An Alternate Way to Sell Your Membership (That Feels Natural and Converts Quietly)
Most people lead with the membership when they’re selling one, and for good reason. It’s the main offer. It’s what you want people to join. But it doesn’t always have to be the only thing you put forward.
There’s a different approach I often use and recommend, especially when you're looking to build trust and ease people into the experience.
It doesn’t replace the direct membership offer. It works alongside it, giving people a more natural, low-pressure path into your world.
Here’s how it works and why it’s worth layering in.
Start with the Pieces, Not the Whole
Instead of leading only with “join the membership,” you start by offering one of the deliverables. Something that already exists inside the membership, presented as a standalone offer.
- A live workshop for $20
- A recorded training for $30
- A mini-course or resource for $47
Each offer has a clear promise, a standalone price, and enough value to stand on its own.
This isn’t about creating extra content or building new funnels. It’s about using what’s already working and presenting it through a different lens.
Why This Works (and Works Well)
1. It Anchors Value
When someone sees the price of a single workshop or training, they instantly get a sense of what your work is worth. That individual offer becomes a point of reference.
So later, when they see the membership (which includes that deliverable and more), they have something to compare it to. It’s no longer just “$49/month.” It’s “$49 for this, this, and that.”
The membership starts to feel like a smart deal, not another subscription.
2. It Lowers the Barrier
Not everyone is ready to commit to a membership upfront. That doesn’t mean they’re uninterested; they just need a smaller step.
A single workshop or mini-course offers a way to engage without the pressure of a recurring payment.
And after a positive experience, joining the membership doesn’t feel like a big leap. It just feels like the best next step.
3. It Creates Forward Motion
Offering one deliverable makes the decision smaller and easier to make. It reduces hesitation, increases engagement, and builds trust.
And with each small “yes,” people gain more reason to believe the membership will be worth it. They’ve already experienced a result.
What This Looks Like in Action
Let’s say you run a membership for business owners.
This month, you’re teaching a live workshop called:
“How to Plan 30 Days of Content in 60 Minutes”
You could:
- Promote it on its own for $25
- Give people the option to buy just the workshop
- Or offer the choice to join the membership and get the workshop included (along with access to everything else)
Now, instead of asking them to commit to a membership without context, you’re giving them a specific point of entry.
And you’re not just offering access. You’re offering a result.
That makes the decision easier and gives them more reason to explore the full offer.
Over Time?
Some people will buy the one-off workshop and stop there.
Some will upgrade right away.
Others might take a few steps before they’re ready.
Either way, each small offer creates forward motion.
You’re no longer relying on one big “yes” to carry your business.
You’re creating a layered system. One that builds trust, highlights value, and leads people in naturally.
What This Is Not
- This isn’t about discounting your membership.
- It’s not about creating more work for yourself.
- And it’s definitely not about overwhelming people with too many choices.
It’s about reframing what you already have.
Creating clearer access points with tangible outcomes.
Letting your audience ease into the relationship on their own terms.
And in many cases, this kind of offer positioning actually increases the perceived value of your membership, because each part has now been assigned its own standalone worth.
How to Try This Yourself
- Choose one deliverable you’re already creating this month — a workshop, training, template, or live session.
- Give it a name and a price. Make sure it stands on its own and solves one specific problem.
- Create a way for people to buy just that offer (simple checkout or landing page).
- Offer a choice: Buy the single item, or join the membership and get it included — plus everything else.
That’s it.
You’re not restructuring your business or writing a whole new funnel.
You’re simply positioning the membership differently and letting people step in with clarity, confidence, and context.
If you're building something and want a second set of eyes on the strategy — how it's structured, positioned, or sold — I offer 1:1 strategy sessions.
We can look at what you already have, identify simple shifts, and map out your next steps with more clarity and confidence.
