🗺️ The Off-Season Retention Playbook

Use this playbook to turn peak-season spikes into year-round revenue

Look at this checklist and compare it to your business. Fewer than 5 checks means you have a significant retention opportunity.

• ☐ I publish content consistently between major events (1–3 videos per week)
• ☐ I send push notifications regularly
• ☐ I have a welcome email or onboarding automation set up for new subscribers
• ☐ I host live Q&As or community discussions between events
• ☐ I offer an annual subscription plan and actively promote it
• ☐ I have a free lead magnet or preview content for non-subscribers
• ☐ I send a regular customer newsletter

Each section below matches a checklist item. Find the items you didn't check off, and take the actions suggested.

01 — I publish content consistently between events

What to post this week (copy and adapt):

• "Day 1 behind-the-scenes from [event name] — here's what actually happens before we go live" (use existing footage, no new recording needed)
• "The question we get most after every [event]: [your most common post-event question + your answer]"
• "3 things to work on between now and [next event]" (a quick tip or drill video — 5 to 10 minutes)

The simplest content system: Right after your event ends, record or batch 4 short clips while your energy is high. Schedule one per week for the next month. Done.

Quick rule of thumb: Aim for 1–3 posts per week. Consistency matters more than production quality.

02 — I send push notifications regularly

During the off-season, out of sight really does mean out of mind. Push notifications are the fastest way to remind members your platform is active and worth opening.

Copy-paste push notification examples:

03 — I have a welcome and onboarding automation set up

The goal of your onboarding sequence is simple: get new members to watch 3+ videos in their first 7 days. Members who hit that milestone are dramatically more likely to stay.

The good news: you don't have to build this from scratch. Uscreen has a pre-built Free Trial / New Member Onboarding automation template waiting for you in the platform. It's a 4-email sequence that walks new members from their first login through building a real habit.

To activate it: Go to Marketing → Automations → Create Automation → select the Free Trial / New Member Onboarding template.

04 — I host live Q&As or community discussions between events

An active community gives members a daily reason to open your app that has nothing to do with new content. That's powerful during the off-season.

A week of community posts you can use right now:

Realistic expectation: Your first few posts will feel quiet. That's normal. Most communities don't pick up organic engagement until month 2 or 3.

05 — I offer an annual plan and actively promote it

Annual members churn at a fraction of the rate of monthly members — and for seasonal businesses, they're far less likely to cancel in the off-season. There are two moments to capture this upgrade: at checkout, and a few months in.

Step 1: Set up the Subscription Upsell tool (at checkout)

The Subscription Upsell tool shows a pop-up to anyone purchasing a monthly plan right before they complete checkout — offering them the annual plan at a discount instead.

To activate it: Go to Marketing → Subscription Upsell → New Offer

What to write in the upsell message: Lead with the outcome, not the discount. Instead of "Save 20% with an annual plan," try: "Stay consistent, never miss a release, and lock in [X months free] by committing for the year."

Discount guidance: Cap at 20–25%.

Step 2: Set up the Annual Upsell automation (post-purchase)

Not everyone will take the offer at checkout — but some of them will be ready a few months in. The Annual Upsell automation handles this for you.

To activate it: Go to Marketing → Automations → Create Automation → select the Upsell to Annual template.

06 — I have a free lead magnet for non-subscribers

The off-season is the best time to build a subscriber pipeline that keeps working year-round. A lead magnet gives non-subscribers a low-risk way to experience what you do.

Three things to do this week:

1. Pick one piece of existing content to give away. A behind-the-scenes clip, a highlight reel, a technique breakdown. One to five short videos is plenty.
2. Build a dedicated landing page for it. Even for a free offer, don't send people straight to a checkout link. Lead with the outcome, not the offer: "Get a first look inside [event] — free" converts better than "Download our free video."
3. Set up the lead nurture automation. Go to Marketing → Automations → Create Automation → select the Free Bundle Lead Nurture template. Customize the copy to match your voice and set the trigger to your specific bundle.

07 — I Send a Member Newsletter

Automations catch members when something changes. Your newsletter keeps them from drifting in the first place. For seasonal businesses especially, a consistent newsletter is what maintains the emotional connection to your platform during the months when there's no event creating it for you.

The goal of every newsletter is the same: give members one clear reason to open your membership website or app.

How often to send: At minimum once a month. Twice a month is better. The most common cause of churn is a creator who goes quiet between content drops.

What to include (pick 2–4 of these per send):

• A personal note — 3–6 sentences from you. What you've been thinking about, working on, or excited for.
• What's new — new content, upcoming event dates, news in your industry.
• Member favorites — your 2–3 most watched or most completed pieces of content right now.
• A spotlight — rotate weekly between a program spotlight, a community win, or a feature your members may not be using yet.
• One clear CTA — every newsletter needs a single primary action.

A simple 4-week rotation:

Key metrics to track monthly

Questions? Post in the Membership+ community. The coaching team can help you prioritize and workshop ideas.