13 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
13 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Thoughts on Membership Site with Streaming Video

by FightORFlight
10 replies
I'm looking to launch an online business where customers pay for access to a private site that has streaming video and PDF's available to view online. I would like to avoid anything that can be downloaded.

In your opinion, what is (or are) the best online methods for making this cycle happen:
1. Customer pays for access to a private site that has videos and PDF's viewable online only - not able to download.
2. Customer can access videos and PDF's as often as desired - no limit.

I am currently working on building a Squarespace website, but I realize Squarespace likely cannot handle this type of set-up. From initial research, a membership site looks like the best route to go, but I'm not interested in hosting or building a forum and would prefer a one-time "lifetime access" type payment, not recurring monthly membership payments. Just a paid access site that is only viewable by paid customers, with streaming video capability.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts... your feedback is greatly appreciated!
#membership #site #streaming #thoughts #video
  • Profile picture of the author David Braybrooke
    Pay once, view forever! The only viewing online option is not an issue as far as I'm concerned.
    Maybe you could have an 'exclusive' section of the site where members pay an additional fee in order to access valuable bonus content. A bit of 'upsell' never hurts I think.
    Signature
    "The scientific theory I like best is that the rings of Saturn are composed entirely of lost airline luggage." - Mark Russell
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9001394].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author bwh1
    Not understanding what's actually your question but I do run such a business and think that's the best way to control your asset.

    BUT - you need to host your baby and need software to run the membership site. You also need video hosting, preferable Amazon S3.

    I have a product at Clickbank (processor) and a theme which handles the membership after payments are done - the Profit Theme.

    After they paid they get their login details and can from there on access whenever they want, from wherever they want and with whatever hardware they want.

    Biggest problem we face is that people somehow don't get their email with the login details due to spam protection.

    I would say you go for it.

    G.
    Signature

    Affiliates Wanted! Make anywhere from 42,- to $72 in commissions. Simply Recommend the Best QuickBooks Pro Video Course available at Clickbank.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9001402].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    A quick tip for you. If a customer can read a PDF or watch a video then they can easily share it. There is no way to stop this from happening. There are a zillion tools out there that let people download videos they watch.

    My advice is to instead just concentrate on making a great end user experience for your paying customers. Don't worry about the few that may take advantage of things. If you build your business around those people then you are focusing on the minority and not the majority.

    I've been using videos and pdfs for years with thousands of members and could count the issues like you are worried about on one hand.
    Signature

    .


    .

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9001530].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author stoltingmediagroup
    Personally I would never pay a "one-time lifetime access" fee to any vendor who offers a streaming only non downloadable product. One of many reason being is that in my experience, the "lifetime" of these type of sites rarely span beyond a year or two at the most.

    Now I know that most vendors don't setup shop planning to shut down in a year, but the reality of running this type of business online can be pretty harsh, even for the most seasoned marketers. Therefore I only support vendors with my cash, when I can download a product and keep it.

    If I want to rent streaming videos I'll go to Netflix.
    Signature
    Arnold Stolting - Stolting Media Group
    "I LOVE The Song! The Vibe Is Positive And Firm!" - Kymani Marley. (Son of Bob Marley).
    "Very High Quality!" Jeremy Harding - Manager / Producer. Sean Paul.
    "They Are FANTASTIC!" - Willie Crawford.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9001654].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author bwh1
      Originally Posted by stoltingmediagroup View Post

      Personally I would never pay a "one-time lifetime access" fee to any vendor who offers a streaming only non downloadable product. One of many reason being is that in my experience, the "lifetime" of these type of sites rarely span beyond a year or two at the most.

      Now I know that most vendors don't setup shop planning to shut down in year, but the reality of running this type of business online can be pretty harsh, even for the most seasoned marketers. Therefore I only support vendors with my cash, when I can download a product and keep it.

      If I want to rent streaming videos I'll go to Netflix.
      Originally Posted by WillR View Post

      A quick tip for you. If a customer can read a PDF or watch a video then they can easily share it. There is no way to stop this from happening. There are a zillion tools out there that let people download videos they watch.

      My advice is to instead just concentrate on making a great end user experience for your paying customers. Don't worry about the few that may take advantage of things. If you build your business around those people then you are focusing on the minority and not the majority.

      I've been using videos and pdfs for years with thousands of members and could count the issues like you are worried about on one hand.
      Interesting, you both basically say the same about downloading improving the product value.

      Does that mean that I can charge MORE for a video course if those are downloadable?

      I currently sell my front end for $97 for a single user license, so maybe I can offer the upsell for multi user license with downloads which cost $147 and sell it better.

      Will have to try this to see if conversions of the higher price will increase..
      Signature

      Affiliates Wanted! Make anywhere from 42,- to $72 in commissions. Simply Recommend the Best QuickBooks Pro Video Course available at Clickbank.

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9002179].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author stoltingmediagroup
        Originally Posted by bwh1 View Post

        Does that mean that I can charge MORE for a video course if those are downloadable?
        1. Try offering both options side by side and see which one sells better.

        Or,

        2. Offer the $97 streaming product on the front end, with a $50 download option upsell.

        Or,

        3. Make the upsell a true discounted One Time Offer and it may sell even better. Meaning, they pay $97 + only $25 extra now, and they will be able to download.
        If they decline the OTO, then the download option in the members area will be listed as $50 etc.
        Signature
        Arnold Stolting - Stolting Media Group
        "I LOVE The Song! The Vibe Is Positive And Firm!" - Kymani Marley. (Son of Bob Marley).
        "Very High Quality!" Jeremy Harding - Manager / Producer. Sean Paul.
        "They Are FANTASTIC!" - Willie Crawford.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9003388].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author FightORFlight
          Thanks to each of you for your valuable insight.

          So if I'm going to sell the following to a niche market: roughly 10 videos -each only a couple minutes long, with about 10 PDF's each roughly one-page, the general consensus is selling this as a download, instead of providing a unique customer log-in with access to the content stored online?

          This is a tight-knit niche market in which I've created a platform that solves a basic problem within the market. To me, it seems selling this as a download would lead to many customers distributing the download throughout the niche. Am I way off here?

          Again, very much appreciate your feedback.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9003590].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author OnlineStoreHelp
            So, lots of us create those sites and it is not overly complicated but it will require you to use something besides square space.

            You have two choices on membership site:
            1. Wordpress plus DAP (my fav), wish list, s2 or other membership software.
            2. Drupal, Ubercart and Permission
            3. Joomla (someone else pipe up, I don't use Joomla).

            If you are not technically inclined, the easiest will be wordpress and membership software.

            A payment provider to take payment, most likely PayPal and/or click bank that will interface with your membership software. This automates the process for you.

            Ability to stream your video. You have multiple options:
            1. Upload to Youtube, embed and keep video unlisted in youtube - easiest but also easy for others to share your link
            2. Upload to Amazon S3 - Really inexpensive but a bit of a learning curve. Also, the plugins I have seen to hide the URL don't allow for it to be used on iPad.
            3. Vimeo - Pay for their Pro version and you can create your settings so it only streams on your website. Works on iPads and IOS devices.

            Finally, there are plenty of membership sites that make it hard for those to download the videos and they do plenty of sales. Remember the IM niche has a lot of cynicism and have seen to many membership sites that close 6 months after being launched only to lose out on our "1 time fee". If you are outside this niche, most won't care and if you are providing good content that keeps them coming back, go for it.

            Hope this helps.
            Signature
            Learn how to set up a powerful, functional yet easy to use e-commerce website at cartprep.com.

            Not sure what ecommerce solution to use? Watch my video walk through of popular shopping carts.
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9004427].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author FightORFlight
              Originally Posted by OnlineStoreHelp View Post

              So, lots of us create those sites and it is not overly complicated but it will require you to use something besides square space.

              You have two choices on membership site:
              1. Wordpress plus DAP (my fav), wish list, s2 or other membership software.
              2. Drupal, Ubercart and Permission
              3. Joomla (someone else pipe up, I don't use Joomla).

              If you are not technically inclined, the easiest will be wordpress and membership software.

              A payment provider to take payment, most likely PayPal and/or click bank that will interface with your membership software. This automates the process for you.

              Ability to stream your video. You have multiple options:
              1. Upload to Youtube, embed and keep video unlisted in youtube - easiest but also easy for others to share your link
              2. Upload to Amazon S3 - Really inexpensive but a bit of a learning curve. Also, the plugins I have seen to hide the URL don't allow for it to be used on iPad.
              3. Vimeo - Pay for their Pro version and you can create your settings so it only streams on your website. Works on iPads and IOS devices.

              Finally, there are plenty of membership sites that make it hard for those to download the videos and they do plenty of sales. Remember the IM niche has a lot of cynicism and have seen to many membership sites that close 6 months after being launched only to lose out on our "1 time fee". If you are outside this niche, most won't care and if you are providing good content that keeps them coming back, go for it.

              Hope this helps.
              Incredibly useful. Thank you for the detailed, step-by-step process!
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9006755].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author hustlinsmoke
    I didn't read the other threads this is just my experience. First you need either a membership plugin or a membership script.
    Many out there.
    Now you need an account with amazon s3 they will host the videos and protect them from pirates.
    A good s3 plugin will also help.
    Now just build and upload.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9004549].message }}

Trending Topics