6 Types of Membership Models Explained

Having a membership model for your business is a great source of recurring income and the best platform to showcase your expertise and build a thriving community with loyal members.

But what type of membership site should you create for your business?

Choosing what kind of membership model to create for your business can be confusing especially if you’re new to this business model. It will depend on your target audience, your content and expertise, and the value you want to deliver to your members.

This article explores the different types of membership sites, their strengths, and what content they’re best suited for.

By understanding these options, you'll be well-equipped to choose the membership model that perfectly aligns with your business goals and empowers you to build a thriving community of loyal customers.

Types of Membership Models

1. Content-Based Membership

This membership type gives members access to premium content like online courses, articles, and videos.

Once the subscription fee is paid, the members will have immediate access to all the content inside the membership.

Perfect for creators who have an extensive collection of content available and want to monetize them. They can create content consistently or not create new materials at all, as they have loads of content available.

2. Community-Based Membership

This membership model is focused on building and maintaining an engaged and thriving community. This can come in forums, social networks, and support groups.

Members often join this type of membership to connect, gain insights, share tips, and collaborate on projects with fellow enthusiasts.

Entrepreneurs who cater to specific niches or industries and can handle group management and moderation often opt for this membership model to foster a sense of belonging and facilitate networking among their target audience.

3. Drip-Content Membership

Opposite of a content-based membership where members are given access to the entire library upon subscribing, a drip content membership model releases content to its members at regular intervals.

This membership model works well with educational content like online courses and training programs where members will be able to access other content by completing the previous modules or courses.

On the creator’s side, it allows them to choose how frequently they will drip their content whether it’s daily, weekly, or monthly.

Perfect for creators who want to control the learning pace, build anticipation, maximize engagement for their members, and manage their content creation workload.

4. Coaching-Based Membership

This membership model provides access to premium services such as consulting and coaching.

Inside this membership, the expert or coach may include in their offer weekly or monthly group coaching calls, personalized counseling, and workshops.

For example, a membership for astrology-enthusiast, the astrology coach can include an Astrology Coach Live sessions where members can learn about current astrological trends and their impacts.

Coaching-based membership sites are perfect for businesses that offer expertise and ongoing support to their clients.

5. Create On The Go Membership

This membership model allows content creators to release content in smaller portions over time, instead of needing a big chunk upfront.

This reduces the workload for creators and keeps members engaged with a steady stream of new content.

Take for example Zoe Linda’s Affiliate Amplify (Affiliate Link). Inside her membership, Zoe provides new resources, strategies & templates to keep people engaged in your affiliate program every month.

Another great example of this membership model is Email Marketing Membership by Liz Wilcox (Affiliate Link). In her membership, Liz helps her members understand email (and write one) that connects and converts by sending one newsletter template a week that comes with a video tutorial on how to make this template work for their audience.

Ideal for entrepreneurs who do not have a lot of content upfront to give but have the ability to create one new resource every month.

6. Hybrid Membership

A hybrid membership model combines the previous models mentioned above.

It can mix content and community memberships, so members get access to a library of content and a community of like-minded people.

Perfect for creators who want to diversify their offerings and provide a comprehensive experience, catering to those who seek both high-quality content and interactive community engagement.

This approach not only enhances member retention but also allows creators to leverage multiple revenue streams and build a more loyal and active member base.

Membership sites offer a versatile and powerful business model for creators and businesses alike.

By understanding the different types of memberships – content-based, community-based, drip-content, coaching-based, and hybrid – you can choose the approach that best aligns with your expertise and target audience.

Remember, the most successful membership sites provide ongoing value to their members, fostering a sense of community and helping them achieve their goals.

So, if you're looking to share your knowledge, connect with like-minded individuals, and generate recurring revenue, consider the exciting possibilities that membership sites have to offer.

And whichever membership model you choose to launch, you will need a dedicated sales page that will promote your membership 24/7.

If you are a Kajabi user, I have a sales page template crafted specifically for memberships (of any model). This template provides you with a clear and proven framework to showcase your membership’s value and attract passionate members. Head over to our shop to learn more.