Sandra welcomes AI expert Maria Elena Duron to discuss how memberships can boost visibility and avoid being the "best kept secret" in AI-powered searches. Learn practical SEO tips, organizing content, and using blog FAQs to ensure your membership is found through AI and search engines.
https://www.smartbrandsystem.com/events
(c) 2025 Sandra De Freitas | SandraDeFreitas.com | All Rights Reserved
This past weekend, I took on a challenge that completely stretched me beyond my comfort zone—I ran my second half marathon, one that took me from the U.S. into Canada and back, crossing borders and pushing through more fears and doubts than I’ve faced in a long time. In this episode of Membership Launches and Communities, I wanted to share how this experience surprisingly mirrors so much of the business journey, including the hesitations, the commitment, and the power of community.
I’ll be honest, signing up for this race wasn’t a snap decision. At the holiday party last December, I found myself inspired by someone else’s half marathon training, and before I knew it, I was obsessively hovering over the registration page, debating all those familiar “what ifs.” What if my son’s hockey interfered, what if I couldn’t train enough, what if I just wasn’t ready? That feeling of shaky hands before committing is one that so many of us know, whether it’s buying a course for our business or launching something new. Eventually, I hit that register button, and I instantly felt the full nervous weight of signing up - what was I getting into?
Training for the race brought its own set of rocky moments and revelations. I started out with a “play-it-safe” plan, only looking to finish, not hit a time goal. But as the weeks rolled past, I realized my plan wasn’t challenging me enough, so I pivoted, found better resources, and started to see real change. There were upsides too—I got over my fear of running outside (and found beautiful new paths, even a “vacation horse” in the Azores), ran on the beach, learned to make training fit into family trips, and met people who motivated me in ways I didn’t expect.
But the nerves crept back in as race day approached. I didn’t feel ready, I hadn’t put in as many kilometers as I’d hoped, and logistically, even booking my hotel felt last-minute. The weather forecast was gloomy, my shoes weren’t new, my old injuries started acting up, and the excuses to bail piled up. Yet, thanks to my husband’s pep talk and remembering my son’s “breathe in, breathe out” mantra, I stayed focused—my only true goal was to finish.
Race day was filled with inspiration and real reminders of determination. I watched runners overcoming far bigger obstacles—people running with prosthetics, parents pushing strollers with children who had disabilities, participants running for loved ones, people coming back from spinal surgery. The sense of community was electric: Windsor’s “Fill the Line” program put volunteer cheerleaders, music, and flags representing dozens of countries along the route. Students, border agents, even DJs all celebrated runners from both sides of the border. It was such a vivid example of the value of community—strangers supporting each other through hard moments and big dreams.
Crossing the finish line felt incredible, not just for the physical accomplishment, but for having walked through every fear that tried to hold me back. Medal in hand, hearing my name from a volunteer, surrounded by a crowd of supportive people, I felt the same rush I hope my podcast listeners feel after pushing through business obstacles to reach their goals.
If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by the “what ifs” in your membership journey or business, I hope my half marathon story helps you see that those fears are just steps along the way. The reward—your “medal”—is waiting on the other end. Think about the support you have and the community you can build or lean into along the way, whether it’s fellow runners, volunteer cheerleaders, or your own group of business owners.
Thank you for joining me for this very personal episode. I hope it inspires you to identify your own medal, acknowledge your fears, and move through them, knowing an incredible community is cheering you on. And, if you ever get a chance to experience the energy and camaraderie of a big race, I highly recommend it!
I’m grateful for all the volunteers, the Detroit Free Press event team, my supportive family, and every runner whose story made this race so memorable. Here’s to chasing big goals, wherever they lead us next—even if you have to cross a few borders along the way!
(c) 2025 Sandra De Freitas | SandraDeFreitas.com | All Rights Reserved
“Imagine your membership like welcoming a friend into your home. If you just open the door and stare, things get awkward fast. This week, we’re exploring how refreshing your welcome process can turn hesitant new members into loyal, long-term guests.”
(c) 2025 Sandra De Freitas | SandraDeFreitas.com | All Rights Reserved
"Hosting a summit is like throwing a party. Day one is pure excitement, day two you’re halfway through the celebration, and by day three, you get that Sunday feeling knowing it’s almost over. But the real magic? Seeing members implement what they’ve learned in real time and watching the energy take off.”
(c) 2025 Sandra De Freitas | SandraDeFreitas.com | All Rights Reserved
This week, I kicked off something huge (and yes, a little bit wild) in our membership world. The second annual Memberships What’s Working Now Summit is officially underway, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about how things are shaping up already. If you’re already signed up for the summit, I’m cheering you on! If you haven’t joined us yet, this is your invitation. Seriously, what are you waiting for? Head to whatsworkingnowsummit.com to grab your ticket and jump in.
Let me walk you through what’s happening inside the summit this year and how you can make the most of it. Right now, things are already buzzing. We’ve dropped presentations from our amazing sponsors, including my own session and talks from Krista Miller (all about adding hundreds of members through a virtual summit), Wendy White (on how to make your membership stand out), Charlene Stackel (covering operational strategies that scale), Autumn Wilson (simplifying social media), Leandra Nisbet (custom GPT concierge, anyone?), and Ericka Pardun (the best chargeback responses I’ve seen). And that’s just Monday!
If you grabbed the upgrade pass or all-access plus, there’s even more waiting for you, like podcast episodes, videos, transcripts, and a full month inside my membership. Plus, we’re hosting an implementation week to put everything you’ve learned into practice. The plus pass gets you even more: workbooks and $2,000 worth of presenter products. Don’t feel like you have to snag everything, but definitely grab the resources that click with where you want your business to go next.
Throughout the week, we’re diving into different themes each day, like growth, funnels, marketing, engagement, evergreen strategies, and tech. We’ve got presenters like Sage Grayson, Lindsay Padilla, Sarah and Justin, Liz Wilcox, Cleoniki Kesidis on gamification, Cat Griffin (Instagram tips), and Amy Lynch (on accessibility in memberships). I can barely keep up with all the incredible expertise we’re getting to share.
On top of all of that, I’ll be guiding a membership roadmap session and a membership makeover, plus plenty of live Q&As and a hopping Facebook group where the conversation is already in full swing. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, don’t worry, I’m sharing tips inside the group to help you avoid summit overload. My biggest advice: don’t try to absorb everything. Pick the sessions that matter most right now and start there.
If you haven’t upgraded yet, there’s still time. Upgrading gives you ongoing access to every session and even credits you can use toward anything in my business later. (Fifty dollars if you go for the Lite package, one hundred if you grab the Plus!)
This summit is about more than just learning, it’s about building recurring revenue that not only works for your business financially but also supports your life. It’s time to leave the hustle and perfectionism behind, focus on real momentum, and find what’s truly working right now.
So grab your summit ticket at whatsworkingnowsummit.com and let’s do this together. I can’t wait to see you inside and I’ll be back next week with more to share!
(c) 2025 Sandra De Freitas | SandraDeFreitas.com | All Rights Reserved
This week, I felt like it was time for a real gut check—not just for you, but for me, too. As I’ve been chatting with membership owners lately (which feels like almost daily!), there’s a big recurring theme: what used to work for growing our memberships just isn’t working anymore. People are tired of doing the same launches and getting less traction, or watching members slip out the back door. If you’ve been feeling this shift too, let me tell you—you are absolutely not alone.
So, on today’s episode of Memberships, Launches and Community, I wanted to do two big things. First, I handpicked five of the most essential sessions from next week’s Memberships What’s Working Now Summit. These aren’t just theory—they’re the sessions that directly address what I’m hearing from all of you: launches that fall flat, retention that’s lagging, and just feeling plain stuck.
Here’s a quick taste of what I shared:
And yes, I’m sharing my own session too: Burnout-Free Growth Path. I’ll show you how to choose a growth strategy that fits your actual life, not just the goals you think you “should” have. Because honestly, over-delivering isn’t just eating up your time—it’s probably harming your conversions and your sanity.
But this episode isn’t just a summit preview. I wanted it to be a real pause—a chance to ask yourself, are you growing your membership in a way that still feels right? Or are you just stuck in a loop of outdated advice that used to work in 2020 but doesn’t fit 2025 and beyond?
So, whether you’re ready to binge all 30 summit sessions or just want to pick the top three that resonate, there’s something for everyone. Plus, there’s a free ticket option, or you can upgrade for access to all the notes, bonuses, and an implementation week inside my membership community.
If you’re in the weeds, launching and feeling stuck, or just need a reset—this summit could be the pivot you need. Head to whatsworkingnowsummit.com to register, and message me on Facebook to share which sessions you’re picking first. And don’t forget: next week’s podcast drops right on Day 1 of the summit, where I’m walking you through how to get the absolute most from your week.
Ready to pause, reflect, and get back into alignment with what’s actually working? I’ll see you inside the summit!
(c) 2025 Sandra De Freitas | SandraDeFreitas.com | All Rights Reserved
Wow, today I’m feeling so excited to share something I’ve been working on for months, and I can hardly believe it’s finally ready to announce. If you’ve been in the memberships space for a while, you probably know exactly what I mean when I say things have changed. What used to work – big flashy launches, super-involved content calendars, and those non-stop “go live” calls – just isn’t landing like it used to. Members are more selective, engagement is harder to spark, and even the creators (myself included!) are feeling the content fatigue.
But here’s the really good news: membership models aren’t dead, not by a long shot. People are still joining and staying, when things are done right. That’s exactly why I couldn’t wait any longer to share a big announcement: mark your calendar for October 6th through 10th, because my second annual “Memberships What’s Working Now” Summit is coming up—and you’re invited!
This summit isn’t just another line-up of fluffy, recycled strategies. I went out and brought together 30 speakers who are all in the trenches, running real memberships in 2025 (yes, you read that year right—these are the folks who are out there, adapting and thriving despite the changing economy and shifting member behavior). Every session is under 20 minutes, so you can actually fit this into your schedule and walk away with actionable, current tactics.
Inside this episode, I wanted to give you a little taste of what’s to come at the summit—think launching without the hustle, evergreen funnels, using AI and automation to get your time back, low-ticket tripwires, radically simplified tech, and new ways to get your members engaged in a way that brings you joy (not burnout). We’ll also explore how to boost retention without piling on more content, and how to reimagine your own role as a membership leader.
I shared some behind-the-scenes looks at what’s working for myself and these other brilliant creators, including real-world frameworks, tools, and subtle shifts that can lead to some pretty huge results. No guesswork, no gatekeeping—just the honest truth about what it takes to run a successful membership right now.
And I want you to know this event is totally free to attend. Just grab your ticket at whatsworkingnowsummit.com, and you’ll be welcomed into our Facebook group where the fun (and the chance to win prizes!) starts even before the summit kicks off. Once you sign up, you’ll get to meet the speakers, see what goodies they’re sharing, and access even more resources to help you make big moves—without burning out.
If you’re someone who likes to soak up info at your own pace, the All Access Pass is made for you—video replays, transcripts, a private podcast feed for the year, every session’s key takeaways, implementation workbooks, and even a chance for hot seat coaching with me plus a free month or $80 credit in my engagement-focused membership! I’ll be sharing more about this next week, but if you already know you need it, you can secure your spot right now.
Here’s the thing: running a membership shouldn’t feel like you’re guessing blindly or spinning your wheels. This summit is your flashlight. Let’s reset, refocus, and finish this year strong–together.
Ready to reignite your energy and get a peek at what’s actually working? Head over to whatsworkingnowsummit.com to reserve your free ticket, and don’t forget to hit the follow button right here so you don’t miss next week’s episode with even more behind-the-scenes details. I can’t wait to see you inside the summit—and cheer you on as you build the kind of recurring revenue you deserve!
(c) 2025 Sandra De Freitas | SandraDeFreitas.com | All Rights Reserved
The online space is changing so fast, and as membership owners and creators, I know we all feel it. People are craving more intention, less overwhelm, and frankly—they’re tired of all the noise and complexity that used to work. In this episode, I wanted to give you a special insider preview of something that’s really close to my heart: our second annual Memberships What’s Working Now Summit! If you joined us last year, you know how much fun we had—the prizes, the actionable tips, and the incredible community wins. And if you missed it… trust me, you’ll want to mark your calendar this time.
What I’ve been seeing over and over from the frontlines is this: Simplicity wins right now. The tendency to go overboard with complex offers, convoluted tech stacks, and exhausting launching is still so strong, but the biggest results come when we just keep it simple. It needs to be easy for you AND your members—otherwise, tech headaches and overwhelm creep in, for everyone.
One of my favorite things to see lately is how high-value, low-ticket offers are bringing new people into memberships. And here’s another: better onboarding is translating directly into stronger retention. When you really welcome your new members and make them feel at home from day one, they stick around and keep engaging with your work.
At this year’s Summit, I’m pulling together almost 30 top membership experts and creators to share exactly what’s working right now—and we aren’t sugarcoating it. We’ll cover smart and ethical ways to use AI (so you can lighten your workload), building fun and ease into your community, and most importantly: keeping things sustainable so you don’t burn out.
And, we’re definitely going to talk about what’s NOT working anymore: endless content production that no one can keep up with, relying on one big “all-or-nothing” yearly launch, ignoring your own energy and capacity, and over-promising in your community with nothing to back it up. We are so done with all that.
If you’re planning on joining us (and I hope you do!), here’s the game plan: The Summit runs October 6-10, with carefully curated, bite-sized talks (so you can jump into only what’s relevant to you, and not drown in overwhelm), speaker panels, and actionable giveaways. If you go for the All-Access Pass, you’ll get even more, including special implementation sessions and a month free inside our membership for deeper support. Even if your next launch isn’t until the new year, you’ll have plenty of ways to get ahead and make real changes now!
So, if you want to see for yourself what’s working right now in the membership world (and what it really takes to grow recurring revenue without burning out), go to whatsworkingnowsummit.com and grab your free ticket, or get on the waitlist so you’re first in line when doors open. Make sure to block out the week on your calendar and give yourself this time to work ON your membership, not just IN it.
Let’s make memberships more magical and manageable this year—with less stress, more clarity, and zero overwhelm. I can’t wait to see you inside the Summit, and stay tuned for next week’s episode—I have something special in store for you!
Ready to ditch the overwhelm and build a sustainable membership? Go to whatsworkingnowsummit.com and save your spot!
(c) 2025 Sandra De Freitas | SandraDeFreitas.com | All Rights Reserved
This week, I’m taking you behind the curtain of my own business to give you a real look at the nitty gritty of my latest launch—what worked, what I kept simple, and how you can apply these takeaways to your next launch.
I’ve been running a launch these past couple of weeks that’s not only setting me up for the fall, but is leading straight into our annual Memberships: What’s Working Now Summit. Instead of going all out with a complicated funnel, I challenged myself to simplify. No big webinar series or elaborate challenge launch this time—I stripped it right back and offered a free training called Burnout Free Memberships: How to Build Recurring Revenue Without the Exhaustion. The goal was simple: give as much value as possible for free, and then tie the training directly to my Burnout Free Membership mini course bundle.
Here’s what really moved the needle: I kept the call-to-action at the end super clear. If you wanted the bundle (or individual modules), there was a deadline to act before the price went up. I also stacked in bonuses—like my upcoming Burnout Free Membership Launch Planner—for anyone who purchased before September 9th. I know from experience (and my own buying habits!) that a real, timely reason to act now helps people move, rather than letting the opportunity pass by and collecting digital dust in an open browser tab.
I also made a point to share the journey as it unfolded, bringing my audience along for the ride. Whether it was talking about why I created these mini-courses (to help stop the burnout I see everywhere) or showing the behind-the-scenes of recording and launching, I made it less about the hard sell and more about the process and purpose. People love a story, not just a sales page.
What really felt different about this launch was how I tied it into the bigger picture. I didn’t just say “Hey, buy my course!” Instead, I laid out a clear path: Start with the Burnout Free foundations, get your systems in place, and then get ready for the next phase with our Summit coming up. Plus, I even teased a new coaching program that’s almost ready behind the scenes—I already have everything mapped out and I can’t wait to open a few limited spaces soon.
Here are my biggest lessons from this behind-the-scenes launch:
And if you’ve been eyeing the Burnout Free Membership Mini Course series, this is your last chance to get the full bundle at the current price, with all the bonuses including exclusive GPTs and my upcoming launch planner (if you act before September 9th at 9pm Eastern). After that, the price goes up and I can’t make exceptions.
You can grab it all at sandradefreitas.com/burnoutfreebundle.
I hope this peek inside gave you useful, practical strategies for your next launch—and maybe a little inspiration to keep things simple, real, and connected. Next week we’re kicking off a whole new series on the podcast diving into the Memberships: What’s Working Now Summit, so be sure to subscribe if you haven’t yet.
Keep building, keep engaging, and most importantly—keep it burnout free. See you next week!
(c) 2025 Sandra De Freitas | SandraDeFreitas.com | All Rights Reserved
Sandra shares five burnout-free strategies to boost your recurring revenue this fall, from simplifying offers to automating onboarding. Packed with practical tips, this episode helps you grow your membership or program sustainably, just in time for the busy season ahead.
(c) 2025 Sandra De Freitas | SandraDeFreitas.com | All Rights Reserved
Sandra wraps up the Burnout Free Membership Method series by tackling a key factor in membership success—retention. She shares actionable tips to boost member engagement, connection, and clarity, showing how small, thoughtful changes can make members want to stay for the long run.
(c) 2025 Sandra De Freitas | SandraDeFreitas.com | All Rights Reserved
Sandra tackles the burnout of traditional membership launches, sharing sustainable alternatives like evergreen funnels and seasonal promos. She guides listeners to align launch strategies with their energy and lifestyle for long-term success without the overwhelm.
(c) 2025 Sandra De Freitas | SandraDeFreitas.com | All Rights Reserved
Sandra tackles the tech headaches of running memberships, revealing that misaligned, complicated systems—not tech itself—cause overwhelm. She shares simple strategies for streamlining tools so your tech supports your flow, making running your membership easier and more enjoyable.
(c) 2025 Sandra De Freitas | SandraDeFreitas.com | All Rights Reserved
Sandra tackles the content creation overwhelm faced by membership owners, busting the myth that more content equals more value. She shares a simple, burnout-free framework for delivering engaging, purposeful membership content that supports both you and your members.
(c) 2025 Sandra De Freitas | SandraDeFreitas.com | All Rights Reserved
Sandra tackles the issue of offer overload in memberships, urging creators to focus on clarity over complexity. She shares why simplifying your offer builds trust, boosts renewals, and prevents burnout—for both you and your members.
(c) 2025 Sandra De Freitas | SandraDeFreitas.com | All Rights Reserved
This episode in Sandra's Burnout Free Memberships series focuses on the crucial first step: your vision and role. She explains why building your membership around your life and strengths (before content or pricing) prevents burnout and sets you up for lasting success.
(c) 2025 Sandra De Freitas | SandraDeFreitas.com | All Rights Reserved
Sandra kicks off a seven-part series introducing the Burnout Free Membership Method. She reframes burnout as a sign of a broken model, not personal failure, and shares five foundations for building a sustainable, energizing membership, setting the stage for deeper dives in coming episodes.
(c) 2025 Sandra De Freitas | SandraDeFreitas.com | All Rights Reserved
Sandra kicks off a special series with the Burnout Free Membership Blueprint, sharing eight key shifts to help membership owners simplify, stabilize, and enjoy their business, without burnout. She previews practical strategies to design smarter, more sustainable memberships.
(c) 2025 Sandra De Freitas | SandraDeFreitas.com | All Rights Reserved
Sandra is joined by Jessica Smith and Michelle Lee to explore how micro tools, AI, and WordPress are transforming memberships. They share latest tech trends, creative automation strategies, and offer practical tips for making your community and content more actionable and engaging.
(c) 2025 Sandra De Freitas | SandraDeFreitas.com | All Rights Reserved
Sandra shakes up the business mindset by highlighting rest as a crucial strategy for membership owners. She shares practical ways to schedule downtime, batch content, and set member expectations so you can avoid burnout and build a thriving, sustainable business.
(c) 2025 Sandra De Freitas | SandraDeFreitas.com | All Rights Reserved