Need to Know Strategies for Customer Retention from Funk Roberts

Feb 6, 2025

4 insane strategies Funk Roberts Use to Boost engagement, retention and revenue (PROOF IN INSIDE!) Reader Disclosure

Anyone who runs an online site for membership, retaining existing members has always been more difficult than finding new members. Although attracting new members is crucial, keeping them engaged and committed to the site is a real difference-maker.

Contents Toggle

1. The ‘Shared Rituals' Strategy
2. The ‘Identity Crafting' Technique
The ‘Insider Language' Method
4. The ‘Transformation Journey' Framework
In Summary

Higher retention means more predictable income, more community connections, and a more vibrant and loyal member base. You might find countless methods of engagement for members on the internet, but you'll never know the effectiveness of these strategies until you try them for yourself.

This is why we sought out Funk Roberts, a well-known fitness trainer on the internet and long-time member advocate, to share the proven strategies that have helped him improve retention, engagement as well as revenue.

Here are some strategies Funk Robert shared with us.

1. The 'Shared Rituals' strategy

These shared rituals are constant and repeatable events that your people take part in on a regular basis, creating a strong sense of belonging and community. They are like glue. keep your members coming back and strengthen their bond with the group.

The main benefits from this approach include:

Builds strong communities
Inspires participation and engagement on a regular basis.
Improves retention and member loyalty

What do you think this will look like in practice?

I run a membership program that is called " Over 40 Alpha." It is an exercise and health membership program for males over the age of 40, 50, 60, and beyond. I run several shared rituals within this program to keep the members focused on the mission and to the members of the community.

sweaty selfies Photos are shared by members following every workout, sharing their dedication and inspiring others to join in.
Alpha Meal posts The members share pictures of their meals and break them down into macro components in order to increase accountability and inform members of the community.
Birthday burpees For birthdays, members film themselves doing burpees in line with their birthday. It's challenging and fun and creates a shared celebration throughout the entire group.

What can you do to implement these shared rituals for your members?

Identify key activities or behaviors that align with your Tribe's member's goals.
Use easy-to-follow prompts and hashtags to encourage involvement.
Include these practices in the onboarding material for establishing expectations from the start.

Incorporating these rituals into your shared space, you'll create a vibrant, engaging environment that members don't want to quit.

2. The 'Identity Crafting' Technique

Understanding your target audience isn't just about understanding their demographics, it's all about understanding their needs, desires to be a part of their lives, aspirations, and struggles. People don't just need to purchase a item or service, they desire to be part of some greater thing.

In creating a distinctive and strong identity for your community, you'll give participants an identity and satisfaction in the person they're becoming through your programs.

Many people are looking to become part of an organization, they want to be understood and felt valued. In addition, they want to become part of something larger that is bigger than them.

The benefits of this technique are:

Creates a strong sense belonging
Your membership is distinguished from those of your competitors.
Increases engagement and increases loyalty

Within the program Over 40 Alpha, members aren't just enrolling in a fitness class, but turning into Over 40 Alphas. This identity represents determination, strength, and transformation. Every aspect, from the ceremonies to the culture is a sign of that identity which makes it a badge of honour.

How do you guarantee the same sense of feelings for your members:

Develop a distinct image that resonates with your viewers' aspirations.
Integrate this brand's identity to your routines, contents and your communications.
Continuously reinforce this identity through tales, stories, testimonials and community interactions.

If members adopt an identity and brand new look that is in line with their objectives and values, they are more involved in the community, increasing retention.

The Insider Language Method

Each successful tribe uses its own language, an unspoken handshake that distinguishes people who are inside from outside. Developing unique phrases, slogans and hand gestures that only your community uses will create a sense of belonging and exclusivity. This insider language helps build a unique and hard-to-replicate culture.

Some of the key benefits that this method offers are:

It creates an impression of exclusivity and insider position.
Builds stronger bonds between communities.
Encourages long-term retention by making people feel a like they're part of something truly special.

Inside Over 40 Alpha, the members have phrases like:

GID (Get It Done! ) GID (Get It Done!) is our rallying call which reinforces our determination to action and determination.
"Smell The Rose": A call to pause, breathe, and take in the experience.

They're not just catchy words but are an integral aspect of the DNA of the tribe. They help create a community where the members feel that they're an integral part of something unique and distinct, something they'd like to be a part of.

How can you make this happen for your group members?

Develop unique phrases or terms that reflect your community's values and objectives.
Make sure to use these terms in all of your email, platform, and your events.
Inspire members to incorporate these words in their messages and posts.

A shared language can create the feeling of a community individuals are proud to be a part of. This directly affects retention.

4. The 'Transformation Journey' Framework

One of the most efficient ways to boost retention is to guide members through the process of transformation through clear objectives, incentive programs, and community support. It gives them an incentive to continue their journey in your organization.

A few of the main advantages of this framework include:

Keeps members motivated and engaged.
Gives clear directions that can be followed, which reduces overwhelm and confusion.
Encourages continuous membership renewal.

How to implement the technology: Craft a path which leads to change, where every member starts with a specific point, and follows a path towards the goals they set, and with your help throughout the process.

Here's what I do for my program:

Milestones Make signs throughout the journey to mark your progress (for instance, the Milestone T-shirts which members from the Over 40 Alpha program earn each time they complete the "One Year To Alpha" journey).
Incentive Programs: Reward achievements to motivate the next steps.
Community Assistance ensure that nobody walks on this journey alone by fostering a culture of support and encouragement.

What can you do to implement this model for your staff members:

Map out a clear, step-by-step path for member transformation.
Establish milestones of significance that can be celebrated by rewards.
Ensure continuous community support through group challenges, check-ins, and a sense of encouragement.

The implementation of a transformation path framework creates a compelling reason for participants to remain. They are always moving toward a defined goal that is rewarded with tangible results.

In Summary

Retention is the backbone of any successful membership business. This blog should have provided you with a better understanding of Fun Roberts' key strategies to boost the retention of members and increase engagement. Through implementing these four tactics--shared rituals, identity Crafting, Insider Language, and a transformation journey--you will be able to build a strong community which increases retention, and, ultimately, revenues.

Are you prepared to move your membership to the next level?

Explore the strategies listed above and many more using the Tribe Secrets Tribe SecretsThe 27 Strategies to Psychologically Make Your Business A Customer Tribe . Uncover All 27 strategies and begin building Your Legacy Today!

Here's to creating an environment where everyone feels like a crucial piece of the puzzle, contributing to your success and that of theirs.

Make It Done!

Your Coach and Friend,

Funk Roberts

Tribe Membership Coach

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