How to Integrate Community in Membership.io (And Actually Keep Members Engaged)
Scaling a membership or course isn’t just about adding more content. Let’s be honest: content is everywhere. The real growth lever is community.
As Stu McLaren, founder of Membership.io (M.io), puts it: “People come for the content but stay for the community.”
And the numbers back it up: studies show that members who engage in community are 30–50% more likely to renew, and increasing retention by just 5% can boost profits by 25–95%.
That’s why the most successful memberships don’t just deliver great content, they design experiences that connect people.
Here’s the good news: Membership.io gives you powerful built-in community features that let you create connection right inside your hub.
As a trusted partner of M.io (yes, they refer clients directly to me to help build and migrate), I know how to set up and optimize these tools so your members stay longer, engage deeper, and fuel your growth.
Here’s the truth: deciding how to run your community (native, external, or hybrid) depends on your members and your goals. Let’s break it down.
Why Community Matters for Scaling Your Membership
For established business owners, acquisition isn’t the problem. Retention is. You’ve already built an audience. You’ve proven people want what you offer. The question now is: how do you keep them longer and scale without burning out?
Community is the answer.
Members who connect with peers are far more likely to complete your programs.
Engaged members renew at significantly higher rates.
A thriving community turns into a referral engine. People invite others to join.
Membership.io’s Built-In Community Features
M.io makes it easy to build a thriving community without sending members off to a third-party platform. Some standout tools include:
Member Profiles & Directories → Let members showcase who they are, their expertise, and connect based on shared interests.
Guided Onboarding → Reduce trial-period drop-offs by helping members get connected from day one.
Gamification → Keep progress fun with rewards, achievements, and recognition.
Direct Messages & Discussion Spaces → Facilitate 1:1 or niche conversations
Activity Feeds, Posts, Likes & Mentions → Encourage interaction, just like in social platforms.
Community Moderation Tools → Keep your space safe and valuable.
All of this happens inside your M.io hub — so your content and community live together.
Internal vs. External Community: What Works Best?
One of the smartest moves advanced membership owners can make is to choose the right community model. Here’s the real talk:
Membership.io Native Community
Pros
Seamless experience (no extra logins).
Rich features (profiles, onboarding, gamification, discussions).
Boosts retention by keeping members inside your ecosystem.
Cons
Notifications aren’t as strong as Facebook’s. Members and owners may miss replies unless they check in.
Works best when you (or your team) are engaged daily.
External Communities (Facebook, Circle, Slack, etc.)
Pros
Familiar: members are already on these platforms.
Notifications are strong (hard to miss updates).
Flexible design options, especially with Circle/Slack.
Cons
Creates friction: members must log in somewhere else.
Divided focus: splits attention away from your core hub.
Hybrid Approach
Sometimes, the best choice is a mix: deliver your content in M.io, while embedding Circle (or another platform) inside the hub. That way, you keep the seamless experience of Membership.io but gain the notification strength and flexibility of an external community platform.
Making Community Work: Strategy Over Software
Here’s the key point: technology won’t save a disengaged community. The tool you choose matters, but the strategy matters more. That’s where many membership owners get stuck.
To make community work, you need:
Onboarding touchpoints that connect members immediately.
Ambassador programs to empower peer leaders.
Engagement events like regular Zoom calls, interest groups, or “secret spaces.”
ROI tracking so you can see how engagement impacts retention, upsells, and LTV.
Community = Retention, Retention = Growth
A vibrant community is the growth engine of your membership. Without it, members drift away. With it, you scale sustainably without cranking out endless new content.
And here’s the kicker: retention is the most profitable growth lever you have. Even a small increase in retention can dramatically boost profits and stability in your membership.
Membership.io already gives you the tools. As a trusted M.io partner, I’ll help you activate them with the right strategy for your audience, your business model, and your goals.
Ready to Build a Community That Scales?
Community isn’t an add-on. It’s the foundation of long-term growth. If you’re ready to design a member experience that keeps people engaged and paying, let’s talk.
👉 Book a consult with Shell Creative today. Together, we’ll map out the right community strategy for your membership — whether that’s M.io native, external, or hybrid.
FAQ
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Yes. M.io includes profiles, directories, gamification, discussion spaces, DMs, and more — all inside your hub.
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Notifications aren’t as robust as platforms like Facebook. It works best for engaged communities with daily activity from owners or moderators.
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Absolutely. Facebook’s notifications keep people plugged in, and for some audiences, that’s the best fit. You can link to your Facebook community from inside your Membership.io hub.
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You can embed Circle directly into your M.io hub using the embed code feature, creating a seamless hybrid experience.
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Not at all. Membership.io is built for non-techies with drag-and-drop templates and smart automations. But if you are techy, you’ll love how flexible and customizable it is.
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You can connect it directly to Stripe or use external carts like ThriveCart for more advanced sales tools.
I help clients choose the best option based on their goals.
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I’ve been building on Membership.io since its earliest days and am a trusted partner of the Membership.io team, who often refer creators to me. I’ve helped many hundreds of clients launch professional, user-focused, branded Hubs quickly.
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With my VIP Intensive, we can launch in a single day, sometimes even an hour or two.
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After your VIP Intensive, you can join my Shell, Yes! Membership. It’s a super supportive, close-knit community of growing entrepreneurs.
You’ll get ongoing strategy, updates, and tech support, plus direct access to me for questions and guidance.
It’s like having an expert in your back pocket and a group of peers who truly get what it’s like to grow a business with heart.
Work With a Proven Membership.io Expert
Two ways to work with me:
DIY Program Hub Up! — 5-minute lessons, actionable tasks, expert tips, templates, and a clear path to launch for just $27 (or bundle with Check My Hub for $74.50)
Done-for-You VIP Intensive — Your Membership.io Hub built in a day so you can launch with confidence
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*Some of these links are affiliate links, which means I may get a commission if you purchase. However, none of the fees of these resources have been increased to compensate me. When possible, if special discounts are provided to me, I extend them to you!
Thinking about moving your courses or memberships to a new platform? Membership.io (formerly Searchie Hubs) is built for creators who want a smarter, smoother way to deliver content. Unlike all-in-one tools that try to do everything, Membership.io focuses on what matters most: an easy, engaging, searchable experience your members will love. With drag-and-drop setup, AI-powered search, personalized learning paths, and seamless integrations, it helps you scale without the tech headaches. If you’re ready to cut churn, boost retention, and finally make your platform work as hard as you do—this might be your “shell, yes!” moment.