Host Private Member-Only Live Streams 

When you choose a subscription model for your content, you are under loads of pressure to keep delivering value to members—value that makes paying a monthly subscription payment a no-brainer. You’re already in a flow of publishing courses, writing blog posts, and distributing newsletters. Are private live streams a new content stream to consider adding to the mix? We think so.

In 2023, over 42% of Gen-Z internet users reported that they watch live stream videos, according to Statista. That’s a huge audience of people who love to participate in live video experiences. They are the perfect addition to most member offerings, whether you already have a community component to your membership or want to add one.

Keep reading as we explore why live streaming is a game-changer for certain membership sites. We will cover different types of streaming experiences you can experiment with for a public, freemium, or premium member audience plus tutorials on specific technology to simplify your streaming workflow.

Why Live Streaming Matters for Membership Sites

Live streaming is more than just a content delivery method—it’s an opportunity to create memorable, interactive experiences beyond static “self-serve” content. 

You have built an audience that loves to consume your content. That could be written content like blog posts, courses, and newsletters, or rich media content, like videos and podcasts, your audience has grown to trust you for your expertise.

Whatever you publish, you have established yourself as a go-to resource on your unique topic niche. Your members just can’t get enough of you.

So why add live streams? A report by Statista found that 21% of live stream views are from “internet personalities.” Now, maybe you don’t consider yourself an “internet personality,” but your members might. You’ve earned that title simply by being a trusted thought leader in your space.

If you are ready to dive into the technical steps for setting up live streams, check out our how-to guides on two popular platforms—Zoom and StreamYard.

Key Benefits of Live Streaming

Not convinced that live events are a natural next step to take your content mix to the next level? Here are a few reasons why live streams deepen your relationship with your audience and give you massive benefits no other content type can deliver.

1. Real-Time Interaction

Unlike pre-recorded videos or blog posts, live streams allow members to connect with you and each other in real time. This interaction fosters a two-way dialogue, creating a space where members can:

• Ask questions and get immediate answers.
• Participate in discussions with the community and the host.

This live element transforms members from passive consumers of content into active participants in your membership community. And the benefits of that transformation do not stop when the live stream ends.

2. Stronger Sense of Community

Live streams create shared experiences that bring members together. Whether it’s a Q&A session, a panel discussion, or a live workshop, these events help members feel connected—not just to you but also to other members.

Over time, these shared experiences build a loyal and engaged community that views your site as more than just a resource.

3. Immediate Feedback

During a live event, you have a direct line to your audience’s thoughts, opinions, and questions. This feedback is invaluable towards helping you:

• Identify topics your audience cares about most.
• Gain insight into what’s working or needs improvement.
• Shape future content and offerings based on real-time reactions.

When members see their input reflected in your actions, they feel seen and heard. This feeling strengthens their sense of belonging and makes them more invested in your community.

4. Enhanced Perceived Value

Private live streams create a premium experience that can set your site apart from competitors. Members are more likely to see the value in their subscription when they have access to exclusive, live events that aren’t available elsewhere.

This exclusivity becomes a key selling point to attract new members and retain existing ones.

5. Format Flexibility

With a live stream, you’re free to curate the exact type of event you want to see. There are no complicated rules or algorithms to master. Your only goal is to deliver value, so people leave the event thinking, “Wow, when is the next one of these!”

If you are unsure where to start with a live stream, consider these common formats:

• Offer educational webinars to share valuable insights and expert knowledge, or invite a guest speaker to present.
• Host a Q&A session, where members get direct responses from you and your team.
• Consider an interactive workshop, where members can learn and practice new skills in real-time.
• Give your members a sneak peak at what happens behind-the-scenes.  Let them look into your processes, projects, or day-to-day operations.
• Take the burden off yourself as the creator by curating a panel discussion with experts on key topics your audience cares about.
• Foster community through virtual networking or masterminds where members can connect.
• Build hype and grow your influence through product demos or launch day events.
• Somewhat niche, but if you’re a performer, use streams to deliver exclusive musical performances or art reveals.

6. Human Connection

Live events create an authentic, personal connection that static content can’t replicate. Members get to see you in real time—your personality, expertise, and engagement shine through in a way that builds rapport.

This human touch makes your membership site feel relatable and approachable, which is key to building long-term relationships with your audience.

Your live event may be some combination of all these formats, or something uniquely your own. Embrace live streams with a spirit of experimentation: if one format doesn’t land with your audience, mix it up by trying something different next month.

Choosing the Right Platform for Live Streaming

The platform you select shapes the experience for both you and your members. When deciding, evaluate factors such as cost, ease of use, and bonus features. Below is a comparison of two popular platforms we get asked about:

Service	Zoom	StreamYard On-Air
Price (Starting)	$14.99/month	$39/month
Free Trial	No	7 Days
Monthly Payments	Yes	Yes
Key Features	Interactive MeetingsBreakout Rooms	Brower-based StudioMultistreaming

Zoom

Zoom is well-suited for interactive sessions like Q&As and workshops. It offers robust tools for real-time engagement, including breakout rooms and polls, but requires participants to join through the native Zoom app or launched in browser.

The small downside with Zoom is that they are not a 100% closed environment. A member could share the Zoom meeting link outside your membership site. If you consider this downside an opportunity to convert a new member, you won’t feel too bad about letting someone in for free.

We cover the exact steps to set up a members-only Zoom event in the companion guide below.

StreamYard On-Air

StreamYard offers a browser-based studio with professional branding options. It’s great for webinars and panel discussions and allows multistreaming to other platforms, giving your live events a polished and versatile feel. 

You can embed the StreamYard On-Air live stream directly into a protected area of your membership site. This makes StreamYard-On-Air a better platform if you want to truly protect your live stream. The trade off is that the platform does not support participant video, only live chat.

We cover the exact steps to set up a private StreamYard-On-Air event in the companion guide below.

Other Streaming Platforms

Did you know that with Paid Memberships Pro, you can protect content from any live streaming platform—not just Zoom or StreamYard.

Whether you are embedding a stream directly in your site or protecting the link to a third-party streaming URL, PMPro ensures only your members can access your event.

If you are using another streaming platform and want to know how to integrate your events with PMPro, reach out to our support team or ask in our community Slack workspace. 

How the PMPro Team Provides Public and Members-Only Events

You’ve learned the benefits and explored a few platform options. But what kind of events will you actually run?

We wanted to share a bit in this post about how we use live streams here at Paid Memberships Pro. Our Marketing Manager, Sam, organizes our live events schedule every quarter. Currently, we host:

• Open Office Hours: These are live on YouTube open for anyone to join on. These will typically be live every other Thursday at 11 AM Eastern. 
• Coding with Sam: This series is also live on YouTube and open for anyone to join, however, the code that Sam demonstrates are code recipe posts available to premium members only.
• Community Meetup: This event is a twice-monthly Google Meet that is exclusive to members in our Slack community. The join link is shared within the Slack community about 5 minutes before the event.
• Async AMA: Every other Wednesday, we host asynchronous Ask Me Anything sessions in our Slack community for those that may have questions and want to chat but are not comfortable with being on video or speaking at the community meetup. 

While some of these events are 100% open to the public, we do offer events that are exclusive to specific members. We leverage our public events to grow our exclusive community.

Conclusion

Live streaming is a powerful tool for membership sites seeking to stand out in today’s crowded digital landscape. By hosting exclusive, real-time events, you create value that goes beyond pre-recorded content, to foster engagement, loyalty, and community.

With Paid Memberships Pro, you can deliver exclusive, high-value events that keep your community engaged and growing.

Grow Your Membership Site with Live Streaming

Live streaming is more than just a content format—it’s a strategic tool to help your membership stand out in today’s crowded marketplace.

Whether you’re experimenting with public live streams to attract new members or creating private, members-only events to deepen existing relationships, the value of live streaming goes beyond the moment you hit “end broadcast.”

Platforms like Zoom and StreamYard On-Air offer easy-to-use technology for hosting live streams. Add Paid Memberships Pro to the mix to protect your content and offer exclusive access to your members, regardless of the platform you choose.

Take the Next Step
Ready to expand your membership site’s value with live streaming? Explore our step-by-step guides for Zoom and StreamYard On-Air to get started.

Not sure what to stream? Experiment. Host a Q&A, an interactive workshop, or even a behind-the-scenes session.

The key is to start small, learn what resonates, and build from there. Over time, you’ll not only refine your streaming approach but come to enjoy all the benefits this unique content format has to offer.

Your members are ready to connect—are you?