• The Membership Economy

  • Find Your Super Users, Master the Forever Transaction, and Build Recurring Revenue
  • By: Robbie Kellman Baxter
  • Narrated by: Tom Pile
  • Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (647 ratings)

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The Membership Economy

By: Robbie Kellman Baxter
Narrated by: Tom Pile
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Publisher's summary

Find Your Super Users, Master the Forever Transaction, and Build Recurring Revenue

If you've ever used ZipCar, Amazon Prime, Spotify, NetFlix, Groupon, Weight Watchers, SurveyMonkey, United Mileage Plus, Pinterest, or Twitter, you are part of The Membership Economy, an increasingly popular model that author Robbie Kellman Baxter sees as the inevitable result of technological advancements, social trends, and a generation in transition.

The Membership Economy argues that we are now moving away from ownership, but we still want the benefits that come with access.

"As individuals grow frustrated with the burdens of owning, caring for, and storing too much stuff, they are looking for ways to minimize that stress. They are also experiencing a need for meaningful connection and community."

The membership-based business is a problem solver for both businesses and individuals. It spares people from the duties of ownership and provides a feeling of commonality and affiliation. For businesses it offers the opportunity to create a "forever customer" who remains loyal and participatory, even as the company shifts and changes. Membership allows for building direct relationships and continuously generates a data stream that can be tapped for a variety of purposes.

Ultimately it provides the cachet of belonging.

©2015 Robbie Kellman Baxter (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Membership Economy

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Relevant, but without an "a-ha" moment

I have like this book overall, because it touches a very important topic, which we see and experience every day in our digital world: the membership economy.
It structures pretty well the different kinds of organizations, and also the different strategies and tactics that should be applied when creating a successful membership economy organization.
Even though I lacked the deeper tips and tricks that made these particular membership companies successful. (Changes in User Interfaces or Subscription models, or features that made some of them go viral.)
In other words there were a lot of topics described, but very few practical examples were mentioned. I was keen on learning more about the different user experiences, product innovations and service evolutions.
Nevertheless the book is quite valuable for that it gives some solid "do-s and don't-s" for how to compete in the 21st century, and inspires to create transformation inside a traditional business.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Membership Economy in Post-Covid

I'll start with sayiny the book has some relevant and insightful points. But is dated in some ways, since it was published in 2014.

Yes, there has be a growth in more companies doing the membership thing. But as the author notes several times, some business have it as a check the box option for the revenue model. I know I try to avoid web site and companies that start pushing membership unless the product is on or near the level of need over want.

While listening, I couldn't help but feel the author was writing to established companies or a startups with a budget. I didn't connect what she used in the case studies to some starting from zero. Working on a business while still working a 9 to 5 or taking your last bit of saving to take the leap doesn't seem like a out the gate solution. The author makes the point of being data driven in how you make decisions. To be honest, I've wondered what that means in a post covid world? How relevant is all the market data before this?

Ok. enough rambling. I do think it a good book. You just have to take what works for your current situation. Also would've preferred a female voice.

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3 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Superficial, unbased claims - repeated over and over

This one is full of generalized assumptions and claims. He even says, “If there is a test about this book, it would be the following”, but the list is so unspecific, like “You need to build a great team”. Isn’ that the recipe for anything, not just for a subscription-based business?

I got sick of listening to him sound condescending, J gave up listening.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Love it!

Great book. I am already quite familiar with the ME, I own and run a CrossFit box. But I learned new insights and points of view. Currently in the pre phase of an online community/educational startup so also inspiring and helpful. Will def listen to it again many times as I get closer and after launch.

I did have to get used to the speaker/reader, his voice is not very... exciting 😁 but you grow on him 😬

Renato - the Netherlands

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Boring, fluffy, useless info

I was hoping this would be a practical guide, instead it’s non-specific concepts that I cannot use. No stories.

It’s honestly all stuff I knew from being aware of the world around me.

I stopped listening after chapter 4. It’s not worth my time.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

glad I bought it

Enjoyed this book as it was one of the first I listened to about a membership economy. I thought it provided some good background and rationale as to why we are moving to a membership approach. It’s a lot to digest and I will likely listen to again. #membershipeconomy #business #Tagsgiving #Sweepstakes

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Nothing New

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Nothing new or insightful on the topic of the membership economy. A lot of common sense things covered.

Would you ever listen to anything by Robbie Kellman Baxter again?

No

Have you listened to any of Tom Pile’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment

Any additional comments?

No

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Solid….

Quality insight into membership mechanics and actionable steps for implementation. Just what I was looking for, thanks Robbie!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Outdated, lacks valuable advice, skip

I rarely not finish books once I’ve committed but with only two hours left am seriously considering quitting it. It feels outdated; I am writing this in early 2023 and aside from it being almost a decade old, because of covid related major changes we’ve seen in consumer behavior, business trends etc, it really feels outdated.

There is also no solid, specific and actionable advice on implementing a successful “membership” model to a business, it’s all very vague.

And lastly, can’t understand why a female author’s work is being narrated by a male. While his voice and style weren’t necessarily unbearable or a deal breaker (iykyk) they didn’t help. All in all my recommendation is to skip this title, as I think there are better ones out there that actually may bring value to the reader/listener.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Too long

Can be summarize the whole book maximum in 1 hour. The summary is if you create membership program the customers will be more loyal.

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