In this episode, I dive into the fascinating story of Freelancer Magazine’s innovative hybrid membership model with founder and editor Sophie Cross.

We explore how an independently published print magazine not only survives but thrives by blending traditional publishing with a thriving online membership and community for creative freelancers.

From virtual coworking sessions to exclusive member directories and content, I uncover the secrets behind building a sustainable, community-driven membership alongside a premium print product.

Whether you’re a membership owner, a publisher, or just love creative business ideas, there’s a lot to learn from Sophie’s journey.

• What does the membership offering at Freelancer Magazine include beyond the print and digital publication, and how are these elements structured for members?
• How did the transition from a print-only magazine to a hybrid membership model come about, and what evolved along the way?
• In what ways has the online community and member features impacted retention, member engagement, and the direction of the magazine?
• How are marketing strategies for Freelancer Magazine adapted to suit both the traditional print side and the dynamic online membership community?

"Virtual just seemed to make more sense. It's really accessible to people. We started doing some virtual co-working and it just took off - it's really popular. We probably get between 15 and 30 people every morning, and when volunteer hosts started running the sessions, it began running itself. Some people join the membership just for that community, while the magazine becomes a nice add-on."

"We actually don't have a Facebook group or a circle group - and that's intentional because other communities do that well. The magazine has become the hero product, but it's all about getting the community connected in different ways"

"Because we're relatively small, with about a thousand paid subscribers and 5,000 in the newsletter community, I can personally reach out and offer solutions - like a complimentary digital copy if someone's struggling financially. That kind of one-to-one feedback is really, really nice, and chasing specific churn percentages isn't of interest to me right now."

• Freelancer Magazine
• Connect with Sophie Cross on LinkedIn

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We would be eternally grateful if you would consider taking a minute or two to leave an honest review and rating for the show. They're extremely helpful when it comes to reaching our audience and we read each and every one personally!

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In this episode of the Membership Geeks Podcast, I dive deep into the essential traits that set thriving membership owners apart from the rest.

Rather than focusing on marketing tactics or retention strategies, I shine a spotlight on the personal development and mindset shifts that make building and running a successful membership sustainable—and enjoyable—for the long haul.

If you want to know what it really takes to grow a membership business you’re proud of, this episode is for you.

• What key personal traits do membership owners need to succeed over the long term?
• How can clarity of purpose impact decision-making and growth in your membership?
• Why are resilience, empathy, and strong people skills critical for membership leaders?
• What boundaries and habits should you develop to avoid burnout and foster sustainable success?

Key Quotes & Takeaways:

"Clarity isn't just something that gives you a strategic advantage, it's also an emotional anchor because if you really dive deep into who you are serving, what the purpose of your membership is, then that passion that's going to elevate your membership comes from knowing your purpose, knowing what you're here to do."

"But you do need to care about your members as human beings, not just numbers on a spreadsheet and money in your bank account."

"Your membership lives or dies by your ability to teach, explain, engage, and connect, whether that is through, courses, video tutorials, live q and a's, email newsletters, forum posts inside your community, workshops, challenges, whatever format you're using, your success hinges on how well you can take your expertise, your knowledge and deliver it to someone else in a way that sticks."

We really appreciate you choosing to listen to us and for supporting the podcast.

We would be eternally grateful if you would consider taking a minute or two to leave an honest review and rating for the show. They're extremely helpful when it comes to reaching our audience and we read each and every one personally!

Finally, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast to make sure that you never miss an episode.

In this episode, I sit down with Michael Stelzner, founder of Social Media Marketing World and the Social Media Marketing Society, to dive deep into why he made the big decision to close down his successful membership after a decade.

We unpack the strategic thinking, the data, and even the unexpected tech issues that led to this major pivot in his business.

I also explore the launch of his new AI Business Society membership and what it means both for him and the wider membership industry.

If you’re at a crossroads with your own membership, you’ll find plenty of actionable insights and thought-provoking guidance in our conversation.

• What were the main factors and turning points that led Michael Stelzner to sunset the Social Media Marketing Society after ten years?
• How did market changes and the rise of AI influence the strategic pivot towards launching the AI Business Society?
• What was the process and communication strategy for closing down an established membership, and how were existing members supported during the transition?
• What lessons has Michael learned from running multiple memberships, and how is he approaching the new landscape in the world of online communities and AI?

Key Quotes & Takeaways:

"that idea of pivoting, even just a small amount can be daunting. But some of the lessons and some of the things that you've done in terms of maintaining that long term vision, looking for those overlaps and not rushing it, not just cutting everything off and considering it as an entirely new business."

"I'm militant about saying no to anything that's not in alignment to my mission because I can't do it all. And those who do it all end up failing."

"We at Social Media Examiner believe very strongly to do fewer things well is better than doing lots of things poorly."

We really appreciate you choosing to listen to us and for supporting the podcast.

We would be eternally grateful if you would consider taking a minute or two to leave an honest review and rating for the show. They're extremely helpful when it comes to reaching our audience and we read each and every one personally!

Finally, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast to make sure that you never miss an episode.