The Thousand Solutions Blog

Membership Engagement Playbook (12 strategies that actually work)

Feb 20, 2025

Reader Disclosure

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

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A couple of weeks ago I spoke about membership churn and how much more expensive it is to replace lost members than to keep your current ones.

Well, guess what? keep members engaged, active with the organization to stay on the list to participate in more activities, pay more, and maybe even bring in new members.

In our company, our clients have collectively collected nearly $2 billion of revenues.

We'll look at the techniques that actually work!

What is Membership Engagement? And What is the significance of it?

What exactly is the term "membership engagement"? It's how often and how meaningfully your members engage with your website, community, and offerings.

A extremely engaged member frequently:

  • Logs in, and then browses several pages
  • Commentaries are posted, discussions are joined as well as attends meetings
  • Completes courses and actively participates

These members see the value from their membership, leading them to renew, refer others, and take advantage of upsells and cross-sells.

  • It is difficult to navigate around your website
  • Don't you realize that not everyone appreciates what you have to offer and more importantly,
  • (Brace yourself) has completely forgotten about you

A few members may still be subscribed but never engage with them. Having a passive membership could be a signal to be aware.

Not everyone engages the same way. Certain people prefer reading content quietly and others prefer to participate with conversations with others or live gatherings. The tracking of the different kinds of engagement will help you to comprehend and help your users.

We'll go over exactly that in our 12 strategies.

Ways to Measure Membership Engagement

We've touched on, high membership engagement looks different depending on what you're offering. It also depends on what your target audience is.

If your website is geared towards self-paced learning the members may consume content, completing courses independently and not engage in debates.

Since engagement doesn't come in a single size The best way to measure it is against your own prior performance. Ask yourself:

  • Are members engaging with their customers more or less than before?
  • Does engagement keeping pace with membership growth or are you seeing a slowdown?

Key KPIs for Engagement to Monitor

Select the best metrics to define what's most important for your site's membership:

  • The frequency of logins - How often are members signing in?
  • Forum activity & participation in discussions Do discussions remain being conducted?
  • Course/module completions Do students make improvements in their knowledge?
  • Email open & click-through rates Are they engaging in your email marketing?
  • Attendance at events Do participants show up for live sessions?

Keeping track of the correct KPIs can help you identify trends, identify disengaged members as well as refine the strategy for engagement.

Tips to boost membership Engagement

There is no need to wait until engagement is an issue to begin taking steps to improve it.

Below are a few techniques our customers use to keep members engaged. We've included tips, best practices and other instruments to help you build a more interactive membership site using WordPress.

1. Build an Online Community

Have you noticed how often Reddit appears at the top of Google results for search? Google isn't able to explain why However, it's possible to make an educated guess that people value real conversations as well as shared experiences.

The new mom thinking about what she wants for her child can rely on advice from other moms over a generic listing of products.

A freelancer trying to land higher-paying clients may turn at a group of freelancers to get tips and methods.

Your membership site is geared towards a small group of people with similar interests, and connecting those members is a huge benefit.

If they're looking for networking opportunities, advice or sharing stories, the private community could be one of the best aspects of your participation.

Design and build premium community forums .

With social media frequently appearing to be a chaotic, unfriendly place, it is important to have a members-only community offers a protected, high-quality environment in which people can interact in a meaningful way. It is free of ads, trolls or irrelevant noise.

 How Do I Set It Up

WordPress has several great plugins that will help you create a community on your site. customers have found satisfaction with

  • BbPress - A simple but powerful forum software.
  • A feature-rich alternative for social networking and group discussions.

If you're interested in hosting your online community on other websites, consider:

  • It's great for chats that are real-time particularly if your target viewers are tech-savvy.
  • It is convenient if your customers are already active on Facebook.

2. Add Gamification

I'm a huge fan of games that are gamified. In fact I owe my ability to speak Spanish to a certain green owl. I also have a pile of badges and the highly fierce battle to get on the highest position on the leaderboard along alongside a coworker.

Even if points and leaderboards aren't doing much for your organization I'm confident that you'll have a small portion of your members who are thriving on them.

For a few (myself included), earning rewards is so gratifying that they'll purposefully seek out your website for the next dose of dopamine!

 How Do I Install It

With GamiPress, you can include badges, points as well as achievements to various activites on your membership website, such as:

  •   Signing up or logging in  
  •   Completing lessons or courses  
  •   Participating in community discussions  
  •   Comments or replies to comments  
  •   New members are referred to as "referrals"  
  •   and much more!  

Whatever plugins you're using for your membership site, GamiPress likely has integrated with it, including several we mention in this post:

  • (for subscriptions, online courses and other activity)
  • BuddyBoss and the bbPress (for forum communities)
  • (for interactive quizzes and surveys)
  • Easy Affiliate (for rewarding referrals)

And to make it even better, it's totally free!

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

3. Start a loyalty program

Want to increase the level of gamification to engage your members longer? A membership loyalty program may be the best strategy.

Point system, VIP perks, and special rewards encourage people to stay longer and spend more. The popularity of earning airline miles as well as reward points at coffee shops speak of themselves. What's more? It works similarly for websites for membership.

Studies show that nearly 80% of consumersare more likely to remain in a company that offers a loyalty program. Even better? More than 90 percent of companies claim that loyalty members can spend 4 times more than non-members.

 Rewards for your most engaged members

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

  • Give members a reward after one year of membership and maybe the exclusive Q&A feature or discounts for VIP members.
  • You can offer a incentive to complete an educational or coaching course,like a special certificate or even a gift card.
  • Utilize points-based perks for engagement, say more content, or the opportunity to be featured in your group.

For instance, a business coaching membership, for example, can provide "Platinum Member" status at the end of a year, unlocking private coaching sessions as well as networking advantages.

 How To Install It

It makes this simple. You can offer an access level that is tied as well as set up an automatized email with an upgrade link when a member hits a milestone - whether it's time-based (X years of membership) or action-based (completing a course or program).

To take it further Use your gaming plugin to measure the level of engagement and manually reward those who are most active with:

  •   Coupons for renewals  
  •   Special content or VIP perks  
  •   physical swag such as the t-shirts and event tickets  

There's another software that you could use to assign points and badges in relation to the activity you've done, after which you can turn engagement into real rewards.

4. Use Email Campaigns

Are you thinking email is an old fashion thing? Think again. Email is still one of the strongest ways to keep your clients engaged. It's direct intimate, private, and - unlike social media algorithms ensures that your message will be seen.

Relevance and consistency are essential. Your emails should be a reminder to members of the reason they started the club in the first instance and keep them enthusiastic over what's to come.

 Types of Emails That Engage Users

Keep your members coming back by providing:

  • Exclusive Content Updates - Share new resources including behind-the-scenes insight, as well as earlier access to content that is coming soon.
  • Invitations to Events and Reminders - Promote live Q&As, workshops or networking activities (and remind them so they don't miss it! ).
  • Personalized Recommendations Provide suggestions for topics, courses, or even discussions that are based on your behavior.
  • Have you not seen them for a while? Offer a soft nudge along with highlights reels of things they've missed.

 How to Set It Up

By using an email marketing platform, such as  the one above, you are able to:

  • Automated emails to help onboarding, course progress or milestones in membership.
  • Segment your audience by behavior to ensure that members receive only emails that matter to them.
  • Use dynamic contents to personalize subjects and provide guidelines.

An effective email message is able to bring back interest, encourage participation, and keep members interested for the duration of time.

5. Special Perks and Giveaways

Everyone enjoys freebies and perks - prizes and perks that are exclusive create buzz, boost participation, and make members feel valued.

Make your friends feel special by offering them fun perks and unexpected reward They'll keep checking in more often and engage in more depth, and stay longer.

 Tips for Giveaways and Perks

  • Members-Only Competitions Offer giveaways in which active members can win exclusive prizes. (Example: "Comment on this blog post to be in the running to win a free one-on-one training session!")
  • Special Bonuses - Send random discounts or exclusive content to engaged members to keep them excited.
  • Referral Reward - Offer perks like complimentary membership for a period of time or exclusive content for those who refer new customers.
  • Milestone gifts Honor milestones of course completions, milestones in your education, or contributions to the community with a customized reward.
  • Partnership deals Partner with the brands that your customers love and give exclusive cross-promotions to your members.

 How to Configure It

There is no need for a complex set-up. make it easy to offer time-limited discounts to reward your participation.

However, if you want to create buzz We can help.

We love this plugin (and employ it on our own!) to run giveaways. Participants could earn extra entries through engaging on your blog, sharing it with 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 successful giveaway or a unique reward keeps your audience active, excited and discussing your participation.

6. Surveys and Quizzes

Noticing a theme already? Interactivity keeps participants engaged. The best membership experiences go beyond delivering contents - they offer members opportunities to be active and actively shape their journey.

 How to Add Interactivity through Quizzes and Surveys

  • Utilize surveys to gather useful information from members, and find out what they like and would like to see more of.
  • Create tests on online courses to help members self-assess and monitor their performance.
  • Offer deeper engagement with assignments - these need 1:1 feedback to give participants a better experience.

 How Do I Set It Up

  • is a favorite amongst our customers. It comes with pre-built templates for surveys that make it easy to create online feedback forms. Additionally, it offers AI-generated forms or a simple drag-and-drop creator that allows for complete customization.

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

7. Live Chat

If members have a query, they don't want to have to wait for hours for the response to their email They want their answers right now. Support in real-time makes your site's membership feel more responsive, accessible, and driven by community.

Live chat connects members with real-time access to support. Fast responses help members stay engaged, avoid frustration, and continue making the most of the benefits of their participation.

 How to Install It

  • Instant support is available to common queries Helping members stay on course instead of becoming stuck.
  • Use chat for community-building Live chat functions can encourage real-time interactions among participants.
  • Automate response with AI chatbots - Provide quick answers to frequently asked questions, while also keeping your staff available to handle larger issues.

 Top tools for Live Chat on membership sites

  • - Ideal for combining live chat with a full support ticketing software.
  • Perfect for small groups needing a simple, effective live chat and chatbot solution.

 Live chat is a great way to keep users engaged, decreases the amount of friction and makes your website feel more like a social network instead of a mere content hub.

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

We love helping customers create automations and passive revenue streams to make their sites' memberships viable and profitable.

 Live events, however, have special engagement powers which make the effort worthwhile.

It doesn't matter what , these instances give participants the motivation to login for a particular date and time.

What is the significance of this? Because when something is available 24/7, members often delay their participation, and even forget about it entirely.

Live events create the unique two-way connection between the participants and you. This is a chance for you to offer your members VIP treatment with your direct presence, while building more lasting connections and the trust of your members.

 How Group Sessions Work Very Well

Group Q&As, AMAs, and webinars are also an opportunity for members to gain knowledge from each other. When members hear inquiries, tips and examples of real-world situations of their fellow members They're more likely:

  • Feel part of a larger vibrant group of people.
  • Learn new perspectives, or get ideas they may not have previously thought about.
  • Feel inspired to share your personal experiences and build greater engagement.

The events could provide a feedback loop in which participants are able to grow closer and are more involved within the local community.

 How to Set It Up

Here are some tools that will make hosting live events a breeze:

  • It's a great platform for group calls, webinars as well as 1:1 office hours.
  • Perfect for professional webinars that feature advanced attendees trackers.
  • Google Meet - An easy, no-cost choice for small-sized sessions.
  • - Excellent for interactive webinars using easy-to-use features for engagement.

Live events provide your members an incentive to be there, stay connected, and stay in the loop. Whether you host the occasional Q&A event or large-scale webcast, it's worth the effort to bring your community online in real-time.

9. Member Challenges and Milestones

I'm an avid participant in the 30-Day Challenge. The concept of making an positive change within a predetermined, manageable duration is so appealing.

Content creators have been aware of this for years - and who doesn't have someone you know who's participated in the Yoga with Adriene challenge?

The challenge is also an excellent means of showing your members that you are able to provide real benefits in a short duration. They're arousing, action-oriented, and proof that your members can make significant changes in the lives of their members.

That's why challenges are an Engagement goldmine. They keep members engaged, motivated and coming back to track their progress.

Remember milestones too. The breaking down of longer-term challenges into shorter, celebratory moments helps motivate participants and helps keep the momentum moving.

 Concepts for Member Challenges

  • 30 Day Productivity Challenge Let members boost their focus with every day productivity tips and tools.
  • 7-Day Writing Sprint - Perfect for bloggers and writers who want to start their next venture or establish a habit of writing.
  • 21 Day Fitness Kickstart The program is that is designed to improve endurance, strength, and flexibility endurance with small, achievable stages.
  • 30 days to master the skill Learn a crucial skill like photo editing, code, or public speaking through short, actionable lessons.
  • Personal Finance Challenge Help participants put their finances under control with actionable steps like tracking expenses and budgeting, or saving a set amount before the end of the challenge.

 How to Install It

The process of creating and managing challenges is seamless:

  • Build plans based on goals which guide participants step-by-step.
  • Use the habit tracker to motivate the daily, weekly, or biweekly attendance.
  • Automatically reward members whenever they reach milestones with personalized messages or exclusive content.

It's just scratching the surface of all you can accomplish using CoachKit(tm). Take a look at the following video for more details:

How to Set up Online Coaching on WordPress With CoachKit (tm) (Full Instructions)

10. Members Spotlights & Success Stories

The featured members feel valued and makes others feel at ease in your community all while highlighting the importance of your membership to the world.

It's also a great opportunity to create connections. If your participants see people achieving their goals, taking on obstacles, and succeeding in their lives, they create the ripple effect of motivation and enthusiasm.

 Tips for Spotlights on Members and Success Stories

  • Blog Posts- Write a article about an individual who has accomplished their goal and tell their experience, insight, and advice for others.
  • Social Media Shoutouts Highlight users on Instagram or Facebook by using photos, quotes, or a quick video.
  • Video interviewsJump on Zoom with an outstanding member and hear them talk about their journey with their own speech.
  • Member Awards- Start with a "Member of the Month" tradition to celebrate their accomplishments with a dedicated feature.
  • Milestone Spotlights Send updates to members as members achieve milestones such as completing an entire course or being part of your 30-day Challenge.

 How To Set It Up

  • Reach out to your members through surveys or emails to inquire about their achievements.
     Utilize a software such as Formidable Forms to let members submit their stories quickly.
  • Tell their tales within your network, on your blog, or perhaps as part of your future email marketing campaign.

It's also an enjoyable moment, recognizing your members' achievements is an effective means to boost engagement, build community, and demonstrate to your members that they're at the center of your site.

11. Drip Content

We are all aware that keeping an ongoing flow of exclusive content is the foundation of any great member experience. However, offering that content every week, at frequent time intervals isn't an easy feat!

Drip-based content is an established and tested solution that is a well-known approach to keep people entertained for a long period of long periods of time. It also builds anticipation and helps ensure that they don't get inundated by too much information simultaneously.

 How Do I Set It Up

With it's super easy to establish drip content rules to release every page, blog post or course lessons.

  • You have complete flexibility to decide:
  • Which items you want to drip release
  • Frequency (daily, weekly, etc)
  • The exact date of release
  • If you wish the content to expire at a specified time.

12. Accountability Groups and Mastermind Sessions

Did you have any idea? 70% of people who set goals never achieve them. Think of those resolutions for the new year set in January only to be completely put aside by which month does it happen to be? Yes, it's 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 percent with a dedicated accountability appointment.

 Accountability turns positive intentions into actual improvement - which includes engagement on your website.

When members connect in small groups in small groups, they stay motivated, support each other, and make significant progress regardless of whether they're striving to meet a specific business objective or advancing their skills or finishing a training course.

 How To Set It Up

  • Create co-coaching groups using CoachKit(tm)
  • Set up private forums by using bbPress, or BuddyBoss
  • Hosting weekly or biweekly check-ins in which participants report their how they are doing, make goals and get feedback
  • Mastermind live calls on either Crowdcast or Zoom where members can collaborate with each other, solve issues, and remain accountable

Accountability groups are great for participation and retention because members form solid bonds with others in your community. If they feel connected, they're more likely to stay signed for.

If you don't have a system of accountability in place yet, this might be the missing element that takes your engagement to the higher level.

The Final Words: Maintain Members Engaged and Invested

We've covered a lot of ground, haven't we? I hope this article has opened your eyes to possibilities to improve participation on your site.

We've reviewed twelve opportunities for members of yours to connect, participate, and realize the value of the ongoing membership.

The key word is: ongoing. Keeping engagement current, interesting, and useful throughout the course of time is what makes membership worthwhile.

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Start today!

Get paid to create your content.

Much of your success comes from observing what people respond to, and adjusting as you go.

You don't have to implement each of the twelve strategies at once. Begin with a small number. Pick one or two that are appropriate for your group and test these out. Simple, deliberate steps can lead to big wins.

 Which strategies will you try to begin with? Please let us know by commenting below!

If you've found this post useful, please connect with our page via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram as well as LinkedIn!

author avatar

Victoria Lloyd       Victoria is adept at creating small, humble beginnings into massive success, elevating her jewelry business from the bustle of the London's market streets up to more prestigious locations such as that of the Royal Academy of Arts and the Topshop's Oxford Circus main store. Her expertise doesn't stop at physical items. Victoria has an established experience of increasing online engagement for a variety of brands. From innovative start-ups to famous brands such as Nokia as well as Jack Daniels, Victoria has utilized her powerful mix of wordsmith wizardry along with strategic thinking and digital expertise to boost the engagement of brands as well as SEO. With her company , Victoria leverages her diverse experiences to help simplify and decode the world of membership sites and business growth. Victoria is here to help readers with her unique knowledge, assisting them in effectively and imaginatively create their communities online and membership websites.