features will automate your administrative tasks so you can focus more on important tasks like content management, lead generation, and branding.

5. Offer Multiple Payment Options

Flexibility in payment methods can significantly improve your conversion rates. Offer a variety of options, such as credit/debit cards, bank transfers, PayPal, and digital wallets. Additionally, consider supporting global payment methods if you cater to an international audience. The easier you make it for customers to pay, the more likely they are to subscribe and keep paying for your services.

6. Implement a Trial Period or Freemium Model

Many customers hesitate to commit without first experiencing the value of your offering. That's why giving them a taste of your product or service for free is an excellent idea to get them hooked. You can also generate leads while at it.

By providing a free trial or a limited freemium version, you give users a risk-free opportunity to explore your service. Ensure that the trial showcases your best features and makes it easy for users to transition into paid plans once it ends.

7. Make Cancelling Easy

Making it easy for customers to cancel their subscriptions might seem counterintuitive, but it fosters trust and goodwill. If customers feel trapped, they’re more likely to leave negative reviews or avoid returning in the future. A simple cancellation process shows confidence in your product and leaves a positive impression, even if a customer decides to leave.

And as long as your offer provides value, you have nothing to worry about, right?

8. Focus on Customer Support

Exceptional customer support can turn dissatisfied customers into loyal advocates. Ensure your support team is easily accessible and trained to promptly handle billing issues, technical problems, or service-related queries. To cater to different customer preferences, offer multiple support channels, such as live chat, email, and phone.

9. Test and Refine the Model

Your initial subscription model may need adjustments as you gather data and feedback. Periodically test new pricing strategies, feature bundles, or billing frequencies to see what works best. Use A/B testing and customer feedback to refine your offerings and meet market demands.

The more trendy you are, the more fine-tuned pricing models you can develop. These pricing models will help your users choose your product or service over your competitors.

10. Ensure Compliance with Legal and Tax Requirements

Recurring billing involves handling sensitive customer data and complying with various laws. Ensure that your payment systems adhere to data protection regulations like GDPR or CCPA. Be aware of tax implications for subscription services in different regions and implement processes for accurate tax collection and reporting. Partnering with a legal or tax advisor can help you avoid costly mistakes.

Features Needed to Set up Monthly Recurring Charges

Various tools are available on the Internet that offer the features needed to set up monthly recurring fees. But if you don't want to settle for the basics, we've got just the right tool for you.

WishList Member is an excellent tool for organizing and maximizing a monthly subscription model, thanks to its comprehensive features explicitly designed for membership site management. Here are the key features that make WishList Member particularly suited to this goal:

Flexible Membership Levels

WishList Member allows you to create unlimited membership levels, offering you the flexibility to tailor your subscription offerings. You can set different access levels, prices, and durations to cater to diverse customer needs. This feature lets you gradually release content to members over time, which can help maintain member engagement and reduce churn.

Seamless Payment Integrations

WishList Member integrates with various payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and others, facilitating the easy setup of recurring payments. Members can easily upgrade or downgrade their subscriptions based on their needs, which enhances user experience and satisfaction.

Content Protection

You can protect your content at various levels – categories, files, posts, and pages – ensuring that only the right membership levels can access premium content. On top of that, it offers a preview of premium content to non-members to entice them to subscribe, improving conversion rates.

Integrations with Other Tools

Integration with popular email marketing tools like MailChimp, ConvertKit, and ActiveCampaign allows you to send targeted communication, from welcome emails to payment reminders. Plus, you can also enjoy Integration with analytics tools, which help you understand member behavior and refine your marketing strategies.

Automated Admin Functions

Set up auto-renewals to ensure uninterrupted access for users and reduce manual administrative work. Automate the cancellation process, making it easy for users to manage their subscriptions and for you to maintain accurate records.

How To Set Up Monthly Recurring Charges Using WishList Member: 3 Easy Steps

Setting up recurring charges with a WishList member is easier than anything else. It allows you to set the whole procedure on autopilot, allowing you to focus more on other important things. Let's see how you can set up monthly recurring charges with just a few steps.

Step 1: Download and Install WishList Member

First, go to WishList Member plans and choose the perfect plan for you. Then, go to your WordPress dashboard and click on Plugins. On the next page, click on Add New Plugin.

Then, hit the Upload Plugin button and choose the zip file you downloaded from the WishList Member website. 

Step 2: Set Up Your Membership Levels

• Go to WishList Member on your WordPress dashboard.
• Navigate to Setup and then choose Levels.
• Here, you can create new membership levels or edit existing ones, setting the terms for access but not the billing directly.

2. Integrate with a Payment Gateway

• Within WishList Member, go to Setup and select Integrations.
• Click on the Payment Providers tab.
• Choose from supported payment gateways such as PayPal, Stripe, or others that facilitate recurring payments. You must set up these services outside of WishList Member to handle the billing and subscription logic.

3. Configure the Payment Gateway for Recurring Payments:

• Follow the specific instructions for your chosen payment gateway to enable recurring billing.
• Link these settings back to the membership levels you have configured in WishList Member to ensure that payments are processed according to the membership terms.

Before going live, test the payment process thoroughly to confirm that the recurring billing functions as expected and that user access is not disrupted. And there you have it! With WishList Member, you facilitate easier payments while optimizing your membership site for continuous growth and member satisfaction.

Which Integrated Payment Platform Should You Use?

Choosing the best integration for managing subscription payments depends on several factors, including your specific business needs, the geographical location of your customers, and the specific features you require.

Here’s a breakdown of some popular integrations and what makes each potentially the best option for different scenarios:

1. Stripe:
   • Best for: Ease of use, modern API, and comprehensive feature set.
   • Features: Supports recurring payments, automatic card updates, and handles multiple currencies. Stripe is renowned for its robust security, straightforward pricing, and excellent customer experience.
     
2. PayPal:
   • Best for: Wide acceptance and trust among consumers.
   • Features: Offers PayPal Standard and PayPal Express Checkout, both of which support recurring payments. It's particularly useful if you have a broad customer base that prefers PayPal as a payment method.
     
3. Authorize.net:
   • Best for: Businesses needing a reliable and secure payment gateway.
   • Features: Supports recurring payments and includes advanced fraud detection services. It’s a great choice if security is a high priority for your business.
     
4. Infusionsoft by Keap:
   • Best for: Businesses that require both payment processing and CRM capabilities.
   • Features: Offers robust CRM tools alongside recurring payment support, making it ideal for businesses looking to manage customer relationships and payments within a single platform.
     
5. ThriveCart:
   • Best for: Maximizing conversions through optimized checkout processes.
   • Features: While primarily a cart solution, ThriveCart offers strong support for subscription management, affiliate marketing, and upselling capabilities.
     
6. ClickBank:
   • Best for: Businesses that also want to leverage an affiliate network.
   • Features: Supports recurring billing and provides access to an extensive affiliate network to help drive sales and increase visibility.

Marketing Strategies for Your Monthly Recurring Charge Model

When it comes to subscription marketing, attracting new subscribers is just the first step. The real challenge lies in increasing retention and reducing churn. Here are some effective strategies that can help:

1. Offer Incentives for Advance Payments

Encourage your customers to commit to your brand long-term by offering annual subscription options. This not only ensures their continued engagement but also provides your business with a stable revenue base.

You can also consider offering a discount or a free month to encourage upfront payment for the year. Highlight the value of these plans through direct comparisons, showing customers the benefits and savings they gain, similar to what Fabfitfun does with their annual subscriptions.

2. Create a Sense of Exclusivity

Create a subscription model with limited spots to enhance the exclusivity and allure of your service. For example, the Coca-Cola Insiders Club offered exclusive access to new products and swag for a limited number of members, and due to high demand, it filled up quickly. Provide special discounts or exclusive products to members only, enhancing the perceived value of the subscription.

3. Leverage Referrals

Happy customers are the best advocates for your brand. Encourage them to refer friends and family in exchange for rewards, free courses, ebooks, etc. This referral scheme will get more people to sign up for your recurring subscription, boosting the overall growth of your business.

4. Reward Long-term Loyalty

Regularly acknowledge and reward your loyal customers. Whether through discounts, special offers, or freebies, make sure the rewards are meaningful. For example, if a user has been subscribed to your service for over a couple of years, you can give them a certain percentage off on their renewal.

Is Monthly Recurring Charge the Ultimate Solution for Your Business?

To wrap up, we’ve covered essential strategies and best practices for effectively setting up and managing monthly subscription fees. Utilizing these techniques can help stabilize your revenue, enhance member engagement, and ensure your business thrives in the competitive online landscape.

But it's ultimately your call, and we hope our blog has helped you understand whether monthly recurring fees will be a great fit for your business. If you decide to try a recurring fee-based model, don't forget to try WishList Member.

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But what exactly is online branding?

Well, if you look up the term “Online Branding,” you'll get way too many answers online. And somehow, they all seem somewhat true! With new platforms, shifting trends, and rapidly advancing technologies, you must keep your online branding strategies fresh and up-to-date. 

And that's what we are going to address today.

In this blog, we'll explore the best ways to build a powerful online brand. We’ll share practical insights and essential tools to help you stay ahead in terms of online branding.

What is Online Branding?

The world of digital marketing is changing faster than ever, and staying ahead of these changes is crucial to building a strong online brand. Trends like the rise of short-form video content, increased focus on personalized customer experiences, and the growing popularity of community-driven platforms are shaping how brands connect with audiences. 

You need all of these to perfect your online branding. But that does not mean having just a bare presence on all platforms. Knowing what to do on which platform will be the determining factor.

Consumers today expect more than just products or services. They crave:

• Meaningful interactions: Conversations that feel human, not automated.
• Authentic stories: Narratives that reflect your brand’s values and resonate on a personal level.
• A sense of belonging: Communities where they can engage, share, and feel valued.

Perfecting your online branding means creating these experiences thoughtfully. Instead of spreading yourself thin, focus on platforms where your audience is most active and design content that aligns with their expectations. When done right, your brand will not just be seen, it will be remembered, trusted, and embraced.

And that's basically what online branding is all about!

Best Practices for Online Branding

Now that you know what online branding is, it's time to familiarize yourself with the best practices. These will help you plan and implement strategies for correctly branding your online business. Let's get started.

1. Focus on Authenticity and Storytelling

Authenticity is a key differentiator for brands, especially when it comes to online branding. Netizens are increasingly drawn to brands that share real stories and stand for something meaningful. 

Focus on authentic storytelling to build a strong online brand. Share behind-the-scenes content, showcase your team, and be open about your journey, challenges, and values. People want to connect with the humans behind the brand, so don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through.

Even though we are constantly told that humans' attention spans are decreasing, we have also come to realize that people tend to stay longer when they hear great and relatable stories. So make authentic storytelling the first step of building your online brand, and people will have the time to listen to your story.

2. Utilize Advanced SEO Tactics

What's the point of storytelling if people don't see your story in the first place?

And that's where advanced SEO tactics come in.

Search engines remain one of the primary ways people discover new brands online. Optimize your brand for voice search, use AI-driven keyword research, and ensure your website is fast and mobile-friendly. Structured data can also help search engines better understand your content, which improves your visibility. 

Apart from that, you'll also need to figure out which form of content works best for your business through your SEO effort. By staying on top of SEO trends, you can increase your brand’s discoverability and attract a steady stream of new visitors.

Some SEO tips that can help you with online branding:

• Build quality backlinks to boost domain authority.
• Focus on long-tail keywords for niche-specific traffic.
• Refresh old content to maintain relevance.
• Optimize meta descriptions to improve click-through rates.
• Use engaging visuals to enhance content appeal.

3. Leverage Short-Form Video and Interactive Content

Video content, particularly short-form videos, will continue to dominate in the upcoming years! If you aren't already, you need to jump into the game and start making videos to help people connect with your brand. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts are great for creating content that captures attention quickly. 

But what type of content should you make?

Well, consider creating tutorials, behind-the-scenes clips, or customer stories related to your niche in a fun and engaging way. You can also implement interactive content like polls, quizzes, and live Q&A sessions to enhance engagement and make your brand more memorable.

Some ideas that can help you make more out of the video content:

• Create product teasers to build anticipation.
• Make myth-busting videos to clear misconceptions.
• Jump on trending challenges or topics.
• Share day-in-the-life snippets for relatability.
• Feature user-generated content to boost engagement.

4. Build and Foster a Community

Creating a sense of community is a powerful way to build brand loyalty. Brands that focus on creating meaningful spaces for their audience are thriving. Whether through a Facebook Group, Discord channel, or community-building tools, building a community helps people feel connected and valued. 

Here are some things you can do to ensure engagement in your community:

• Facilitate meaningful discussions.
• Recognize and reward participation.
• Share value-driven content.
• Host regular events.
• Be responsive and approachable.

Your brand's growth will massively depend on the engagement you get from your users. The more satisfied you can keep them, the better word-of-mouth marketing your business will experience.

5. Use Personalization to Connect with Your Audience

Personalization is not just a trend – it’s an expectation. Your prospects want to interact with only those businesses they can relate to. Use data and tools to segment your audience and personalize your communications, whether targeted email campaigns, tailored recommendations, or personalized website experiences. 

Brands that make their audience feel seen and understood are more likely to build long-term relationships. Here are some tips for producing personalized content that will help people connect with your brand.

• Suggest products based on browsing history.
• Offer location-specific deals.
• Reference past user actions.
• Personalize returning visitors’ landing pages.
• Show dynamic, behavior-based content.

6. Partner with Influencers and Content Creators

Influencer marketing continues to be an effective strategy for reaching new audiences. But that's not all that influencers can help you with. They can help your business's online branding in more ways than you can imagine!

Influencers and content creators have a large loyal fanbase who consider their words as nothing less than a certificate. By building genuine partnerships with influencers whose values align with your brand, you can get those certificates for your brand too.

As a result, your brand will get exposure to a whole new group of people who consider your brand as a credible source for their needs. Here's something you should consider while partnering with an influencer:

• Align influencer values and voice with your brand’s message.
• Prioritize authenticity to maintain trust with the audience.
• Track performance metrics to measure the impact.
• Negotiate fair terms that benefit both parties.
• Plan long-term collaborations for deeper audience connection.

7. Stay Agile and Adapt to Trends

Given how competitive the digital sector is, you can't stick to any formula or strategy for too long. To ensure online visibility and stay ahead of others, you must monitor emerging trends, new platforms, and shifts in consumer behavior. 

Be willing to experiment with new formats, technologies, and strategies. The use of AI in every content creation process is now the new norm. But rather than following everyone else, be selective about where you need automation and where you need a personal touch. The combination of these will be the key to your online branding success.

Consider these steps to always be on the right track:

• Monitor emerging trends and platforms to identify new opportunities.
• Experiment with new content formats and technologies.
• Adjust strategies based on performance data and audience feedback.
• Combine AI-driven tools with personal touches for a more authentic brand presence.
• Embrace continuous learning to stay a step ahead of the competition.

8. Provide Consistent Value

At the core of every strong brand is consistently delivering value. Whether through a support channel, regular update releases, new products, etc., you must ensure your users feel valued consistently. Consistency builds trust, and over time, trust turns into loyalty and advocacy. These are the two must-haves if your goal is to build a strong online brand.

Here are a few things you can consider to ensure consistent value for your users:

• Offer timely and helpful customer support.
• Release regular product or feature updates.
• Share educational and entertaining content regularly.
• Gather user feedback and implement improvements.
• Provide exclusive perks or early access for loyal customers.

Examples of Online Branding Done Right

You know those big brands that we see everywhere? We see them everywhere, not because they are big brands but rather because they have their online branding game tight!

By examining how established brands have crafted their presence, we can learn what makes them stand out and apply those lessons to our own efforts.

Nike

Nike’s iconic “Just Do It” motto isn’t just a slogan; it’s a philosophy that resonates deeply with athletes and non-athletes alike. Their online branding is all about motivational storytelling, user-generated content, and close collaborations with top athletes, transforming each social post or campaign into a celebration of personal achievement and ambition.

What You Can Learn from Nike

• Storytelling matters—tap into emotions and shared aspirations.
• Partner with influencers who embody your brand’s values.
• Encourage user-generated content to build community engagement.

Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola’s branding evokes happiness, nostalgia, and shared moments. By focusing on uplifting campaigns, interactive social media content, and global traditions, it maintains a consistent, welcoming tone that makes people feel part of a larger community. That's the secret behind its strong online presence.

What You Can Learn from Coca-Cola

• Focus on positive emotions to create memorable brand associations.
• Inspire community involvement through shareable, feel-good content.
• Maintain a consistent tone that instantly reminds people of your brand.

Airbnb

Airbnb stands out with its online branding by showcasing authentic user experiences that inspire trust and earn credibility. Their platforms highlight unique accommodations, honest host-guest relationships, and community-driven travel stories. Their online branding strategy also includes rewarding regular customers with special discounts and recommendations!

What You Can Learn from Airbnb

• Highlight genuine customer experiences and stories.
• Prioritize trust and transparency to build credibility.
• Let your audience envision personal connections with your offerings.

Hubspot

Hubspot is the most relatable name in the digital world. And they haven't earned this name just by providing excellent service and impressive features! HubSpot stands out by delivering valuable, educational content. Beyond selling tools, they provide blogs, webinars, and guides that empower businesses. This knowledge-sharing approach not only earns trust but also encourages repeat visits and long-term loyalty.

What You Can Learn from HubSpot

• Offer educational resources that position you as a go-to expert.
• Solve problems first, promote products second.
• Establish credibility with consistently high-quality, informative content.

How WishListMember Can Help You with Online Branding

Building a thriving online brand means leveraging the right tools to create exclusive experiences and develop strong connections with your audience. If we are talking about connecting with users, WishList Member is your best bet to ensure that. It is a powerful WordPress plugin that helps manage memberships, protect content, and foster community engagement.

Here’s how you can use WishList Member to promote your business online by giving your users VIP treatment.

1. Create Exclusive Content for Members

One of the most effective ways to boost your brand's value is to offer exclusive content to your most dedicated followers. With WishList Member, you can create tiered membership levels, each offering different types of exclusive content – like premium blog posts, downloadable guides, video tutorials, or live events. 

This exclusivity not only adds value to your audience but also sets you apart as a trusted leader in your niche.

2. Build and Engage a Private Community

WishList Member makes it easy to create a personal and exclusive community, allowing you to engage directly with your audience. Offering a members-only area where people can connect, discuss, and share experiences is key to growing your brand. 

People crave meaningful engagement and being part of a group with shared interests. Fostering such a space can build trust and loyalty, strengthening your brand.

3. Manage Content Access Easily and Securely

Content protection is a key aspect of growing a brand, especially when you’re offering premium materials. WishList Member allows you to control who has access to your content, ensuring that only paying members or subscribers can view your valuable materials. This level of security reinforces the perception of exclusivity and encourages more people to subscribe, thereby increasing your brand reach and credibility.

4. Use Data to Refine Your Offerings

WishList Member provides insights into your membership activity, such as the best-performing content, the most popular membership levels, and the areas where users are most engaged. Using these insights, you can refine your offerings and ensure your content meets your audience’s needs. 

Analyzing this data allows you to improve continuously, making your brand more responsive and engaging.

5. Create Offers and Incentives for New Members

Growing your brand means continually expanding your audience, and WishList Member makes creating incentives for new members easy. You can set up limited-time offers, discounts, or trials to attract new users. By offering a taste of your exclusive content, you can entice potential members to subscribe fully, helping your brand grow.

Start Investing in Online Branding If You Haven't Already!

We hope this blog has helped you understand what online branding truly means and the best practices to make your brand stand out in the crowded digital space. By sharing actionable tips, highlighting key trends, and showcasing examples of brands nailing their online presence, we’ve tried to provide you with the knowledge and inspiration to elevate your branding strategy.

Remember, creating a strong online brand isn’t just about being present—it’s about being memorable, trusted, and relatable. Utilize the insights and examples we've shared in this blog to craft a brand that resonates with your audience and aligns with your business values.

To take your online branding to the next level, consider trying WishList Member. It’s designed to help you deliver exceptional user experiences, enhance community engagement, and protect your premium content, ensuring your brand stands out for all the right reasons.

Start investing in your online branding today because your brand deserves to be seen, trusted, and celebrated! 🎉

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This is where blog hopping comes in. Blog hopping is an innovative way to build community around your blog, attract new readers, and collaborate with other bloggers. 

A blog hop is an event where multiple bloggers write posts on a common theme and link to each other's blogs, creating a loop for readers to follow from one blog to the next. And if you can host one of these events, your backlinking game can change for the better. 

But if you don’t understand the concept and what to consider before creating a blog hop, this blog is for you. We’ll talk about blog hopping, how it works, and how you can host one. 

What is a Blog Hop?

Blog hops are events where multiple bloggers write posts on the same theme and link to each other's blogs, creating a continuous loop for readers to follow from one blog to the next. As all the bloggers work as a community, this process benefits all participants. 

This collaborative effort helps increase visibility and engagement for all participating blogs and exposes each participating blogger to other audiences. But that’s not the only reason everyone joins a blog hop. 

There are various objectives of a blog hop. To name a few:

• Attract new readers by tapping into the audiences of participating blogs.
• Foster a sense of community among bloggers and readers.
• Showcase diverse perspectives on a specific theme or topic.
• Improve search engine optimization through increased backlinks.

If you can fulfill these objectives properly, you will enjoy a number of benefits. Here are some: 

• Expanded audience reach and increased blog traffic.
• Enhanced engagement with readers through comments and shares.
• Strengthened relationships and networks within the blogging community.
• Improved SEO with additional backlinks from participating blogs.
• Opportunity to showcase your expertise and establish authority in your niche.
• Potential for collaborative opportunities and future partnerships with other bloggers.

How Does a Blog Hop Work?

Even though the concept of blog hop sounds easy, it involves a number of key steps. First thing first, you’ll have to choose a theme over which your website has great authority. Then you’ll have to recruit bloggers who are interested in the same topic as well for your event. 

Then, each blogger will write a blog based on that theme and link to the other participants. To make the most of this process, everyone can promote the blogs through social media, email newsletters, etc. 

Still not really clear about how it works? 

Well, imagine you're hosting a blog hop on the “Healthy Summer Recipes” theme. You've done your research, reached out to 10 or 15 bloggers in this niche, and they agreed to join your blog hop. 

Now, each writer will write a post featuring their favorite healthy summer recipe and include links to other bloggers' blogs in the event. A reader starts at one blog, reads the recipe, and follows the link to the next blog, continuing through the loop until they’ve visited all the blogs. 

This increases traffic and engagement for each blog while providing readers with a variety of new recipes to try.

How to Host a Blog Hop: Step-by-Step Process 

Hosting a blog hop is as beneficial as it is challenging. There are various steps that you’ll have to perform in order to execute a successful blog hop event. Now, don't be afraid if you don’t know which step to perform after what, or where to begin. 

We have done the research and compiled a list of steps you need to follow. By following these steps, you can host a successful blog hop event. 

Step 1: Planning Everything

Organizing a blog hop event requires a lot of planning and research. You have to find a topic in which you've established authority, then find the right bloggers to invite to your event. We can divide the planning into three categories: 

1. Choosing a Theme: Select a theme that aligns with your blog’s niche and your audience's interest. This will help you to host a blog hop full of content that might be beneficial for your users.
2. Setting Objectives: Knowing the objective of your event will help many bloggers decide to participate. Objectives include increasing blog traffic, fostering community engagement, or showcasing diverse perspectives on a specific topic.
3. Timeline Creation: Develop a schedule that outlines key milestones, such as participant recruitment, promotion periods, and the event date. Allow enough time for each phase to ensure smooth execution.

Step 2: Recruit the Right Bloggers/Brands

Once you've prepared your plan, it’s time to find the right bloggers for your event. You can do this by looking at the bloggers' audience, geography, age, etc. If you find any bloggers with a similar audience, you can reach out to them with your proposal. 

Here are the only two jobs you need to perform in order to find the best bloggers for your event:

1. Select Your Participants: Choose bloggers who align with your theme and have an engaged audience. Reach out to them with a clear explanation of the blog hop’s theme, objectives, and timeline.
2. Communicate and Coordinate: Use email or social media groups to keep participants informed and coordinated. Provide guidelines on content creation, link sharing, and publishing schedules.

Step 3: Promote Your Blog Hop Event As Many Ways As You Can

As soon as you decide to host a blog hop, start creating buzz about it on social media, your website, and other platforms. The more you can promote your event, the better quality of bloggers you’ll be able to attract. 

Here are some tips on how you can promote your blog hop event: 

1. Marketing Strategies: Use blog posts, social media, and email newsletters to create buzz around your blog hop. Share teasers, participant announcements, and reminders to keep your audience engaged.
2. Social Media and Email Campaigning: To build anticipation, create a series of posts and emails leading up to the event. Use engaging visuals and compelling copy to attract attention.
3. Host a Giveaway: Use the RafflePress plugin to host a giveaway. This encourages shares and likes, increasing engagement and reach. Offer attractive prizes that are relevant to your theme to entice participation.

Step 4: Executing The Event

Now that you've created the hype and the bloggers are ready to participate, it’s time to execute the event. Ensure all participants publish their posts simultaneously and the links work correctly. 

Once everything is up and running, monitor the event closely to address any technical issues.

Step 5: Follow-up with The Participants

Once you've successfully hosted your event, track various metrics to determine which bloggers had the most traffic. Look for metrics like page views, shares, comments, etc. 

As a result, you’ll have an idea of whom to invite to your next blog hop. You’ll also understand whose blog hop events are worth joining. Keep up the bond by connecting on various social media platforms and through follow-up emails. 

Monetizing Your Blog with WishList Member

Once you've hosted the blog hop event, you'll likely see increased engagement on your blog posts and website. Why not leverage this success by monetizing your blog further?

While some of your blog posts can remain accessible to all visitors, you can restrict access to certain pages for members only. You might also consider implementing a pay-per-post policy, where users pay a fee to view specific content. Or how about creating an ad-free version of your site for regular visitors who want an undisrupted experience?

You can achieve all of this with WishList Member, a WordPress plugin designed for managing memberships and subscriptions. Here’s what you can do with WishList Member.

Create Content that Only Paid Members Can Access 

Once you've gained popularity, you’ll have more and more traffic coming to your website. This is your chance to make money from the blogs you have on your website. Using the WishList Member content protection feature, you can set up rules about who can view your certain posts. 

You can create various membership levels and, based on those, set up who can view your certain posts, pages, etc. 

Or, you can make any page a pay-per-post page. 

Multiple Ways to Accept Payments

Now, how are you going to accept the payments?

Well, WishList Member lets you accept payments in multiple ways. 

You can integrate this plugin with popular payment providers like Stripe, PayPal, and more. In fact, WishList Member boasts the most payment integrations of all membership plugins. This means you can accept payments from around the world more easily.

80+ Integrations to Make Your Job Easy

And the integration options don't end there. WishList Member supports 80+ integrations with apps and other plugins that can help your blog thrive.

• Email service providers like Active Campaign to help you automate communication with your new members
• SEO tools like All in One SEO (AIOSEO)
• Easy analytics tracking tools like MonsterInsights
• Page builders like Elementor

And how's about this for monetizing your blog even further:

• Affiliate link optimizing tools like Pretty Links and ThirstyAffiliates, packed with features to help boost conversions from your affiliate links.

Start Planning Your Blog Hop Event Today!

Blog hops can be the ultimate solution for you if you're struggling with acquiring new users, low traffic, low backlinks, etc. We hope this blog was helpful in familiarizing you with blog hops and how you can host one. 

Remember to implement the steps we mentioned while hosting your blog hop. Be careful about whom you invite to your blog hop, and keep regular communication with them. You can always take advantage of WishList Members later if you decide to make money from your blogs. 

Have you ever hosted or joined any blog hop before? Share your experience in the comments. And if you liked the blog, don’t forget to Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Plus, get notified about feature updates, upgrades, and more when you subscribe to our newsletter!

The strategies and best practices you’ll learn will be divided up into 6 main categories:

1. The Technical Side Of Email
2. List Management Principles
3. Crafting Great Copy & Content 
4. Email Performance Metrics
5. Deliverability & Placement
6. Deadly Email Sins To Avoid

This is an in-depth guide. So take your time reading through it. It might also be helpful to bookmark it for future reference as you implement the strategies you’ll learn today.

Ready to turn your emails into your most profitable marketing channel?

Let's go ????

First – Set The Right Technical Foundation

If you want your email marketing efforts to succeed in 2024, it's vital to understand how to set the correct technical foundation for your emails.

In the past, the following steps were optional – although recommended. However, due to Google (and Yahoo's) new sender guidelines for 2024, everything I'll share with you in this section is mandatory.

If you fail to comply with these new rules, you risk having your emails land in the spam folder or worse – not being delivered at all.

Whether you're just getting started with email marketing or already have an established strategy do not skip these steps. You'd be surprised how many businesses are still not fully compliant with these new requirements.

Make sure you are so you can stay a few steps ahead of your competitors.

1. Authenticate Your Emails With DKIM, SPF, & DMARC

Don't worry if you've never seen these acronyms before. I'll break each one down so you know what they are, what they do, and why they are so important.

To start, DKIM, SPF, and DMARC are DNS records that authenticate your emails and the tools you use to send them. Basically, it's a secure way to tell the inboxes that you are the one sending your emails, not some spammer trying to spoof your domain.

???? SPF stands for Sender Policy Framework. This record is the “lock” of email.

In this record, you authorize all the different tools you use to send emails. This tells the inboxes which tools are allowed to send emails from your domain.

For example, you can include lines in your SPF record that authenticate all the tools you use to send email, like Google, ActiveCampaign, SendGrid, and HelpScout, etc.

???? DKIM stands for DomainKeys Identified Mail. If your SPF record is the “lock” – your DKIM record is the “key.”

This DNS record tells the inboxes that your specific ConvertKit or HubSpot account is authorized to send email from your domain.

Your ESP will generate an encrypted code that's unique to your specific account. Then, you add the record to your domain so that the inboxes know emails sent from your account are validated.

???? DMARC stands for Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance. If SPF is the “lock” and DKIM is the “key,” your DMARC record is the “alarm system” of email.

This is how you tell the inboxes what to do with messages that fail SPF and/or DKIM. DMARC records can get complicated fast. 

To keep things simple, you have three main options when setting your DMARC enforcement policy:

– None – this tells the inboxes to do nothing when an email fails authentication

– Quarantine – this tells the inboxes to send emails that fail authentication to spam

– Reject – this tells the inboxes to not even deliver any messages that fail authentication

As I mentioned earlier, setting up these three DNS records was optional in the past. You could simply “ride” off the records of your ESP. But with Google and Yahoo's new sender guidelines, you need to set up these records – or face the consequences.

2. Set Up A DMARC Reporting Address

Next, let's take a look at one more thing about your DMARC record.

What's great about DMARC is that you can add a reporting address. When you do, you'll start getting reports from all the inboxes about your emails. These reports will tell you if your emails  pass or fail SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication.

Pro Tip: If you set up a DMARC reporting address, I highly recommend signing up for a DMARC reporting tool as well. If you simply use your personal or business address, your inbox will soon be flooded by hundreds or thousands of unintelligible emails.

My favorite DMARC reporting tool is DMARC Digests. It's only $10 per month, per domain. Its user interface is extremely clear and easy to use. It's so helpful to have a DMARC reporting address – especially at the beginning – so you can ensure you've properly authenticated all the tools you use to send email.

3. Configure & Monitor Google Postmaster Tools

If you do nothing else from this article, please do this ASAP:

???? Set up Google Postmaster Tools

Google Postmaster Tools is a “must have” item in your email marketing tech stack if you want your emails to perform at their best. Plus, if you use Google Workspace, Postmaster Tools is already included in your subscription. 

Just like your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records, you set up Google Postmaster Tools with a DNS record. It's very easy and only takes a minute.

Once you have it set up, it'll start giving you key reports you can use to guide and refine your email marketing efforts. Out of all the reports, these three are the most important:

• Domain Reputation
• IP Reputation
• Spam Complaint Percentage

These three metrics reveal vital information about how Google views you as a sender. If you're having email performance problems, this is where I'd start looking for answers.

4. Use A “Blue Chip” Email Service Provider

There are hundreds – if not thousands – of email service providers out there. Some are good, some are bad, and others are just plain ugly.

The tools you use to send email have a big impact on how they perform. This is why it is so important to choose an established, reputable email service provider.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but here are a few “blue chip” ESP recommendations (that incidentally integrate with WishList Member) to kickstart your research:

• ActiveCampaign
• ConvertKit
• Drip
• Ontraport
• HubSpot

Check out our full list of integrations with email service providers.

Pro Tip: As you look for the right ESP for your business, don't look for the “best” one. Look for the one who has the features you need and you actually enjoy using. Most ESPs offer a free trial. Take them up on it and try all the ones you think will work for your business.

Don’t Underestimate The Importance Of List Management & Hygiene

Now that we've covered the “tech stuff,” let's look at the next set of email marketing best practices for 2024: list management & hygiene.

The systems and strategies you use to manage and organize your list play a HUGE role in your email marketing performance. It might be tempting to gloss over the following strategies and figure them out later.

But in my experience, “later” almost never comes.

And your future self will thank you for taking a bit of time to think through each of the following items. By doing so, you can save yourself days, weeks, or even months of headaches down the road.

Let's start with the basics:

1. Strategically Plan Your Lists

Every ESP is different, but most allow you to create different lists for your contacts. If you don't have a plan for your list structure, you can wind up with dozens of lists – with duplicate subscribers, hundreds of crossed wires, and never ending chaos.

Let's avoid that, yeah?

Instead of creating new lists for all your segments, I recommend creating a minimal set of core lists. You can then achieve deeper segmentation using tags and custom fields.

Here's an example of how this could look:

• Master Contact List – Your main list with all active subscribers
• Customer List – A list that includes all existing customers
• Seed & Testing List – An isolated list for testing purposes (more on that later)

Then, you can use tags and custom fields to create unique segments within these lists. 

For example, if someone bought your product during a specific launch, you could add them to your Master & Customer lists with a tag like:

• BUYER: Membership A – Spring 2024 Launch

Can you see how this would keep things much simpler and more organized than creating a new list for each product or segment?

2. Create A Tagging System – And Stick To It! 

Just like lists, tags can get out of control quickly. This can make it incredibly difficult to properly organize and segment your subscribers.

That's why I highly advise you to create a consistent tagging system and stick to it. I like to use a 3-part tagging system to keep things simple and organized.

Here's how it works:

• *CATEGORY: IDENTIFIER – CONTEXT*

That may seems abstract, so here's how it looks in practice:

• INTEREST: Membership B – Fall 2023 Launch

In this example, the category of this tag is an “INTEREST” tag. The identifier is “Membership B.” And the context is the “Fall 2023 Launch.”

This tag could be applied to someone who clicks a link expressing interest in your Membership B product during your Fall 2023 launch window.

What's great about a tag like this, is it makes it incredibly easy to find all of your most engaged prospects AND connects them to a specific product and timeframe.

You don't have to do things exactly as I recommend. The most important thing is that you pick one tagging system and stick to it. It'll make your life so much easier in the future – trust me ????.

3. Capitalize On The Power Of Custom Fields

Custom fields are one of the best – and most overlooked – ways to organize and segment your list. Plus, most ESPs have this feature.

Custom fields are great because you can add extremely detailed information about your subscribers into their contact records.

Here are a few examples of the types of custom fields most ESPs have:

• Short-form text inputs
• Longform text inputs
• Date & time
• Dropdown selections
• Checkboxes
• Etc.

With custom fields, you can import text from a quiz or survey into a text field. Or, you can create date-based custom fields to record key events like opt-ins or purchases.

Once you begin collecting this data, you can use it for deeper segmentation and personalization.

For example, if you want to automatically send subscribers a special offer on their birthday, you can do this if you have their birthday in a custom field. Or, you could send an email to everyone who submitted the same response on a quiz or survey.

The possibilities are endless!

4. Create Engagement Monitoring Automations

Now that we've covered the basics with lists, tags, and custom fields, we can look at a more “advanced” email marketing best practice: creating engagement monitoring automations.

Most ESPs come with “out of the box” engagement monitoring features. These are a fine starting point. But they often aren't fine tuned for your specific business.

I recommend creating automations that tag your contacts based on their activity and inactivity. For extra credit, you can use these same automations to update date-based custom fields. This will give you precise data about the overall engagement of your list.

Depending on the specific features of your ESP, you can trigger these automations based on events like:

• Email opens
• Link Clicks 
• Form submissions
• Page views
• Etc.

With a well designed engagement monitoring system, you'll have multiple data points you can use to “triangulate” the engagement of your subscribers.

5. Enforce A “Probation” Period For New Subscribers

If you want to maintain a high sender reputation, it's important to get new subscribers to engage with your emails from the moment they join your list.

Specifically, you want to make sure that all new subscribers open and click at least one email during their first 30 days on your list.

It's also critical to monitor the behavior of your new subscribers. Otherwise, you can end up with an influx of disengaged contacts who don't want to read your messages. These subscribers become “dead weight” on your list. They can bring down your sender reputation and jeopardize your ability to reach the people who actually want to hear from you.

To combat this, it's a good idea to create a “probation” automation where you monitor the activity of your contacts during their first 30 days on your list.

Pro Tip: To do this, simply set up an automation that checks to make sure they open and/or click at least one email during their first month subscribed. Everyone who does can exit that automation and “officially” join your list. Everyone who doesn't can be unsubscribed.

6. Segment Your Subscribers – The Smart Way

The next email marketing best practice for 2024 is segmentation.

When it comes to segmenting your subscribers, consider these categories:

1. Engagement & Activity – What have your subscribers done (or not done) recently? What links have they clicked? What pages have they visited? Etc.

2. Interests / Problems / Dreams – What do you know about your subscribers? What are their dreams and problems? How can you speak directly to them about these things.

3. Purchase History – When was the first time someone bought a product? The last time? Have they even ever bought a product? This can impact how you communicate with these people.

Just like lists, tags, and custom fields, segmentation can get overwhelming quickly. It can be tempting to want to get super granular and segment everything. At the beginning, it's best to keep things simple. My rule of thumb is to only create a new segment when you want to have a specific conversation that's not relevant to everyone on your list.

The goal of segmentation is not to divide up your list into as many chunks as possible. The goal is to meet your subscribers where they are and send them timely, specific, and relevant messages.

Pro Tip: Start by focusing on engagement-based segmentation. At the very least, you'll want to exclude your disengaged contacts from list-wide sends. This will help you maintain a pristine sender reputation.

7. Clean Your List At Least Once Per Year

Every single business owner should clean their email list at least once per year.

But if you have more than 25,000 active subscribers, it's a good idea to do a quarterly list clean.

Not only does this help keep your ESP costs down by removing inactive email addresses, it makes sure you don't have any bots, spam traps, or honey pots on your list as well.

For this email marketing best practice, I recommend using a list cleaning / email verification tool like Emailable.

These tools are simple and easy to use. Here's how they work:

1. You upload your active subscribers to a list verification tool

2. It scans and analyzes all of the emails on your list

3. It gives you a report about which emails are good, bad, and iffy 

From there, you can decide what to do with that information. For example, you can unsubscribe all inactive email accounts, spam traps, honey pots, etc. This will help keep your list clean and sender reputation high.

Craft Your Copy & Content Like An Email Expert

Next up, it's finally time to create and send an email!

Here's an overview of the email marketing best practices for writing copy, crafting emails, and hitting send.

1. Use A Personal “From” Email Address

This one is so easy to overlook – especially if you have a big team.

While you might want to use a generic “catch-all” email address to send your emails, you'll get better long term results if you use a “personal” one.

Here's what I mean:

A “personal” email address would be something like:

• jessy@wishlistmember.com.

A “catch-all” email address would be something like:

• hello@wishlistmember.com

Personal “from” addresses perform better because email is first and foremost a 1:1 communication channel. The inboxes – especially Google – want to deliver personal conversations to the primary tab.

By using a personal “from” email address, you better align with the reason email exists in the first place. Plus, it can help you build a more personal relationship with your subscribers.

Pro Tip: A great way to establish and maintain a high sender reputation is to actually use your “from” email address to have 1:1 conversations with your subscribers. If possible, use that email address to reply to your contacts and answer support tickets. You want that email address to develop a “conversational” reputation – NOT a “promotional” reputation.

2. Write Engaging & Relevant Subject Lines (& Preview Text)

Next, be sure to spend a good amount of time crafting engaging subject lines and preview text.

The best subject line is the one that inspires your subscribers to open the email. Depending on the context of the message, a good subject line can be:

• Surprising
• Inspiring
• Informative
• Time-sensitive
• Emotionally charged

The goal is to open a loop in your reader's mind that can only be closed by opening and reading your email.

Preview text is secondary to your subject line – but still important. It should be used to add context to the subject line OR draw the eye of your reader to your message.

Pro Tip: A useful “trick” is to add a blank space to your preview text. This can help your message stand apart in the inbox – and capture the attention of your reader.

For a complete guide on writing excellent subject lines, I recommend this (old but relevant-as-ever) article from Copyhackers.

3. Be Careful With Images & Always Optimize Them

The great image debate. To include them or not?

Among email marketers, there is perhaps no topic that'll get people riled up quicker.

Some say that images in emails are wonderful! Use them freely, wherever and whenever you please.

On the opposite side are the text-only apologists. Images can kill deliverability and dampen the performance of a perfectly worded email.

Here's my $0.02 on the topic:

If you're going to use images in your email, make sure you test placement and performance before you send them. I'll cover this in detail later in this article.

The thing about images is that they can get your emails to land in the spam or promotions folders. But images alone aren't enough to banish your emails there.

When it comes to email placement, your sender reputation is everything. As long as the majority of your subscribers consistently engage with your emails, the inboxes will deliver them to the inbox.

Pro Tip: If you’re going to use images, make sure you optimize them and make them as small as possible. My personal rule of thumb is to keep images under 100kb. This has served me well so far. The last thing you want is to have 10mb worth of images in your email, creating a message that takes forever to load.

4. Use Links Strategically

Another area that can cause problems for your email performance is in your use of links.

Just like images, the number of links you can safely use in your emails seems to be directly tied to your sender reputation.

In an ideal world, you'd only include one link destination per email (excluding the unsubscribe link).

That said, this is not realistic for most people and businesses. You likely want to send out newsletters and “round up” style emails with links to your best content and products. This is fine, just be sure to test your emails before you send them.

Pro Tip: Unless you absolutely need people to visit your social profiles, I'd remove any footer links to your Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, etc. This is a great way to cut down on the total number of links in your emails.

5. Make It Easy & Effortless To Unsubscribe

This should be obvious, but I'll say it anyways:

In 2024, you need to make it as easy as possible for people to unsubscribe. In fact, Google's new sender guidelines require email marketers to include a 1-click unsubscribe link.

If you attempt to “bury” or “hide” your unsubscribe link, you could face harsh penalties. Plus, if your readers can't find a way to remove themselves from your mailing list, they'll be much more likely to report your email as spam. As you'll see later in this article, that's the LAST thing you want to have happen.

It may seem counterintuitive, but by making it easier for people to unsubscribe, you'll probably get less total unsubscribes. I've noticed when people feel like they have a sense of control over how, when, and why they hear from you, they're less likely to just pull an Irish goodbye and jump off your list.

6. Use Personalization When It Makes Sense

Using personalization in your emails can be a great way to increase engagement and conversions. Even doing something as simple as inserting your subscribers name into the email can be enough to draw them in.

That said, it can be easy to overdo it when it comes to personalizing your emails. Plus you don't want to come off as a creepy marketer by getting too personal in your emails. Otherwise, your subscribers might think you're stalking them around the internet.

Plus, the whole goal of personalization is to create a better experience for your reader. So, use personalization when it helps you send a more relevant message to your subscribers.

7. Send An Engaging Welcome Email Or Sequence

If you don't have an automated welcome email or sequence, it's time to create one!

The moment someone joins your list is a golden opportunity for you to make an awesome first impression. You don't have to create an ultra-complex automation, with 10 different pathways, and 30 individual emails. In fact, it's better to keep things simple.

Keep in mind, the goal of your welcome sequence will vary greatly depending on your specific business. Maybe you want to introduce yourself and start building “know, like, and trust.” Or maybe you want your reader to make their first purchase or start a free trial.

No matter what, try to keep each email focused on one single idea. This makes them easier to consume and digest. Not to mention, you don't want to overwhelm your new subscriber from the get go. Instead, you want to help them get into the habit of opening your emails, clicking your links, and responding to your calls-to-action.

Pro Tip: If you send out daily or weekly emails, consider excluding everyone who is in your welcome sequence from these messages.

Keep An Eye On Your Email Performance Metrics – But Don't Obsess

What do you do after you've sent an email? How do you know if your emails are performing their best?

Let's take a look at those best practices now:

1. Monitor Your Email Engagement Stats

The three most important email engagement stats are your:

• Open rates
• Click rates
• Conversion rates

Out of all of these three, your conversion rates are the most important. But that doesn't mean you should ignore your open and click rates either.

Open rates are notoriously inaccurate. In fact, many browsers, email clients, and mobile apps prevent the open tracking pixel from loading correctly. This is especially true if your readers use iOS 15+.

Fortunately, some ESPs – like ActiveCampaign and Klaviyo – have features that can filter out “true opens” from “false opens.” While this will never be 100% accurate, it's better than nothing.

Click rates, on the other hand, are much more accurate. Depending on the CTA in your specific email, your click rates can vary wildly. Aim for click rates between 5-10% in each email. But if your email doesn't have a strong click CTA, don't worry if you click rates are 1% or lower.

What's great about clicks is that most ESPs will correctly attribute an open if and when a link is clicked. Just another reason to aim to keep your click rates as high as possible.

Still, the most important metric to measure is your email conversion rate. This doesn't just apply to sales either. Your email conversion rate is the percentage of people who complete the action you ask them to do in the email.

This could be:

• Completing a quiz or survey
• Replying to your email 
• Booking a call with your team
• Registering for a workshop
• Joining a waitlist
• Expressing their interest in a new product
• Etc.

Every email should have a call to action. As long as the number of people you want and need to complete that action do it, you know your emails are working.

2. Keep Your Spam Rates As Low As Possible

It's always been a good idea to keep your spam rates as low as possible.

But ever since Google and Yahoo introduced their new sender guidelines for 2024, it's mandatory.

Google now requires senders to keep spam complaint percentages below 0.1% and never exceeding 0.3%. 

Yahoo requires senders to keep spam complaint percentages below 0.2%.

Fun Fact: Spam complaint percentages are calculated by dividing the number of inbox delivered emails by the total number of complaints.

That means for every 1,000 emails you send, you should not exceed 1 spam complaint.

But here's the kicker: 

Google does not report spam complaints back to your ESP. They use a proprietary tool called Google Postmaster Tools to record this data.

Remember earlier when I talked about how important it is to set up Google Postmaster? This is why. The only way to monitor your spam complaint percentages from Gmail and Google Workspace users is through Google Postmaster Tools. 

If you haven't set it up yet, now is the time to do it!

3. Regularly Check To See If You're In Meaningful Blocklists

Here's another email marketing best practice that flies under the radar: checking blocklists.

There are two ways you can end up in a blocklist. Through your domain or your email IP.

If your domain ends up in a blocklist, you'll need to take steps to get it delisted.

But if your IP ends up in a blocklist, you have less control over getting it delisted.

This is because your ESP manages the IPs it uses to send your emails (unless you have a dedicated IP). Most ESPs use pools with hundreds or thousands of IPs that are assigned to you based on things like your list size, engagement history, sending practices, etc.

Fortunately, all of the reputable ESPs have dedicated deliverability teams who proactively work to keep their IPs clean. But if you notice any of you IPs are in blocklists, it wouldn't hurt to reach out to their support to let them know. Sometimes they can even move you over to a better set of IPs while they remedy the situation.

A note about blocklists:

Not all blocklists are created equal. There are dozens of meaningless blocklists that are little more than cash grabbing scams. That said, Google and the other inboxes do reference some blocklists when determining whether or not to deliver your email.

Here's a helpful resource about blocklists if you'd like more information.

A Look At Email Deliverability Best Practices

When it comes to building a powerful and profitable email marketing system, you simply cannot overlook the importance of your email deliverability and placement.

Especially since Google and Yahoo's new sender guidelines went live on 2/1/2024.

While it's true that your ESP will handle a lot of the technical requirements to ensure your emails make it to the inbox, it is 100% your responsibility to monitor your placement and maintain a high reputation as a sender.

Here's the best way to do that:

Routinely Test Your Deliverability & Placement

The most accurate way to test your deliverability and placement is to use a tool like GlockApps. These tools work by giving you a seed list of test contacts. These seed lists include contacts from all the major inboxes, like Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, Zoho, AOL, etc.

From there, you can send test versions of your emails to these seed lists. GlockApps will give you a detailed deliverability report – including precise data about where your emails landed.

Did they make it to the primary tab? Or did they get stuck in the promotions, newsletter, or spam folder? 

If this is a new strategy to you, I recommend testing at least one email per week. It can also be helpful to test a variety of types of emails – like newsletters, sales emails, and content delivery emails.

This way, you can ensure your emails are making it into the inboxes of your subscribers.

Avoid These 3 “Deadly Sins” Of Email Marketing:

Before we wrap up this guide about email marketing best practices for 2024, let's take a look at three strategies you should avoid like the plague:

1. Thou Shall Not Use Link Shorteners In Emails

Using a link shortener for your email links is one of the fastest ways to land in spam.

The reason for this is because the inboxes view this as a potentially deceptive practice where the true destination of an email link is “cloaked” by the shortener.

Plus, this is an actual tactic that spammers use – another reason you should avoid it.

2. Thou Shall Not Buy Lists

Sure, there may be certain business cases where it makes sense to buy an email list. Especially if you have a sophisticated cold outreach strategy. This typically involves using multiple domains and addresses to send your emails. This spreads out the “risk” involved with this strategy.

But for most businesses, buying and mailing lists is not a good idea. Especially if you plan to mail from your main marketing domain.

When you buy lists, you have no idea how these leads were gathered. Yes, there are reputable list brokers out there. But there are also plenty of shady ones who just scrape the internet for email addresses.

Mailing bought lists can lead to huge spam spikes. As we've learned, this can do major damage to your reputation as a sender – and often take months to repair the damage.

Pro Tip: If you want to reach a broader audience, it's a better idea to partner with other businesses on joint venture deals. They can mail their opt-in lists about your offer. Then, those who are interested can join your list by opting-in or buying your product.

3. Thou Shall Not Send Send Cold Email From Your Marketing Domain

I'm not hating on cold email outreach. This can be an incredibly effective strategy, especially if you're a service provider.

That said, the rules of cold email outreach are very different than traditional opt-in email marketing.

This typically involves using data scrapers or email search tools to compile a list of prospects in your target market.

From there, you verify those addresses and load them into a cold email outreach tool like LemList. Then, your cold emails get dripped out at a very slow and steady tempo.

Because of the spam complaint risks associated with this strategy, if you email too many people too fast, you can actually get shut down completely by inboxes like Google.

This is why you never want to implement a cold email strategy on your primary marketing domain. You need to keep your sender reputation sky high so you can continue to reach the people who actually want to hear from you.

If you're going to implement a cold email strategy, make sure you use (and warm up) a new domain for quarantined sending.

Wrapping Up

There you have it!

I hope this guide about email marketing best practices has been helpful to you.

We covered a lot in this article, so I recommend bookmarking it so you can refer back to it when needed.

To summarize, you learned email marketing best practices for each of the following categories: 

1. The Technical Side Of Email
2. List Management & Hygiene Strategies
3. Crafting Great Copy & Content 
4. Email Performance Metrics
5. Deliverability & Placement
6. Deadly Email Sins To Avoid

If you have any questions or comments about anything I shared in this article, please leave a comment for me below. I’ll be actively monitoring this article, and look forward to hearing from you.

2024 is in full swing and if you're planning on elevating your membership site this year, you're in the right place!

Operating a membership site comes with its own challenges, doesn't it? From creating intriguing content that keeps your members coming back to engaging them in an increasingly crowded marketplace, it’s no small task.

But don’t let this overwhelm you. In this article, we’re going to roll up our sleeves and explore some hands-on marketing strategies that are just the right fit for your membership site.

We've crunched the latest data, studied market trends, and compiled some forward-thinking, actionable marketing strategies to help your membership site shine brighter than a Vegas marquee! So, buckle up and get ready.

Let's walk this journey together, exploring innovative tools and techniques designed to give you that edge in the marketplace. 

Member Engagement Strategies for 2024

When it comes to building a successful membership site, one-size-fits-all marketing strategies could fall short. Your site deserves a unique approach, tailored specifically to your target audience. So, where do you start?

Here are some key factors to consider in 2024: 

Optimize the Power of Personalization with AI

In a world swamped with content, standing out is more important – and difficult – than ever. One key way to cut through the noise is through personalization.

We're not talking about the “Hi, [Your Name]” in an email. No, it's knowing your members, their preferences and the challenges they face.

Powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), smart algorithms can help deliver a personalized user experience that builds loyalty and keeps members coming back for more. 

Isn't it intriguing that algorithms can enhance your member's journey on your platform? AI is not a lofty, abstract concept relegated to tech wizards alone. You, as a small business owner or creator, can tap into its benefits and potentials too.

Here's how you can implement each strategy to add that personal touch:

Tailored Content Recommendations

Use AI and data analytics tools to analyze each member's interaction history, like the articles they read or videos they watched. Based on this data, set up a system that automatically suggests similar or related content. This could be through a ‘Recommended for You' section on your site or personalized emails.

You can use something like WooCommerce Analytics, which boasts nine fresh reports, sophisticated tools for filtering and segmentation, CSV data export capabilities, and a tailored dashboard that keeps all your crucial metrics in sight.

The good news? WooCommerce has seamless WishList Member integration, so setting up shouldn't be a hassle.

Pro-Tip: Regularly update your recommendation algorithm based on user feedback and changing trends. This keeps the suggestions fresh and relevant, maintaining member interest.

Customized Communication

When sending emails or push notifications, use a system that inserts the member’s name and references their recent activities or preferences. For instance, if a member recently joined a specific course, follow up with an email saying, “Hi [Name], hope you're enjoying [Course Name]! You might also like [Similar Course].”

Email integration also allows you the convenience of automatically sending messages based on specific actions that your members take throughout various points in their customer journey.

Pro-Tip: Use A/B testing for your emails and notifications to see which formats and messages get the best engagement. This helps in fine-tuning your communication strategy.

Individualized Learning Paths

If your site offers educational content, allow members to take a quiz or fill out a survey about their interests and learning goals. Use this information to suggest specific courses or resources that align with their individual needs and goals.

Pro-Tip: Offer periodic reviews or consultations where members can discuss their learning progress and adjust their paths if needed, adding a personal touch to their educational journey.

Member Milestones

Keep track of each member's sign-up date, course progress, or participation in community events. Celebrate these milestones with personalized messages or badges. For example, send a congratulatory email or display a special badge on their profile when they complete a year of membership or finish a major course.

One effective way to keep your members engaged and to keep them on site is to include gamification strategies. You'd be happy to know that WishList Member has gamification features (as add-ons) which allow you to do the following:

• Set up leaderboards to display the top members based on their earned points.
• Allow members to use their earned points to purchase or redeem other add-ons on the site (i.e. use points to buy Badges, Courses on CourseCure, Membership Levels, Pay Per Post, etc.)
• Have members flex and show off earned badges on their profiles.

Pro-Tip: Create social media shoutouts or feature members in your newsletter when they hit major milestones. This public recognition can boost member morale and engagement

Responsive Surveys and Polls

Regularly conduct surveys or polls to gather feedback. Use an easy-to-navigate format and ensure these are short and respectful of the member’s time. Analyze the responses to make improvements and follow up with members, showing how their feedback is being implemented.

Pro-Tip: Implement changes based on survey feedback and update your members about these changes. This demonstrates that their opinions directly impact the community.

Dynamic Homepage

Use cookies or similar technologies to track user behavior on your site. Then, customize the homepage layout to display content that aligns with their interests or recent activities. For instance, if a member frequently views photography tutorials, the homepage could feature new photography courses or articles.

Pro-Tip: Regularly update the homepage design and featured content based on seasonal events, trending topics, or member milestones, keeping the experience fresh and engaging.

Special Offers and Rewards

Analyze the content that each member frequently engages with and offer them discounts or rewards related to that content. For example, if someone often participates in fitness challenges, offer them a discount on your upcoming fitness-related workshop or merchandise.

Pro-Tip: Create a tiered rewards system where members unlock higher levels of rewards based on their engagement, adding an element of gamification to the membership experience.

We recommend connecting an ad display plugin like OptinMonster with WishListMember via Uncanny Automator to automatically display special offers when someone signs up to a membership level.

Personalized Challenges and Competitions

Host a variety of challenges or competitions across different interest areas. Use member data to invite them to participate in challenges that align with their interests. For example, invite photography enthusiasts to a photo contest and cooking buffs to a recipe challenge.

Pro-Tip: Allow members to propose and vote on challenge ideas. This gives them ownership of the activities and increases their investment in participating.

Dedicated Support

Set up a support system where members can get help tailored to their history on the site. This could be through a helpdesk or chat support, where the support staff has access to the member’s activity log to provide more context-specific assistance.

Pro-Tip: Provide regular training to your support staff about new features and common member queries. This ensures they are well-equipped to offer efficient and personalized assistance.

Remember, the goal of personalization is to make each member feel like your site is their own special corner on the internet. These will help boost engagement and build a loyal community that feels connected to your brand and to each other. 

Leverage Community Building Tools

Creating a vibrant community on your membership site is all about giving your members a space to interact, share, and feel connected. Here’s how you can use various tools to foster this sense of community:

Interactive Forums and Discussion Boards

• How to use: Set up different forums or discussion boards for various topics related to your site’s theme. Encourage discussions by posting regular prompts or questions. Make sure to moderate these spaces to maintain a respectful and supportive environment.
  
  Pro- Tip: Regularly engage in these forums yourself. Highlight interesting or popular discussions in your newsletters or on other parts of your site to increase visibility and participation.

Live Streaming and Webinars

• How to use: Schedule regular live streaming sessions or webinars where members can join in real-time. Use these sessions for Q&A, sharing insights, or guest interviews. Promote these events in advance to ensure maximum participation.
  
  Pro- Tip: Record these sessions and make them available for members who couldn’t attend live. Encourage interaction during these events through live polls, chat boxes, or Q&A sessions.

Member-Driven Content

• How to use: Create a platform within your site where members can submit their own content. It could be a blog, a photo gallery, or a video page. Set guidelines to ensure the content aligns with your community values.
  
  You can install a WordPress plugin such as User Submitted Posts, which allows both guests and registered users to post content and upload images directly from your site's front-end.
  
  Pro- Tip: Regularly feature member-created content on your main page or in your newsletters. Offer rewards or recognition for popular or high-quality contributions.

Social Media Integration

• How to use: Link your membership site to your social media profiles. Encourage members to share their experiences or content on social media with specific hashtags.
  
  Pro- Tip: Create social media groups or pages where members can connect. Host social media-exclusive events or challenges to foster a sense of belonging across platforms.

Member Profiles and Directories

• How to use: Enable members to create detailed profiles on your site. Include features like interests, location, and a bio. Create a directory where members can search for others with similar interests.
  
  Pro- Tip: Encourage members to update their profiles regularly. Feature member profiles in your community updates or newsletters to help members get to know each other.

Group Projects and Collaborations

• How to use: Facilitate group projects by setting up collaborative tools or spaces on your site. These can be themed around specific interests or goals.
  
  Pro- Tip: Highlight successful collaborations or projects. Offer support or resources to groups working on projects to ensure their success.

Regular Community Updates

• How to use: Send out regular updates about the community. This could be through a newsletter, a dedicated section on your site, or even a community blog.
  
  Pro- Tip: Include member contributions, upcoming events, and recaps of recent activities in your updates. Encourage members to contribute to these updates.

Feedback and Suggestion Boxes

• How to use: Set up a system where members can easily provide feedback or suggestions about the community. This can be an online form, an email address, or a forum thread.
  
  Pro- Tip: Actively respond to feedback and implement feasible suggestions. Regularly share how member feedback is shaping the community.

By using these tools, your membership site can transform into a thriving hub where members feel at home, engaged, and valued. The key is not just to provide the tools but also to actively facilitate and encourage interaction, ensuring that every member finds their place in your community.

How to Maximize Membership Site Revenue in 2024

1. Effective Upselling and Cross-Selling Techniques

Mastering the art of upselling and cross-selling can significantly boost your revenue while providing additional value to your members. Here's how you can effectively implement each strategy:

Bundle Offers

• How to use: Package related products or services together at a discounted rate. For instance, combine a course with relevant ebooks and a personal consultation session.
  
  Pro Tip: Regularly rotate your bundle offers based on seasonal themes or popular trends to keep the offerings fresh and appealing.

Exclusive Deals for Members

• How to use: Create special deals or discounts that are only available to your members. This could be early access to new products, members-only discounts, or special packages.
  
  With WishList Member's mergecodes and shortcodes, you can easily customize your site to greet members by name on the welcome page or display their membership levels on their dashboard.
  
  Pro Tip: Highlight the exclusivity and value of these deals in your marketing. Make sure your members feel they are getting a special treatment that’s not available to the general public.

Timed Offers

• How to use: Launch offers that are available for a limited period. This could be a discount, a bonus product, or access to exclusive content.
  
  Pro Tip: Use countdown timers on your website and reminders in your communications to create a sense of urgency and encourage immediate action.

Upgrade Prompts

• How to use: When a member’s subscription is nearing its end or they’re about to max out the benefits of their current tier, prompt them to upgrade to a higher level.
  
  Pro Tip: Offer a trial period for the upgraded service or a one-time discount on the upgrade to entice members to make the leap.

Showcase Member Success Stories

• How to use: Share testimonials or case studies of members who have benefited from an upsell or cross-sell. This could be through your newsletter, blog, or social media.
  
  Pro Tip: Use authentic stories that resonate with your members' aspirations. Video testimonials or detailed case studies can be particularly effective.

Educational Content about Products/Services

• How to use: Create blog posts, videos, or webinars that explain your additional products or services and how they can benefit the members.
  
  Pro Tip: Link this educational content to the relevant products or services on your site. Make it easy for members to purchase or subscribe to them right from the content page.

Remember, the key is to focus on how these additional products or services can enhance the member’s experience or solve their problems, rather than just pushing for a sale.

2. SEO Strategies for Membership Sites

Search engine optimization (SEO), is like leaving breadcrumbs for search engines to find your site. SEO has been around for a while now, but it's as important as ever for boosting your site's visibility and driving the right kind of traffic to your site.

Let's break down each strategy with pro tips on how to use them effectively:

Use Relevant Keywords

• How to use: Research and identify keywords that are most relevant to your content and audience.
  
  Use something like Google Keyword Planner or SEMRush‘s Keyword Magic Tool for this. Then, incorporate these keywords naturally in your site’s content, titles, meta descriptions, and URLs.
  
  Pro Tip: Focus on long-tail keywords, which are more specific and less competitive. This can help you rank higher for niche topics relevant to your audience.

Quality Content is Still King

• How to use: Consistently publish high-quality, original content that provides value to your audience. This could be blog posts, videos, infographics, or podcasts.
  
  Pro Tip: Engage with your audience through comments and feedback on your content. This interaction can provide insights into what content resonates with your audience and can improve SEO through increased engagement.

Fast Loading Speed

• How to use: Optimize your website’s loading speed by compressing images, minimizing the use of heavy scripts, and using a reliable hosting service.
  
  Pro Tip: Regularly test your website’s loading speed with tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and make necessary adjustments to maintain a fast loading time.

Build Quality Backlinks

• How to use: Reach out to bloggers, influencers, and other reputable websites for backlink opportunities. Offer to write guest posts or collaborate on content that includes a link back to your site.
  
  Pro Tip: Focus on building relationships with industry leaders and content creators. Authentic and natural backlinks from these relationships are more valuable than forced or artificial ones.

Use Social Media

• How to use: Actively share your content on various social media platforms. Engage with your audience on these platforms to encourage sharing of your content.
  
  Pro Tip: Tailor your content for each social media platform. What works on Instagram might not work on LinkedIn. Understand the nuances of each platform and adjust your content accordingly.

Optimize Your Images

• How to use: Use high-quality images that are compressed for the web. Include descriptive file names and use alt text with relevant keywords for your images.
  
  Pro Tip: Regularly update your images and alt text to keep them relevant and fresh. This can help improve your site’s ranking in image searches.

Regularly Update Your Content

• How to use: Periodically update your older content to keep it current. This could involve updating statistics, adding recent information, or improving SEO.
  
  Pro Tip: Set a schedule for revisiting old posts. Updating and republishing old content with current information can boost SEO and bring in new traffic.

Use Analytics

• How to use: Use tools like Google Analytics to track your site’s performance. Analyze where your traffic is coming from, which pages are popular, and where improvements are needed.
  
  Pro Tip: Set specific, measurable goals in your analytics tool and regularly check these metrics to track your progress and adjust strategies accordingly.

Remember, SEO is a continuous process that requires regular attention and adjustment. By following these strategies and tips, you can improve your site’s visibility, attract more traffic, and grow your membership base.

Email Marketing and Lead Magnets

Now, let’s look at email marketing and lead magnets. These are crucial tools for drawing in and keeping members engaged with your site. 

These strategies are like sending out invitations to a party and then making sure everyone has such a good time, they want to come back.

Email Marketing

Email marketing is a powerful way to connect with your audience, share valuable content, and keep them updated on what’s new with your site. Here are some tips to make the most of it:

• Personalized Emails: Send emails that address members by their names and reference their interests. It shows that you’re paying attention to them as individuals.
  
  Instead of blasting identical marketing emails to everyone, separate your contacts into different lists so you can deliver more relevant content to varied segments of your audience.
  
  This approach is invaluable for businesses catering to diverse customer bases with multiple products or services.
  
  Using tags enhances this strategy by enabling further classification of your contacts, enriching your database with detailed insights for ultra-targeted communication.
  
  
• Regular Newsletters: Keep your members informed and engaged with regular newsletters. Share updates, new content, or insider tips. It’s like a regular catch-up session with friends.
  
  
• Exclusive Offers and Updates: Use email to give your members first dibs on special offers, new courses, or exclusive content. It makes them feel like part of an exclusive club.
  
  
• Engaging and Relevant Content: Make sure the content of your emails is interesting and relevant to your audience. No one likes a boring or irrelevant email.
  
  
• Clear Call-to-Actions: Every email should have a clear purpose and a call-to-action, whether it’s to check out a new post, sign up for a webinar, or take advantage of a special offer.

Email marketing platforms like ActiveCampaign, ConvertKit and GetResponse are some great options to look into.

Lead Magnets

Lead magnets is essentially a freebie you give to website visitors in return for their contact details, like email addresses.

Why do lead magnets matter? The ultimate goal of a lead magnet is to flip those casual site surfers into promising leads you can woo into becoming your loyal customers. Leveraging lead magnets is a savvy move to hook in fresh leads without having to splash out a fortune on advertising.

Here are some ways for you to use them effectively

• Ebooks, Guides, or Reports: Offer free downloadable content in exchange for email addresses. Make sure it’s valuable and relevant to your audience’s interests.
  
  
• Free Courses or Webinars: Offering a free mini-course or a webinar can be a great way to attract people to your site. It’s an opportunity for them to learn something new and see the value of becoming a member.
  
  
• Quizzes or Assessments: Interactive content like quizzes can be a fun way for people to engage with your site. Offer them personalized results or insights in exchange for their email.
  
  
• Discounts or Special Offers: Encourage sign-ups by offering a discount on your subscription or products. It’s like giving a little nudge to those who are on the fence about joining.
  
  
• Exclusive Content Access: Offer a sneak peek or exclusive access to certain content when people sign up. It’s like a VIP pass to the cool stuff your site offers.

The key is to offer real value and keep the communication open and engaging. Think of it as building and nurturing relationships – it takes time, effort, and genuine care, but it’s incredibly rewarding in the long run.

The Power of Social Media for Growth and Engagement

Social media is like the town square for your membership site – it's where you can meet people, share ideas, and grow your community. 

And if you're ever doubting social media's relevance in 2024, here are some facts and figures to munch on:

• Globally, a staggering 4.95 billion people are plugged into social media, making up 61% of the world's population who are active on various platforms.
  
  
• In 2024, Statista forecasts a whopping 5.17 billion folks will be mingling on social media. And get this, the club is apparently expanding by about 300 million new users every single year!
  
  
• In North America alone, 76% of the population are social media users. Heading into 2024, it's expected that the U.S. will be home to over 313 million folks hooked on social media.

Here are some strategies to maximize your social media presence, along with pro tips for each:

Being Where Your Audience Is

• How to use: There's no use shouting into a void! Though it may seem obvious, it's only worth your time and effort to create social media content if your audience is going to see it.
  
  Conduct research to identify which social media platforms your potential and current members use most frequently. Focus your marketing efforts on these platforms.
  
  Pro Tip: Use social media analytics tools to understand your audience's behavior and preferences on each platform. This data will help tailor your content and interactions more effectively.

Engaging with Your Audience

• How to use: Actively participate in conversations with your audience. Respond to comments, join discussions, and create posts that invite interaction, such as polls or questions.
  
  Check out our case study on UK fashion brand, Popsy Clothing to discover just how effective active participation in your community can be.
  
  Pro Tip: Set aside specific times each day to engage with your audience. Prompt and personal responses can build a stronger connection with your community.

Running Contests and Giveaways

• How to use: Organize contests or giveaways that encourage participation and sharing. Use tools like RafflePress for your website or Easypromos for social media to manage these events effectively.
  
  Pro Tip: Link your contests or giveaways to actions that benefit your site, like signing up for a newsletter, sharing your content, or tagging friends.

Collaborating with Influencers and Affiliates

• How to use: Partner with influencers whose audience aligns with your target members. Collaborate on content creation or promotions to tap into their follower base.
  
  Pro Tip: Choose influencers and affiliate partners who genuinely resonate with your brand values and have an engaged audience, rather than just a large follower count.
  
  WishList Member integrates with Easy Affiliate – the all-in-one WordPress plugin that makes setting up and running your own affiliate program a breeze, with no third-party fees.

Using Hashtags Wisely

• How to use: Incorporate relevant and popular hashtags in your posts to increase visibility. Research which hashtags are most effective in your niche.
  
  Pro Tip: Create a unique branded hashtag for your membership site and encourage your members to use it when posting related content.

Showcasing Member Stories

• How to use: Share testimonials, success stories, or experiences from your members on your social media platforms. This adds a personal touch and shows the real-life value of your site.
  
  Pro Tip: Use a mix of formats like video testimonials, written stories, or photo features to keep the content dynamic and engaging.

Regular Updates

• How to use: Maintain a consistent posting schedule on your social media platforms. Regular updates keep your audience engaged and informed about your site.
  
  Pro Tip: Use scheduling tools to plan and automate your posts, ensuring a steady stream of content even on busy days.

Using Social Media for Feedback

• How to use: Use social media platforms to gather feedback from your audience. Post questions, conduct polls, or start discussions about what your members want to see on your site.
  
  Pro Tip: Acknowledge and respond to the feedback you receive. Show your audience that their opinions are valued and considered in your decision-making process.

By implementing these strategies, you can effectively use social media to enhance your membership site's presence, attract new members, and keep current ones engaged.

Remember, the role of social media extends beyond just sharing information; it serves as a highly valuable platform to cultivate a community around your brand.

Parting Words

Before you dive into the comments, let's not forget the goldmine of marketing strategies we've unpacked in this blog. They're your blueprint for keeping your membership site dynamic, engaging, and ahead of the curve in 2024 and beyond.

The strategies discussed here provide a roadmap to do just that, setting your membership site up for lasting success in 2024 and beyond.

Stay agile, stay connected with your members, and keep exploring new ways to enhance their experience. Your membership site is not just a platform but a community, and its success is a testament to the value and experience you provide.

Amplify Your Marketing Strategy with WishList Member

WishList Member is designed to seamlessly integrate with your existing WordPress site, transforming it into a fully-functional membership platform. It offers a wide array of features that cater to the diverse needs of your members while simplifying your administrative tasks.

WishList Member is an invaluable asset for any membership site, offering seamless integration with WordPress and a host of features to boost your marketing and revenue:

• Easy Membership Management: Create multiple levels, manage access, and automate registrations, upgrades, and cancellations.
• Personalized Content Delivery: Tailor experiences based on member interactions, crucial for engagement.
• Supports Diverse Revenue Streams: Sell digital products and subscription-based content with secure payment gateway integration.
• Community Building Tools: Create private forums and track member activities, enhancing social engagement and upselling opportunities.
• Email Integrations: Easily connect with popular email service providers and CRMs for smooth communication with your audience.

In essence, WishList Member equips you with the flexibility, control, and efficiency to adapt to changing trends, deeply connect with your community, and deliver consistent value, aligning perfectly with the strategies for a successful, dynamic membership site.

Thinking about starting a subscription business but not quite sure where to begin? Got an idea you're itching to share? Drop us a line in the comments – we'd love to hear from you!

If you found this post helpful, don't forget to connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn. We've got loads more tips and tricks to help you get your subscription business off the ground.

It's hard to overstate just how much affiliate marketing dominates the ecommerce marketing landscape. In 2022 the affiliate marketing industry was valued at over $20 billion, a figure that's projected to almost double by 2030.

That's particularly impressive when you consider that for the most part affiliate marketers only get paid a commission once they've made a sale. We're talking about trillions of dollars of sales and revenue generated by this one marketing strategy.

If your business hasn't yet tapped into affiliate marketing, or if you're looking to pivot away from costly affiliate platforms to grow your membership site, this latest integration is exciting news for your business and your pocket.

Introducing Easy Affiliate – the all-in-one affiliate program plugin for WordPress that now natively integrates with WishList Member.

Read on for a guided tour of the main features of this plugin complete with tips on how to leverage its profit-pumping potential for your business.

Affiliate Marketing 101

First, just in case you're completely new to affiliate marketing, here's a quick explanation to bring you up to speed:

Affiliate marketing is a widely used strategy where individuals are rewarded for promoting a business's products or services. Essentially, when a sale is made through their unique referral link, the affiliate marketer (or simply affiliate) earns a commission from the seller.

This marketing technique offers a number of benefits for membership and ecommerce sites:

• With affiliate marketing, you only pay out once a sale has been made. That makes it a low-risk cost-effective way to expand your membership base without the upfront costs associated with traditional advertising methods.
  
  
• Its performance-based nature also means it's easily scalable and suitable for membership sites at any stage of their growth. As your subscriber base grows exponentially you won't have to deal with a corresponding increase in marketing effort or expense.
  
  
• Affiliates, especially those who are well-aligned with your site's focus, can directly reach specific, niche audiences. Run a soccer club fanzine, or a vegan cooking school? Niche affiliates are the best people to spread the word. And with them on side, your marketing efforts will be highly targeted, attracting members who are more likely to engage with your content and community.
  
  
• Unlike one-time ad campaigns, affiliate marketing provides ongoing promotion for your membership site. This continuous exposure helps keep your site top-of-mind and attracts new members over time.

Now you're all caught up on affiliate marketing, and its potential for your business is clear, it's time to take a look at what the Easy Affiliate integration means for your membership site.

What is Easy Affiliate?

Easy Affiliate allows you to run a fully self-hosted affiliate marketing program straight from your WordPress dashboard.

By running a self-hosted affiliate program, you have more say over your affiliate application process, have direct control over commissions and payouts, and skip the transaction fees charged by third-party platforms.

And as the name suggests, it makes the whole process of setting up and running your program a breeze – no special knowledge required, virtually anyone can make this work for their business.

That's because Easy Affiliate is packed with all the tools and systems you need to make your program a success, each designed specifically to be easy to set up and use.

So let the tour of key features commence!

Easy Affiliate Features and Tips For Success

Effortlessly Connect to Your Ecommerce Plugins

At the click of a button, Easy Affiliate can detect and connect with key ecommerce platforms including yours truly (WishList Member), PayPal and WooCommerce.

You can enable your integrations either during Easy Affiliate's setup wizard process, or by heading to Easy Affiliate > Settings > eCommerce tab.

It really is that easy to connect your affiliate program to the products and services you sell on your website.

Screen For High Quality, Valuable Affiliates

Opening your affiliate program to everyone might seem like a good idea, but in affiliate marketing, quantity doesn't always equal quality.

Research shows that less than 10% of affiliates are responsible for 90% of total conversions and sales. This highlights the importance of focusing on attracting and working with those top performers.

Simply accepting all applicants can divert time and resources away from nurturing valuable relationships with high-quality affiliates. You might find yourself overwhelmed with queries and support issues from a large number of participants, rather than concentrating on those who truly drive results.

To ensure a better return on investment, it's advisable to manually review and approve new affiliates, verifying that their audience aligns with your target market.

Easy Affiliate streamlines this process with its built-in application and approval system. Here's how to set it up:

Navigate to Easy Affiliate > Settings > Affiliates tab, and select Application as the Registration Type.

From here, you can also choose to automatically send emails to notify applicants that their application has been received and approved.

Once you've selected the application registration type, Easy Affiliate automatically creates a registration page. Your prospective affiliates will then be required to complete an application form and await your approval before they can start promoting your products.

The form requests essential information, including:

• First name
• Last name
• Email
• Websites they plan to use for promotion
• Their promotional strategy
• Social media profiles/links

This detailed information allows you to evaluate each applicant's potential fit with your business. By requiring applicants to specify their promotional websites you also enables Easy Affiliate to monitor and prevent fraudulent activities by flagging unauthorized site promotions – more on that later.

Boost Conversions with Compelling Campaigns

To really reap the most benefits of your affiliate program, get your affiliates involved in each of your marketing campaigns

Say you've got a new feature or product or a sale to promote: this presents a perfect opportunity for your affiliates to shout out about your brand.

Affiliates are continuously on the lookout for fresh content ideas and reasons to engage their audience. Involve them in your latest promotions and feature launches, creating a symbiotic boost in engagement.

As affiliate program host, you can amplify their impact and incentivize your affiliates further by equipping them with tools to make each campaign a roaring success.

Easy Affiliate makes it straightforward for you to create unique links for specific landing pages.

Say you have a landing page with all the info on your newly released feature. By distributing a link specifically for that landing page, you can guide your affiliates' audience straight to the heart of the action, bypassing the homepage for a more strategic dive into your sales funnel.

Easy Affiliate also makes it easy to distribute campaign images and banners.

Arm your affiliates with eye-catching, branded content that's not just easy to use but also boosts your campaign's visibility. It's a win-win: effortless content for them and enhanced exposure for you. Transform your affiliate program into a dynamic force that propels your brand forward, one campaign at a time.

Track Affiliate Performance in Google Analytics

Not only does Easy Affiliate features it's own real-time reports, tracking clicks and sales, but unlike other affiliate program plugins, it also makes it super easy to track other major KPIs in Google Analytics.

That's thanks to its UTM Affiliate Link Tracking feature.

By simply enabling this feature, Easy Affiliate will automatically add UTM parameters to affiliate links so you can get in-depth insights into things like…

• Top performing affiliates
• Highest converting campaigns
• Which websites your affiliates publish on
• Which type of content performs best

…right in Google Analytics.

This sets the stage for you to optimize your affiliate program and strategy for maximum returns.

Motivate Marketers to Sell More with Special Commission Rates

Incentivize affiliates to pull out all the stops for you affiliate program by rewarding top performers with special commission rates.

With the plugin's Custom Rules add-on, you can set up custom affiliate commission rates to reward high achievers and specific behaviors. For example, you can set up a higher commission rate for affiliates who sell above a certain amount, or offer a special rate on your latest product to boost your new launch. It's all possible and easy with Custom Rules.

Protect Profits with Fraud Prevention

With Easy Affiliate's Fraud Prevention add-on, it's easier than ever to flag or even block commissions that are suspected of fraud before you pay out a cent.

Set whether you want to allow, flag or automatically block commissions from:

• Own referrals – if an affiliate makes a purchase using their own affiliate link.
• Unapproved referring sites – the site that referred the click is not one of the sites listed on the affiliate's application.
• Affiliates with a suspicious conversion rate – Address anomalous conversion rates that significantly deviate from the norm, suggesting possible fraudulent tactics.

This proactive approach safeguards your earnings and upholds the integrity of your affiliate program, making it a stronghold of trust and reliability.

Reward Affiliates Quickly and Simply with One-Click Payouts

With Easy Affiliate's One-Click Payouts, sending rewards is as straightforward as it sounds, making the affiliate payout process quick and effortless.

✅ Instant rewards – A single click is all it takes to transfer earnings to your affiliates, eliminating delays and complexity.

✅ Boost affiliate morale – Fast payouts keep affiliates happy, motivated, and more engaged with your brand.

✅ Streamline operations: Forget about the hassle of manual payments. One-Click Payouts simplify your workflow, freeing up time to focus on strategy and growth.

When your affiliate reaches the payout threshold (which you can easily adjust in your settings), you're just a click away from sending their earnings. Easy Affiliate integrates with PayPal 1-Click Payouts, offering a straightforward and secure way to pay your affiliates.

How To Integrate WishList Member with Easy Affiliate

WishList Member now integrates natively with Easy Affiliate – meaning they're practically made for each other, and connecting them in a cinch.

Easy Affiliate currently supports the following WishList Member payment provider integrations

• PayPal Checkout,
• PayPal Legacy,
• Stripe,
• Authorize.net Simple Checkout.

Here's how to set Easy Affiliate set up and integrated with WishList Member:

(For the purposes of this article, we're going to assume you already have WishList Member installed and activated on your WordPress dashboard.)

• Purchase an Easy Affiliate license.
• Head to your Easy Affiliate Account Downloads page and download the plugin .zip file onto your computer.
• Login to your WordPress Dashboard.
• Go to Plugins > Add New Plugin > Upload Plugin
• Click Browse, select the .zip file and click Install Now

• Once download is complete, hit Activate.
• Now from your WordPress Dashboard head to WishList Member > Setup > Integrations > Other Services and click on the Easy Affiliate icon.

• You should see Easy Affiliate in the side panel of your dashboard. Click on it and then Settings
• Head over to the eCommerce tab
• WishList Member should be automatically detected – switch the toggle to on.
• Click on Update Options

And you're done! It's as straightforward as that.

For more information on the integration including how to cross-reference commissions between the two plugins, check out our knowledge document.

Your next step is to spread the word about your affiliate program and start accepting applicants.

In no time, you'll be watching your sales roll in and your membership site flourish.

Conclusion

With WishList Member and Easy Affiliate, you have all you need to create a powerful affiliate program for your membership site.

Easy Affiliate offers all you need to create and manage a seamless, streamlined affiliate program that will magnify your reach and bring in more engaged members to your community.

Remember to keep your affiliates motivated with clear communication, timely payouts, and by sharing best practices for promotion. Use the data insights from Easy Affiliate and Google Analytics to refine your strategy and focus your energies on turning your affiliates into true brand ambassadors.

Their success is your success, and together, you can achieve remarkable growth for your membership site.

It all starts with this one integration!

Got any questions or want to share your experience of affiliate marketing? Let us know in the comments below.

And don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn for more tips and best practices to grow your membership business.

Think about the last time you visited a really great membership site. It's 2024, and these sites have come a long way from just forums or gated content. 

They're now bustling hubs where people connect, learn, and share like never before.

Given the speed at which technology evolves, it's crucial to stay abreast of industry changes, especially if you're keen to make your mark.

So let's dive into the dynamic world of membership sites in year 2024, where the game's changed and staying ahead means being bold, creative, and downright savvy.

Here's your insider look at latest and greatest trends, the dos and don'ts, and the secret sauce that'll transform your membership site from surviving to thriving in this turbo-charged online era.

And yes, it's going to be easier than you think! 

The Digital Renaissance of Membership Sites

The game of membership sites is changing in 2024. We're witnessing a digital renaissance in the world of membership sites, and it's thrilling!

This year, we're seeing a seismic shift in how membership sites operate, interact, and engage with their audiences. The rules have changed, and the playbook is being rewritten as we speak.

With new trends popping up and technology playing a bigger role, it's all about staying informed and adaptable.

Let’s break down what’s new and what’s working.

The Trends That Are Redefining the Game

In this whirlwind of digital transformation, several key trends are emerging as game-changers:

1. DO Embrace Hyper-Personalization

Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all content. This year, it's all about creating a tailor-made experience that speaks directly to each member's preferences, interests, and behaviors.

Remember this figure: 80%. Epsilon reports that 80% of consumers are more likely to do business with a company that offers personalized experiences.

If you thought personalization was confined to addressing members by their name, 2024 will challenge that perception.

AI and machine learning technologies are getting sophisticated, providing advanced levels of personalization in content delivery, email communication, and product recommendations. 

So, what does this mean for your membership site? This means you can deliver highly tailored experiences to your members using technological advancements.

For example, you could use machine learning to curate content to the unique preferences of each member. This might mean suggesting articles, courses, or forums based on their browsing history or even the time they spend on certain sections of your site.

Likewise, AI can help tailor email communication, serving members with timely and relevant information, amplifying engagement and retention. 

One way of implementing this trend on your site is through a form builder plugin like WPForms. You can use WPForms to collect information about your members, and integrate it with ChatGPT for AI-generated notifications. Send unique, tailored alerts to members based on their form submissions, enhancing the individualized experience and fostering stronger member engagement.

2. DO Explore Virtual Reality Integration 

Another game-changer in the 2024 member-centric trend is the increasing role of Virtual Reality (VR) technologies.

According to Grand View Research, the global VR market size was valued at USD 15.81 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.0% from 2021 to 2028.

Adopting a cutting-edge trend such as VR may seem daunting at first, but remember, it doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing approach.

Begin by identifying specific areas that can benefit from VR and evaluate the feasibility. Always cater to what your members need and would find most beneficial. 

In a membership context, VR can provide immersive experiences that connect members in a way not possible through traditional online formats.

Think virtual meet-ups, product walk-throughs, guided tutorials or collaborative workshops. It's an innovative way to increase member engagement and provide value that goes beyond the typical. 

However, integrating VR isn't just about driving engagement; it can also revolutionize the way you provide value to your members. Say you're running a fitness membership site—using VR, you can offer personalized workout sessions, virtual trainers, and immersive wellness practices. 

Businesses are rapidly exploring VR integration. Goldmans Sachs predicts that by 2025, VR technology in the workplace could be a $16.1 billion market. That's a significant hint towards the potential of VR, pointing to a promising future for the membership site industry as well. 

On the final note, VR is here to stay. The sooner you embrace it, the better edge you will have in the competitive landscape of membership sites.

So, don't neglect this trend; instead, jump in and ride the wave of virtual reality to foster a futuristic, novel, and innovative user experience for your members.

3. Value-Driven Pricing Models 

The age-old practice of a ‘one size fits all' pricing model for membership sites is not enough to draw potential members in 2024.

In 2024, it's all about:

• Providing your clients with personalized and tiered plans, and
• Focusing more on the value provided rather than just flat rate fee. 

This shift towards value-based pricing allows you to make your membership packages more attractive by aligning your prices with the perceived value of your offerings.

In fact, McKinsey research indicated a 1% price increase, when done right, could generate an 8% increase in operating profits. 

For example, a basic level could offer access to webinars and articles, while intermediate and top-tier levels could include one-on-one mentorship sessions, exclusive reports, and more.

These additional features would provide value for the price increase, which could drive member satisfaction and loyalty. 

But it's not as simple as increasing prices. It's critical to conduct continuous A/B testing, surveys, and even price sensitivity surveys.

Understanding what content and services your audience values most, and their willingness to pay for it, is key.

And if you're looking to optimize your survey efforts, Formidable Forms, a powerhouse WordPress plugin, makes it possible to not only collect data but also to use that data to create listings, directories, and even complex calculators.

You'll need to carefully analyze and measure the values your membership site provides to different segments of your users. Fortunately, with the advancement of technology, we now have sophisticated tools and software that can help us track these data to back our pricing decisions with facts and figures. 

The future of membership sites is moving towards this direction, and it's a space filled with potential. So, go ahead and explore the possibilities of a value-driven pricing model for your membership site.

4. DO Widespread Automation 

From marketing automation to customer service, 2024 is about automating more than ever. A MarketsandMarkets research predicts the global automation market to reach $3.4 billion by 2024. Integrating automation tools into your membership site can lead to more efficient processes and elevated user experience. 

So, what kind of automation tools are we talking about here? 

Email Automation

Well, as a membership site owner, you can engage your members more efficiently with automated emails or newsletters.

FunnelKit Automations and WishList Member come together to create a powerhouse of marketing efficiency on WordPress.

This integration allows for effortless contact importing, audience building tailored to your content, and automated access upgrades upon form submissions or purchases.

Plus, it smoothly transitions members between different levels and offers a personalized touch with coupons for expired memberships. This combination is a game-changer, making marketing not just more effective but also intuitively responsive to member actions and preferences.

Other tools like ConvertKit, Campaign Refinery, or ActiveCampaign can help you manage your email list and automate personalized messages.

Customer Service Automation

Likewise, you can enhance your customer service using automation.

AI-driven chatbots, like Tidio and Olark, can automatically respond to common customer inquiries on your site. This will not only improve response time but also free up time for your customer service agents to handle more complex issues. 

Data Automation

Data automation should also be on your radar. After all, who wants to spend countless hours analyzing data when software can do that?

Tools like Google Analytics and Tableau can gather valuable data about your members and their behaviors, providing insights that can help you make data-driven decisions. 

Automation doesn't mean you're replacing the human touch, though. It, instead, enhances it by giving you more time and energy to engage with your members on a more profound level. It is all about working smarter, not harder. 

5. DO Nurture Your Micro-Communities 

A study published on Tint shows that 73% of consumers have positive views on brand engagement in communities.

In 2024, anticipate the surge of smaller, niche-focused, highly engaged communities within your membership site. Focusing on micro-communities allows for more direct engagement, fostering stronger relationships with your members. 

Often, these micro-communities are built around specific interests or goals. For example, a fitness membership site may have communities focused on yoga, vegan diets, or marathon training. These offer spaces for members to connect with like-minded individuals, drive discussions, share insights, and support each other. 

The key to the success of micro-communities lies in their ability to foster a sense of belonging.

In addition to fostering stronger relationships with existing members, micro-communities serve as powerful magnets for potential members.

Talk about the power of conversation! Word-of-mouth referrals is a colossal engine driving a staggering $6 trillion in annual consumer spending. That's right, a jaw-dropping 13% of consumer sales come from people simply talking about products.

As members of your micro-communities share their experiences in these specific niches, it introduces your site to more individuals likely interested in what you provide. 

Moreover, there's a growing trend toward monetization within these micro-communities. The 2024 trend entails introducing premium tiers within the communities or charging for niche-specific content like webinars, ebooks, or courses. 

Ultimately, in 2024, the emphasis for membership sites will indeed be “less is more”. By focusing on smaller, high-engagement communities, you can enhance the value of your site for members while at the same time driving growth and profitability.

Don't currently have a forum on your website? A free plugin like bbPress could help you bring your community on site and open up opportunities to monetize your content.

6. DO Gamify to Boost Engagement 

Member engagement stands as a cornerstone for success in the membership site industry. With a lackluster engagement strategy, it's hard to keep your members interested or involved. And that's where gamification steps in. 

As per research published by MordorIntelligence, the gamification industry is skyrocketing from a cool $9.1 billion in 2020 to blasting off to an astronomical $30.7 billion by 2025.

We're talking a whopping 27.4% compound annual growth rate. That's the gamification market turning up the thrusters and going full speed ahead!

Clearly, it's a trend not to be missed.

The integration of gaming mechanics into your membership site can trigger your members’ natural desires for competition, achievement, and collaboration.

Get ready to experiment with various strategies that uplift user engagement, that make your site more fun, exciting and addictive, such as:

• Leaderboards
• Progress bars
• Milestone celebrations
• Points
• Badges

Remember, the key to successful gamification is relevancy. Your members should perceive their rewards as meaningful for the effort they put into achieving them.

Test different game mechanics, analyze your member's feedback, and adjust accordingly. With careful planning and creative execution, gamification could be the golden ticket to boosting your membership growth and retention in 2024.

So, why not make your membership site a more intriguing place? Incorporate gamification as a novel way of offering value, and you might just keep members coming back for more. After all, who doesn't want to be part of a vibrant, engaging online community? 

7. DON'T Count Out LMS

The future is bright for those who integrate courses and Learning Management Systems (LMS) into their membership sites.

According to a sparkly new report from Reports Insights, this market is projected to take a colossal leap from USD 17.36 billion in 2022 to a jaw-dropping USD 69.69 billion by 2030. That's a supercharged growth rate of 19.2% annually from 2023 to 2030. So, in the world of elearning, this is like going from a bicycle to a supersonic jet in less than a decade!

By incorporating courses, quizzes, progress tracking and course gamification on your site, you'll be adding a whole lot of interactive content that makes learning not just informative but downright addictive.

For your membership site to stay ahead of the game, embracing the LMS integration trend is not just advantageous but vital. It offers streamlined learning experiences, advanced insights, and ultimately higher returns – all which pave way for a thriving future of your membership site.

CourseCure

WishList Member users can take advantage of CourseCure, which is available on all WishList Member plans.

The CourseCure course builder turns WishList Member into a powerful LMS. By combining all the functionality of a membership plugin with an intuitive and flexible course builder, you can start selling engaging courses on your site in a snap.

Mix and match gamification features like quizzes, points, and badges to maximize student engagement and course completion rates.

This flexibility not only enriches courses but also incentivizes participation with rewards, making CourseCure an essential asset for membership sites aiming to leverage courses for member retention and engagement.

8. DO Optimize Content For Voice Search 

If your membership site’s content isn’t optimized for voice search yet, you’re potentially losing out on this flourishing traffic source.

Users typically use conversational language for voice search, and it’s usually question-based. So, rethinking your site's SEO strategy to consider phrases and long-tail keywords might just hit the right note. 

According to a report from Synup, there's a whopping 4.2 billion active voice assistant devices. And get this, 27% of searches on the Google App are now done using just your voice.

Plus, there's a staggering 1 billion voice searches happening every month from mobiles and voice search devices. Whoa, voice assistants are taking over the world!

So, how can you start? Begin by optimizing your content for natural language and conversational queries.

Websites with a FAQ page also tend to do better with voice search because it contains questions and answers in a conversational manner.

You should consider adding a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section which can address common queries relating to your membership site that aligns with how users typically ask queries when using voice search. 

9. DON'T Forget to Diversify

Remember when text content was everything? Well, those days are long gone. Say goodbye to the days of only reading long articles.

This year, expect a mix of podcasts, videos and interactive quizzes. It’s all about keeping members engaged and coming back for more. 

According to a recent forecast by Cisco, videos will represent 82% of all internet traffic by 2022.

Diverse content formats have emerged as a powerful trend in the 2024 membership sites industry. Let's shed some light on this emerging reality, and how it could benefit your venture. 

Video would be a key driver in this trend. According to an Oberlo report, video content increases the average visit duration by as much as 88%. This demonstrates the massive potential of diverse content formats to increase user engagement and time spent on your site. 

Integrated podcasts are gaining attention, too.

In 2023, the global podcast market was already massive, sitting pretty at US$ 17.9 billion. But fasten your seatbelts, because it's rocketing to an eye-popping US$ 144.1 billion by 2032. That's a whopping 26% growth rate between 2024 and 2032.

What's fueling this meteoric rise? It's a perfect storm of more smartphones, easy access to streaming, anyone-can-be-a-creator vibes, a surge in podcast wizards cooking up all sorts of content, the magic of audio-on-demand, and a gold rush of advertising ops.

Remember, providing diverse content formats is about meeting the evolving needs and preferences of your members so they continue seeing value in your site.

So, consider researching the kind of content they enjoy and resonates most with them. Furthermore, make sure each piece of content, regardless of its format, aligns with your brand's identity and message. 

Above all, technology has made content creation easier than ever before. Tools like Adobe Spark, Visme, and Canva can significantly simplify the process of making engaging videos, graphics and podcasts So, don't shy away from experimenting with content formats in 2024!

How to Build Your Membership Site

It's an exciting time to build a membership business. The global subscription economy is on the up and up, and is projected to grow to a massive $1482.11 in 2027.

Plus, it's also easier than ever before, as membership site tools evolve to integrate new technologies and create a seamless experience for their own users. So let's get to it!

Step 1: Pick a Web Host

There are a lot of options to consider here – should you go with a more-budget-friendly, shared hosting option? Or does your business operation call for a more robust solution, with greater storage and processing power?

Read our guide on choosing the best web host to explore your options.

Step 2: Choose the Right Platforms

Make sure you choose a trusted, quality CMS and membership platform to build the foundation of your membership site.

WordPress is the most popular CMS in the world for many reasons. Here are just a few:

1. It's free to download and install, meaning you can invest your budget on other important tools and premium plugins.
2. It's user friendly even for beginners making it a breeze to upload, manage, and update content.
3. It's open-source – and always has been. From day dot, WordPress's source code has been freely available for creators to play around with. This made WordPress a sandbox for programmers to contribute to the WordPress ecosystem, which led to…
4. Endless plugins and themes that are ready for your to use right out the (virtual) box. The upshot is that whatever website you plan on creating, or whichever way you plan to expand in the future, there's likely o be a plugin that can help you get there – no coding required.

Choosing the right platform can be a game-changer, enhancing your interactions with your audience. But the question remains – how will you choose the perfect platform?

We've created an essential checklist for picking a membership site platform that best aligns with your specific business goals.

Membership Plugin Features and Integrations You Need:

• Easy Setup: Building your membership site shouldn't be rocket science.
• Secure Member Log-ins: Ensuring members have a safe and private access point to your site.
• Automated Billing and Subscription Management: For handling recurring payments and membership renewals.
• Analytics and Reporting Tools: To track member engagement and site performance, helping you make informed decisions.
• Progress Tracking: Especially useful for educational sites, allowing members to track their learning journey.
• Payment Gateway Integration: Secure and reliable options for members to make payments.
• Email Marketing Integration: Tools to keep in touch with your members, send updates, and promote engagement.

WishList Member is one such plugin that carries all these features and integrations. With WishList Member, you can turn your WordPress site into a recurring revenue machine.

Some Additional Plugins You May Want:

• Interactive Community Forums: Spaces for members to connect, discuss, and share ideas.
• Customizable Member Profiles: Allowing members to share information about themselves, fostering a sense of community.
• Event Calendars and Registration: For organizing webinars, workshops, and other events.
• Downloadable Content Options: Such as ebooks, worksheets, or templates for members.
• Live Chat Support: Providing real-time assistance to your members.
• SEO Tools: To improve your site’s visibility and ranking on search engines.

Adding all these plugins can improve and optimize your current site into a thriving membership or subscription business in 2024.

Step 3: Designing for User Experience

The design of your membership site should focus on creating a smooth and enjoyable experience for your users. This means having a clear layout, straightforward navigation, and ensuring your site loads quickly. 

After all, a site that's a breeze to use is more likely to keep members engaged and coming back for more. 

Another key aspect is ensuring your site is responsive, meaning it works well and looks good on any device, whether it's a desktop, tablet, or smartphone.

For a more in-depth guide on how to build your first membership site, check out our How-To Guide.

Turning Your Membership Site into a Success Story with WishList Member

That's a wrap on the top membership site trends of 2024! Remember, the journey to success is all about engaging content, smart marketing, and listening to your members. 

And here's some good news: WishList Member makes this journey smoother. With its user-friendly platform and versatile features, you can focus on what you do best – creating and nurturing your community. 

So why wait? Check out WishList Member today and start transforming your membership site into the success story you’ve always dreamed of. Let's make 2024 your year! 

Found this blog useful? Dive into the discussion below and share how you're revolutionizing your membership site with these cutting-edge strategies – we'd love to hear your insights and experiences!

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn for more tips and best practices to make the most of your new subscription business.

Every interaction counts. It's as true on your membership site as it is in your grocery store. 

How you interact with your members (and whether you interact at all) is central to their engagement, loyalty, and the likelihood that they'll invest in more of your products and services. 

Once a member signs up with their email address, you have a direct line of communication, with immense potential to grow that relationship and ensure a higher lifetime customer value. 

With the WishList Member, Campaign Refinery integration, you can realize that potential with personalized, targeted messaging.

Read on to find out how segmented email marketing helped one brand achieve a 300% increase in sales during their Black Friday campaign. 

I'll also provide other scenarios where you can use an email integration with WishList Member for precise and effective member communications. 

By the end of this blog, you'll be able to use email segments to boost sales, upgrades, and engagement among your members. 

From first click to lasting impact, orchestrate a journey of engagement and growth with every member. Let's tune up and get started!

Introducing the WishList Member Campaign Refinery Integration

This integration (available with WishList Member Pro and Elite plans) is all about automating interactions based on member behaviors. Turn their every action into an opportunity for tailored communication.

The Mechanics: Seamless Synchronization

At its core, this integration allows you to apply or remove tags in Campaign Refinery based on a variety of member actions in WishList Member. 

Here is the full list of actions that can trigger an add or remove tag automation in Campaign Refinery:

• Added: When a member joins a membership level or is added to a membership level.

• Removed: When a member is removed from a membership level. Members can be removed from a level via admin, level actions, sequential upgrades, and LMS Integrations Actions (eg. via the LearnDash integration)

• Cancelled: When a member stops or cancels payments to their membership level and no longer have access to protected content.

• Uncancelled: When a member rejoins a membership level after cancelling, or after a successful rebilling payment after having been cancelled.

• Expired: When a member's membership has expired after a trial or one-time payment.

• Unexpired: When a member rejoins a level by renewing membership after expiration.

Each of these actions can trigger specific automations. This isn't just about tracking member movements; it’s about responding to them in the most relevant way possible.

The Benefits: Precision and Personalization

What does this mean for your member communications? Precision. Personalization. Impact.

By segmenting your email audience based on these automated tags, your messages hit closer to home. Far from just broadcasting information, you’re engaging in a conversation, tailored to the member's specific journey and needs.

Let's Get Set Up (It's Easy!)

Activate The Integration

Activating this integration is a piece of pie. From your WordPress dashboard, navigate to WishList Member > Setup > Integrations > Email Providers > Campaign Refinery. 

In the box that appears, click the slider to enable Campaign Refinery.

Paste your Campaign Refinery API Key from your Campaign Refinery account and you’re set! Two powerful tools, now synched up and ready to roll!

For a more in-depth, step-by-step run through, check out our WishList Member, Campaign Refinery knowledge doc.

Leveraging Tags: Automated Engagement

Here’s where it gets exciting. From your Campaign Refinery account, you create tags that categorize members based on their actions within WishList Member. 

Whether they’re joining a new level, canceling their subscription, or coming back after a hiatus, each action can be assigned specific tags. This setup allows for incredibly focused and effective communication strategies.

Let’s imagine you have 3 membership levels set up in WIshList Member: Bronze, Silver and Gold. You then create 3 corresponding tags in Campaign Refinery so that you can send emails to only members tagged “Gold”, for example.

In this scenario, you can create automations to add the Bronze tag in Campaign Refinery when a member joins your Bronze level, add a Silver tag when they join your Silver level, and so on. 

Similarly, you can automatically remove these tags when a member cancels their payments and ends their membership.

In this instance, you can also add a new “Cancelled” tag in Campaign Refinery to target these former members in a re-engagement campaign. 

We’ll look at these scenarios in more depth later. 

The Outcome: Targeted Communication

With these tags in place, the communication possibilities are endless. You can reach out to members who have just canceled with messages tailored to bring them back, or nudge lower-level members with compelling reasons to upgrade. 

It's about creating a conversation that feels personal and directly relevant to each member’s experience.

The Big Picture: Beyond the Click

This integration is more than a technical setup; it's a strategy for cultivating relationships with your members. 

From the first click to the lasting impact, each interaction is an opportunity to deepen engagement, increase loyalty, and ultimately, drive growth for your platform.

Stay tuned as we dive deeper into how you can use these features to not just communicate, but connect with your members in a way that truly matters.

3 Ways to Supercharge Member Communications Using WishList Member and Campaign Refinery

Now that we've set the stage with the WishList Member and Campaign Refinery integration, let's look more specifically at how you can leverage this powerful combo to enhance your member communications. 

1. Encouraging Upgrades for Lower-Level Members

Direct Approach for Upgrades:

Use the tagging system to identify members at lower levels, like “Bronze”. Then, craft and send personalized messages highlighting the perks of higher tiers. 

You can showcase exclusive benefits, testimonials, or sneak peeks into what the “Silver” or “Gold” levels offer. It’s about painting a picture of what they're missing and making the upgrade irresistible.

Result-Driven Communication:
Focus on the results and experiences of upgrading. Share success stories or case studies of members who’ve moved up and seen tangible benefits. This approach turns abstract perks into real outcomes, making the upgrade more appealing.

2. Reengaging Members Who Cancel

Targeted Reengagement Campaigns:

When a member cancels, automatically tag them as “Cancelled” and initiate a tailored reengagement campaign. 

This campaign can address their possible reasons for leaving, offer special incentives for rejoining, or update them on new features or content that might reignite their interest.

Personalized Follow-Ups:

Follow up with personalized communication that shows understanding and value for their membership. Sometimes, a simple message asking for feedback or offering help can open the door to reengagement.

3. Cross-Selling to Product Purchasers

Identifying Purchasing Patterns:

Tag members based on their purchases, like tagging someone who signed up for a beginner's course as “Course-Beginner”.

Use this information to recommend advanced courses or related products, creating a natural progression in their learning journey.

Creating an Ecosystem of Complementary Products/Services:
Introduce them to other aspects of your platform that complement their purchase. For example, if they’ve bought a course, introduce them to a relevant community group or additional resources.

This strategy is about enhancing their overall experience, not just pushing more products.

Building a Community, Not Just a Customer Base

Each of these strategies goes beyond traditional member communications. They're about building a community, where each member feels heard and valued. 

Focus on providing messaging that really benefits them, builds their trust in your product, and enhances their experience. 

The Power Of Email Segmentation: A Black Friday Case Study

Let's take a look at how one brand hit it out of the park with their Black Friday campaign, boosting sales by an incredible 300% through smart email segmentation. This story is a great showcase of what happens when you get member communications just right.

Strategy Overview

This brand got creative and divided its audience into four groups: non-customers, past customers, existing lower-tiered customers, and top-tier customers. Each group received emails crafted just for them, fitting their unique relationship with the brand.

1. Non-Customers: Show and Tell

For folks who hadn't bought anything yet, the brand rolled out the red carpet. They shared the best parts about their products, topped with some glowing testimonials. The idea was to turn curiosity into clicks and clicks into sales.

They also ran a competition on RafflePress to enhance engagement and incentivize social sharing of their Black Friday offer.

2. Past Customers: Look What’s New

Past customers got a nudge about all the cool new features and updates. The goal was to reignite their interest and bring them back into the fold.

3. Existing Lower-Tiered Customers: Sweet Upgrade Deal

The brand made a tempting offer to their lower-tier customers: upgrade to a better plan for less than the cost of renewing the current one. It was a clever move to show the value of higher tiers for customers.

4. Top-Tier Customers: More to Love

For the loyal top-tier customers, it was all about cross-selling. The brand suggested products that complemented what they already had, making sure these suggestions added real value to their existing investments.

Results and Reflections

This targeted and thoughtful approach really paid off. Engagement, conversions, sales – everything went up. Each group felt like the brand was talking directly to them, which is a big win in the world of marketing.

This Black Friday success story is a testament to the magic of getting your email segmentation just right. By truly understanding different customer needs and speaking their language, this brand saw some amazing results.

Wrapping Up: Making the Most of WishList Member and Campaign Refinery for Awesome Member Communications

Throughout this blog, we've seen how combining WishList Member with Campaign Refinery really steps up your member communications, bringing a fresh and effective approach to connecting with your audience.

By blending the robust functionality of WishList Member with the dynamic email capabilities of Campaign Refinery, you have the power to transform your member engagement strategies.

Key Takeaways:

• Tailored Communication: With automated tagging and segmentation, you can ensure that every message you send is relevant and personalized, deeply resonating with each member’s unique journey.
  
• Enhanced Engagement: From re-engaging past members to enticing current ones to upgrade or explore new products, this integration allows you to create meaningful connections that drive loyalty and growth.
  
• Measurable Results: The success stories, like the Black Friday campaign case study, demonstrate the tangible impact of well-executed, segmented communication strategies.

Now, it's your turn to experience the magic of this integration. Explore WishList Member today and see how it can elevate your platform’s communication and member engagement.

If you have any thoughts or experiences to share regarding member communications, or if you're just excited about these possibilities, drop a comment below. We love hearing from our readers!

And don’t forget, for more insightful tips and tricks on membership site management and marketing strategies, subscribe to our blog. Stay tuned, stay informed, and let's keep growing together.

Here's to your success in creating a thriving, engaged community!

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Discover how to leverage Facebook groups to benefit your business.

Imagine a passionate runner, committed to enhancing her sprint speed. She becomes a member of a site exclusively for runners. However, she needs a space to discuss her techniques with others who share her interest.

Where can she find such a community of like-minded enthusiasts?

Consider a man who has an unusual fascination with tea cozies. He signs up for a crochet-themed membership site to hunt for the best deals on tea cozies. Yet, he lacks a community to share his unique passion with.

Just like the woman and man in these scenarios, your site's members can greatly benefit from being part of a Facebook group.

A Facebook group provides a platform for individuals to:

• connect, 
• exchange feedback, 
• discuss shared interests, 
• gain access to exclusive information and deals, 
• and even form friendships.

Being the administrator of a Facebook group for your business can be an excellent strategy to maintain customer engagement and ensure they keep returning to your site.

So get cozy and read on to find out how.

Facebook Group or Facebook Page: What’s The Difference?

What exactly is a Facebook group, and how does it differ from other social media platforms?

A Facebook group is a private space, meaning membership is granted access either through an invitation or a request.

Any member can post in a group, subject to the rules you establish. 

Facebook groups is a great way to foster a community for two-way conversations for members of your membership site. 

On most social media platforms, you're the one calling the shots. You control all the content. For example, on a Facebook page, you're responsible for creating regular posts. However, in a Facebook group, you act more as a facilitator rather than the primary voice.

It’s this dynamic that creates a sense of community, and deepens the relationship between business and consumer. 

The Importance of Fostering Community: Why Does It Matter?

Building a sense of community around your business isn't merely a feel-good endeavor—it's a strategy with significant potential to enhance your revenue. Here are some of the key benefits:

Customer Engagement and Feedback

A Facebook group offers a platform for your customers to interact with your brand and each other.

 It's an excellent place to get feedback, understand customer needs, and refine your products or services based on their suggestions.

Brand Loyalty and Community Development

By establishing a space where customers can engage and share, you're nurturing a sense of community. This can result in heightened brand loyalty, as customers feel more connected and committed to your brand.

Increased Visibility and Organic Reach

Every interaction or post by a member within the group amplifies the group's visibility within their network. This can stimulate organic growth and boost brand awareness.

Customer Support

The group can function as an extra customer support channel where customers can pose questions and receive assistance from both your team and other customers.

More Reasons to Form a Group

• A group can instill a sense of exclusivity among members. Offer updates, special deals, and bonus content solely for the members of your Facebook group.

• If your site's members create their own group, you may be unaware if a situation escalates or if a user has a negative experience. If you're the one in control, you have the power to screen posts and establish guidelines.

• Facebook provides insights and analytics for groups, which can aid in understanding your audience better and making data-informed decisions.

Guidelines for Managing a Facebook Group

While it's true that the community largely governs the page by contributing content and comments, you'll still need to do some work. 

Here are a few pointers to remember when managing a Facebook group for your membership site.

1. Establish a set of rules to prevent discussions from veering too far off-topic. Consider prohibiting political debates and self-promotion, and definitely include a clause about hate speech and bullying.

2. Make sure you post occasionally and respond in supportive ways. Members appreciate seeing that the person in charge (that's you) values their input.

3. Choose a specific and clear name for your page so your members can easily find you.

4. Don’t overwhelm members with your own content. This isn't the place for self-promotion, so be cautious about posting excessive promotional content or being the primary poster.

5. Act fast to shut down negativity in your group. If the group becomes negative, a subscriber may link that experience with your site. If you spot a negative comment, kindly request the member to remove it or do it yourself.

Can Your Business Benefit From a Facebook Group?

If you manage a membership site, the answer is most definitely yes. Members, or subscribers, have made a commitment to your brand, and there’s a good chance your business is an excellent candidate for a successful Facebook group.

 Here are a few examples of business types that can especially benefit from creating a Facebook group:

Service Providers

Whether you're a fitness trainer, a software consultant, or a hairdresser, you can leverage Facebook groups to share valuable content, respond to queries, and cultivate a community around your services. 

This can help you position yourself as an authority in your field and attract new clientele.

Educational Institutions and Online Course Developers

Facebook groups offer a platform for students to discuss course content, ask questions, and offer peer support. As the course creator, it can also be a place for you to share supplementary resources and updates.

Online Retailers

Facebook groups can be a platform for sharing exclusive deals, announcing new product launches, and collecting customer feedback. 

It's also an ideal space for customers to share their experiences and recommendations, which can stimulate sales.

Event Organizers and Community Developers

If you're coordinating webinars, local gatherings, or large-scale conferences, a Facebook group can be an effective way to maintain attendee engagement before, during, and after an event. 

It's also a venue where participants can network and share their experiences.

Non-Governmental Organizations

Non-profits can use Facebook groups to foster a community of supporters, share updates about their initiatives, and organize fundraising events.

In essence, any business that stands to gain from… 

• building and engaging with a community, 
• offering customer support, 
• collecting customer feedback, 
• and enhancing brand loyalty 

…can benefit from using Facebook groups.

Facebook Group Community Case Study: Popsy Clothing

For an exemplary illustration of a business that has harnessed the power of Facebook groups to its fullest, let's examine Popsy Clothing.

Popsy Clothing, a small UK-based business, specializes in women's vintage dresses featuring unique prints. Their Facebook group has grown to over 47,000 members and enjoys high levels of post engagement.

Let's delve into some of the reasons why the Popsy Facebook Group has achieved such success.

Promoting Respect & Support

The administrators strive to foster a positive and supportive atmosphere within the Facebook group. As a business that caters to women of all body shapes, they are especially vigilant in safeguarding the group from negativity.

One way they achieve this is by emphasizing positivity during the membership application process. 

Prospective members must agree to a set of rules that include being “kind and respectful”, refraining from “hate speech or bullying”, and not posting “diet and medical advice”.

Cultivating Relationships Within the Community

Popsy also encourages members to engage in conversations unrelated to the brand, stating in its rules: “this is your space to make friends, support each other, and a place of positivity.”

This openness has led members to share and bond over personal matters.

In fact, the bond are so strong between Popsy Facebook group members that some have even independently organized in-person meet-ups through the group using Facebook events.

Exclusive Offers for Members

While Popsy regularly shares and promotes new releases, they take several steps to make the experience doesn’t feel like a hard sell. 

For instance, new releases are often paired with limited-time discount codes exclusive to members. Members also receive behind-the-scenes insights into the inspiration behind each design and styling advice.

These graphics are visually appealing, engaging, and can be easily created using a user-friendly graphic design tool like Canva.

1:1 Communication

The personal involvement of the owner and designer, Cherish Reardon, in Popsy's content significantly enhances Popsy's narrative as a small, independent business.

Cherish models her designs, interacts personally with members, and shows genuine interest in their opinions. 

For instance, Cherish recently appeared in a live video, offering members a sneak peek at her Christmas range design ideas. This was followed by a poll, asking members to vote on their favorite patterns.

This approach makes Popsy members feel appreciated and involved in the brand's decision-making, undoubtedly fostering increased brand loyalty.

In Conclusion

Here are the key points we established in this article: 

1. Creating a Facebook group for your business fosters a sense of community, leading to more contented, loyal customers.
2. Running a Facebook group isn't a passive task. Be an active participant and demonstrate genuine interest in the community.
3. Promote positivity by implementing community rules and encouraging open communication.
4. Cultivate a sense of collaboration by involving members in product-related decisions.
5. Offer a VIP experience with insider news and exclusive deals.

Whether it's tea cozy owners discovering the quirkiest knits or runners achieving personal bests, everyone benefits from the support of others.

Your subscribers will appreciate the sense of community that a Facebook group brings, and they'll have you to thank for it. Along the way, you'll be enhancing brand loyalty, organic traffic, and brand visibility.