18. Referral Programs for Memberships: Do They Really Work to Grow Your Community?

FREE On Demand 35 Minute Training: The 4 Part System to Launch & Scale a 7 Figure Online Membership (even from zero) : https://paigevandy.com/masterclass-opt-in

🎟 Join the Million Dollar Memberships 5-Day Experience here (Sept 15–19): https://paigevandy.com/membership-experience

In this episode, Paige breaks down referral programs for memberships—why most of them don’t actually work, and what you can do instead to create a true community-building machine inside your membership.

If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll just throw in a referral program and my members will bring their friends in,” this episode is going to save you from a ton of wasted effort.

You’ll discover:

✔️ Why most referral programs flop (and why cash payouts aren’t motivating enough)

✔️ The real reason your members aren’t referring others (hint: they’re focused on their own goals, not yours)

✔️ What actually motivates members to share your community (internal vs. external motivation)

✔️ How to design a leader/ambassador program that makes referrals a natural extension of your members’ goals

✔️ Why affiliate and ambassador programs are more powerful than generic referral bonuses—and how to build them into your membership

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand why traditional referral programs rarely get traction and how to replace them with something that not only grows your membership but also strengthens your members’ commitment and results inside your community.

More From Million Dollar Memberships Podcast:

🎟 Join the Million Dollar Memberships 5-Day Experience (Sept 15–19)

https://paigevandy.com/membership-experience

Free Training: The 4-Part System to Launch & Scale a 6 & 7 Figure Membership

https://paigevandy.com/masterclass-opt-in

Ready to start or grow your membership? Join Million Dollar Memberships Club and get step-by-step strategies to start and scale your online membership site (opens back up to the waitlist Sept 8, 2025)

https://paigevandy.com/million-dollar-memberships-club

Already have a successful membership?? Work with Paige 1:1 to scale to 7 or multi 7 figures : Email [email protected]

Connect With Paige:

Instagram: @themembershipmuse

YouTube: @themembershipmuse

TikTok: @membershipmuseofficial

This podcast is for coaches, service providers, and online entrepreneurs who want to build profitable memberships and escape the 1:1 hustle.

You’ll learn proven strategies to:

✔️ Launch and grow your membership faster

✔️ Keep members engaged and paying month after month

✔️ Turn your membership into a reliable, recurring revenue machine

If you love shows like:

Online Marketing Made Easy by Amy Porterfield, Membership Geeks, Earn Your Happy by Lori Harder, The Art of Online Business by Rick Mulready…you’ll feel right at home here. 🪩