Many people think a great membership needs endless videos, PDFs, and live calls to be “worth it.”
But here’s the truth: More content doesn’t mean more value.

Let’s simplify what actually belongs in your membership—so you can stop overthinking it and start building something that feels light, helpful, and sustainable.

This post is based on Episode 6 of my upcoming podcast, Beyond 1:1, launching soon! If you want to be the first to know when it’s live, join my email list.

 

Step 1: The One Question to Ask Before Creating Any Content

Before adding anything to your membership, ask yourself:

“Does this actually help my members make progress?”

Many memberships fail because they overwhelm members with too much content. Your job isn’t to deliver everything.

It’s to deliver what moves them forward.

• Instead of adding a full course, ask: “Would a short training or checklist work just as well?”
• Instead of weekly live calls, ask: “Would a monthly Q&A be enough?”
• Instead of endless PDFs, ask: “Is this something my members will actually use?”
• Avoid overloading your membership with content that looks impressive but doesn’t help members take meaningful action.

A well-structured membership makes it easier, not harder, for members to take action.

 

Step 2: The 3 Essential Elements of a Simple, Effective Membership

You don’t need to offer everything.
You just need to include what actually helps your members make progress.

Here are three core elements to consider—pick one, two, or mix and match based on what feels sustainable for you.

Guidance

Support doesn’t have to mean being “on” all the time. You can guide members in low-lift, high-impact ways:

• Monthly Q&As or hot seat calls 
• Pre-submitted questions with video replies or voice notes 
• Async email check-ins 
• A private podcast with focused walkthroughs or coaching topics
  

Choose the format that works for your energy—not someone else’s launch plan.

Resources

You don’t need a massive course to be valuable. Start with tiny, helpful tools your members will actually use.

Try this instead:

• Bite-sized trainings (10 minutes or less) 
• Simple templates or checklists 
• Organized content (clear labels, easy to find—not a buried folder of PDFs) 

Ask yourself:

Would my members feel behind if they skipped a week?
If the answer is yes, your content might be too heavy. Keep it light, useful, and easy to revisit.

Community

Connection matters—but it doesn’t always need to look like a Facebook group.

Here are lighter ways to build connection:

• Monthly themed discussion threads 
• Group chats or low-pressure check-ins 
• A private podcast 
• Simple challenges with one prompt per week 

Community thrives when it has clear purpose and leadership. No need for 24/7 engagement—just intentional touchpoints.

🪴 Remember:

You don’t need all three.
Some memberships thrive on just one or two elements.

Start small. Stay consistent. Let it evolve.
Simplicity = sustainability—for you and your members.

 

Step 3: Why Less is More Leads to Higher Member Retention

Overloading members with content makes them feel behind and overwhelmed. The best memberships help people make steady progress without feeling like they have to keep up.

Before you add more, pause and ask:

• Is this helping them take action? 
• Could I deliver this in a simpler way? 
• Does this add clarity—or confusion?

Think about how you can introduce automation – pre-scheduled emails, drip-fed content, or scheduled reminders can create a sense of momentum without adding work for you.

Consider how long your members will stay. A simple, high-impact membership leads to better retention.

The less overwhelmed your members feel, the more likely they are to stay long-term.

Small Step You Can Take Today

Take a look at your membership idea and ask:

• If I had to launch this next week, what’s the simplest version I could offer?
• Write down 1-2 core things your membership would include – no fluff, just the essentials.
• If your first draft feels like too much, cut it in half and see what’s left. Chances are, that’s your magic.

If it feels simple and clear, you’re on the right track!

What’s Next?

Because once you’ve simplified your membership content, the next question usually is—“But will people pay for this?”

(They will. And I’ll show you how to price it without spiraling.)

This post is based on Episode 6 of Beyond 1:1, my podcast for wellness practitioners who want to expand beyond private sessions. The podcast is launching soon—join my email list to be notified!