The Membership Economy
Find Your Super Users, Master the Forever Transaction, and Build Recurring Revenue
If you’ve ever used ZipCar, Amazon Prime, Spotify, NetFlix, Groupon, Weight Watchers, SurveyMonkey, United Mileage Plus, Pinterest, or Twitter, you are part of The Membership Economy, an increasingly popular model that author Robbie Kellman Baxter sees as the inevitable result of technological advancements, social trends, and a generation in transition.
The Membership Economy argues that we are now moving away from ownership, but we still want the benefits that come with access.
“As individuals grow frustrated with the burdens of owning, caring for, and storing too much stuff, they seek ways to minimize that stress. They are also experiencing a need for meaningful connection and community.”
The membership-based business is a problem solver for both businesses and individuals. It spares people from ownership duties and provides a feeling of commonality and affiliation. It allows businesses to create a “forever customer” who remains loyal and participatory even as the company shifts and changes. Membership allows for building direct relationships and continuously generates a data stream that can be tapped for various purposes.
