Book 10 of 52: Subscribed by Tien Tzuo – Unlocking the Power of the Subscription Economy

Book 10 of 52: Subscribed by Tien Tzuo – Unlocking the Power of the Subscription Economy

February 16, 20253 min read

Curious about how I used lockdown as a chance to jumpstart two major Bucket List items? Dive into my full journey here: Read the full blog

Book 10/52 of My #52Books52Weeks Bucket List Challenge

I’ve always been fascinated by the membership subscription business model—how it works, how to build a thriving community, and how to keep people engaged long-term. In fact, I’ve run a Bucket Listers Community in the past, but now I want to do it better.

That’s why I picked up Subscribed by Tien Tzuo as part of my #52Books52Weeks challenge. Tien is the founder of Zuora, a company that helps businesses shift to subscription-based models, and in this book, he dives deep into why subscriptions are the future of business.

My goal? To learn how to build a sustainable, member-led community with the right platform, pricing, and retention strategies so that more people can stay connected and inspired to tick off their Bucket List.

Key Takeaways from Subscribed

  • The World is Moving from Products to Subscriptions – Companies are shifting away from one-time transactions to ongoing relationships (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Spotify, etc.).

  • Retention is Everything – A successful subscription model isn’t just about getting new members—it’s about keeping them engaged and delivering ongoing value.

  • Pricing Strategies Matter – Getting the right balance of affordability and perceived value is crucial to long-term success.

  • Community is the Future of Business – The strongest subscription models focus on building deep connections with members, making them feel like they’re part of something bigger.

  • Becoming "Member-Led" is the Ultimate Goal – The best subscription businesses aren’t just serving their members—they’re co-created by them.

How Subscribed Relates to Living a Bucket List Life

  1. A Bucket Listers Community Needs to Be Sustainable – If I want to create a thriving membership, it needs a strong foundation, ongoing value, and the right pricing model.

  2. Retention = Real Impact – A community isn’t just about getting people to join—it’s about keeping them engaged, inspired, and actively ticking off their Bucket List.

  3. People Value Access & Experience Over Ownership – Just like people subscribe to experiences (Netflix, gyms, courses), a Bucket List membership should provide ongoing adventure, accountability, and inspiration.

  4. A Member-Led Community is More Powerful – If people feel a sense of ownership and contribution, they stay longer and get more from the experience.

  5. Subscription Models Allow for Scalable Impact – With the right structure, a membership community can help more people live their Bucket List Life, at scale.

Reading Subscribed has given me so many insights into how I can build and grow a better, stronger Bucket Listers Community—one that truly serves its members and helps them take action on their dreams.

So, here’s my challenge to you: If you could be part of a Bucket List community, what would YOU want from it? What would keep you engaged and excited to take action?

Let’s make this happen! 🚀

Stay tuned for Book 11 of 52 as I continue this adventure of learning and growth!

#BucketListLife #UltimateChallenge #52Books52Weeks


What would make a Bucket List community valuable for you?

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Trav Bell - The Bucket List Guy

Trav Bell - The Bucket List Guy is the World's No1 Bucket List Expert. He & his global tribe of Certified Bucket List Coaches® are on a mission to help 10 million Bucket Listers to #tickitB4Ukickit.

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