For anyone running an online membership site, retaining existing members has always been more challenging than acquiring new ones. While attracting new members is essential, keeping them engaged and committed is the real game-changer.
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Higher retention means more predictable revenue, deeper community connections, and a more vibrant and loyal member base. You might find countless member engagement strategies online, but you’ll never know whether they work until you try them for yourself.
That’s why we reached out to Funk Roberts, a well-known online fitness coach and a long-time WishList member advocate, to share the proven strategies that have helped him boost retention, engagement, and revenue.
Here are the strategies Funk Robert shared with us.
1. The ‘Shared Rituals' Strategy
Shared rituals are consistent, repeatable activities that members participate in regularly, creating a strong sense of community and belonging. These rituals are like glue—they keep your members coming back and deepen their connection to your membership.
Some of the key Benefits of this strategy are:
- Creates a strong community culture
- Encourages regular engagement and participation
- Increases member loyalty and retention
What does this look like in practice?
I run a membership program called “Over 40 Alpha.” It is a health and fitness membership for men over 40, 50, 60, and beyond. I have several shared rituals in this program that keep the members committed to the goal and the community.
- Sweaty Selfies: Members post pictures after every workout, sharing their commitment and encouraging others to do the same.
- Alpha Meal Posts: Members share photos of their meals, breaking them down into macro components to foster accountability and educate the community.
- Birthday Burpees: On their birthdays, members film themselves doing burpees corresponding to their age. It’s fun, challenging, and creates a shared celebration across the community.
How can you implement such shared rituals for your members?
- Identify key activities or behaviors that align with your Tribe’s members' goals.
- Create easy-to-follow prompts or hashtags to encourage participation.
- Highlight these rituals in your onboarding materials to set expectations from the start.
By incorporating these shared rituals, you’ll create a vibrant, engaging environment that members don’t want to leave.
2. The ‘Identity Crafting' Technique
Understanding your target audience isn’t just about knowing their demographics; it’s about truly grasping their desires, struggles, and aspirations. People don’t just want to buy a product or service; they want to belong to something greater.
By crafting a distinct and strong identity for your community, you can give members a sense of purpose and pride in who they’re becoming through your program.
People want to join a community, they wanna feel seen and understood. And they wanna be part of something bigger than themselves.
Some of the Benefits of this technique are:
- Builds a strong sense of belonging
- Differentiates your membership from competitors
- Promotes deeper engagement and loyalty
In the Over 40 Alpha program, members aren’t just joining a fitness program but becoming Over 40 Alphas. This identity represents strength, commitment, and transformation. Everything, from the rituals to the language, reinforces this identity, making it a badge of honor.
How can you ensure the same sense of feelings for your members:
- Define a unique identity that resonates with your audience's aspirations.
- Incorporate this identity into your content, rituals, and communications.
- Continuously reinforce this identity through stories, testimonials, and community interactions.
When members take on a new identity that aligns with their goals, they become more invested in the community, increasing retention.
The ‘Insider Language' Method
Every successful tribe has its own language – a secret handshake that separates insiders from the outside world. Developing unique phrases, slogans, or even hand signals that only your community uses can create a deep sense of belonging and exclusivity. This insider language helps build a unique and hard-to-replicate culture.
Some of the key benefits of this method are:
- It fosters a sense of exclusivity and insider status.
- Strengthens community bonds.
- Encourages long-term retention by making members feel part of something special.
Inside Over 40 Alpha, the members have phrases like:
- GID (Get It Done!): Our rallying cry that reinforces our commitment to action and perseverance.
- “Smell The Rose”: A reminder to take a pause, breathe, and appreciate the journey.
These aren’t just catchy phrases; they are a part of the tribe’s DNA. They create a culture where members feel like they are part of something special and unique—something they want to stay a part of.
How can you make this happen for your members:
- Develop unique phrases or terms that reflect your community’s values and goals.
- Use these terms consistently across your platform, emails, and events.
- Encourage members to adopt and use these phrases in their own posts and interactions.
Creating a shared language builds a sense of community that members are proud to be part of, which directly impacts retention.
4. The ‘Transformation Journey' Framework
One of the most effective ways to boost retention is to guide members through a transformation journey with clear milestones, incentives, and community support. This gives them a reason to stay and continue progressing within your membership.
Some key benefits of this framework:
- Keeps members motivated and engaged.
- Provides a clear path to follow, reducing overwhelm and confusion.
- Encourages continuous membership renewal.
How to implement it: Craft a path that leads to transformation, where every member starts at a defined point and is guided towards their goals, with your support every step of the way.
Here’s what I do for my program:
- Milestones: Create signposts along the way to celebrate progress (for example, the Milestone T-shirts that members of the Over 40 Alpha program earn every three phases in the “One Year To Alpha” journey).
- Incentives: Reward achievements to motivate the next steps.
- Community Support: Ensure no one walks this path alone by fostering a culture of support and encouragement.
How can you implement this framework for your members:
- Map out a clear, step-by-step path for member transformation.
- Set up meaningful milestones that are celebrated with rewards.
- Ensure continuous community support through group challenges, check-ins, and encouragement.
Implementing a transformation journey framework creates a compelling reason for members to stay. Members continuously move toward a defined goal with tangible rewards.
In Summary
Retention is the backbone of any successful membership business. We hope this blog has helped you understand Fun Roberts's key strategies to boost member retention and engagement. By implementing these four strategies—shared Rituals, Identity Crafting, Insider Language, and a Transformation Journey—you can cultivate a thriving community that boosts retention and, ultimately, revenue.
Are you ready to take your membership to the next level?
Dive deeper into these strategies and more with our Tribe Secrets – The 27 Psychological Strategies To Turn Your Business Into A Tribe Of Loyal Customers. Uncover All 27 Strategies and Start Building Your Legacy Today!
Here’s to creating a community where every member feels like a crucial piece of the puzzle, contributing to your success and theirs.
Get It Done!
Your Friend and Coach,
Funk Roberts
Tribe Membership Coach
