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What Stops YOU From Starting A Membership Site

by Sylvia Meier
28 replies
Happy New Years Everyone.

Everyone rants and raves about how great membership sites are for bringing in a relatively stable, passive income, but so few start them. I mean we see the "big names" doing them for big monthly fees, but so few "smaller guys" do it.

I was just wondering, to all those who haven't taken charge and started membership sites, what is it that hold you back? Perhaps you have questions about setting up membership sites that are keeping you from doing it.

Let's hear what's stopping you as I would love to come up with a product that will address your concerns in starting a membership site, as well as ways to maximize your profits with minimal effort and cost.

Sylvia
#membership #site #starting #stops
  • Profile picture of the author DougBarger
    Nothing is stopping me, but I may be an exception to the rule.

    You see, I'm in the classification of what they deem to be

    "The Unstoppable."

    Hope this helps LOL
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    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      Sylvia, I'm not really qualified to answer this in the present tense, but I
      can tell you what did stop me from starting a membership site.

      Fear.

      Fear that I wouldn't be able to keep updating it with fresh content.
      Fear that I wouldn't be able to provide enough value.
      Fear that I'd put in a lot of work and not get any members.

      That fear gripped me for years until I finally said the hell with it and gave it
      a shot.

      I discovered I had nothing to be afraid of.
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      • Profile picture of the author Maurice Rigaud
        Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

        Fear.

        Fear that I wouldn't be able to keep updating it with fresh content.
        Fear that I wouldn't be able to provide enough value.
        Fear that I'd put in a lot of work and not get any members.
        I discovered I had nothing to be afraid of
        I would have to concur with Steven that fear played a role but that at some point you have to get over it. An just to add I would want to know:
        1. How to set one up correctly?
        2. How and where to outsource some of the key steps?
        3. If your having problems with the site itself where to get help.
        4. How to handle customer issues?
        5. An exit strategy if you decide to sell the membership site later down the road.
        6. And other ways to make the site more profitable.
        7. What parts of the membership site can be automated and which tools to use in order to accomplish that?

        Hope this helps you out!
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      • Profile picture of the author romanmt
        Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

        Sylvia, I'm not really qualified to answer this in the present tense, but I
        can tell you what did stop me from starting a membership site.

        Fear.

        Fear that I wouldn't be able to keep updating it with fresh content.
        Fear that I wouldn't be able to provide enough value.
        Fear that I'd put in a lot of work and not get any members.

        That fear gripped me for years until I finally said the hell with it and gave it
        a shot.

        I discovered I had nothing to be afraid of.
        That really makes sense, Steven.

        The other reason could be the lack of time and other priorities. One does not need to do everything at once. Take one step at a time and you will get there.
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  • Profile picture of the author shakingspear
    Honestly I think a little has to do with self-confidence. I'm not sure yet I have the goods that others want to know about.
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    • Profile picture of the author twistedpixel
      Not having a list. A list of customers, followers or affiliates to help you promote and get a "core" membership base from which to ask and deliver what they want.

      From my experience, this is the biggest roadblock to "launching" a successful member site.

      Noticed I said "launching" and not maintaining. Retention is a whole different topic.

      If you have an existing "following" then you're odds are greatly improved as you have demonstrated that you have something people are most likely interested in and are providing some value already.

      (whether they will pay for it on a subscription basis is a different issue)

      On a side note:

      If you aren't ready to launch your own member site, promoting good subscription-based products/services is the next best thing to owning your own without the pressure.

      A good place to start is by looking at subscription-based services most small businesses can't do without (or shouldn't). i.e. Hosting, CRM, VOIP and PBX, Insurance, Internet Access, Education, Accounting, etc.

      I believe 2009 will be a year in which people/businesses scrutinize their subscriptions even more and will maintain only those they feel are absolutely essential to their success.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sylvia Meier
    Thanks Steven,
    You got some gears going in my head about some things a book about this should address (such as the things you were afraid of.)

    Doug,
    Good to hear your unstoppable, thats what I have decided to be this year too.

    Sylvia
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  • Profile picture of the author Shane Lowry
    Technically nothing is stopping me, I have all the talent and software required to setup the sites up.

    Steven's fears mirror my own but for another reason. I don't have a topic I feel strongly enough about to run with for that amount of time. That aren't already saturated that is.

    That being said, my wife is interested in a few niches that would do well, there's nothing stopping me helping her get a few sites up and running.

    Cheers,
    Shane
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  • Profile picture of the author Rachel Goodchild
    mine is completely technical
    I cna do the topics and the ongoing content...
    and I already ahve a marketable list...

    I just can't get my head round the technical stuff. it hurts my head!
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  • Profile picture of the author Sylvia Meier
    Lots of great questions and issues everyone. Thanks for the input so far.

    Sylvia
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    • Profile picture of the author pavondunbar
      Hi Ms. Sylvia...

      I'm with Mr. Steven on this one...

      I haven't started a membership site because I am afraid of not having fresh content for my site...

      And I want my site to be set up like this...new memebrs get access to the content the month they joined...no previous month's content...

      And check this out, Ms. Sylvia...

      I have 8 membership site scripts that I've paid money over the years to obtain!

      My favorite one was, and still is, PHP Paysite. Followed by aMember...

      *thinking* maybe I should set up a site for 2009...

      I have work to do...

      Pavon
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    • Profile picture of the author Kevin Flask
      Sylvia,

      Being the New Year and making plans and setting goals, you really have me thinking. I thank you for that.

      Steven has mentioned those reasons very similar to mine, but mine also revolve around:

      Will this be something people would find really beneficial?
      Is this something I can handle?
      How much maintainence will this need?
      Is there potential for growth and how much growth?

      And I ditto Maurice's list:

      1. How to set one up correctly?
      2. How and where to outsource some of the key steps?
      3. If your having problems with the site itself where to get help.
      4. How to handle customer issues?
      5. An exit strategy if you decide to sell the membership site later down the road.
      6. And other ways to make the site more profitable.
      Well, you certainly have giving me ideas for my second quarter goals.


      Thank you,

      Kevin
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  • Profile picture of the author Sylvia Meier
    Thanks everyone. That is one of the greatest things about this forum, when you need a quick brainstorm session everyone is very helpful in assisting you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Eric Transue
    The reason I haven't taken action is because I am not sure what software to use yet. I have a wordpress blog and have looked at numerous plugins. I want the membership to be automated with Paypal but have yet to find a plugin that provides all of the features I am looking for. Anyone reading this, please feel free to PM me with suggestions or your experience with wordpress member site plugins.

    Thanks,
    Eric
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  • Profile picture of the author kevinw1
    I actually got all the way through the process of setting up and creating the first few batches of content.... but never got any signups at all, so at the moment it's lying fallow and I'll come back to it another time from a different angle.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steven Fullman
    As Groucho Marks might've said if he were me:

    "I wouldn't wanna be a member of any site that'd have me as an owner"

    I'm not ready for memberships yet. Although I'd love to be.

    I guess delivering regular content is what holds me back more than anything.

    That, and no-one to send it to

    Steve
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    Not promoting right now

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  • Profile picture of the author sucfulhi
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author VegasVince
      Hey Sylvy....

      As for Vinnie here....I'm a "hit and run" type of guy.

      I enjoy creating something.....rolling it out......selling it.....bleeding it dry...and then moving along to my next brilliant idea...and so on.

      The thought of a membership site never appealed to me for the same reason waking up next to the same chick for the rest of my life never appealed to me.

      Capiche.

      My attention span is too short to allow me to get locked into anything for too long....and a membership site in my life---- would be like a large steel ball and chain wrapped around my ankles.

      Under those circumstances, I don't think I could provide my paying peeps the value that they would expect and deserve from me.

      With that said, there is absolutely no doubt many of the biggest players in the IM game keep getting richer with the recurring billing concept...so I aint knockin' it.

      It just aint for me.


      xxx Vegas Vince
      Legend.
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    • Profile picture of the author Nigel Greaves
      Originally Posted by sucfulhi View Post

      I'm not sure yet I have the goods that others want to know about.
      Is that why you're spamming people through the PM system here on the WF?

      You're damm right we don't want to know about your goods but it has nothing to do with membership sites.

      Nigel
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  • Profile picture of the author Oliver Hart
    Hi.

    I am in Steven's group, and when you combine that with all the technical stuff around protecting the site, and payment setup, etc you have me sitting on the fence.

    I want to do it.
    I have a killer idea to run with.

    I just don't have the time to address all the learning and failing setting it all up.

    Why not outsource the job?

    Well, again fear. This time fear for getting the idea stolen.

    You see the circle here? LOL.

    Thanks for taken this subject up, Sylvia.

    I don't think this kind of hesitation is just about creating membership sites, I think this goes to the most of the work you want to do online, but do not do.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nigel Greaves
    I've looked at starting up a membership site on a few occassions, I've even got the software and technical knowhow but like Vince the idea of having to keep running with the same thing week after week, month after month gives me the shivers.

    I guess of course that it depends on your idea of a membership site. I'm basing my answer on what I consider to be one ie. a site where you actually provide ongoing quality information. I appreciate that IMers have some pretty loose definitions (usually when they're selling!) of what something is and there are a number of so called membership sites where all the owner does is go out and trawl the internet for reprintable content with the justification that they saving their members time. Each to their own but that's not good enough for me and is probably one of the causes of retention problems.

    Nigel
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    • Profile picture of the author zimzalabim
      Well, I "took the plunge" and set my first one one up very recently.

      Now the "fun" starts - trying to market it.....!

      ATB,

      Andy.
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  • Profile picture of the author Louis Raven
    I find it hard enough creating ONE product that people will LOVE (not like and say it's OK for $20 but LOVE) for example my latest product Traffic43 has been in the making for about 14 months now and still I'm only 75% through

    Unless you're providing an on-going service I can't see (or want) people paying me every month for just.. content.

    So the short answer is I can't and don't have the time to create enough value every month and don't really have a lot to offer in terms of a service.

    I'd love to hear some tips for providing real value and spreading it across 12 months

    Louis
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    • Profile picture of the author David_Thompson
      From what I can see here from all the feedback the
      biggest issue most face is the tech issues and content
      creation...

      If you break these down most of the pain, concern
      and apprehension you guys are feeling in starting
      a membership site is normal, we all do this with new
      things...

      The best way to deal with that is map it all out
      and then start breaking down each section stet
      by step...

      Burn Hot Niche - People with money to spend
      Membership site setup - Who or What runs it.. Tech stuff - Automation
      Content creation - DIY or Outsource
      Payment and selling process
      Backend/follow up

      These are just some of the things most will have to think about
      and work out but it can be done and very easy...using both
      highend or free tools..

      --David
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  • Profile picture of the author edpudol1973
    In my side,

    1. What to offer to my members?
    2. What niche should I target to start a membership site?
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  • Profile picture of the author jhongren
    I think it is the fear of venturing into
    the unknown and not knowing what
    the results will be.

    My initial perception is also that alot
    of effort and time need to be put in
    to update the content.

    As I learnt more, I also realised membership
    can be in the form of a monthly subscription
    to receive new content such as:
    1. new articles
    2. new content
    3. new tips
    4. new reports and so on

    And by knowing this makes me
    ready to start my membership service.

    Cheers,
    John
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  • Profile picture of the author Sylvia Meier
    Wow, lots of great thoughts and discussion here. I can see that the main points are the committment, and the technical side of it, as well as maintaining content. Lots of stuff to think about.

    And Vincy,
    I love your analogies lol. So you'se see it as a ball and chain? You just haven't found the right chicka if you don't wanna wake up to the same one each morning lol..or the right membership site lol. Nice to see you'se around again.

    Thanks again for all the great input guys.
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  • Profile picture of the author faakhatri
    I think fear of not being able to provide updated content is what is stopping me to even think about starting a membership site.

    Although Public domain seems to be the answer but I do not have time to go and investigate that area.

    Kind regards
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