58: Course or Membership? How to Know Which Model Is Right for You

One of the most common questions I get from digital entrepreneurs is this:Should I launch a membership or a course first?In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of my founding member launch for IGNITE and explain why it worked… and why I do not believe memberships should be your first move in most cases.When I launched my membership, I did not open it to my full list. I invited 150 past clients and customers, people who had already experienced my cohort-style courses and live coaching. By the end of the month, 47 joined as founding members.But the success was not about the sales page.It was about three years of relationship building.If you are a course creator, coach, or digital entrepreneur trying to decide between launching a cohort-style course or building a membership, this episode will help you think strategically about your next best step.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:• Why my founding member launch converted at 31 percent• The power of relational equity before launching a membership• Why cohort-style courses are often easier to sell• The math behind $997 programs versus $47 per month memberships• What churn and retention really mean for recurring revenue• The foundational questions to ask before choosing your modelThis conversation is especially for:• Course creators launching their first or second offer• Coaches considering adding a membership• Digital entrepreneurs who want sustainable, predictable revenue• Anyone feeling pressure to “start a membership” too soonIf your income feels inconsistent, or you are trying to decide which model makes sense for your stage of business, this episode will bring clarity.Key TakeawayMemberships are powerful when they are built on a strong foundation of trust and live connection.But for many entrepreneurs, launching a cohort-style course first creates:• Higher revenue faster• Stronger testimonials• Clearer messaging• Deeper relationshipsRelationships first. Membership second.If you’ve built a course but sales aren’t consistent, your course isn’t the problem. Your delivery model is.I created a free resource called The Course Evolution Guide that shows you how to turn what you’ve built into a cohort-driven experience that increases revenue, engagement, and student transformation.Download it at https://launchwithlydia.com/evolution.Explore all online business resources, courses, and programs at https://launchwithlydia.comLooking for a platform to run your online business? Get a 30-Day Free Trial + training & support at https://launchwithlydia.com/kajabiConnect with me:Instagram: https://instagram.com/lydiamartinbizYouTube: https://youtube.com/@lydiamartinbizSubstack: https://launchwithlydia.substack.com