I am looking for someone who owns a successful membership website

[Eric Land]

Hi successful membership website owners!

Like I have stated in the title of this thread i am looking
for a successful membership site owner preferably in the
internet marketing niche.

The reason I am looking for someone is because I am
going to be starting my own paid membership site soon
but have never started one before.

I know how to start one what scripts I would use and
I can give all of the content I just want maybe some
hints / some pointers on how to run a membership
site that is really successful. Because i know there
is probably more then to just adding a price tag and
content and just letting it ride im sure there are ways
to make my customers happier / make more money
then just the monthly membership price.

So if someone is willing to talk via skype or something
even if you want to put a price on it i would be willing
to negotiate because i really want to start off my membership
site on the right foot

IF you think you can help please let me know or add me on skype.

Thank you in advanced,

Eric

[Kim Standerline]

Hi Eric

I ran 2 very successful membership sites before I recently sold them.

The secret (if it is a secret), is to ensure you give extremely good info in a timely manner.

Underpromise and overdeliver

Cheers
Kim

[Intrepreneur]

Originally Posted by Eric Land

Thank you in advanced,

Eric

Use a blog inside your members area.. easiest possible way to have a cool members area with forum etc.

[jjpmarketing]

Ditto on what Kim said. You over promise and under deliver... and the members will become a crazed mob and burn you at the stake.

Your best option for a membership site is to have whatever content you are going to be publishing finished 90 days in advance. This way you always have a 90 day queue of content and never have to worry about being late on delivering the content. After you have the 90 days of content, make certain you are constantly adding content so you maintain that 90 day queue.

Dennis

[ECS Dave]

Noah Fleming has a great internet marketing related membership site.
I remember reading somewhere about the average length of membership
subscription versus the average length of a member at Noah's site, and
that the members at Noah's site beat that average HANDS DOWN!

The name of the site?

The Rich Jerks Alliance

Noah is a member here, and I've linked to his profile above...

Be Well!
ECS Dave

[Eric Land]

Originally Posted by Kim Standerline

Hi Eric

I ran 2 very successful membership sites before I recently sold them.

The secret (if it is a secret), is to ensure you give extremely good info in a timely manner.

Underpromise and overdeliver

Cheers
Kim

Hi Kim,

Thanks for giving me some advice and it is actually one of the things i have been struggling with.

I have just scribbled down on a piece of paper what content i would need for each day for about a month and a half.

For some days over this month and a half i left left a day or two where there is no new content but just a day where a member can get the days before's content finished is this ok?

Eric

The functionality of that site matters a great deal too .. Some people like to see options in the members area and not just a simple download page.

Does the members area have a help section, support tickets, affiliate system built in, promotional area, and etc ...

James

[mailco]

I agree with Kim, also is there an option for members to introduce new members and be rewarded?

[Eric Land]

Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet

The functionality of that site matters a great deal too .. Some people like to see options in the members area and not just a simple download page.

Does the members area have a help section, support tickets, affiliate system built in, promotional area, and etc ...

James

Well so far everything is just on paper but the only thing we really don't need is the content because me and the person who i am splitting the site know enough about the subject to make a couple of months worth of content. So right now no there is no affiliate system but we are going to have different levels of membership for example.

Regular member just content: 27 per month
Regular member + private forum access : 47 per month
Regular member + private forum access + side coaching : 97 per month

But we will have an affiliate program promotion area but the self help area will cost them a little bit more per month an extra 20 dollars though this is just an example.

Originally Posted by mailco

I agree with Kim, also is there an option for members to introduce new members and be rewarded?

Yes there is going to be

Originally Posted by Eric Land

Well so far everything is just on paper but the only thing we really don't need is the content because me and the person who i am splitting the site know enough about the subject to make a couple of months worth of content. So right now no there is no affiliate system but we are going to have different levels of membership for example.

Regular member just content: 27 per month
Regular member + private forum access : 47 per month
Regular member + private forum access + side coaching : 97 per month

But we will have an affiliate program promotion area but the self help area will cost them a little bit more per month an extra 20 dollars though this is just an example.

A self help section should not cost anything, a help section for members should be the place where they can get quick answers to their questions without bothering to submit a support ticket.

The more informed that member is of how the entire system works the better for them and your business. Many times people want a quick answer and unless you answer your support tickets within 15 to 20 minutes then a help section is a must.

I have developed many membership sites of different types for many clients.. The sites I build are 100% from scratch so they are custom built. Some of my client have 20,000+ members on their websites.

One thing I have learned though is offering a private forum does not mean that much and to charge for it may not be in your best interest. Now I do not consider myself a marketer but I do know several well known marketers that have private forums and their forums are pretty much dead, although their membership has sold very well. I am sure that others on here could direct you better than me when it comes to forums.

Affiliate systems I prefer to have built in because then you do not have to deal with a 3rd party such as clickbank.

I do have a new custom built membership script I am working on and if you would like to review it to see if it will meet your needs then let me know.

James

[jonb]

Remember three things about your potential members:

1. They're overwhelmed by the amount of information available to them and want someone to separate the wheat from the chaff, provide them with reliable advice and respond to their needs. when people join a membership site, they aren't paying for tons of info -- they're paying for hand-selected good info. Don't focus on quantity -- focus on quality.

2. They learn in a variety of ways. Use audio, video, articles, powerpoint -- whatever it takes. Present information in an entertaining manner, and don't ask members to just sift through stacks of articles. Make a trip to your site fun and unpredictable!

3. They're looking for community. If you haven't yet done so, read Tribes by Seth Godin. He nails it. On my site, I created a mascot -- The Fightin' Bookworm (my site is for children's book writers) -- and put him right on page one. Everyone who joins is always addressed as "Fightin' Bookworm (their name)". People like the idea of being part of an exclusive club filled with others who share their interest. After all -- isn't that what makes the Warrior Forum so special? We're all here as "Warriors" to help one another. you gotta get that vibe in your membership site!

Good luck!

Jon
The CBI Clubhouse - a Community for Children's Book Writers Writing Picture Books, Easy Readers, Young Adult Books and More!

[Eric Land]

Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet

I do have a new custom built membership script I am working on and if you would like to review it to see if it will meet your needs then let me know.

James

Thanks for all the great advice defiantly taking everything you considered into consideration and i sent you a pm about the membership script.

Originally Posted by jonb

3. They're looking for community. If you haven't yet done so, read Tribes by Seth Godin. He nails it.

I have never read that ebook before but i will definatly take a look at it and that mascot idea is a pretty good one.

How many members do you have in you membership site if you don't mind me asking?

Thank you both for your responses though

Eric

[jonb]

Originally Posted by Eric Land

How many members do you have in you membership site if you don't mind me asking?

Eric

About 3000 Fightin' Bookworms.

jon

[Eric Land]

Thats awesome Jon though our niches are completely different since it seems
you are having a lot of success i am defiantly going to check out that ebook.

[simonLC]

Akin to any recurring business model, the end user will only continue to agree to be billed; if the offering continues to bring them value.

It isn't just a matter of over promising and under delivering, as many have noted in this thread - but bringing 'actual value'.

It must serve a purpose, for someone to keep paying you for it. If your service offering is right, then the job is half done.

It is 5 times harder to find a new customer, than to maintain relationships with your current (don't ask me whom I am quoting, but it is most certainly true).

[jonb]

Originally Posted by Eric Land

Thats awesome Jon though our niches are completely different since it seems
you are having a lot of success i am defiantly going to check out that ebook.

Different niches or not, the basic function of a membership site is pretty consistent. Give a regular stream of quality, action-oriented info: give it in multiple ways; and give everyone a sense of belonging.

Also, Godin's "Tribes" is an actual paper and ink book, though I expect it's also available in ebook format.

[Eric Land]

Originally Posted by jonb

Different niches or not, the basic function of a membership site is pretty consistent. Give a regular stream of quality, action-oriented info: give it in multiple ways; and give everyone a sense of belonging.

Also, Godin's "Tribes" is an actual paper and ink book, though I expect it's also available in ebook format.

Oh well its probably on amazon so i can get it there.

thanks anyway

Originally Posted by Eric Land

Thanks for all the great advice defiantly taking everything you considered into consideration and i sent you a pm about the membership script.
Eric

Hi Eric,
Just responded to your PM and listed some amazing features that no other membership on the market even offers...

James