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The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Club: 8 Steps to Launch Your Membership Club

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Ready to start a club? This ultimate guide walks you through the eight essential steps to launch your official membership club. From defining your core mission and values to structuring your organisation, understanding legal requirements, and building a powerful online presence, you'll learn how to get your club up and running and attract new members.

Starting a club is a great way to enjoy and share your passion with other like-minded people. Running a club can be an extremely rewarding experience, and it is one that we at Member Jungle would 100% recommend. In fact, several members of the Member Jungle team have started clubs themselves. Now I am a member of a club, but I have never started one, so I talked to the team members who have actually started clubs and here are their tips for starting an official club. 

Step 1: Decide What Your Club Is Going To Be About

I know that's an extremely obvious statement, but the first step in starting a club is defining exactly what the club is going to be about. This is a lot more than just saying we are going to be a fishing club; it’s defining exactly what you will be about, what the scope of your organisation will be, and more.

It might seem obvious, but the first thing you need to do is work out what you want your club to do. Chances are, you aren’t starting this club on your own. You probably already have a few friends who want to start this club with you. So gather them together, have a little informal meeting and work out the following. 

What Is Your Club Going To Be About?

Starting a club isn't just about picking a random hobby; it's about identifying a genuine need and building a community around it. Perhaps you've noticed a gap in the market, a desire for a local group that doesn't exist yet, or you already have a group of friends who want to take their shared interest to the next level. This first step is about clarifying that vision and making sure it's something people will want to be a part of. 

Once you know what your club is going to be centred around, you need to define the scope of the activity. For example, if you're a car club, what cars are you focused on? Is it a single make? A certain era? If you're a fishing club, will you accept spearfishers, deep-sea charters, or people fishing from tinnies in the local river?

You can, of course, be multiple things; the wider the scope, the more potential members you'll attract. But you should have a clear idea of who your club is for and who it isn't.

Where Is Your Club Going To Meet?

So you know what your club is about now. You need to work out where your club is going to meet up. Will there be a “club house” where you and your members can meet? If you have events, will there be a regular spot where those events are held? Of course, you don’t need a regular meeting place or event location, but now is an excellent time to work all this out. 

When Is Your Club Going To Meet?

You know where you and your club will meet, and you might even know where you plan on holding some of your events. Now you need to work on when all this will take place. Maybe you will have monthly meetings at your “club house”, maybe you will try to host one event every three months. All of this is up to you. 

The advice from those I talked to is that you should aim to meet at least once a month to make sure you are all on top of what is going on in your club. When it comes to events, having events often, even one or two a month, may be a great goal, but remember to start slow and don’t over-commit until you’re sure you can handle events that frequently. 

What Are Your Club’s Guiding Values?

Lastly, you need to work out exactly why you are starting your club and what values you, as an organisation, hold dear.

What is the goal or mission of your club? Is it simply to enjoy your hobby with like-minded people? To spread awareness about an underappreciated hobby? To hold competitions? To raise funds for charity? To further a particular field?

It doesn't matter what your mission is; you just need to decide what it is, write it down, and keep it in mind throughout the setup and running of your club. The good news is that you don't need to pick just one. Your mission might be to hold fun fishing competitions that raise money for charity, which helps to further a particular field.

Your mission and values are the guiding principles of your organisation. They should be at the forefront of every decision you make, from the events you host to the way you communicate with members. By putting your values into action this way, you'll create a lively, purpose-driven organisation that attracts and keeps members who share your passions and help contribute to your success.

Take some time to come up with a goal you can stand behind and achieve. For a deeper dive into setting values and living by them, check out Why You Should Clearly Define Your Non-Profit’s Core Values.

Step 2: Work Out Your Club’s Structure

The next step is to work out the structure of your club. This means defining how the club is run, what leadership roles are needed, and whether you will have different levels of membership. 

Will Your Club Have A President or A Committee? 

You need to decide how your club will be governed: either by a president, a committee, or a combination of both. You will also need to determine how often these positions will be filled; for example, are new leaders elected every year, or do they stay on for longer? This is entirely up to you.

Beyond the core leadership, consider what other roles your club will require. Will you need a treasurer to manage finances, a secretary for administration, or an event manager? It's also vital to assign someone to the technical side of the club, as a strong online presence and a functioning website are essential for growth in the modern age.

For more information on how to help convince people to join your committee, have a look at: 

 

Step 3: Plan Your Club’s Budget 

One really key aspect of starting a club is getting your budget sorted out. It doesn't have to be complicated; you just need to know where the money is coming from and where it is going.

Before you even start thinking about income, you need to work out your expected expenses. A lot of clubs make the mistake of overestimating how much they'll bring in and underestimating how much they'll spend, which can lead to a lot of financial problems down the road.

You should break your budget into two main categories: expenses and income.

Expenses

Your expenses are all the things you need to pay for to keep the club running. You should aim to be as comprehensive as possible here and try to think of things that might not be immediately obvious.

  • Initial Start-Up Costs: The money you need to get the club off the ground. This could include legal fees for registration, domain name registration, or initial marketing expenses.
  • Insurance: This is absolutely essential for almost every club, and it can be a significant cost. You may need to factor this in on a per-person basis and adjust your membership or event fees accordingly.
  • Website and Software Fees: Money you spend on your website and membership management system.
  • Event Costs: The money you have to pay for venues, catering, speakers, or anything else to do with your events.
  • Equipment: Any gear or tools the club needs to purchase or maintain.
  • Marketing: Money you spend on advertising or printing flyers.
  • Legal & Accounting Fees: Costs for any professional services you might need.
  • Admin Costs: Basic expenses like paper, stamps, or banking fees.

Income

Your income is any money that comes into the club. This is where you'll list all the ways you plan to make money. The goal here is to ensure that your income covers your expenses, keeping your club financially healthy and sustainable.

  • Membership Fees: The fees you charge members.
  • Events: Money you make from ticket sales and entry fees.
  • Merchandise: Profits from selling club gear.
  • Sponsorships: Money from local businesses that support your club.

You should be realistic here; your first year might not bring in as much as you hope. It’s better to underestimate your income than to overestimate it and get caught short.

By creating a clear budget, you'll be able to keep your club financially healthy and avoid any nasty surprises. It's a key part of making sure your club is set up for long-term success, and it will help you figure out how many members or events you need to run to cover your costs and become self-sustaining.

Step 4: How Will Your Club Make Money?

Now, you need to work out how your club will make money. This isn’t about making your fortune; it’s just about covering the ongoing running costs of your organisation. Some clubs make money from events, some from selling merchandise, and others from sponsorships. The most common and reliable method, however, is through membership fees.

So, let's talk about the most common way clubs make money.

Membership Fees 

This is the most common and reliable method. You will need to decide if your club will have a single membership price or if you will have different membership levels that offer varying benefits and access at different prices. Offering multiple tiers is a great way to attract a wider range of members, from those who want a basic, affordable option to those who are willing to pay for premium features.

For example, a bushwalking club could have a standard membership that gives members access to the club's website and guided hikes. They could also offer a premium membership that includes everything in the standard membership, along with discounts on gear purchases at local partnered businesses, discounts on events, and access to special workshops.

Events

Events are a fantastic way to both make money and create a vibrant community. You can charge an entry fee for all your events or just the most popular ones. You can set it up so people have to be members in order to buy tickets to your events, or so that anyone can buy tickets, but members get a discount. This can also be decided on an event-by-event basis. Events could be anything from fun days, competitions, and gala dinners to an annual conference.

Merchandise

You can also make a little extra cash by selling branded merchandise. People love to support the things they're passionate about. Consider offering your members a range of products, from club hats and drink bottles to branded gear related to your club's field.

Sponsorships

Lastly, you can make money from sponsorships. Many clubs and associations are able to find local businesses to sponsor them in exchange for advertising. This could be as simple as putting a business's logo on your club's website or having a business's name on a banner at events.

By considering all these options during the planning stage, you will build a more flexible and robust organisation from the start that can appeal to a wider range of people and their wallets.

For more ideas on how you can make extra money to keep your club running, check out either of the below articles: 

Step 5: Work Out What Laws Apply To Your Club

When starting a club, it is essential to research the laws in your area regarding club operations. You will likely need to register your club with a local authority before you can set up a club bank account, organise your club's taxes or sell merchandise.  

Many countries have government agencies that can assist with club registration. The easiest way to find what laws and regulations will apply to your club is by searching online for "Starting an official club in (your location)". 

How To Start An Official Club In Australia 

Here are the legal requirements for setting up an official club in all Australian States: 

I found all of these extremely quickly; every state website had instructions, eligibility details, forms to download and basically everything else you will need to know. 

Most countries and states around the world will have similar websites ready to assist you with setting up the legal side of your club. 

Member Jungle Resources To Help With Laws & Regulations 

At Member Jungle, we like to help clubs and associations however we can, and a part of that is finding out all about developments that will affect non-profits and bringing them to your attention. 

Below is a list of articles that you can check out that will help you with various aspects of running your organisation: 

Navigating Tax Laws: 

Ensuring Privacy Act Compliance:

Finding & Applying For Grants: 

Government Planning: 

So, keep an eye on the Member Jungle Learning Centre as there will be plenty of helpful content there to assist you through every step of this journey. 

Step 6: Choose The Right Name For Your Club

Now that you've got the basics of your club sorted out, it's time to get to one of the most important creative parts: choosing the name. Shakespeare might have said, “A rose, by any other name, would smell as sweet”, but a club by any other name may not attract the same number of members. 

Your club’s name needs to be catchy, memorable, tell people exactly what you're about and be easy to Google. 

For example, a name like "The Sunshine Coast Anglers" is a lot clearer than "The Hooked Club." The first one instantly tells people where you are and what you do; the second club name is catchy, but it doesn’t actually tell people anything about who you are or what you do. 

So, ensure you choose something that people will remember and that tells them who you are. 

SEO and Domain Names

Once you’ve got a good name, you need to see if the domain name is available. That’s your website address, like “www.yourclubname.com”. 

Try to get a domain name that is exactly your club's name or an obviously shortened version, as this looks more professional and is easier to remember. You can do a quick check on any domain registrar's website. If the domain is already taken, you may need to reconsider your club's name. You can search to see if the domain name you're after is available by using tools like our domain checker at Tellidomains. 

A quick search will tell you if there are other clubs with the same name. Don’t just look on Google; check social media sites like Facebook and Instagram as well. The last thing you want is for your prospective members to get confused and sign up for a rival club.

You also need something unique enough that getting your club to come up in the search results is easy. What I mean by this is don’t choose a name that is too similar to something a lot of people search for. If you name your book club that’s based in the Amazon rainforest, “Amazon Book Club”, you will be buried in search engines by results for the company Amazon. 

Step 7: Get Your Club Online

One thing every club needs to grow and flourish is an online presence. From a website to social media, you need to make sure people can find your club and that what they find looks professional. For a lot of your new members, your website and social media pages will be the first thing they see of your club, so you need to make sure they set a good first impression.

The good news is that it's never been easier to create a beautiful and functional website. There are DIY website builders like Wix and WordPress. Alternatively, companies like Member Jungle can provide you with a website that’s fully integrated with a membership management system, which makes running every aspect of your club a whole lot easier.

One of the most enjoyable parts of starting a club is creating a website for it; you get to decide on a club logo, a colour scheme, and the overall tone of your organisation. For some extra tips on how to get your branding sorted out and your website looking as good as possible, check out How To Properly Brand Your Club and Explore 5 Club Websites to Inspire Your Club Website Journey.

Step 8: Grow and Enjoy Your Club 

So, you've got your website up and running. Now it's time to get the word out and attract new members. Remember that as your club gets bigger and busier, you will need a good system to stay on top of everything.

It can be a lot of work, but using a good system that automates the time-consuming stuff means you won't lose sight of why your club was founded in the first place: the simple enjoyment of sharing common interests with your fellow club members.

Services like ours at Member Jungle, or alternatives such as JoinIt and Bond Software, are great places to start. Make sure you use a system that helps keep things organised so you can focus on the fun parts, like planning events and hanging out with your mates.

Where To Go From Here?

If you’ve followed all these steps and looked up your local legal requirements, you should be in a good position to think about getting your very own club up and running. Now it’s time to start looking into ways to promote your club and start attracting members. 

For details on how a great website can help you attract new members, check out 3 Simple Ways To Improve Your Club's Website.

For some ideas on ways to attract members to your burgeoning club, have a look at The 5 Best Ways To Recruit More Members To Your Club.

Most importantly, though, get out there and enjoy your new club. The real fun starts now.

 

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