Subscription or Membership? Why Recurring Revenue Is the Only Smart Growth Strategy Left

Let’s Talk About Recurring Revenue

Why building something that pays you on repeat is the smartest move you can make right now.

There’s a moment in every business where you get tired of starting from zero.

Every month.
Every launch.
Every time you wrap up a client project, deliver the goods, and ask yourself:
Now what?

What if your income didn’t reset at the start of every month?

What if you knew — with confidence — that money was coming in, even when you weren’t showing up every day?

What if your business had a rhythm?

That’s what recurring revenue creates.
And yes, it’s smart. But more than that — it’s sustainable. It’s protective.
It lets you rest, plan, scale, and breathe.

Which brings us to the question:
Should you offer a subscription, a membership, or something in between?

Let’s break that down — clearly, simply, like a conversation over coffee.

First, what’s the difference?

A subscription delivers value consistently.
It might include content drops, curated products, or done-for-you services.
It’s more structured. More systemized.
People often join for the transformation or utility.

Think: Spotify, Headspace, or a curated newsletter.

A membership creates belonging.
It often centers around community, coaching, co-creation, or connection.
People join for the identity, the access, the shared experience.

Think: a creative circle, a mastermind, a group mentorship space.

You can blend both.
And in most cases? You probably should.

Give people a clear reason to join (subscription value), and a real reason to stay (membership experience).

Why recurring revenue matters more than ever

Because chasing new clients every month is exhausting.
Because launch fatigue is real.
Because your nervous system wasn’t built to ride a constant rollercoaster.

Recurring revenue creates steadiness.
And steadiness gives you power.

Power to rest.
Power to think long-term.
Power to say no to what doesn’t fit — because you’re not desperate to fill a financial gap.

This isn’t just a strategy. It’s a boundary.

What to ask yourself before you begin

You don’t need to rush into building the biggest, most complex recurring offer.
You just need to start with clarity.

Try these:

• What kind of value do I naturally deliver again and again?

• Do I want to create connection, provide tools, or both?

• What’s my ideal delivery rhythm — weekly, monthly, seasonal?

• What would feel sustainable six months from now?

Build the smallest version of the thing you want to scale.
Then evolve it as you go.

And…. if you want to play with this inside of ChatGPT, here is a prompt:

Generative AI Prompt

Generative AI Prompt: Designing My Recurring Revenue Model

Prompt Starts Here:

"You are a recurring revenue strategist and business model architect. I’ve read about why recurring revenue is smart, but I don’t know which model—subscription, membership, or hybrid—fits my business best. Help me figure that out step by step."

First, help me evaluate if recurring revenue is a fit for my business. Ask me:

• What kind of product, service, or transformation do I offer?

• Do my customers need or want repeated access, support, content, or results over time?

• Am I tired of chasing one-time sales or constantly launching to keep cash flowing?

• What’s the real reason I’m exploring recurring revenue—cash flow, freedom, client retention, or all three?

Next, help me determine which model is right for me. Ask me:

• Do I want to deliver consistent value (like content, tools, or convenience), or create a deeper community experience?

• Would my ideal customers pay for access, outcomes, or transformation over time?

• Do I prefer automated delivery (subscription), relational connection (membership), or a mix of both (hybrid)?

• What would feel like a win for my customers and create predictable income for me?

Then, help me design the foundation. Provide:

• A clear recommendation: subscription, membership, or hybrid—with a short rationale based on my answers.

• Three product or offer ideas that fit the chosen model and align with my expertise.

• A pricing structure (good/better/best or flat-rate) that balances value and sustainability.

• A delivery plan: what I’ll give, how often, and how to keep members engaged or subscribers retained.

• A tech suggestion—what tools or systems will help me automate, manage, and scale this model?

Finally, I want an action plan. Give me:

• One simple test offer I can launch in the next 30 days to validate this model.

• A strategy to onboard my first 10 subscribers or members without ads or funnels.

• A way to track success (retention, revenue per user, or lifetime value) without getting overwhelmed.

• A few examples of small businesses using creative recurring models in unexpected ways.

"I want to build a revenue system that gives me leverage, not more work. Don’t sell me fluff—give me a model that works in the real world, backed by strategy, and ready for testing."
End of Prompt

Final thought

You don’t have to sell access to your time forever.
You can sell access to your system.
To your insight. Your tools. Your rhythm. Your brilliance — on repeat.

And you don’t need to choose between structure or community.

You can offer both.
You can build a recurring revenue model that holds your clients and your energy.

You can stop starting from zero.
And start building something that carries you — month after month.

No scarcity.
No scramble.
Just a business that breathes.

Want help designing your subscription or membership model?
I’d love to help you build one that actually fits you — your energy, your audience, and the future you're creating. One that works while you rest. One that grows as you grow.