I don't think that is the point. I signed up anyway, but I did feel like you were not respecting my time and interest, by asking me to check out something I cannot check out until you invite me...
A/B testing is your friend. Try both and see which way works better for you.
disagree. It's also a matter of respecting people, if you ask them to "check out your website" and they can't until you invite them...