Set Up a Paid Membership Site for Your Blog: Guide 2026

Membership sites transform blogs from one-time transactions into predictable recurring revenue. Instead of hustling for new sales every month, membership income builds and compounds—$500 in month one becomes $1,000 in month three, then $2,000 in month six as members accumulate.

After launching three membership sites (now generating $8,000+ monthly recurring revenue combined), I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t. In this guide, you’ll learn when you’re ready for a membership, which platform to choose, how to structure pricing, and the exact steps to launch your first membership tier.

What is a Membership Site?

A membership site provides exclusive content, community, or resources to paying subscribers who pay monthly or annually for ongoing access.

Common Membership Models:

Content Library: Access to premium articles, videos, courses, or downloads Community: Private forum, Slack, or Facebook group with peer support Coaching/Support: Regular Q&A calls, office hours, or feedback Resources: Templates, tools, worksheets updated monthly Hybrid: Combination of content, community, and support

Why Membership Sites Work for Bloggers:

• Recurring revenue: Predictable income (10 members × $20/month = $200/month guaranteed)
• Compound growth: Members accumulate month over month
• Deeper relationships: Engaged community vs. anonymous readers
• Higher lifetime value: One member paying $20/month for 12 months = $240 vs. one $27 ebook sale
• Less marketing: Focus on retention vs. constant new customer acquisition

Realistic Income Expectations:

• Months 1-3: 10-30 members, $200-$900/month
• Months 4-6: 30-80 members, $900-$2,400/month
• Months 7-12: 80-200 members, $2,400-$6,000/month
• Year 2+: 200-500+ members, $6,000-$15,000+/month

Retention rate is critical: 80% monthly retention means sustainable growth, 60% means you’re constantly replacing churned members.

Step 1: Choose Your Membership Platform

Platform choice impacts everything from setup ease to long-term costs.

Top Membership Platforms for Bloggers

1. Patreon (Easiest Start)

Best For: Creators wanting immediate launch with zero setup Pricing: 5-12% platform fee + payment processing Setup Time: 30 minutes

Pros:

• Zero technical setup required
• Built-in discovery (Patreon marketplace)
• Mobile apps for members
• Proven payment processing
• Easy tier management

Cons:

• High fees (8-12% total)
• Less customization
• Patreon branding (not your brand)
• Limited to Patreon ecosystem

Monthly Cost: $0 platform fee + 5-12% of revenue Best For: Testing membership concept, creator-focused content

2. Memberful (Best for WordPress)

Best For: Bloggers with WordPress sites wanting seamless integration Pricing: $25/month (under $5K revenue) or 4.9% + $0.30 per transaction Setup Time: 2-3 hours

Pros:

• Integrates perfectly with WordPress
• Custom domain (your brand)
• No transaction fees on Pro plan
• Email service integrations
• Apple Pay/Google Pay support
• Private podcast hosting

Cons:

• Requires WordPress
• Limited community features
• Need third-party tools for forums
• Basic analytics

Monthly Cost: $25-$200/month depending on revenue Best For: WordPress bloggers wanting control without complexity

3. Circle (Best for Community-First)

Best For: Memberships centered on community and discussion Pricing: $39-$219/month (no transaction fees) Setup Time: 1-2 days

Pros:

• Best-in-class community features
• Live events and video rooms
• Course hosting included
• Mobile app (white-labeled on higher plans)
• Clean, modern interface
• No transaction fees

Cons:

• Expensive for small memberships
• Learning curve for all features
• Not WordPress-integrated
• Member limits on lower tiers

Monthly Cost: $39-$219/month Best For: Community-driven memberships, course + community combos

4. Podia (Best Value All-in-One)

Best For: Selling memberships + courses + downloads in one platform Pricing: $39-$89/month (no transaction fees) Setup Time: 2-4 hours

Pros:

• No transaction fees
• Includes courses and digital downloads
• Email marketing built-in
• Simple pricing
• Clean member experience
• Webinar hosting

Cons:

• Limited community features
• Basic customization
• Less sophisticated than specialized platforms

Monthly Cost: $39-$89/month Best For: Multi-product creators (memberships + courses + ebooks)

5. MemberPress (WordPress Plugin)

Best For: Full control on self-hosted WordPress Pricing: $179-$399/year Setup Time: 1-2 days

Pros:

• Complete ownership and control
• Unlimited members
• No transaction fees
• Powerful rule-setting
• Integrates with WordPress ecosystem

Cons:

• Technical setup required
• You manage hosting and security
• Additional costs (hosting, email, etc.)
• Steeper learning curve

Annual Cost: $179-$399/year + hosting Best For: Tech-savvy bloggers wanting maximum control

Step 2: Structure Your Membership Tiers

Tiered pricing increases both accessibility and revenue.

Pricing Strategy

Single Tier (Simplest):

• One membership level: $19-$47/month
• All members get same access
• Easy to manage
• Clear value proposition

Multi-Tier (Recommended):

• Tier 1 (Basic): $9-$19/month - Content library access
• Tier 2 (Standard): $29-$49/month - Content + community
• Tier 3 (Premium): $99-$199/month - Everything + coaching/support

Why Multiple Tiers Work:

• Captures different budget levels
• Entry tier reduces barrier to joining
• Premium tier serves power users willing to pay more
• Increases average revenue per member

Pricing Guidelines by Niche:

Niche	Entry Tier	Mid Tier	Premium Tier
Hobby/Lifestyle	$9-$15	$25-$39	$79-$129
Business/Marketing	$29-$49	$79-$129	$199-$399
Health/Fitness	$19-$29	$49-$79	$129-$199
Creative/Design	$15-$25	$39-$69	$99-$179
Technology	$29-$49	$79-$129	$199-$299

Annual Pricing Discount: Offer 2-3 months free for annual payment:

• Monthly: $29/month ($348/year)
• Annual: $249/year (save $99 = 2.8 months free)

Annual payments improve cash flow and increase retention.

What to Include at Each Tier

Tier 1 - Content Access ($15-$25/month):

• Premium articles (2-4 per month)
• Video tutorials or training
• Downloadable resources (templates, worksheets)
• Member-only podcast episodes
• Early access to new content

Tier 2 - Content + Community ($39-$59/month):

• Everything in Tier 1
• Private community forum/Slack
• Monthly group Q&A calls
• Peer networking opportunities
• Accountability groups
• Exclusive webinars

Tier 3 - VIP Experience ($99-$199/month):

• Everything in Tiers 1 & 2
• Monthly 1-on-1 coaching calls
• Direct messaging access
• Portfolio/work review and feedback
• Personalized strategy sessions
• Priority support

The 10x Value Rule: Each tier should provide 10x more value than its cost. $29/month membership should deliver $290+ in perceived value monthly.

Learn more about offering exclusive premium content effectively.

Step 3: Plan Your Content Calendar

Consistent, valuable content keeps members subscribed.

Content Frequency by Tier

Minimum Viable Membership:

• 1-2 premium posts/videos per month
• 1 monthly Q&A or training
• Regular community engagement

Thriving Membership:

• 1 weekly premium content piece
• 2 monthly live sessions
• Daily community participation/moderation
• Monthly challenges or cohorts

Sustainable Schedule: Most successful blogger-run memberships publish:

• Written content: 2-4 articles/month (manageable)
• Video content: 1-2 videos/month
• Live sessions: 1-2 per month (recorded for replay)
• Community: Daily check-ins (5-15 minutes)

Content Mix Strategy

80/20 Rule:

• 80% evergreen, valuable content (searchable, always relevant)
• 20% timely, community-driven content (discussions, trending topics)

Example Monthly Calendar:

Week 1:

• Premium tutorial (evergreen)
• Community discussion thread
• Member spotlight

Week 2:

• Case study or deep dive
• Monthly Q&A call (live + recorded)
• Resource roundup

Week 3:

• How-to guide (evergreen)
• Community challenge launch
• Template or tool release

Week 4:

• Advanced strategy post
• Member wins celebration
• Next month preview

Repurposing Blog Content

DON’T: Simply paywall existing blog posts (members will resent this)

DO:

• Expand popular blog posts with 3-5x more depth
• Add video walkthroughs of written blog content
• Create member-only case studies extending blog topics
• Offer downloadable versions with bonuses
• Provide implementation support for blog concepts

Example: Blog post “10 Email Marketing Tips” (free, 1,500 words) → Membership: “Complete Email Marketing System” (5,000 words + templates + swipe files + Q&A)

Step 4: Set Up Your Membership Infrastructure

Technical setup checklist for launch.

Week 1: Platform Setup

• Choose and sign up for membership platform
• Set up payment processing (Stripe/PayPal)
• Configure membership tiers and pricing
• Set up tax collection (if required)
• Create member welcome sequence (emails)

Week 2: Content Creation

• Create first month of premium content (3-5 pieces)
• Record welcome video for new members
• Set up community space (forum, Slack, etc.)
• Create member onboarding guide
• Prepare FAQ document

Week 3: Sales Page

• Write compelling membership sales copy
• Design sales page (benefits, pricing, testimonials)
• Create demo video or screenshots
• Add social proof (even if initial testimonials)
• Set up checkout process

Week 4: Marketing

• Email sequence for launch (5-7 emails)
• Blog post announcing membership
• Social media content (10-15 posts)
• Create lead magnet for email capture
• Plan founding member discount

Step 5: Launch Your Membership

Strategic launch maximizes initial member acquisition.

Pre-Launch (2 Weeks Before)

Build Anticipation:

• Announce membership coming soon
• Survey audience about what they want included
• Share behind-the-scenes of creation
• Create waitlist for launch discount

Founding Member Offer:

• 30-50% discount for first 50 members
• Lock in rate forever
• Creates urgency and rewards early supporters
• Example: Regular $29/month → Founding members $19/month (locked in)

Launch Week Strategy

Day 1: Launch

• Email to full list with founding member pricing
• Blog post announcement
• Social media blitz
• Live launch Q&A (answer questions, build excitement)

Days 2-3: Social Proof

• Share member testimonials
• Show number of founding spots remaining
• Answer common questions publicly
• Member spotlight (early joiners)

Days 4-5: Value Demonstrations

• Preview first month’s content
• Share sample resources or template
• Case study or success story
• Emphasize community benefit

Days 6-7: Final Push

• “Last chance” for founding member rate
• Countdown timer
• Final FAQ
• Close founding member tier, transition to regular pricing

Expected Launch Results:

• Email list of 500: 10-30 founding members (2-6% conversion)
• Email list of 1,000: 20-60 founding members
• Email list of 5,000: 100-300 founding members

First Month Focus

Priority 1: Deliver Value Exceed member expectations immediately. First 30 days determine whether they stay or cancel.

Priority 2: Gather Feedback

• Survey members about content preferences
• Ask what’s working and what’s missing
• Adjust based on feedback
• Make members feel heard

Priority 3: Build Community

• Welcome each member personally
• Encourage introductions
• Facilitate connections between members
• Model active participation

Priority 4: Prevent Churn

• Engage inactive members (reach out if they’re quiet)
• Address questions immediately
• Over-communicate value
• Send mid-month check-in

Learn about converting free readers to paid members.

Step 6: Retain and Grow Your Membership

Retention is more valuable than acquisition.

Retention Strategies

Monthly Member Retention Rate Benchmark:

• Good: 85% or more (85 of 100 members renew monthly)
• Average: 75-85%
• Poor: Below 75%

Math of Retention:

• Start: 100 members at $29/month = $2,900/month
• 85% retention + 20 new monthly = 105 members month 2 = $3,045/month
• 75% retention + 20 new monthly = 95 members month 2 = $2,755/month

High-Retention Tactics:

1. Consistent Delivery: Never skip promised content
2. Active Community: Engage daily, even briefly
3. Member Recognition: Spotlight achievements
4. Exclusive Wins: Create member-only successes
5. Regular Check-ins: Survey satisfaction quarterly
6. Quick Wins: Help members succeed early (first 30 days)

Combat Churn:

• Exit surveys (ask why they’re leaving)
• Pause option (1-3 month pause vs. cancellation)
• Win-back campaigns (special offer to return)
• Downgrade option (switch to lower tier vs. cancel)

Growth Strategies

Organic Growth:

• Member referrals (offer free month for referrals)
• Affiliate program (20-30% recurring commission)
• Content marketing (blog posts leading to membership CTA)
• Free challenges (7-day challenge → membership offer)
• Webinars (free training → membership pitch)

Paid Growth (Once Validated):

• Facebook/Instagram ads
• YouTube pre-roll ads
• Podcast sponsorships
• Google Ads
• Target: $20-$50 customer acquisition cost for $29/month membership (2-month payback)

Compounding Effect: Month 1: 50 members × $29 = $1,450 Month 6: 180 members × $29 = $5,220 (with 85% retention + 30 new/month) Month 12: 350 members × $29 = $10,150

Even modest monthly growth compounds dramatically over a year.

Common Membership Mistakes

1. Over-Delivering at Launch, Under-Delivering Later Start with sustainable content pace. Marathon, not sprint.

2. Underpricing $9/month seems “safe” but undervalues your work. $29-$49 signals quality and attracts serious members.

3. No Clear Member Benefits “Support my work” isn’t compelling. Specific value (templates, community, coaching) converts.

4. Neglecting Community Content alone isn’t enough. Active community creates stickiness and referrals.

5. Not Asking for Testimonials Collect wins early and often. Social proof drives conversions.

6. Ignoring Feedback Members tell you what they want. Listen and adapt.

Your 60-Day Membership Launch Plan

Days 1-14: Planning

• Choose membership platform
• Define membership tiers and pricing
• Plan first 3 months of content
• Set up payment processing
• Create sales page outline

Days 15-30: Content Creation

• Create Month 1 content (3-5 pieces)
• Record welcome videos
• Prepare onboarding materials
• Write FAQ
• Set up community space

Days 31-45: Marketing Preparation

• Write sales page
• Create launch email sequence
• Prepare social media content
• Design graphics and promotional materials
• Build waitlist

Days 46-52: Pre-Launch

• Announce coming soon
• Build waitlist
• Survey audience interests
• Prepare founding member offer

Days 53-60: LAUNCH

• Open doors with founding member pricing
• Execute launch sequence
• Engage with early members
• Close founding tier, continue regular enrollment

Conclusion: Membership Revenue Changes Everything

Membership income is the most predictable, scalable blog monetization model. Unlike sponsored posts, affiliate income, or ad revenue that fluctuates monthly, membership revenue compounds and stabilizes.

Key Takeaways:

• Start with 5K+ monthly visitors and 500+ email subscribers
• Choose beginner-friendly platform (Patreon or Memberful)
• Price at $19-$49/month (don’t underprice)
• Create 2-4 premium content pieces monthly (sustainable pace)
• Focus on retention (85% or more) more than growth
• Launch with founding member discount for initial momentum
• Community + content = sticky membership

Your next step: Choose your platform this week. Set up one membership tier at $29/month. Create outline for first month’s content. Launch to your email list in 30 days.

The difference between $0 recurring revenue and $2,000+/month recurring revenue is one launch. Start today.

For more membership strategies, explore our guides on creating community-based memberships, premium content strategies, and comprehensive monetization.