Crealanta Magazine

The Membership Engagement Playbook (12 Strategies That Really Work)

Feb 20, 2025

Reader Disclosure

    The topic of membership engagement is discussed frequently on the blog...because it's the most important thing! Active members renew their subscriptions and participate in discussion forums, and bring in referrals. When engagement declines then churn begins to take hold.

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Some time ago I wrote about the churn of memberships and how much more expensive it is to replace the members who have gone away than keep those you already have.

So, what do you think? keep members engaged, active with the organization to stay on the list, participate more, pay more, and maybe even get new subscribers.

At , our customers have collectively raked in more than $2 billion in income.

Let's get into the methods that are effective!

What exactly is membership engagement and What is the significance of it?

First off, what exactly is the term "membership engagement"? In simple terms, it's the frequency and amount of time people interact with your site or community as well as the offerings.

A very active participant frequently:

  • Logs in and navigates through multiple pages
  • Leaves comments, joins discussions, and attends events
  • Completes courses and actively participates

They see the value of their membership which makes them more likely to renew, refer to others and benefit of cross-sells, upsells, and other benefits.

  • It is difficult to navigate around your website
  • Doesn't realize everything you offer and more importantly,
  • (Brace yourself) has completely forgotten about the fact that

A few members may still remain subscribed, but not interact - inactive membership is a possible alarm sign.

Different people do not interact in exactly the same way. Certain people prefer to read content in a quiet manner and others prefer to participate in discussion forums and live occasions. The tracking of the different kinds of engagement will help you to know and assist your members.

This is exactly what we'll discuss in our 12 strategies.

How to measure the level of engagement in a membership

As we've previously discussed, high membership engagement differs based on what you provide. It also depends on the type of audience you're targeting.

However, if the site is for the self-paced study the members may engage by consuming content and taking courses on their own, instead of participating in discussion.

Because engagement isn't one-size-fits-all The ideal way to evaluate the level of engagement is to compare it against your previous results. Ask yourself:

  • Are members engaging more or less than previously?
  • Are you keeping pace with the growth in membership, or is it falling behind?

Key Engagement KPIs to Follow

Choose the metrics that best represent what is most important to your membership site:

  • Frequency of log-in What is the frequency of members logging in?
  • Forum activity and posts engagement Are the discussions in active?
  • Module/course completions Do members make progress in their learning?
  • Open and click-through rates Are they engaging with your emails?
  • Event attendance Do participants show up for live sessions?

Monitoring the appropriate KPIs will help you spot patterns, spot disengaged members, and refine the strategy for engagement.

Tips to boost membership Engagement

It's not necessary to wait until engagement is an issue before you can begin improving your business.

Below are a few techniques our customers use to keep members entertained. We've provided suggestions, the best practices, and tools that can help you create a more interactive membership site using WordPress.

1. Start building an Online Community

Have you noticed how often Reddit shows up in the top position of Google results? Google hasn't explained the reason, but we can take an educated guess: People value conversations with real people and shared experiences.

A new mom looking for what she wants for her child is likely to seek advice from fellow mothers over a general checklist of items.

The freelancer seeking to find higher paying clients will look to a community of freelancers to get tips and tactics.

Your site's membership service provides a specific audience that has common passions, and connecting those individuals adds tremendous value.

If they're looking for networking opportunities, guidance, or sharing their experiences in the private community can become one of the most valuable elements of your participation.

create premium community forums in .

And with social media often appearing to be a chaotic, unfriendly place, an members-only community offers an environment that is secure and high-quality in which people can interact in a meaningful way. No ads, trolls, or other noise that is not relevant.

 How Do I Configure It

WordPress offers a variety of great plugins that will aid you in establish a community on your site. customers have found satisfaction with

  • bbPress A basic yet powerful forum solution.
  • A better option with more features to social networks and group discussion.

If you're willing to host your community outside your website take a look at:

  • - Great for real-time chats, especially if your viewers are tech-savvy.
  • It is convenient if your customers are already actively using Facebook.

2. Include Gamification

I'm a sucker for gamification. In fact, I owe my ability to learn Spanish to a particular green owl, an assortment of badges and the very intense contest to be at the top of the leaderboards alongside a coworker.

Even if points and leaderboards don't do much for you I'm confident that you'll find a certain percentage of your members who thrive on them.

For some (myself including), earning rewards is so gratifying that they'll consciously search your site to get their next high!

 How Do I Install It

GamiPress is a great tool for enhancing your membership experience. GamiPress You can also include points, badges and achievements to various activites on your membership site, including:

  •   Signing up or logging into  
  •   Completing lessons or courses  
  •   Participating in discussions with the community  
  •   Commenting or responding to comments  
  •   New members are referred to as "referrals"  
  •   and more!  

No matter what plugins you're using for your site for membership, GamiPress likely has an integration for it including several we mention in the following article:

  • (for subscriptions and online course activity)
  • BuddyBoss and BbPress (for community forums)
  • (for interactive quizzes and surveys)
  • Easy Affiliate (for profitable referrals)

Then, to top it all off It's completely totally free!

If games can get people engaged and participate, then what better way to make use of it?

3. Create a Loyalty Program

Do you want to increase the level of gamification to retain members for more? A membership loyalty program might be your secret weapon.

Points systems as well as VIP perks and special rewards encourage people to stay longer and spend more. The results of earning airline miles as well as reward points at coffee shops speak for their own merits. But guess what? It works similarly for websites for membership.

The research shows that almost 80% of customersare more likely to stay in a company that offers a loyalty program. Even better? More than 95% of businesses claim that loyalty members spend up to 4 times more than non-members.

 What Can You Do to Reward your most engaged members

By joining the help of a loyalty plan, you can turn rewards and points into rewards in real life. Here are some suggestions:

  • Provide members with an incentive reward after one years of being a member or perhaps an exclusive Q&A or Discounts for VIPs.
  • Offer the possibility of a incentive for the completion of an educational or coaching course,like an exclusive certificate or a freebie.
  • Make use of rewards based on points for engagement, say additional content, or even the opportunity to be featured in your group.

A Business Coaching membership, for example, can provide "Platinum Membership" status following an entire year, unlocking special coaching sessions and networking benefits.

 How To Install It

This makes it simple. The system allows you to provide the option of tiered access as well as set up the possibility of sending an automatized email that includes an upgrade link whenever a member reaches the milestone of their choice, be it time-based (X years as a member) or based on actions (completing the course or program).

For a more advanced approach Use your gaming plugin to measure participation and reward manually your most active members with:

  •   Coupons for renewals  
  •   Exclusive content or VIP privileges  
  •   Physical swag like the t-shirts and event tickets  

There's another plugin that can be used to assign points and badges in relation to the activity you've done, and then convert engagement into real reward.

4. Utilize Email Campaigns

You think email is outdated? Don't be. Email is still one of the best tools for keeping your members active. It's direct intimate, private, and unlike the algorithms of social media - guarantees your message actually will be seen.

Relevance and consistency are important. Your emails should remind members why they signed up in the first place and make them feel excited over what's to come.

 Types of emails that Drive Engagement

Remain committed to keeping your members returning using:

  • Special Content Updates Update your library with new information, behind-the-scenes insights, or early access to upcoming content.
  • Event Invites & Reminders Promoting live Q&As, workshops or networking activities (and make sure to remind people so they don't miss it! ).
  • Personalized Recommendations - Suggest classes, articles or discussion topics based on the user's activity.
  • - Haven't seen them in a while? Give them a friendly push by presenting a highlight reel of what they've been missing.

 How To Install It

Through an email marketing platform like  You can:

  • Automated email sequences for training, onboarding, or membership milestones.
  • Segment your audience based on behavior - so members only get messages that are important to them.
  • Utilize dynamic content to tailor subjects and provide recommendations.

A well-timed email can revive interest, stimulate engagement, and keep the members active for long periods of time.

5. Giveaways and Exclusive Perks

Everyone enjoys freebies and perks - prizes and perks that are exclusive generate excitement, increase participation, and make members feel appreciated.

Your members will be delighted by exciting perks and surprising reward that will make them check in more frequently and engage in more depth, and stay longer.

 Tips for Giveaways and Perks

  • Member-Only Contests - Run giveaways where active members can win exclusive rewards. (Example: "Comment on this blog post to be in the running to win a free one-on-one coach!")
  • Special Bonuses Offers random discounts or exclusive content to active members to keep them entertained.
  • Reward for Referral offer perks such as complimentary membership for a period of time or exclusive content for members who sign up new sign-ups.
  • Milestone Rewards Honor milestones, course completions, or other community involvement with a personalized reward.
  • Partnership Deals Join forces with popular brands and give exclusive cross-promotions to the members of your audience.

 How To Configure It

It's not necessary to have a complicated setup. make it easy to offer limited discounts for participation.

However, if you would like to generate buzz then we

We love this plugin (and use it ourselves!) to run giveaways. Participants could gain additional entries by interacting in your posts, inviting to a friend, or simply following your social media profiles - just a few of the many available actions.

It also helps you choose the best winner randomly.

An properly-run contest or an exclusive incentive keeps your members active, excited and talking about your participation.

6. Surveys and Quizzes

Noticing a theme in the past? Interactivity keeps members engaged. The best membership experiences go beyond delivering contents - they offer members ways to actively participate and shape their experience.

 How do I add interactivity through Quizzes and Surveys

  • Utilize surveys to gather useful information from members, and learn about what they are interested in and what they would like more of.
  • Create quizzes on online courses so that students can to self-assess and track their performance.
  • Offer deeper engagement with assignments - these are based on 1:1 feedback. This gives participants a better experience.

 How To Set It Up

  • This is one of the top choices among our users. It has pre-built survey templates that make it easy to create interactive feedback forms. Additionally, it offers artificial intelligence-generated questionnaires or a drag-and drop constructor that lets you fully customize.

 The more engaging your members' experience is and the more involved your members will be.

7. Live Chat

If members are faced with a problem or concern, they don't wish to wait hours for the response to their email and they're looking for answers now. Real-time support makes your membership site feel more accessible, responsive and community-driven.

Live chat keeps members connected with immediate access to assistance. Fast responses help members remain engaged, avoid frustration, and continue making the most of the benefits of their membership.

 How To Set It Up

  • Instant support is available for the most common issues - Help people stay on the right track and avoid getting lost.
  • Chat can be used to build community - Live chat features enable real-time conversations between users.
  • Automate the response of AI chatbots - Provide quick answers to frequently asked questions, while also keeping your team on hand for more complex issues.

 Best live chat tools available for Member Sites

  • - Ideal to combine live chat with a full support ticketing software.
  • Ideal for smaller teams who require a quick, efficient live chat and chatbot solution.

 Adding live chat keeps members engaged, reduces the amount of friction and makes your website feel more like a community instead of a mere content hub.

8. Online Events and Webinars, Live Event and Office hours

We are passionate about helping our customers design automated systems and income streams to keep their membership websites sustainable and profitable.

 Live events, however, have unique engagement capabilities that make the extra effort worth it.

It doesn't matter what , these occasions give users an incentive to sign in to a certain time.

What is the significance of this? Because when something is readily available anytime, users often put off participation - and sometimes do not even think about it at all.

Live events also create an unique 2-way communication between both you and your participants. You can give your members the treatment they deserve by paying them your full presence, while building more lasting relations and trust.

 How Group Sessions Work so well

Questions and answers from groups, AMAs and webinars are also ways for participants to benefit from one another. When members hear questions, insights as well as real-world examples from their peers They're more likely:

  • Be part of a bigger, active group of people.
  • Get new perspectives and learn suggestions they've never thought of.
  • Feel inspired to share your own experiences, building even more interest.

These events can create a feedback loop where members become closer and are more involved in their community.

 How To Set It Up

Here are a few ways that will help make hosting live events a breeze:

  • It's a great platform for webinars, group calls and even 1:1 office hours.
  • Ideal for professional webinars with advanced attendance monitoring.
  • Google Meet - A basic, cost-free option for smaller sessions.
  • - Excellent for interactive webinars with easy-to-use engagement features.

Live events provide your members an incentive to show up, connect and remain active. Whether you host a small Q&A or a large-scale webcast, it's worth the effort to bring your members to one place in real-time.

9. Member Challenges & Milestones

I'm a sucker for the 30-Day Challenge. It's a great idea to make a positive improvement in a specific, manageable duration is so appealing.

Content creators have been aware of this for years - and who doesn't have a friend who has participated in the Yoga with Adriene challenge?

Challenges are also a powerful way to show your members that you are able to offer the most benefits within a brief time frame. They're motivating, take action as well as proof that your participation can create a meaningful difference in the lives of your members.

That's why challenges are an engagement mining goldmine. They keep members engaged, motivated as well as re-evaluating their accomplishments.

Don't forget the milestones. The breaking down of longer-term challenges into shorter, celebratory moments provides members with extra motivation and helps keep the momentum moving.

 ideas for member challenges

  • 30-Day Productivity Challenge Let participants improve their productivity by providing everyday productivity tools or tips.
  • Seven-day Writing Sprint This is a great option for writers or bloggers looking to start their next venture or to establish a regular writing routine.
  • 21 Day Fitness Kickstart The program is created to increase the strength, flexibility or endurance in small, achievable steps.
  • 30 days to master an Ability Learn a crucial technique such as photo editing coding and public speaking with brief, concise lessons.
  • Personal Finance Challenge Help participants put their finances under control with practical steps, such as keeping track of the amount they spend and budgeting, or saving a set amount at the conclusion of the challenge.

 How to Configure It

The process of creating and managing problems is easy:

  • Develop plans based on goals that provide members with step-by-step instructions.
  • Make use of habit tracking to encourage the daily, weekly, or biweekly engagement.
  • Reward members automatically when they reach milestones with personal messages or access to exclusive special content.

It's just scratching the surface of all you can do using CoachKit(tm). Watch the following video for more details:

How to set up Online Coaching on WordPress using CoachKit (tm) (Full Tutorial)

10. Member Spotlights & Success Stories

The featured members feel valued and makes others feel at ease to join your group, while showing off the value of your membership.

It's also an excellent method to build connections. When members can see people hitting milestones, tackling difficulties, and excelling this creates an energizing effect and enthusiasm.

 Tips for Spotlights on Members and Success Stories

  • Blog FeaturesMake a piece about someone who's crushed their goals, complete with their tale, their insights and advice for others.
  • Social Media Shoutouts Highlight users of Instagram or Facebook with photos, quotes or videos.
  • Video interviews- Hop on Zoom with a standout member and let them share their story with their own speech.
  • Member AwardsStart with a "Member of the Month" tradition and celebrate the achievements of members with a special feature.
  • Milestone spotlights - Share updates whenever members reach major milestones, such as finishing a course or participating in the 30-day challenges.

 How To Configure It

  • Reach out to your customers through surveys or emails to inquire about their achievements.
     Utilize a software like Formidable Forms to let members send their tales effortlessly.
  • Tell their tales in your community or on your blog or in your next email campaign.

In addition to being positively uplifting, celebrating your members' achievements can be a great way to drive involvement, foster community and show your members that they're the beating heart of your website.

11. Drip Content

It is well-known that maintaining a steady stream of exclusive content is the foundation of any good member experience. But ensuring that you have content available week after week at regularly scheduled times isn't an easy feat!

Drip content is tried and tested as well as a popular approach to keep people entertained for a long period of long periods of time. It also builds anticipation and makes sure they aren't overloaded by too many things at once.

 How Do I Configure It

It's incredibly simple to set up drip rules for content to be released on every page, blog post or course class.

  • You have complete flexibility to choose:
  • What items do you wish to drip-release
  • Frequency (daily, weekly, etc)
  • Exact time of release
  • Whether you want the content to expire within a specific duration.

12. Accountability Groups & Mastermind Sessions

Did you have any idea? 70 percent of people who establish goals never achieve them. Think of those resolutions for the new year that were made in January, and then put aside by what month is it again? Oh yeah, February.

But here's another interesting stat: A study by the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) found that people are 65% more likely to achieve a goal if they tell someone else about it - and that number jumps to 95% by having a specific accountability time.

 Accountability transforms good intentions into real growth - and that includes engaging visitors to your site.

When members connect in small groups and form small groups, they remain motivated, help one another, and can make tangible advancement regardless of whether they're striving to meet a specific business objective or advancing their skills, or completing a course.

 How to Install It

  • Form co-coaching groups with CoachKit(tm)
  • Create private forums with and bbPress, or BuddyBoss
  • Hosting weekly or biweekly check-ins in which participants report their how they are doing, make goals and are given feedback.
  • Mastermind live calls using the platforms of Crowdcast or Zoom where members can collaborate to solve problems, stay accountable

Accountability groups work well for engagement and retention as members develop solid bonds with others in your community. When they feel included, they'll be more likely to stay signed up.

If you don't have a system of accountability implemented, this may be the missing component that takes your engagement to the next stage.

Last Thoughts: Make sure that Members are Engaged and Invested

There's been a fair amount of ground. Don't you think? Hopefully, this has opened your mind to some of the ways you can improve membership engagement on your site.

We've looked at 12 opportunities for your members to join, be active, and gain value from their ongoing subscription.

The key word is: ongoing. Maintaining engagement fresh, exciting, and useful for a long the course of time is what makes a membership truly useful.

cta character

Start Today!

Start getting paid for the content you produce.

A big part of your success comes down to seeing what people respond to, and adjusting as you go.

There is no need to adopt each of the twelve strategies at once. Start with small steps. Pick one or two that make sense to your organization and try them out. Small, intentional steps can lead to big victories.

 Which strategies will you try to begin with? Let us know in the comments below!

If you've found this piece useful, please connect with our page via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!

author avatar

Victoria Lloyd       Victoria is a pro at creating small, humble beginnings into massive successes, having elevated her jewelry line from the vibrant buzz of London's markets, to high-end locations like that of the Royal Academy of Arts and the Topshop's Oxford Circus flagship store. Victoria's expertise extends beyond physical products. Victoria has a proven track record of boosting the online presence of a range of brands. From dynamic start-ups to famous brands such as Nokia and Jack Daniels, Victoria has applied her potent blend of wordsmith magic along with strategic thinking and digital acumen to drive the engagement of brands as well as SEO. At , Victoria leverages her diverse experience to simplify and demystify the world of online membership and growth for businesses. She's here to guide users with her exclusive knowledge, assisting them in successfully and effectively build their membership and online community sites.