Membership Site Plan

---
name: membership-site-plan
description: Plans membership site content libraries, tier structures, pricing, drip schedules, and retention strategies. Use this skill when a creator or coach wants to build recurring revenue through a membership model, needs to design tier levels, or is planning content delivery for a subscription community.
allowed-tools: Read Write Bash(ls)
---

# Membership Site Plan

## When to Use This Skill

- User wants to launch a membership site or subscription community
- User needs to design pricing tiers and what each tier includes
- User wants to plan a content library and drip schedule
- User is converting one-time products (courses, templates) into recurring revenue
- User needs a retention strategy to reduce membership churn

## Core Principle

A MEMBERSHIP LIVES OR DIES ON MONTH-TWO RETENTION — THE CONTENT DRIP AND COMMUNITY MUST DELIVER ENOUGH VALUE IN THE FIRST 30 DAYS THAT CANCELING FEELS LIKE A LOSS.

## Workflow

### Phase 1: Define the Membership

1. Confirm the user's expertise area and target member
2. Identify the core value proposition — what ongoing problem does this solve that justifies monthly payment?
3. Determine the content format mix:
   - Video lessons / tutorials
   - Templates and swipe files
   - Live calls (Q&A, coaching, workshops)
   - Community access (forum, Slack, Circle)
   - Written guides or newsletters
   - Tools or software access
4. Choose a platform: Skool, Circle, Kajabi, Teachable, Mighty Networks, WordPress + MemberPress, or custom
5. Default recommendation: **Skool** for simplicity or **Circle + Stripe** for flexibility

### Phase 2: Design Tier Structure

6. Create 2-3 tiers (never more than 3 — decision fatigue kills signups):

| Element | Tier 1 (Entry) | Tier 2 (Core) | Tier 3 (Premium) |
|---------|----------------|---------------|-------------------|
| Name | Descriptive, not "Basic" | Make this the obvious choice | VIP or inner-circle framing |
| Price | $19-$49/mo | $49-$149/mo | $149-$499/mo |
| Content | Library access | Library + live calls | Everything + 1:1 access |
| Community | View-only or limited | Full community access | Private channel + direct access |
| Support | Self-serve | Group Q&A | Direct message access |
| Positioning | "Try it out" | "This is for you" | "For the serious few" |

7. **The middle tier should be the primary offer** — price it where most members will land
8. Annual pricing option: offer 2 months free (e.g., $97/mo or $970/year) to improve retention and cash flow

### Phase 3: Plan the Content Library

9. Design the foundational content library (available on day one):
   - 5-8 core modules covering the essential knowledge
   - Each module: 3-5 lessons, 10-20 minutes each
   - One quick-win resource per module (template, checklist, swipe file)

10. Design the drip schedule for ongoing content:

**Month 1 (Onboarding — CRITICAL):**
- Day 1: Welcome video + "Start Here" guide + community intro prompt
- Day 3: First quick-win template or tool
- Day 7: First live call (or replay)
- Day 14: Module 1 unlocks (if using drip, not open library)
- Day 21: Second live call or workshop
- Day 28: "Month 1 check-in" email asking for feedback + wins

**Month 2+:**
- Week 1: New lesson or tutorial (15-20 min)
- Week 2: Live Q&A or coaching call
- Week 3: New template, swipe file, or resource
- Week 4: Community challenge or engagement prompt

11. Plan at minimum 3 months of content ahead before launch

### Phase 4: Build Retention Systems

12. Implement these retention mechanisms:

**Onboarding sequence (first 7 days):**
- Automated welcome email with "3 things to do first"
- Personal DM or video from the founder (even if recorded)
- Community introduction prompt ("Tell us about your business")
- First quick-win assignment with a deadline

**Ongoing retention:**
- Monthly "wins" thread — members share results
- Quarterly content refresh — update outdated materials
- Annual member survey — ask what to build next
- Cancellation flow: offer pause (1 month) before cancel
- Win-back email at 30, 60, 90 days post-cancellation

**Churn warning signs to monitor:**
- No login in 14+ days
- No community posts in 30+ days
- Skipped 2+ live calls in a row
- Downloaded nothing in the last month

### Phase 5: Deliver the Complete Plan

13. Output the full membership plan:
    - Tier structure with pricing
    - Content library outline
    - 3-month drip schedule
    - Retention system
    - Launch checklist

## Example 1: Social Media Manager Membership

**Context:** A social media consultant with 3,000 Instagram followers and an email list of 1,200 wants to launch a membership for small business owners who manage their own social media.

**Membership: The Social Playbook**

**Tier Structure:**

| Element | Starter | Pro (Recommended) | Inner Circle |
|---------|---------|-------------------|--------------|
| Price | $29/mo ($290/yr) | $79/mo ($790/yr) | $199/mo ($1,990/yr) |
| Content library | Full access | Full access | Full access |
| Monthly templates | 5 post templates | 15 post templates + captions | 30 templates + captions + strategy notes |
| Live calls | Replay access only | 2 live Q&A calls/month | 2 live calls + 1 private strategy session/quarter |
| Community | View + post | Full access + accountability pods | Private channel + DM access to founder |
| Bonus | — | Monthly trending audio/hashtag report | Monthly account audit (recorded) |

**Content Library (Day One):**

```
MODULE 1: Social Media Foundations (5 lessons)
  1.1 Choosing your 2 platforms (15 min)
  1.2 Profile optimization checklist (12 min)
  1.3 Content pillars framework (18 min)
  1.4 The 3-2-1 posting rhythm (10 min)
  1.5 Quick win: Optimize your Instagram bio in 10 minutes
  Resource: Bio formula template + 20 bio examples

MODULE 2: Content Creation System (4 lessons)
  2.1 Batch creating a month of content in 4 hours (20 min)
  2.2 Repurposing: 1 video into 12 pieces of content (15 min)
  2.3 Canva templates walkthrough (18 min)
  2.4 Quick win: Create 5 posts using the provided templates
  Resource: 30 customizable Canva templates

MODULE 3: Caption Writing (4 lessons)
  3.1 The hook-story-CTA framework (12 min)
  3.2 Writing captions that drive comments (15 min)
  3.3 Hashtag strategy for small accounts (10 min)
  3.4 Quick win: Write 7 captions using the swipe file
  Resource: 50 caption templates by industry

MODULE 4: Instagram Reels & Short-Form Video (4 lessons)
  4.1 Reels that work for non-video people (15 min)
  4.2 Trending audio: how to find and use it (12 min)
  4.3 Recording setup with just your phone (10 min)
  4.4 Quick win: Record and post your first Reel using the script template
  Resource: 10 Reel script templates

MODULE 5: Analytics & Growth (3 lessons)
  5.1 The only 4 metrics that matter (12 min)
  5.2 Monthly analytics review walkthrough (15 min)
  5.3 Quick win: Run your first analytics audit using the tracker
  Resource: Monthly analytics tracker spreadsheet
```

**3-Month Drip Schedule:**

```
MONTH 1 — ONBOARDING
Day 1:  Welcome video + Start Here guide + community intro
Day 3:  5 Instagram post templates (Canva) delivered
Day 7:  LIVE: "Ask Me Anything" Q&A call
Day 10: Bonus lesson: "Instagram algorithm in 2026 — what actually works"
Day 14: Module unlock: Instagram Reels deep-dive bonus
Day 21: LIVE: Content creation workshop (batch 2 weeks of posts together)
Day 28: Check-in email: "Share your wins from Month 1"

MONTH 2 — BUILDING MOMENTUM
Week 1: New lesson: "Story selling — how to sell in Stories without being salesy"
Week 2: LIVE: Q&A call + hot seat (2 members get live account reviews)
Week 3: 15 new post templates + trending audio list for the month
Week 4: Community challenge: "Post every day for 5 days using the templates"

MONTH 3 — EXPANDING
Week 1: New lesson: "Email list building from Instagram — the link-in-bio funnel"
Week 2: LIVE: Workshop — building a simple lead magnet
Week 3: New resource: Lead magnet template pack (3 templates)
Week 4: Community challenge: "Launch your first lead magnet this week"
```

## Example 2: Fitness Coach Membership

**Context:** A certified personal trainer with a YouTube channel (12K subscribers) wants to launch a membership for busy professionals who want home workout programs.

**Membership: FitFoundry**

**Tier Structure:**

| Element | Move ($39/mo) | Train (Recommended, $89/mo) | Transform ($179/mo) |
|---------|---------------|------------------------------|---------------------|
| Workout library | Full access (100+ videos) | Full access | Full access |
| New programs | Monthly program drops | Monthly + early access | Monthly + custom modifications |
| Live workouts | Replay only | 2 live sessions/week | 2 live + 1 small-group (10 max) |
| Nutrition | Basic macro guide | Monthly meal prep plans | Quarterly macro consult (1:1) |
| Community | Forum access | Forum + accountability groups | Private channel + trainer DM |

**Content Library (Day One):**

```
PROGRAM 1: 30-Day Starter (Bodyweight only, no equipment)
  - 20 workouts, 25-35 minutes each
  - 3 days/week schedule
  - Video demos for every exercise
  - Printable workout tracker

PROGRAM 2: Dumbbell Strength (Requires 2 sets of dumbbells)
  - 24 workouts across 6 weeks
  - 4 days/week schedule
  - Progressive overload built in
  - Form check video library (30 exercises)

PROGRAM 3: 15-Minute Express (For days when time is tight)
  - 12 workouts, 15 minutes each
  - Mix of HIIT, strength, and mobility
  - No equipment needed

RESOURCE LIBRARY:
  - Macro calculation guide + spreadsheet
  - Grocery list templates (budget-friendly)
  - Warm-up and cool-down routines (5 videos)
  - Equipment buying guide (home gym under $200)
```

**Retention System:**

```
ONBOARDING (First 7 Days):
Day 1: Welcome video + fitness assessment questionnaire
Day 1: Auto-assign to "30-Day Starter" or "Dumbbell Strength"
       based on assessment answers
Day 2: Personal DM: "Hey [Name], saw you joined — which program
       did you pick? Let me know if you need help choosing."
Day 3: Community prompt: "Introduce yourself — what's your
       #1 fitness goal this month?"
Day 5: Email: "Your first workout is waiting — here's exactly
       where to start" (direct link to Day 1 workout)
Day 7: First live workout — encourage attendance via email
       reminder 2 hours before

MONTHLY RETENTION:
- "Workout streak" tracker — gamified consistency tracking
- Monthly challenge (e.g., "100 pushups in a week")
- "Transformation Tuesday" community thread
- New program drop on the 1st of each month

CHURN PREVENTION:
- No login in 7 days → automated email: "We miss you — here's a
  15-minute express workout to get back on track"
- Cancellation flow: "Would you like to pause for a month instead?"
  (pause option retains 30-40% of would-be cancellations)
- Win-back at 30 days: "Come back and try our new [program name]
  — first month back at 50% off"
```

**Launch Checklist:**

```
PRE-LAUNCH (4 weeks before):
[ ] Platform set up (Skool or Circle)
[ ] 3 foundational programs recorded and uploaded
[ ] Tier pricing configured with annual option
[ ] Welcome email sequence written (5 emails)
[ ] Community space created with guidelines
[ ] Payment processing connected (Stripe)

LAUNCH WEEK:
[ ] Email list announcement (3 emails over 5 days)
[ ] YouTube video announcing the membership
[ ] Instagram countdown Stories (5 days)
[ ] Founding member discount (first 50 members get 30% off for life)
[ ] First live workout scheduled for Day 3 post-launch

POST-LAUNCH (first 30 days):
[ ] Personal welcome DM to every new member
[ ] Weekly live sessions running on schedule
[ ] Community engagement — founder posts daily for first month
[ ] Day 28 check-in email to all members
[ ] Collect testimonials from early wins
```

## Recovery and Fallback

- If the user has no audience yet, recommend building an email list of at least 500 subscribers before launching — use a free lead magnet to attract the target member
- If the user is overwhelmed by content creation, start with a single tier and 3 foundational modules — expand after launch based on member feedback
- If churn exceeds 10% monthly, audit the onboarding experience first — most churn happens in the first 30 days due to poor onboarding, not poor content
- If the user cannot commit to live calls, pre-record monthly workshops and release them on a schedule — live is better for retention but recorded still works
- If pricing feels too high for the audience, start lower and increase for new members as the library grows — never lower pricing for existing members

## Constraints

- Maximum 3 tiers — more than 3 creates decision paralysis and reduces signups
- The middle tier must be the recommended/default option — design pricing to steer members there
- Plan at minimum 3 months of content before launch — running out of content in month 2 destroys credibility
- Do not recommend "unlimited" anything — scope all deliverables (number of templates, call frequency, response times)
- Annual pricing should offer exactly 2 months free — more than that undervalues the membership
- Do not recommend launching with a free tier — free members rarely convert and dilute community quality
- Content drip must deliver a quick win within the first 72 hours — this is the highest-leverage retention moment
- Founding member discounts should be lifetime-locked but capped (first 50 or first 100)