4 ways i've grown my membership to over 4000 in 4 years (no ads!)

Ever wondered how to grow a membership without spending a dime on ads? In this episode, Liz Wilcox — the Fresh Princess of Email Marketing — breaks down the four biggest strategies that helped her grow her $9/month Email Marketing Membership to over 4,000 active members in just four years. From shameless promotion to smart systems, Liz shares the practical steps that made her business thrive — all powered by community, consistency, and good old-fashioned hustle. Episode Highlights The Email Marketing Membership turns four years old on February 16, 2025 — and Liz is celebrating with a $4 trial for the first 30 days. Four ways she grew to 4,000+ members without ads: Shameless promotion: Liz talks about her membership everywhere — in person, online, and even in casual conversations. "If you don't care about your product, who will?" Her advice: be like an early-2000s infomercial host — enthusiastic, confident, and unafraid to sell. Email list promotion: Her list is her #1 sales channel — the membership is featured in her tripwire, welcome sequence, and regular newsletters. Example: her 4th welcome email is titled "Can I have $9?" — a direct but friendly invitation to join. She mentions it 2–3 times per month because her best help comes through the membership. Affiliate program: Over 1,000 affiliates promote her membership. Affiliates earn 50% recurring commission ($4.50/month), making it a win-win for everyone. 40% of her total members joined through affiliates, proving the power of word-of-mouth marketing. The Annual Pass: A yearly $108 version of her membership that includes every product she's ever made (and will make). Sold 3x per year (March, July, and Black Friday). Currently, 70% of her members are Annual Pass holders. This offer drives major growth and retention — many members have renewed for multiple years. Why 2024 was a quieter year (thanks to Survivor!), but still her most profitable yet. A reminder to lead with excitement, consistency, and creativity — not complicated funnels. Key Takeaways Be shameless: Nobody will promote your offer as passionately as you. Email sells best: Integrate your offer into your automations and newsletters. Empower affiliates: Give people tools and incentives to spread the word. Create scalable offers: Yearly bundles and memberships boost retention and cash flow. Keep it fun: Confidence and consistency will always beat complex strategies. Links and Resources Birthday Sale Link Episode 89: The Best (And Second Best) Way I Know To Get Quality Leads Shamwow commercial Check out Liz's Email Marketing Membership here Join the Email Sound Booth Facebook group here Check out Liz's free welcome sequence here Liz's Kit [Convertkit] affiliate link Rather watch the Podcast? Check out WATCHLIZ.COM