Think you can just open the doors to a paid community and people will flock in? Big mistake.
If you don’t start with a founding member pre-launch, your community is likely to fail. The first 20-50 members aren’t just “early adopters”—they’re the lifeblood of your community. Get them right, and your community will thrive. Get them wrong, and your launch could fall flat.
Here’s why founding members will make or break your community—and exactly how to recruit and engage them:
Founding members do more than just sign up—they become your brand ambassadors. These are the people who will promote your community to others, create early buzz, and bring in new members. They want to feel like they’re part of something special and exclusive.
Non-Obvious Insight: Founding members want to feel like insiders—they’re not paying for access, they’re paying to be part of a movement. Turn them into co-creators by giving them a sense of ownership in the community’s early development.
Action Step: Offer your founding members lifetime perks: special discounts, exclusive Q&A sessions, or early access to new features. Make them feel like they’re essential to your success and watch how they’ll spread the word for you.
Think you’ve nailed your pricing? Don’t be so sure. Without founding members, you’re guessing at what people will pay. Early adopters help you validate your pricing by showing you what’s actually working in real time.
Non-Obvious Insight: Founding members give you a test group to fine-tune your pricing strategy. You’ll learn whether your pricing is too high, too low, or just right—before the full launch. They’re real-time feedback loops that can prevent a disaster.
Action Step: Offer your founding members a special discount for joining early, and use their responses to test whether your pricing is sustainable. If the price isn’t right, adjust now—before your full launch flops.
Without early members, your community looks like a ghost town—and nothing kills a launch faster. Founding members create immediate social proof by bringing activity, engagement, and testimonials before the doors open wide.
Non-Obvious Insight: People are drawn to what others are already doing. When new visitors see a community that’s already buzzing with activity, they’re more likely to join. Founding members are your first layer of credibility.
Action Step: Get your founding members to post and engage as soon as they join. Create incentives for them to share their experiences, provide testimonials, and invite others. More engagement = more sign-ups when you go public.
You might think you know what content your audience wants—but until your founding members start engaging, you’re just guessing. Use this group to fine-tune your content and community structure based on what resonates with them.
Non-Obvious Insight: Treat your founding members as your advisory board. They’ll tell you what’s working, what’s missing, and how to improve. It’s better to refine the experience with a small group than to risk a flop with the full launch.
Action Step: Hold regular feedback sessions with your founding members. Ask them about what they love, what they’re struggling with, and what’s missing. Use this data to improve the community before opening it to the masses.
People aren’t just motivated by value—they’re motivated by the fear of missing out. If they feel like they’re getting in on the ground floor of something exclusive, they’ll move faster. Scarcity isn’t just a tactic—it’s a psychological trigger.
Non-Obvious Insight: Scarcity drives urgency because it taps into the fear of missing out (FOMO). It’s not just about having limited spots—it’s about making people feel like they’re part of something rare and exclusive that others can’t access.
Action Step: Create limited founding member spots and make it clear that these come with permanent perks no one else will get. For example, offer only 50 founding spots with lifetime discounts, VIP access, or early access to new content. Use deadlines to create urgency—make it a one-time offer.
The harsh truth: Launching a paid community without a founding member pre-launch is setting yourself up for failure. Founding members create momentum, validate your offer, and provide the social proof you need to get your community off the ground.
Don’t make the mistake of going live to crickets. Your early members are your most valuable asset—they’re the ones who’ll turn your community into a success.
Serious about launching a successful paid community? Don’t skip the founding member pre-launch. We're offering 5 free strategy sessions this week to help you nail your pre-launch and avoid costly mistakes. Send us a message now to secure your spot—limited availability.
