Case Study: Kottke.org protects its independent publishing business with Memberful

Kottke.org builds a membership business over 20 years with Memberful

Kottke.org, one of the world's longest-running blogs, faced the challenge of turning its creative outlet into a sustainable full-time business. Founder Jason Kottke needed a way to monetize his site that gave him direct control over his revenue stream and audience relationships, moving beyond simple one-time donation buttons and avoiding dependence on third-party platforms.

Using Memberful, Kottke implemented a lightweight membership system directly integrated into his own website. This solution provided him with the machinery to manage recurring payments and members, mirroring a model like NPR's pledge drives. The results were a sustainable business that has operated for over two decades, with Memberful giving Kottke full ownership and control over a critical part of his operations, ensuring his business is not vulnerable to changes in other platforms.

Kottke.org