All-In-One: All About Membership Sites

[admin]

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All-In-One Threads:

All-In-One threads is something I'm starting here where we as a group try to list damn near everything known about the subject of the thread. When you see an All-In-One thread feel free to speak up. It can be a 'secret', just a technique you happen to use or even something you haven't used, just heard about - whatever. Feel free to join in.

Please do not use the term All-In-One anywhere on this board. It will be saved for these threads specifically so at some point all one will have to do is search for the term "All-In-One" and all these threads will be easily found. At some point these will become some of the most sought after threads on the forum so it might be a good idea to participate if you have something to say people are going to really like.

If you have a great idea for an All-In-One thread please send me a PM and let me know about it.

To Find All All-In-One Threads Just Click Here: WarriorForum - Internet Marketing Forums - Threads Tagged with allinone

Thank you..
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This thread is for listing any strategies or tips you might have about creating and marketing Membership Sites...

Thanks!

Allen

[TyBrown]

I'm not an affiliate or anything, but I'm a huge fan of membergate. I use this system to host my membership site. It's bloody expensive compared to other options but it's so simple, set up so nice, and so hands off that I've been thrilled to use it.

[George Wright]

Hi All,

A membership site can be any type of site where people have to be a member to read or download the information. Duh. Tell us something we don't know George.

LOL I just say the above because a lot of new people ask "What script do you have to use to have a membership site?"

If money is an issue you don't really need a script.

You can have a password protected forum.

You can have a normal web page with links to information and downloads in a password protected directory.

There is a nice little application that lets you have a different password for each person who joins. When money starts coming in one can use that money to invest in bigger and better scripts, or not. It just depends on how much hands on time you want to spend on your membership site.

Membership sites can be monthly subscription.

Another great model for membership sites is Free, to build a mailing list and or a one time payment, again, for building a large list.

My first introduction to a membership site was the Warrior secret site that included the Warrior Forum.

Allen offered a TON of information products in a password protected directory for a one time payment. Back then in the 90s this was a very new and unique experience. It felt as if I had been "let in" on a great secret society where by being a member I could improve my internet business skills and learn a lot of other wonderful things.

As it turned out all that was true. Being a member of the Warriors has been an amazing learning and doing experience.

What I tend to forget and what I think many of us tend to forget is that there are millions of people that look with the same wonderment at the Internet and Membership sites as we did years ago.

We just have to position ourselves "in their way," and make them members on our membership sites.

Another GREAT source of members are those who aren't newbies at all but who will benefit from the service or products we can offer them.

Case in point there are Members of this forum who have membership sites that have other members of this forum as members. (Whew that was some sentence)

Another thing I forget a lot is that there are millions of Internet "savvy" folks who are not members here and who (excuse me Allen) have never herd of the WF. It may seem like a pipe dream but there are some in here who could be an "Allen Says" or a "Tony Blake" to a few thousand people.

I read a recent thread here about 1,000 fans. Look it up it's a good read.

George Wright

[Shannon Herod]

When it comes to membership sites the first piece of acvice I give is... Keep It Simple!

We automatically try to muck everything up and make it over complicated. Focus on getting the site to market and iron out the tiny details as you go.


Shannon

[Lou Diamond]

Hello,
keeping members happy and the right price point is a tricky
combination for customer retention.
We need to focus more on that point of view.

[Brian Cook]

A paid membership site should focus on a narrow niche
(and provide content that your members can't find
anywhere else).

Brian

[Josh Anderson]

Deliver everything as a membership site...

Everything!

If you sell an oil change offer a free value added membership site and "members only" email and direct mail follow up with it. Teach people how to take care of their car, why your service is the best, remind them when to return and let them login and print off a coupon to get them back in the store...

If you sell content of any type including digital downloads deliver it in a membership site....

Why?

1. It makes your site sticky getting them back to the site after the sale, after the upsells and downsells so that you can provide them more value and have new opportunities to sell.

2. It allows you to automate delivery even when they might have missed the download page. A simple link from your sales page to the members login area and password retrieval function for anyone who forgot will eliminate tons of "where's my download" customer service.

3. You could deliver your info products as web based content instead of ebooks etc... again site stickyness, real time updates (they always have the latest version), value added, and easier media integration for other forms of communication and selling... Drip bonus materials and other value to keep em coming back. If they paid for it... emailing them that there is more than what they paid for now available in the members area will get them back to your site better than a pitch.

4. Eliminate the "my hard drive crashed" or "I lost it" customer service. Again automated login and password retrieval is the key.

5. Automated billing update for continuity offers. If it is recurring you had better have both an automated membership site billing follow up system that reminds them to update their billing many times giving them a grace period and then suspending them but still leaving the door open for them to update the billing and regain access to the account... turn over due to expired cards, declines etc. on rebill is a large % of attrition... so have a system that automates that billing update retention for you.

6. Security... they can share your ebook, they can share your download links... but when you can track how many IP addresses access the membership each day and limit that number and either auto suspend if exceeded or quietly notify your support staff in background so they can call and check on the client... and when you can cloak download links and other resources such as embedded media source file locations inside the membership pages... don't go too crazy to the point it makes the experience of legit clients bad... but we all appreciate good security.

7. Integration Marketing... make every member an affiliate... use tags to auto populate their pages with their own personal affiliate links. Use tags to put it right in the content pages... why not ask them "Are you enjoying your membership? Send this link to a friend and if they join we'll pay you..."

You can use that in any niche not just business to business.

8. Personalization... capture the name, capture other data and personalize the content using tag based personalization systems. Hey Frank, hows the weather in Mt Rainier? Have you lost those 50lbs you wanted to loose yet? Well here's a way to drop it by next week..."

Yeah all that custom data personalization is easy to automate when you capture the data and have a good tag based content publishing system. You don't have to know anything about the prospect... only your membership system does.

9. Centralize your business(es). Don't choose a membership system that makes you have a bunch of individual stand alone sites.... choose one that lets you centralize and manage all your sites, all your offers, all your affiliates, and all your clients from one central location. This will help you be efficient, your clients know where to go to get your stuff, and give your affiliates one central place to get promotional tools and track all your offers. And that leads to the next point...

10. Choose the right solution so that you can automate it, so you don't have to hack it together trying to make stuff do stuff it was never meant to do. Find the solution that does what you need, does it in one place, and does it without you having to hire a programmer or become an IT pro.

Why? Because its not building a membership or even managing it that makes you money... its marketing it.

Your goal should be to spend as little time as possible managing your operations and as much time as possible marketing them and keeping your clients happy with great content and valuable service.

11. Memberships don't have to just be web based either... physical continuity and direct mail follow up can be just as or even more powerful and yes, it can be fully automated... even a large physical widget of the month club can be completely automated from receiving the container off the ship to warehousing it to packaging and shipping it.

Connect your manufacturing and import service with amazon wharehousing and fulfillment with an API connected to your front end internet marketing, membership, and ecommerce automation system...

Hope that gets the creative juices flowing!

Anything is possible if you have the right system

[Jared Alberghini]

I suggest everyone check out this 'must read thread' about membership sites by John Taylor:

My $15 Membership Site Blueprint..

.jrd

[Jody_W]

Originally Posted by George Wright

There is a nice little application that lets you have a different password for each person who joins.

George Wright

Can you recommend such an application?

By the way, these All-In-One threads are great!

[SolomonHuey]

Here's three quick tips that have the potential to skyrocket your profits on autopilot for practically no extra effort. Just follow these 3 steps:

1) Tell them and emphasize the benefits of your affiliate program

Don't expect people to just join and think they're all going to promote your website. You need to create a page that specifically "sells" your affiliate program.

Show them how it can benefit them and make sure there is a prominent link inside of the member's area. Finding just a few of the right affiliates can add hundreds or even thousands of people to your list.

You'll only find those affiliates if you tell them your affiliate program exists and how it will help them.

2) Make an extensive affiliate tools section.

Having an affiliate link is not enough. Provide your affiliates with as many cut and paste affiliate tools as you can. The less work your affiliates have to do, the more likely they are to promote your website.

My sites grow on autopilot even if I stop promoting, partially because I make it so easy to promote my website. You could easily have this effect with your own sites as well.

Just examples of affiliate tools to give to your affiliates:

- Banners
- Solo emails
- Autoresponder series
- Splash pages
- Squeeze pages
- Signatures
- Tweets
- Videos
- Blog posts
- Reviews
- Lists of places to advertise

3) Give your members steps

People like following steps. It makes things easier to understand, makes it clear what you want them to do, and most importantly they will be more likely to do what you wanted them to do in the first place.

And following along with the theme of the first two points I made... make sure one of those steps is to start promoting your website!

=========
There's so much to cover about membership websites. but the advice above will plant the seeds for long term, autopilot growth of your membership websites.

Solomon Huey

[FifthDimension5]

Good idea of all in one threads. If your membership site is based on video training it is going to be hard protecting the videos from being stolen or re-routed, if you are storing videos on S3 it doesnt have password protection or authenticaion mechanism anyone knows the url they can access the video directly.

[Jag82]

One simple membership site idea:

Use aweber to deliver your content weekly or monthly, and slap on a recurring payment on Paypal.

Alternatively, use Rapid Action Profits together with it's Membership add on.
One of the best membership systems out there.

Jag

[David Hamer]

Just a quick tip for getting something up and running quickly without the worry of which is the best membership software...

Just send your members to your content via an email autoresponder like Aweber.

So for example it might be a set of Video Lessons - for each stage of the membership just send them an email with a link to the latest / new content within the membership area. (Really it's just a web page that isn't linked to from anywhere else)

This may seem like a bit of a cop out - but it's very simple, it works and most importantly you can set it up very quickly.

Having said that - I'm still looking for the "Best" Membership plugin for Wordpress so I'll be keeping a lookout here!

Thanks - Dave

[Anonymous Affiliate]

My main tip: Keep the technical structure of the site simple as pie. The more complex your membership script gets, the more chances you'll encounter technical problems down the road as your member base, website sections and content expands.

Last year I set a membership site with a top-notch membership script, running multiple plugins, different password levels and whatnot. Well, eventually it all turned into a nightmare: technical problems would pop up every week!

Keep the technical structure simple!

[ruch1v]

anyone created a membership site using completely free tactics? i've got an idea for one, but i wanna test if it works first before mentioning

thanks

[JasonParker]

While I don't own a membership site, I make most of my income by promoting them as an affiliate. So with your affiliate program, if you want to attract a bunch of affiliates who will send you traffic all the time, offer at least $47 per month recurring commissions.

[Jesus Perez]

Contrary to what you may be told, you don't need to buy membership software to run a membership.

Paypal has it's own FREE script that automatically grants/denies access to a directory. And, you can put whatever you want in that directory (Wordpress, HTML, anything). Wordpress won't be seamless (they'll need to create an account)...but it's FREE!

Anyone that's curious about this: here's the PDF with more information.

https://cms.paypal.com/cms_content/e...ationGuide.pdf

Skip to page 139 for details, download location and the manual.

I'm personally using Nanacast to deliver my memberships and products. See sig for link.

[Lisa Gergets]

I started my current 2-week-old membership site using no software, just Paypal, Aweber and Wordpress. I looked into software because I'd like to integrate everything into one place, AND, this won't be my only membership site, so I want one place to do it all.

But yes, it most definitely can be done very simply.

[DennisM]

Another way to launch a simple membership site is to use YouTube.

Set up a YouTube private channel that is password protected. You're limited to 25 logins/users but it's a quick way to get a site up and running that's video based content.

You could then launch a PDF type WSO but offer a "bonus" membership to the first 25 that purchase. Then record your video(s) on that channel with your extra content.

Dennis

[lazfin]

Originally Posted by Jag82

Use aweber to deliver your content weekly or monthly, and slap on a recurring payment on Paypal.

I would actually like to do this soon on my site. How did you integrate the Paypal subscriptions with Aweber? My understanding is that Aweber only supports single purchase.

[Jay Moreno]

joomla with the AEC component works well for me, has lots of options for third party payment gateways and the latest version of AEC is a breeze to install

both are open source and dont cost a penny unless you need direct support from the developer of AEC or like myself like to donate to help continue the development of the project...

hth

[Michael Mayhew]

Originally Posted by Shannon Herod

When it comes to membership sites the first piece of acvice I give is... Keep It Simple!

We automatically try to muck everything up and make it over complicated. Focus on getting the site to market and iron out the tiny details as you go.


Shannon

Truer words have never been spoken

I've bought and have sites running with...
Simple Member Pro
Easy Member Pro
WP Wishlist
Fantasos

All great scripts, but *My 2 Best Performing membership sites are SIMPLE*...

One is delivered simply by autoresponder.
The other a simple script I bought from a WSO for 7 bucks years ago. Now found alot of places free.

Go figure.

[James Pateman]

List of membership software links:

(Disclosure: I have no commercial interest through these links)

Membership software - aMember Pro

Welcome to Spreedly! | Spreedly

Membership Software | Wild Apricot - Easy Membership Management

WordPress Membership Plugin :: Membership Software WishList Member

MemberClicks - Membership Software, Membership Management Software and Content Management Software

regards,
James Pateman

[Kirk Ward]

Originally Posted by Shannon Herod

When it comes to membership sites the first piece of acvice I give is... Keep It Simple!

We automatically try to muck everything up and make it over complicated. Focus on getting the site to market and iron out the tiny details as you go.

Shannon

That's a hard lesson to learn. I still haven't quite caught on to it.

Seems to cause me problems all the time.

Kirk

[dbarnum]

For a fast membership site yet professional and full of features, many people don’t think to check out GoDaddy’s Website Tonight. These have password protected files, RSS feeds, video, podcast abilities and lots more…starting under like $5 a month (free with ads at the bottom of the site, I believe)…and complete with their support. Can’t beat it for setting up shop in under about an hour and selling same day (been there, done that a couple times now )

Short article on some points more here: Introducing WEBSITE TONIGHT, a Professional Quick Site Builder with RSS & More


Also Kayako – you can sure run membership sites from here, too! Load files, invite members to register for free and you’re set up in minutes…on your own hosting or theirs to get started. Cheap and fast, too.

[xlfutur1]

I have had a successful membership site for 2 years with very little attrition. Bottom line to keep members is to offer tremendous value for the money. I use WP Wishlist along with aweber to keep them updated on new stuff. For a long term membership site, I think a service like aweber is a must, since staying in touch with them is important and getting those emails delivered is crucial.

Another aspect is to keep your members involved. I have my members vote every month on content that they want, and I use plugins that members can sign up to be notified of new comments in that occur in the members area. The great thing about WP Wishlist is that you can have multiple memberships from a single domain, and moving members around to different groups is a couple of clicks of work.

[cmaclean]

Originally Posted by David Hamer

Just a quick tip for getting something up and running quickly without the worry of which is the best membership software...

Just send your members to your content via an email autoresponder like Aweber.

So for example it might be a set of Video Lessons - for each stage of the membership just send them an email with a link to the latest / new content within the membership area. (Really it's just a web page that isn't linked to from anywhere else)

This may seem like a bit of a cop out - but it's very simple, it works and most importantly you can set it up very quickly.

Having said that - I'm still looking for the "Best" Membership plugin for Wordpress so I'll be keeping a lookout here!

Thanks - Dave

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe this is how Russell Brunson's micro-continuity program is done. Although they do validate your email to make sure you're a paying member.

[cmaclean]

Originally Posted by TinkerAndPo

I started my current 2-week-old membership site using no software, just Paypal, Aweber and Wordpress. I looked into software because I'd like to integrate everything into one place, AND, this won't be my only membership site, so I want one place to do it all.

But yes, it most definitely can be done very simply.

I just checked out your signup page and notice you have the field to pick your username. Are you not using any script to manage your user's database?

I'd love to know how you integrated the different components

[lakshaybehl]

Selling em directly is hard.

So lead customers in with 30 days free trials (sold along with a front end product as an optional bonus).

-Lakshay

[Jill Carpenter]

Originally Posted by David Hamer

Having said that - I'm still looking for the "Best" Membership plugin for Wordpress so I'll be keeping a lookout here!

Thanks - Dave

I'm playing with this one: http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...r-17-95-a.html

[Tracy Yates]

When I decided to convert my main site into a membership site, I set it all up using simple HTML pages that were contained within a special folder that was password protected.

This turned out to be a whole lot of extra work when it was time for the monthly upgrades. And, having just one "centralized" log in code proved to be a fatal move on my part. For the simple fact that this information could be passed along to others that had not paid for their own personal access.

Once I caught on to that little trend of inside members sharing the log in codes, I elected to manually change them each month. Then consequently mail those codes out to paying members.

Again, another huge mistake on my part.

After that, and current members asking for a method for doing searches inside the members only section to find the exact product they wanted without extesive digging, I decided to switch everything over to a new platform.

One that would be easy for members to navigate. And one that would be much easier to update.

Know what I chose to go with?

Wordpress.

Let me tell you, there's nothing better than being able to add new content with a CMS (Content Management System). Whether you're using Wordpress, Joomla, or something else. It's so easy.

You log in, add your new products, and save the posts. Doesn't matter if you're adding daily, weekly, monthly, whatever.

I went with a free WP theme called BoxTube that you can download directly from the author/creator's site here: Dezzain Free WordPress Theme – Box Tube | Dezzain Studio that includes special HTML coding that allows me to "highlight" the download links.

Members find it easier to distinguish the download links. And the fact that it comes already pre-coded into the css stylesheet is fantastic.

Of course, the front end of my site is still plain old HTML, but the area that members access is full on CMS controlled with WP.

And, how do I collect the recurring payments plus keep the members only Wordpress section secure?

I use JVManager.

For me, that's the best solution.

Beyond it being the best solution for my membership security needs, I can use it when selling single products as well. Or package sets.

And yes. I do use PayPal as my main recurring payment gateway. Although JVM1 offers other payment gateway options.

This may seem a bit over-complicated to others posting to this thread, but it's the best fit for me. And that's what you need to find if you are thinking of starting up your own membership site. What would be the best fit for you and what you want to accomplish?

There are plenty of ways to start up your own membership site and many different "niche" areas to target. Many great ideas I've already seen mentioned above me, so I won't go back through all of those in this post.

Just wanted to give another alternative way to set up and run your membership site.

Remember too that the security options you decide upon are extremely important. Don't overlook this step or decide to "go on the cheap" when implementing it. Otherwise it could cost you further down the line.

Hopefully all the posts shared here will help you avoid any costly mistakes


Tracy

[SageSound]

Rapid Action Profits + Membership Plus & Subscription Addons + WP Integration Addon = everything you'll ever need for as many membership sites as you'll ever want!

[Robert Puddy]

Josh is right every product you have should be delivered in a members area

its the biggest tool there is to get JV partners, and use the login method to make sales

I have a $7 report here called login frequency marketing
http://loginfrequencymarketing.com

You can bypass the payment and get it free here
Login Frequency Marketing

Far to much detail for me to put into a post here, but the login strategy is huge, and so much simpler to email members with a reason to log in and then upsell them than it is to try and sell them in email.

Robert

PS: Solomen you learnt that lesson well my man

[achivement84]

Hey,

I may share with you few tips as follow:-

Step 1 - They need to target the correct market for their topic area.
Step 2 - The content should be unique and valuable. If the information is not found anywhere else online than you will be able to pull in subscribers without much effort other than advertising the fact that your content is unique.
Step 3 - You need to find subscribers by generating quality traffic such as getting good search engine positioning, using pay-per-click, using joint ventures, utilizing Ezines, affiliate programs and viral marketing.
Step 4 - You need to involve you membership in the learning process by adding tools and services such as software, ebooks, resources, and give-aways. When you provide tools and services along with your valuable content you are giving members everything they need in one place, which adds value to your site.

I wish that be helpfull

B.Regards

[gjabiz]

A look at membership models.

1998. The good old days. I was paying Bill Myers $1000.00 a year to be a member of his Idea Bank. We became the beta testers for his MemberGate software.

Today you can join Bill’s site for a measly 10 bux a month, the best value on the Internet.

So what “model” do you want to follow? Sure, it depends on what your goals are and what you are trying to do.

When my old friend Jim Straw came on line around 2000, I started the “Jim Straw Study Group”, a membership site which was simply a password protected forum with LIMITED memberships. Funny thing, my new “Harvey Brody Study Group” is being set up the same way, as the best post in this thread stated, KEEP IT SIMPLE.

Here’s what I’ve found over the years. And, of course, you may have a totally different experience. But for me, the HIGHER the price to join, the less you have to do and the better the customer/member The lower priced sites are very demanding of your time and your members want MORE, especially access to YOU and your time. YIKES.

Perhaps I’ve experienced the anomaly? I don’t know. I was very pleased with the content Bill Myers delivered for my 1000 bux, so I renewed every year it was available.

So let’s get to you, what KIND of a customer do you want? Do you want MASSIVE amounts of members that pay you a little each month? Or do want a handful of members that pay you MUCH more per mo/yr?

Or the IDEAL, large numbers of members paying LARGE dollars to be there. Well, you get to decide what your content is going to be and the market will determine its value.

So before you go out searching for the HOW part of it; the software, the scripts, the delivery methods…determine the WHAT of your site.

What do you have that people want? Is it a high ticket item for limited audience? Is it a low priced item that has more “mass” appeal?

Where do you want to go with this site? Are you looking at a short term strategy or do you want to build something more permanent and lasting?

Will you be interested in your topic in 2 – 3 years? Or will you have moved on?

Heck, the SIMPLIST membership site I’ve started was this:

Send me 10 bux via PayPal, I’ll send you the content ASAP (before auto responders).

When you get just a handful of people sending you weekly little sums of money, it is a sweet deal.

So, WHAT do you want? From your membership site? I call that Square One.

THEN, once you know what you want, you will find a plethora of tools (in this thread) to make it happen.

gjabiz

[JONBOY666]

Hey Warriors,

I hope it's o.k to ask questions in these all-in-one threads?
I'd like to draw on your knowledge if that's O.K?

I have emailed a few services suggested here but basically i'm looking for a membership script that will allow me to deliver content on a time-related basis.

e.g - User receives module 1 on sign-up then once they have been a member for 1 week/1 month they receive module 2 etc etc.

I have seen a WSO but that was a few thousand dollars. I am hoping to find something a little more cost-effective.

All suggestions greatly appreciated...

Thanks all,

John.

[Johnny Slater]

John,

Look at SimpleMemberPro PHP Membership Site Script

It does exactly what you are looking for. Content can be delivered depending on how long you have been a member.

I wrote the script but have sold it to a new owner and no longer have any association with it but it's one of the best options currently available for under $1000.

[Allen Graves]

Originally Posted by Johnny Slater

John,

Look at SimpleMemberPro PHP Membership Site Script

It does exactly what you are looking for. Content can be delivered depending on how long you have been a member.

I wrote the script but have sold it to a new owner and no longer have any association with it but it's one of the best options currently available for under $1000.

I use SMP. It will do what Johnny says and I have had absolutely no problems with it.

Also, the new owner is very good at updating the script and taking user feedback for future updates!

Allen

p.s. It has a built in affiliate program as well - I just started using it and it works! WOO-HOO!

[rephinbar]

Hi - Have you looked at WishList for WP? Any thoughts on it vs. other plug-ins?

Thanks.

[rephinbar]

I've recently joined SocialSam.com. Cost starts at $7.95/month and so far seems to me the easiest membership platform to set up with built-in social media features like forums, blogs and groups. It also has some very cool features to sell products, offer a module based eCourse and of course any type of contents. It also includes a recurring billing engine and you can customize your entire site's behavior without ANY programming or technical skills.

Check it out at www dot socialsam dot com

[mlevenhagen]

Here are the 10 Steps to How I Build a Suite of Memberships..

1) Build a List and/or Following in Forums.. win fans.
2) Create a cheap Special Report that Pre-Sells your 1st membership.. make the report stand out.. something new, unique and 'wow'. Something you are uniquly qualified to blow people's minds with.
3) Create a 2nd Membership a few months later that's next to nothing to join (couple bucks a month) to build a larger list of buyers and to spread your risk - don't worry about making money with it - it's just building your list and winning more fans.. and make sure you give free lifetime access the first membership's members.. raises the value of the 1st membership and makes them happier. Never forget where you came from..
4) Continue to build a list.. both an e-mail list and a membership list, product, buyers list.. while over-delivering on your promises where possible and to the best of your ability.
5) If your first membership fails due to situations out of your control... then go to the next step.. it doesn't? then skip to step 8.
6) Launch a 3rd Membership using the lessons you learned from that failure including making sure you are in total control of the ship and your fate.. many of those people on your buyers and membership list will join as you won over fans.
7) Find great partners to help you run and grow your new membership suite.. Choose them from within.. those that are members or have made money from your methods (or benefited from whatever it is you are doing and have an intimate knowledge)
8) Somewhere over a couple years launch a couple of satellite memberships that your older, seasoned memberships get automatic access to and raises the value of those memberships because you give bonus access to the new satellite memberships..
9) Then when everything gels.. create a combined offer to gain access to all your membership for a better price >> which in turn becomes your best, and most profitable, most popular seller. (using a solution like Delavo helps you umbrella it all..)
10) Vision complete; relax, focus back on the list and continue to over-deliver.

Gradually as you add more and more value, raise your monthly prices.. but only to what the market will bear. And build into your business plans using a lot of coupons and special offers in different ways.

..I like to keep things complicated, lol.. (everyone else keeps it simple.. I like to just make money and build businesses - simple or not it just needs to work long term).. lol! actually, this is what happens when you are an Affiliate Marketer who accidentally got into the membership business on the side. I went with the flow.

I think the most important lesson is not what you build it on.. (although I like to use high quality solutions that are well supported and has a good development team - I'm into long term stability not short term profits).. it's not about the platform so much...

What's important is the list.. and caring for that membership. Commitment.. and having a vision to aim for.

Hope it helps someone! At least to see that business building isn't always a smooth process or works out perfectly as you might have planned; in the end it goes to those that keep going, have a clear vision they are committed to and never give up.. no matter what the initial model or platform... (in fact the first 3 membership platforms I used I phased out for my current.. a platform is an important consideration long term; you have to live with it)

[JONBOY666]

Thanks everyone!

there's some great info there. I'd never heard of socialsam and funnily enough I already use the free version of simplemember but I didn't realize the pro version had the drip-feed option.

I think these all-in-one threads are a great idea and i'll be on the look out for more of them.

Thanks guys,

John.

[GopalG]

Thank You all for these wonderful information on membership sites.

Cheers

[WD Mino]

The first thing to consider when wanting to start a membership site is -what is my site going to do for people?

The second thing is how is it going to deliver to them.monthly,1 time,yearly.

The third thing is what do you expect your members to achieve by joining your site.are you offering training in a specific area that will help them. are you offering plr/mrr content for them to download, or are you having an article creation course product creation etc..

The fourth thing is who does it target .experienced marketers.newbies. advanced users.

The fifth where does it fit with competitiveness.do you have the ability to stand alone or would you profit from recirpocal promotions with other membersites offering content that compliments your own. are you able to drive enough traffic to get the site seen for the other person if you chose to go that way?

The 6th thing what are you going to do for your members they already know what they are doing for you -making you cash. what can you give them that they can't get elsewhere or that they would have to pay big for?

The 7th thing How are you going to provide new content for your members next year.are you going to create your own products and release them only to members. are you going to write your own content or are you hoping others will have freebies you can add via giveaways other membersites etc. very important if offering a recurring bill .


The average stay time is 3-6 months depending on the quality and pricing of the site what are you going to do to continually get members added are you going to offer an affiliate program .are you going to advertise in mainstream venues i e newspapers commercial whatever. or are you going to post and baclink your site in various venues such as forums article directories etc.

The 8th thing you need to consider is how will i handle customer service. will i .put up a support desk. use direct email. use a contact form. use a blog. customer service is utmost importance in any membersite you consider starting you have to be willing to listen and implement things for them to keep them happy or your site will not last.

The 9th thing are you going to be splitting the membership up. are you going to offer different levels for instance or are you going to use just one membership level. this has to be considered from both ends

pro: split memberships can bring in more cash quicker.
con if you offer a content based site some will upgrade download and cancel

pro split membership at a fixed member level creates urgency and scarcity therefor making the customer understand they are missing something huge by not upgrading or purchasing immediately. i limit my elite members to 100 only that creates a sense of status. urgency and makes them consider if i don't do it now i may not be able to until next year . this is very very powerful when offering content based sites because the higher level recieves more content then the lower the higher receive bonuses higher commission or whatever you offer where as the lower does not receive said things.

The other part of this is are you going to use this site to build your list to then market to if so how will you seperate them from the sign up form for paid members. i do not offer this many do i do not however if your list needs to be built for a different purpose then i would suggest using the free option that is a very quick way and if you offer a little bit of content each month will make it sticky.

finally the tenth thing is simple. how are you going to market this site where are you going to advertise to get it in front of as many people as you can if partnering what can you offer them they can't get elsewhere if articles what are you going to write about that pertains to your own site that would cause them to check it out. and what makes you different from me or any other site. i offer something NO ONE does so i set myself apart. membersites are a dime a dozen now people are catching on. you need to have a site that kicks but and overdeliver on your promises to the members. i advise installing a forum not a third party system one where you have full access . maybe a chat room people by nature are social creatures so give them something they naturally are attracted to for proof your reading this in a public forum.

these are things i had to go through before developing any membersite and i believe it is solid advice i will be teaching this as part of my elite course to help my members get set up with their own membersite.

i don't use complicated software for wp i use memberwing it is enough for html site i used memberease very simple to use and handles cb and pp as well as provides a free option

The best way to make a living online is with a membersite once you have proven your site you will then have member evangelists who will spread the word because they are so impressed or unimpressed the reality is people talk this site and every other forum proves that. some more then others.

this concludes my lesson on how to begin with a membership site and the things needed to consider before creating it. make a list
systemize strategize then monetize

-wd
p.s. don't follow my method of writing your own sales letter unless your good at it i am not but am determined to be so i can then show others how to do it . just the way i am . pays off in the long run but the process sucks.

HTH
_WD

[Dennis Gaskill]

A Tale from the Dark Side...

Okay, maybe that was a little overly dramatic, but I do offer a warning. When I started my membership site I had no idea if people would be willing to pay, so I simply password protected a directory. I have my own merchant account so that's how I processed payments.

I kept a record of the members on my computer and email them from my desktop. I'm sure you can see what's coming...

Well, the site did take off. Now I have about paying 400 members and a nightmare. Password set up is all manual. Billing is all manual. Support is ... well, not too bad actually, other than password management. How do so many people lose their passwords each month?

So now this winter I have to decide on a new membership model. One with automatic password issuance and lost password retrieval, automated billing and member management, mass mail capabilities, multilevel support...and then I've got to rebuild everything because I want to add two new levels.

The moral of the story, plan for success from the start. It's okay to start out as I did if you don't have much of a budget, but have a membership script/solution chosen before you start and switch to it fast if it looks like it will take off.

I've got a major project on my hands and it didn't have to be like this. Learn from my mistake.

I've noted the positive support for the RAP script with membership module. I have the RAP script and may go that way. Does anyone use DLGuard for a membership site?

I'd also like to see other membership software suggestions and why you like what you use. I'm not interested in solutions like Social Sam that require monthly fees. I want to own the software, unless the fees are extremely reasonable for large memberships. Social Sam gets expensive in a hurry for what I have in mind.

[WD Mino]

Hey Dennis,
thanks for proving my point.

The software I use is memberease handles paypal ipn and cb it is free if you want a copy I can give you one. I like it set up was simple and the functions are great I can capture all details in the database or if you go to toddhost.com that guy wrote the other membership script I use for the elite site very cheap and very good handles paypal ipn i dunno if memberease does handle mailings i will have to look i was just gonna do it through my auto responder but the todd host one is good too. for some reason i thought it did mailing but it doesn't so i had to edit it out of this .

Either way if i can be of any help just let me know you helped me way back when and didn't even know it let's see i started web design about 10 yrs ago and yours was one of the respurces i used so anything i can do to help you just say the word.

-WD

[Dennis Gaskill]

WD - I may get back to you with some questions, thanks. I Googled those products and am looking them over now, but I'm off to bed after that.

[FJM2010]

Originally Posted by Josh Anderson

Deliver everything as a membership site...



Hope that gets the creative juices flowing!

Anything is possible if you have the right system

Thank you for that info, very helpful for a newbie like me just starting out! Cheers

[caliray]

Originally Posted by Robert Puddy

Josh is right every product you have should be delivered in a members area

its the biggest tool there is to get JV partners, and use the login method to make sales

I have a $7 report here called login frequency marketing
http://loginfrequencymarketing.com

You can bypass the payment and get it free here
Login Frequency Marketing

Thanks for the free report offer. As much as I'd like to read it, I don't know why you need to know my physical location, phone number, Clickbank ID, and force a creation of a login. just to download a $7 report.

Is the same information required to buy it? Please enlighten me as to why there are so many fields to complete?

Thanks

[Kirk Ward]

Thought I'd take a look.

Too many hurdles to jump, so I used my "ignore" email account.

Good luck