Years ago, I closed down a membership called The FAM.

Depending on who you asked, "FAM" stood for Funnels, Ads, and Marketing -or- The Funnels + Ads Membership.

Regardless, it was small, unfocused, and shedding members.

When I finally decided to close it, I braced for the backlash.

I announced my decision to my disengaged group, and then...

I refreshed my inbox expecting scores of messages like, "nooo... this is my favorite part of the internet...wahhhhh..."

Hours passed. Not a peep or a whimper.

"Hmm." I thought, "They're probably just too sad to be able to type me an email right now."

Haha, nope!

In the next few days, I heard from exactly zero people that they were sad that I mercifully ended my fledgling membership.

The lesson I learned is to make things that people would miss.

Align your skills and talents with their hopes and dreams and support them along the way.

This past Tuesday, I closed another membership called The Laidback Lounge.

I delayed writing the announcement post until 6:30 pm. My fingers shook as I hit "post" and ticked the box to "email every member."

This time, it was different.

The responses came quickly.

Some said, "I'm sorry to hear this, but I understand."

Some private messaged me with a supportive note.

Some didn't understand. Maybe even felt betrayed.

It was a completely new experience than The FAM.

I had done it - I created something that people would miss if it were gone.

If I'm being honest, it's a weird feeling.

I'm glad they liked it. I'm sad they'll miss it. But I know it's the right move for me in this moment.

So here's something you can try:

If you have a membership, or a community of any kind, ask them,

"If [insert awesome community name here] were gone tomorrow, what's the thing you'll miss most?"

The results may surprise you.

You may find that a burdensome deliverable is low-value (so you can remove it).

You may find an easy lift for you is the main reason they stay and pay (so you double down).

Or... maybe you'll end up like The FAM and decide it's time to move on.

Either way, it's a useful exercise.

Give it a shot, and let me know how it goes,

~ Cody