Book 50 of 52: The Membership Economy by Robbie Kellman Baxter
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 50/52 of My #52Books52Weeks Bucket List Challenge
I included this book because I’m leaning more and more into the membership, subscription, and community business model—one that provides monthly recurring revenue and supports a location-independent lifestyle.
As The Bucket List Guy, I’ve had a Bucket Listers Community before, but I want to do it better this time. That means choosing the right platform, pricing it right, increasing retention, and making it member-led. This book helped me refine my thinking around all of that.
What is the Membership Economy?
Robbie Kellman Baxter defines the Membership Economy as:
✅ A shift from one-time transactions to long-term relationships
✅ A business model that prioritizes retention over acquisition
✅ A way to create recurring revenue while delivering ongoing value
Think of brands like Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Peloton—they don’t just sell products; they create communities and experiences that keep people coming back.
Key Takeaways from The Membership Economy
1️⃣ Transactions vs. Relationships
Traditional businesses focus on one-time sales.
The Membership Economy is about building long-term relationships with customers—keeping them engaged and providing continuous value.
2️⃣ Recurring Revenue = Business Stability
One-off sales can be unpredictable.
Membership and subscription models create steady, predictable cash flow—making it easier to grow and scale a business.
3️⃣ Retention is More Important Than Acquisition
Many businesses focus too much on getting new customers and not enough on keeping existing ones happy.
The real profit is in retention.
4️⃣ Community is Key
Successful membership models foster a sense of belonging.
People don’t just pay for content or services—they pay to be part of something bigger.
5️⃣ The Freemium Model Works (If Done Right)
Many membership businesses offer free content or trials to attract users.
But you need a clear conversion strategy to turn free users into paying members.
6️⃣ Engagement Drives Loyalty
People won’t stay in a membership just because they signed up.
They need to see value and feel engaged consistently—whether through exclusive content, live events, or personalized experiences.
7️⃣ Start Simple, Then Scale
The best membership models start with a simple core offer and evolve based on feedback.
Don’t overcomplicate it—launch, test, refine.
How This Relates to Living a Bucket List Life
For me, building a membership-based business isn’t just about making money—it’s about creating a movement.
A well-run membership community gives people ongoing support, accountability, and inspiration—which is exactly what I want for The Bucket Listers Community.
If you’re looking to build a membership, subscription, or community-based business model, I highly recommend this book!
👉 Are you part of a membership that changed your life? Or thinking of starting one yourself? Let me know! 👇
Stay tuned for Book 51 of 52 as I continue this adventure of learning and growth!
#BucketListLife #UltimateChallenge #52Books52Weeks
Are you part of a membership that truly changed your life?
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