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All Membership Site Discussion

by Tocholke
15 replies
Hi Everyone,

My partner and I are getting ready to put out our first membership site. I'm hoping to get a solid discussion thread going on the subject. So if anyone can provide any tips/feedback it would be greatly appreciated.

The site is going to be a music instructional site. There will be very detailed lessons, tips, reviews and things available. The model is going to be a continuous membership site...meaning we're not going to close it after 6 months or anything. We're going to continue to add content often to keep the membership engaged.

I've got some questions for anyone who has done this before.

1) How much content should the site start with? We'll have a huge amount of content before we begin, but obviously we don't want to give it all away right off the hop as that would defeat the purpose of a membership site. But how much is "enough"?

2) What methods are best for gaining members? I've got a background in PPC and some SEO knowledge so I could start there. I'm thinking affiliates would be another road to try for this type of site. Has anyone used affiliates before in gaining membership for their site?
#discussion #membership #site
  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    I wouldn't build out too much of the content before you get started. I would maybe create enough content for the first few months and see how things go. Otherwise you could end up spending a lot of time creating content for a site that doesn't work very well.

    Besides, the best thing to do is start with some content and then let your members tell you what they want to learn and what content they would like to see.

    You could definitely go the affiliate route with this provided you give affiliates a big enough share of the profits that it would be worth their while promoting it. Another place musicians love to hang out is sites like Youtube so posting some free lessons on Youtube would also be a good way to get people interested in your premium paid content.
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  • Profile picture of the author onSubie
    Hi

    There is already an "All-in-One" thread about member sites:

    http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...hip-sites.html

    Probably shouldn't start another one

    Mahlon
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  • Profile picture of the author salegurus
    Originally Posted by Tocholke View Post

    Hi Everyone,

    My partner and I are getting ready to put out our first membership site. I'm hoping to get a solid discussion thread going on the subject.
    There already is a thread for this, started by Admin no less.

    http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...hip-sites.html
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    • Profile picture of the author WillR
      Originally Posted by onSubie View Post

      Hi

      There is already an "All-in-One" thread about member sites:

      http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...hip-sites.html

      Probably shouldn't start another one

      Mahlon
      Originally Posted by salegurus View Post

      There already is a thread for this, started by Admin no less.

      http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...hip-sites.html
      Ok ok, that's great guys but it doesn't answer his question.

      He is quite entitled to open a thread asking specific questions about a membership site he is looking to launch. I don't believe the idea of 'All in One' threads is that you can only talk about that specific subject in that thread. It's just suppose to be a good resource for that topic.

      Now, back to THIS thread...
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      • Profile picture of the author salegurus
        Originally Posted by WillR View Post

        Ok ok, that's great guys but it doesn't answer his question.

        He is quite entitled to open a thread asking specific questions about a membership site he is looking to launch. I don't believe the idea of 'All in One' threads is that you can only talk about that specific subject in that thread. It's just suppose to be a good resource for that topic.

        Now, back to THIS thread...
        Sorry Will i don't agree with you. The title of his thread is pretty close to the "All In One" i referred him to...
        I don't think there is much you or anyone else can add that has not been answered in that thread...

        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.


        Now before you correct me, it's not entirely the same but close enough...
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  • Profile picture of the author DustonMcGroarty
    Regardless of whether there's another thread on the topic already or not, you still have questions and you're asking for help... so, here ya go:

    Originally Posted by Tocholke View Post

    1) How much content should the site start with? We'll have a huge amount of content before we begin, but obviously we don't want to give it all away right off the hop as that would defeat the purpose of a membership site. But how much is "enough"?
    You need to give them whatever it is they wanted to pay to join for, like the lessons/tutorials. I like keeping membership sites focused narrowly on a single topic. It's easier to sell and easier to deliver what they want. If you're just throwing a bunch of different stuff at them and hoping they stay, you'll never know what kept them paying and what they don't need or want.

    Originally Posted by Tocholke View Post

    2) What methods are best for gaining members? I've got a background in PPC and some SEO knowledge so I could start there. I'm thinking affiliates would be another road to try for this type of site. Has anyone used affiliates before in gaining membership for their site?
    Again, this goes back to what it is they want and creating an offer that's compelling enough for people to want to join. Affiliates are a great way to start but they may want to see some numbers (conversion rate, retention rate, etc.) before they promote. I would also suggest guest blogging and also video marketing on Youtube.
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    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      Membership sites are tricky. First off all, let me prepare you for something just
      so you're not shocked and blindsided by it.

      The average retention for membership sites is 90 days. That means a member,
      on average, will last 90 days before they quit.

      You will have a few hard core folks who stay practically forever and you will
      have some who quit month one. But the majority fall in the middle.

      Having said that, have enough content for the first month so that it keeps the
      member busy for ONE month. If that means you have to physically go through
      the material, as if you were a member, and actually use it, then do it.

      If there isn't enough to keep them busy, or they feel there isn't enough value
      on a monthly basis, they'll quit right away.

      You also have to sit down and calculate how many months of material you
      actually have for a member. If there is a finite amount, you have to let them
      know this and make the membership a fixed term, say a year, and actually
      have a plan where they can pay for the year all at once at a big discount.

      Also, you want to make it so that somebody joining month 1 doesn't have
      access to month 8 if your site has been in existence for 8 months. You'll
      have to set it up so that new members only get a month at a time.

      There are a whole lot of reasons that I won't go into here for why you want
      to do this. Trust me, if you don't, it's going to cause problems for long time
      members when they see that logging in they have access to everything that
      they paid 8 months for right there in month one.

      My 2 cents for whatever they're worth.
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      • Profile picture of the author Tocholke
        Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

        Membership sites are tricky. First off all, let me prepare you for something just
        so you're not shocked and blindsided by it.

        The average retention for membership sites is 90 days. That means a member,
        on average, will last 90 days before they quit.

        You will have a few hard core folks who stay practically forever and you will
        have some who quit month one. But the majority fall in the middle.

        Having said that, have enough content for the first month so that it keeps the
        member busy for ONE month. If that means you have to physically go through
        the material, as if you were a member, and actually use it, then do it.

        If there isn't enough to keep them busy, or they feel there isn't enough value
        on a monthly basis, they'll quit right away.

        You also have to sit down and calculate how many months of material you
        actually have for a member. If there is a finite amount, you have to let them
        know this and make the membership a fixed term, say a year, and actually
        have a plan where they can pay for the year all at once at a big discount.

        Also, you want to make it so that somebody joining month 1 doesn't have
        access to month 8 if your site has been in existence for 8 months. You'll
        have to set it up so that new members only get a month at a time.

        There are a whole lot of reasons that I won't go into here for why you want
        to do this. Trust me, if you don't, it's going to cause problems for long time
        members when they see that logging in they have access to everything that
        they paid 8 months for right there in month one.

        My 2 cents for whatever they're worth.
        Thanks for this. It makes perfect sense. I appreciate the tips
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      • Profile picture of the author shane_k
        Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post


        The average retention for membership sites is 90 days. That means a member,
        on average, will last 90 days before they quit.
        I have heard this number thrown around alot, so I am curious is this from your own experience? Or are you just throwing out there because it is also something that you heard?

        Don't mean to sound like I am trying to start an argument or anything, it's just that I am curious about membership sites also.

        It's just hard for me to believe that this is something that is true across the board for all niches and industries.

        Is this number specifically for the IM niche?

        And if it is just for the IM niche, is there a difference between the type of membership owner who treats his members like some IMers treat their lists, constantly spamming them day in and day out? Could that be the true cause of the 3 month average?

        And a membership owner who truly provides value and his customers do see the value, is his average the same, or do his members stay longer?
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        • Profile picture of the author Kim Standerline
          Yes Steve is pretty much right give or take a day or so and I definitely speak from experience as I used to run a couple of very successful membership sites.
          Originally Posted by shane_k View Post

          I have heard this number thrown around alot, so I am curious is this from your own experience? Or are you just throwing out there because it is also something that you heard?

          Don't mean to sound like I am trying to start an argument or anything, it's just that I am curious about membership sites also.

          It's just hard for me to believe that this is something that is true across the board for all niches and industries.

          Is this number specifically for the IM niche?

          And if it is just for the IM niche, is there a difference between the type of membership owner who treats his members like some IMers treat their lists, constantly spamming them day in and day out? Could that be the true cause of the 3 month average?

          And a membership owner who truly provides value and his customers do see the value, is his average the same, or do his members stay longer?
          For the original poster
          I've always gone along with the philosophy under promise and over deliver.
          Make sure you have plenty of content in there for your new members. Word of caution though dont give them absolutely everything the first month.

          Also, make sure you have enough material for a continious membership, some subjects only lend themselves to a a fixed term. And finally you definitely have to dripfeed, that is a must.

          Cheers
          Kim
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        • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
          Originally Posted by shane_k View Post

          I have heard this number thrown around alot, so I am curious is this from your own experience? Or are you just throwing out there because it is also something that you heard?

          Don't mean to sound like I am trying to start an argument or anything, it's just that I am curious about membership sites also.

          It's just hard for me to believe that this is something that is true across the board for all niches and industries.

          Is this number specifically for the IM niche?

          And if it is just for the IM niche, is there a difference between the type of membership owner who treats his members like some IMers treat their lists, constantly spamming them day in and day out? Could that be the true cause of the 3 month average?

          And a membership owner who truly provides value and his customers do see the value, is his average the same, or do his members stay longer?
          I ran my own membership site for over a year before I finally dumped it. I can't
          speak for all niches, but for mine, yes, the retention was terrible. You're
          essentially just recycling members every few months.

          But don't take my word for it. By all means, start your own membership site
          and see what your numbers are like.
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  • Profile picture of the author queenbuzzy
    I'm getting ready to launch a membership site too, and was pretty set on the yearly price at a huge discount. Didn't even think about the monthly people being able to see everything that the yearly people would...

    Thanks for that!
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  • Profile picture of the author paul nicholls
    I have been building my membership site for a good few months now and I have learned a lot

    1. I use fast member for the membership script

    2. Optimize press for the platform

    3. I have video tutorials as the content

    4. I drip feed the videos over days and months with 1 new video each day going out
    over 3 months.

    5. I have found that promoting your membership through email marketing is the most effective and also maybe adding your membership as an upsell

    The key to membership sites is getting your retention rate high

    Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author getrichinfo
    create enough content for 24~36 mths for ur membership site, its tough at first, but worth it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Yadira Barbosa
    I'm running a membership site for 4 years now, and I have several people ith more than 1 year and some 2 years now.

    The problem is I create the membership site with all available instead to delivery the content month after month.

    So new people found tons of information available, and some times it's overwhelming for them, so I ad to create a specific post (the welcome message) that explains that the info as a logical sequential that they nee to follow.

    Then I create a second membership part for those who has more than a year, they receive advanced material weekly.
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