Build IRL Newsletter #27
A Gathering of Gatherers in SF (RSVP!), Models for Member Dues, Pass the Gravy - A Toast to Togetherness 🍗
Howdy, B.IRL Gang! 👋
🚀 A huge thanks for all the love from last week’s announcement!
We’re feeling extra grateful for each of you. 🙏
As we get closer to Thanksgiving, we’re reminded of what really makes life rich—connection. Whether it’s around the dinner table or our social clubs, it’s the bonds we build that fill our hearts (and bellies). 🦃✨
This week, we’re diving into an amazing question a builder asked: "How do member dues fit into the revenue mix for an IRL community?" 🤔
But first, don’t forget to RSVP for our IRL Builders Holiday Gathering on 12/10! 🎉
In this edition:
🥂Gatherings of Gatherers (holiday edition 🎄): IRL Hang in SF (RSVP today!)
💰Member Dues Models: Why & How much?
🍗Pass the Gravy: A Toast to Togetherness
🚀Ready, Set, Build … IRL : Applications for Spring Cohort open! Apply here.
🥂Gatherings of Gatherers (Holiday Edition🎄)
✨ Join us for a special evening celebrating San Francisco’s IRL builders and gatherers!🥂 Let’s raise a glass to the amazing people shaping our city’s social fabric, spark new ideas, and build momentum for what’s next!
Why Come?
✨ Meet passionate IRL community builders in SF
🎉 Hang with some Build IRL founding cohort members
🍕 Festive drinks, bites, & good vibes
🎄 Bonus: Rock your ugliest sweater! 😜
RSVP here. Let’s celebrate, co-create, and make SF more connected. 🙌
Build IRL Cohort: Spring 2025 Applications Open!
For SF club builders to experiment, learn, and build with passionate peers. Get hands-on support to tell your story, make your asks and design for belonging.
In 8 weeks you’ll land your first contributors, your first dues-paying members and test new tactics.
Want more info? Check out our FAQ here.
Apply now for the Spring Cohort!
💰Member Dues: Why & How Much?
We got an awesome question from a builder after last week’s reveal: "How do member dues fit into the revenue mix for an IRL community?" 🤔
Here’s our take: Dues are a powerhouse! They can unlock so much potential, and how much you rely on them depends on your community’s goals.
Let’s break it down:
So, what can dues unlock?
Curation 🌱
Dues attract the ‘right’ people—those who truly value the community. You know that fellow members are committed to building meaningful connections.Commitment🤝
When people pay dues, they are committing to engage and contribute. They’re not just passive participants; they’re investing in the community.Cognitive Load 🧠
Less decision fatigue for members. No more wondering, “Should I go today?” Just show up! Think of it like a gym membership.Predictability 🔮
Reliable cash flow = reliable plans. Dues offer steady income (vs. event sales) and give you clear feedback on what’s working—and what’s not.
Other things to consider when thinking about dues:
Open or Closed👐
How open or closed is your community? Are events members-only, or open to the public?Other Revenue Streams💰
Dues are a key piece of the sustainability puzzle. For some, it’s the only source of income, while for others, it’s one of many revenue streams e.g., sponsorships, merch, workshops, donations…
Three Dues Models:
Here’s our (simplified) view of models we’ve seen in social clubs and communities:
I. All-In Buffet
Revenue contribution: Most of the revenue from dues
Examples: SF Commons, Groundfloor Club
Everything’s included in the dues—gatherings, services, and more (except handful big events like holiday parties or trips). Most gatherings are members-only. Members feel a strong sense of belonging and can show up to anything without a second thought. It’s like your living room… outside your living room.
Commitment: High
Cognitive Load: Low
Revenue Predictability: High
II. 50-50 Model
Revenue Split: 50% revenue from dues
Example: Tribe Social
This model balances low cognitive load with flexibility. Members pay dues for core gatherings (around 40-50% of events are free) but have the option to pay for additional ones based on their interests or timing. It lets members choose how much they want to engage and how much they’re willing to pay.
Commitment: High
Cognitive Load: Low
Revenue Predictability: Medium
III. Commitment Starter
10-20% Revenues from dues
Example: Urban Diversion
The goal is to create a social contract where members commit to showing up more. Members are loosely bound but see familiar faces often. There’s plenty of flexibility, though, with 80% of gatherings having additional costs or tickets. The primary purpose is securing upfront commitment.
Commitment: Medium
Cognitive Load: High
Revenue Predictability: Low
Pick the model that matches your community’s vibe and goals. Keep it simple, and you’ll see more commitment and predictability. 🌟
Pass the Gravy: A Toast to Togetherness 🍗
Thanksgiving reminds us that connection is what makes life rich—whether it’s around the table, in our neighborhoods, or in our social clubs.
It’s the day we all agree that sharing matters: food, laughs, memories (and maybe a slightly undercooked turkey).
So, let’s set aside the debates over who brought canned cranberry sauce 🫣 and focus on the joy of being together.
Gratitude doesn’t ask for perfection; it just asks for us to show up. To listen. To appreciate. Here’s to celebrating what unites us, leaving differences at the door, and lifting each other up.
Stay connected, stay grateful, and pass the gravy!
Keep building!
-Saum & Colt