Hey there,
Remember asking your parents questions like "How will I know it's the right college?" or "How will I know when the cookies are done?" And getting that supremely unhelpful response: "You'll just know."
So you'd search your body for some mystical feeling of certainty, as if a tingle in your toe would signal that the cookies had reached the perfect shade of golden brown.
Well, if you've been asking yourself "How will I know when it's time to start a membership?" I have bad news: your toe isn't going to tingle. The tarot cards won't give you a push. There's no mystical moment of knowing.
But here's the good news: There are actual, concrete signs that tell you when the timing is right.
Quick gut check: Have you been waiting for some magical "aha moment" to tell you when to launch your membership?
Here's what I ask my clients when they're thinking about building a membership:
1. Do you have an audience?
This might seem obvious, but tons of people think "if you build it, they will come." I'm so sorry to say this, but they won't. You'll waste months building something beautiful that nobody notices. Audience first, then membership. Always.
2. Is that audience actually engaged?
If your email open rates are hovering around 20% and your social posts get crickets, it's not time yet. You can build it, but they won't be paying attention when you launch.
3. Is your audience asking for it?
Sometimes this is literal, like my embroidery customers asking for monthly projects. Sometimes it's less obvious but you can see the natural progression. Like a stationery company adding a custom stamp club because they know their notebook buyers are sending handwritten mail.
4. Do you have the capacity?
If you're already running on fumes just keeping the lights on, now is not the time. Despite what some people claim, running a membership is NOT passive income. It requires consistent energy and attention.
5. What will the membership actually do for YOUR business?
Not what it'll provide customers. What it'll do for you? Will it stabilize revenue? Create community so you feel less isolated? Serve as a marketing tool where money isn't the primary goal? Get clear on your real motivation.
6. Is it the right time of year to launch?
The week between Christmas and New Year's? Hell no. Everyone's in a cookie-induced coma fretting about their credit card bill. Think about your customer's life and when they're most likely to need what your membership provides.
Here's what I've learned after helping dozens of businesses launch memberships: The "right time" isn't a feeling, it's a convergence of practical factors.
You need engaged people who want more from you, the bandwidth to deliver consistently, and a clear understanding of what success looks like for your specific situation.
If you can honestly answer "yes" to questions 1-4 and have clear answers for 5-6, then congratulations! It's probably time. No toe tingling required.
Stay curious!
P.S. If you're getting clear signals that it's time but feeling overwhelmed by where to start, I'm here to help. Building a membership that actually works is part strategy, part psychology, and part consistent execution. And sometimes it's best to have someone experienced on your team.