You’ve got yourself a kickass blog, fantastic content, and a captive audience. So, what’s next?
… subscription service!
Did you know a subscription service on your blog could become a passive income powerhouse?
Bet you’re asking, “How the heck can I set up my own?”
The good news is plenty of user-friendly plugins can help you out.
And if you are on the fence or still wondering if it’s worth the fuss? Imagine sleeping and cha-ching!
Someone’s just subscribed to your premium content.
Now that is a chef’s kiss goal!
So, you wanna earn while you snooze? Let’s jump in and start setting up that subscription service!
Heck, yes, you’re about to open the door to a steady stream of income and sweet, sweet financial freedom!
What is a Membership Site?
Imagine an online space where folks willingly cough up their cash to gain access to your awesomely exclusive content.
Yeah, you heard it right: people. Paying. For. Content.
This is the reality of membership sites.
Membership sites, are basically locked boxes of content on the internet.
Only those who PAY up some moolah (aka, a subscription fee) get the key to the box.
These websites are a brilliant way to generate recurring revenue while providing value to your audience.
Why You Might Want to Start a Membership Blog
Now, why in the world would you want to start a membership blog, you ask? Well, sit tight because I’ve got a couple of reasons for ya.
For one, the recurring income from a membership site can be quite exciting, especially compared to one-time sales.
I mean, who doesn’t like the idea of money coming in while they’re doing mundane things like making coffee or… I don’t know… dancing?
Also, it’s an excellent way to build a community. You get to interact with your fans, your loyal followers, your people.
And let’s be honest, it’s kind of flattering to think there are people out there willing to pay for your content, right? Or is it just me?
Nah, I didn’t think so!
How to Set Up a Subscription Service on Your Blog
Right, where was I? Oh yeah, so you’ve decided to start a membership blog.
Good on ya! But how do you go about setting up a subscription service?
How to start a subscription website
Step 1: Know Your Audience
Before you charge ahead, take a moment to consider your audience. Who are they? What do they want? Do they like bad jokes and poorly executed interpretive dances as much as I do? Once you have a solid understanding of your audience, you’ll be in a better position to create content that they’ll happily pay for.
Step 2: Decide on Your Content
Next up, figure out what you will put behind that paywall. It has to be something juicy, something worth their hard-earned cash.
This could be in-depth tutorials, exclusive articles, e-books, webinars, or even just the peace of mind knowing that they are part of a cool, exclusive community.
(Everyone likes to feel special, right?)
To make the right decision you need to answer some important questions:
- What will your subscribers get?
- How much is it worth?
- How often will they receive new content?
💡 TIP: Consider offering multiple subscription tiers to cater to different budgets and interests. BAM! You just increased your target audience!
Step 3: Choose the Right Platform
Now you need to decide on the platform for your membership site. There are plenty of platforms out there, each with their own pros and cons (kinda like picking a favorite child… or flavor of ice cream).
Take your time and choose one that suits your needs and budget.
Here’s where you start:
- Consider your options – WordPress plugins (think MemberPress), all-in-one platforms (like Substack), or embedding a custom solution such as Patreon
- Weigh the pros and cons – costs, features, payment options, customization, customer support, and ease of use…think
- Pick your winner – select the one that best suits your blog and be prepared to optimize and grow
Remember: It’s not a one-size-fits-all. Your blog, subscribers, and expectations may vary…so choose wisely!
Here a few popular platforms to consider:
– MemberPress
– Restrict Content Pro
– PaidMembershipsPro
– Teachable
Step 4: Set Up Your Payment System
Next, you need to figure out how to collect those sweet, sweet membership fees.
Most platforms will have built-in payment gateways, so this step is usually easier than deciding whether to put pineapple on your pizza (it belongs, fight me!).
Step 5: Launch Your Site
And finally, once you have all your ducks in a row, it’s time to launch your membership site.
Create a sign-up landing page that shouts “SIGN ME UP!
Follow these tips for a high-converting subscription landing page:
- A catchy headline (it’s their first impression, after all!)
- Showcase the value of subscribing (list those exclusive perks and benefits!)
- Include clear, easy-to-spot call-to-action buttons (you know, those shiny “SIGN UP” or “SUBSCRIBE” buttons)
- Incorporate persuasive testimonials (because who doesn’t love a five ⭐️ review?)
- Create a sense of urgency (limited-time offers, countdown timers, or special deals!)
Don’t forget…keep it clean, simple, and tempting!
Do some fanfare, throw some confetti, and watch as your tribe starts to join.
Remember, every epic journey starts with a single step, or in this case, a single subscription.
Make. Some. Noise. Promote, promote, promote!
You can’t expect subscribers to just magically appear, so make sure you promote.
- Announce your subscription service on your blog…go ahead and write that drumroll-worthy post!
- Spread the word through your social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn)
- Get your pals to share your news on their channels, too (Hey, friends don’t let friends miss out on subscription glory!)
- Send emails to your existing subscriber list (Newsletters count too – make ’em notice!)
- Craft some search engine-optimized (SEO) content around your launch.
Step 6;. Monitor and improve
The secret to subscription service success? EVALUATE. Listen to your subscribers, track your metrics, and adjust accordingly.
Don’t forget to:
Keep your content fresh and relevant (before they unsubscribe!)
Test, test, test out those promotions and offers (who doesn’t love a coupon code?)
Pay attention to the feedback from your fanbase (because you want them to stay)
Stay on top of your customer service inquiries (You don’t want angry customers, do you? No!)
By now, you should grasp the nuts and bolts, from finding your niche and building an irresistible website to launching your membership area, producing killer content, and spreading the word.
Setting up a subscription service on your blog is a game changer; you’ll earn while snoozing before you know it.
And hey, who wouldn’t want to make money in their sleep?
So, here’s to you and your soon-to-be-successful subscription service.
