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What do you look for in a membership site?

by Tom Brite
20 replies
Hey Warriors,

Im starting work on my internet marketing training membership site shortly but before i do i need your help and ideas.

I have thought of two possible options for my membership site and really need your opinions on both and also what i should include in them too.

1st - 100% Free
This would be 100% free and have all the same thing's as if it were paid however it would be free. The only money i would earn from it would be via donations made optionally and also from affiliate sales from products like senuke and any other service, ebook or software that i reccomend (and of course actually use myself). It wouldn't be a constant sales pitch and all the content would be provide by me. Also upsell of personal 1 on 1 coaching available at $1000 (approx) a month.

2nd - Monthly Payments
As sugggested it would be based on monthly payments and to become a member you would have to pay. I would make the first 7 day's at a small trial cost of around $1 and then after that it would be $47 to $97 a month. It would include everything the free version would and i would also make money from affiliate sales too. Plus it would still have the personal 1 on 1 coaching upsell at $1000(approx) a month. The only advantage i see with this option is that the people who join would be very dedicated and want to earn back their investment each month and hopefully be more active within the site too meaning im not wasting any time with anyone.

Of course the 2nd option would make me more money, but that is really not the whole point of me running a membership site. I enjoy helping people but need to devise a system whereby i can help people and in return i actually make some money for my time too.

On the membership site (both paid or free) i would want to include....
Training Material
Forum
Chat Room
Weekly Webinar's
Guest Speakers (will take a while and will be once its established)

Now also i would want to run an affiliate program with the membership site so anyone can promote it and make recurring income (if its paid) however i would also want to limit spaces inside the site so that its not over run with questions. It would probably be something like 100 people per month allowed inside (although i would have to monitor it each month).

Plus instead of it being a only open once kinda thing it will be open all the time... i.e. anyone can join at anytime and wont have to catchup loads. The content will be there from the start (of course i will be adding more over time too) but the for basis everything will be there all the time for people to get going from day 1 so im not slowing anyone down and so everyone can work at their own pace too. Then also the more advanced marketers can join and find good information too without having to wait.


So what's everyones thoughts on all of this? which one should i go for?

Also just to note im not trying to pre-sell anyone and it will be a while before anything is ready for pre-release or release so i don't want any PM's or messages saying your interested in joining etc etc etc as that's not the purpose of this thread.

Thanks

Tom Brite
#membership #site
  • Profile picture of the author dave147
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  • Profile picture of the author Scott Ames
    I see the point of free, it attracts many more users. I think however that people don't value free things much. Many may just sign up because its free and never do anything with the forums or information. Freebie members may not be the best prospects for coaching either. Those are my immediate thoughts, I don't know if my concerns are true.

    The Warrior Forum is free yet people buy, so you never know.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tom Brite
      Originally Posted by Scott Ames View Post

      I see the point of free, it attracts many more users. I think however that people don't value free things much. Many may just sign up because its free and never do anything with the forums or information. Freebie members may not be the best prospects for coaching either. Those are my immediate thoughts, I don't know if my concerns are true.

      The Warrior Forum is free yet people buy, so you never know.
      Yeah Scott that's exactly what i don't want to happen.

      However percentage wise of people on the warrior forum who buy anything compared to who don't buy i think is way in favour of those who don't, you could even go as far to say that a large percentage signup here and don't even post or take any action in their IM career either.

      That is exactly what sort of people i don't really want!

      Tom Brite
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  • Profile picture of the author ravijayagopal
    Free is a great way to attract new members. But you have to introduce a lot of "Cliffhanger Content" for the free users - basically show them a video, that has pretty much all of it, except the final solution. Basically leave out the best part, and tell them they can pay to view the rest.

    Take a hint from the adult industry ;-)

    - Ravi Jayagopal
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    • Profile picture of the author Tom Brite
      Originally Posted by ravijayagopal View Post

      Free is a great way to attract new members. But you have to introduce a lot of "Cliffhanger Content" for the free users - basically show them a video, that has pretty much all of it, except the final solution. Basically leave out the best part, and tell them they can pay to view the rest.

      Take a hint from the adult industry ;-)

      - Ravi Jayagopal
      Finnally someone i like... actually telling me to go and watch porn lol

      Anyhow i see your point. Although i don't know if that will just make everything take alot longer... it could work and work really well and i can see exactly how.

      Just give the free users just enough and then the paid users would get the simpler method and quicker method, even maybe introduce tools to them too.

      I like your thinking and it will definatly be something i consider if i go for the multi level approach.

      Tom Brite
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  • Profile picture of the author JasonParker
    Originally Posted by Tom Brite View Post

    Hey Warriors,

    Im starting work on my internet marketing training membership site shortly but before i do i need your help and ideas.

    I have thought of two possible options for my membership site and really need your opinions on both and also what i should include in them too.

    1st - 100% Free
    This would be 100% free and have all the same thing's as if it were paid however it would be free. The only money i would earn from it would be via donations made optionally and also from affiliate sales from products like senuke and any other service, ebook or software that i reccomend (and of course actually use myself). It wouldn't be a constant sales pitch and all the content would be provide by me. Also upsell of personal 1 on 1 coaching available at $1000 (approx) a month.

    2nd - Monthly Payments
    As sugggested it would be based on monthly payments and to become a member you would have to pay. I would make the first 7 day's at a small trial cost of around $1 and then after that it would be $47 to $97 a month. It would include everything the free version would and i would also make money from affiliate sales too. Plus it would still have the personal 1 on 1 coaching upsell at $1000(approx) a month. The only advantage i see with this option is that the people who join would be very dedicated and want to earn back their investment each month and hopefully be more active within the site too meaning im not wasting any time with anyone.

    Of course the 2nd option would make me more money, but that is really not the whole point of me running a membership site. I enjoy helping people but need to devise a system whereby i can help people and in return i actually make some money for my time too.

    On the membership site (both paid or free) i would want to include....
    Training Material
    Forum
    Chat Room
    Weekly Webinar's
    Guest Speakers (will take a while and will be once its established)

    Now also i would want to run an affiliate program with the membership site so anyone can promote it and make recurring income (if its paid) however i would also want to limit spaces inside the site so that its not over run with questions. It would probably be something like 100 people per month allowed inside (although i would have to monitor it each month).

    Plus instead of it being a only open once kinda thing it will be open all the time... i.e. anyone can join at anytime and wont have to catchup loads. The content will be there from the start (of course i will be adding more over time too) but the for basis everything will be there all the time for people to get going from day 1 so im not slowing anyone down and so everyone can work at their own pace too. Then also the more advanced marketers can join and find good information too without having to wait.


    So what's everyones thoughts on all of this? which one should i go for?

    Also just to note im not trying to pre-sell anyone and it will be a while before anything is ready for pre-release or release so i don't want any PM's or messages saying your interested in joining etc etc etc as that's not the purpose of this thread.

    Thanks

    Tom Brite
    I don't think free is a good idea unless it's a multi-level membership site where they can upgrade to a paid level.

    The $1 trial period works well too.

    ...Most importantly, you need to think about HOW you're going to sell the membership site. Because the best way to sell a membership site isn't by selling the membership site. It's by selling the bonus or the product they get for $1... and all they have to do is try out your membership site to get hooked on it.

    Nobody wants to commit to monthly payments to a membership site, so you sell something to bypass that filter. Instead you have them try it. And then when they see how good it is on the inside, they'll decide whether to stick with it or not.
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    • Profile picture of the author Bryan Zimmerman
      Since I'm currently running one for free, I can give you a little bit on that end. So far it's been great and I have no complaints. But, it's not been all about me teaching either. It's been more of creating a community where everyone can help each other.

      You've been in there Tom so you know what I'm talking about.

      I don't try and sell anything and suprisingly enough, people will actually ask you to put up a "buy you a beer" link or put up a thread where people will buy what ever they are thinking about buying through your affiliate link to pay you back for your time. Is it always going to be free? No, but starting it out that way and teaching like you would if you were getting paid for it, is a good way to create a nice affiliate army once you do decide to sell it. They know how good it is so they won't having a problem promoting it for you. Especially if they know they are going to get a cut of it.
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      • Profile picture of the author Tom Brite
        Originally Posted by Bryan Zimmerman View Post

        Since I'm currently running one for free, I can give you a little bit on that end. So far it's been great and I have no complaints. But, it's not been all about me teaching either. It's been more of creating a community where everyone can help each other.

        You've been in there Tom so you know what I'm talking about.

        I don't try and sell anything and suprisingly enough, people will actually ask you to put up a "buy you a beer" link or put up a thread where people will buy what ever they are thinking about buying through your affiliate link to pay you back for your time. Is it always going to be free? No, but starting it out that way and teaching like you would if you were getting paid for it, is a good way to create a nice affiliate army once you do decide to sell it. They know how good it is so they won't having a problem promoting it for you. Especially if they know they are going to get a cut of it.
        Hey Bryan,

        Yeah, its actually your membership site that made me wonder if a completely free version would be perfect for my membership site. It's amazing to see how when you don't force payment on people that a good chunk of them actually volounteer their own money to help.

        Tom Brite
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    • Profile picture of the author Tom Brite
      Originally Posted by JasonParker View Post

      I don't think free is a good idea unless it's a multi-level membership site where they can upgrade to a paid level.

      The $1 trial period works well too.

      ...Most importantly, you need to think about HOW you're going to sell the membership site. Because the best way to sell a membership site isn't by selling the membership site. It's by selling the bonus or the product they get for $1... and all they have to do is try out your membership site to get hooked on it.

      Nobody wants to commit to monthly payments to a membership site, so you sell something to bypass that filter. Instead you have them try it. And then when they see how good it is on the inside, they'll decide whether to stick with it or not.
      Yeah that's why i thought of the $1 trial for 7 day's. Plus that will populate the chat room and the forum quickly and make people want to continue to pay especially if they have asked questions and are awaiting a response or whatever (although im not going to intentionally delay responses so people pay).

      Tom Brite
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  • Profile picture of the author MasonRamm
    My personal feelings on this is to go for the free and paid model.

    Attract them with products, tools and resources you can give them access to for free and have an upsell to your paid model where you provide alot more.

    You should not give up on those who subscribe for free because as we know it can take up to 7 exposures to something before one buys or values you or trusts you enough to part with their hard earned money to buy your upsell version.

    FYI. I'm going to be doing this myself ie. having a free and paid membership level with a membershipsite I'm currently working on. I'll let you know how this works if interested.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tom Brite
      Originally Posted by MasonRamm View Post

      My personal feelings on this is to go for the free and paid model.

      Attract them with products, tools and resources you can give them access to for free and have an upsell to your paid model where you provide alot more.

      You should not give up on those who subscribe for free because as we know it can take up to 7 exposures to something before one buys or values you or trusts you enough to part with their hard earned money to buy your upsell version.

      FYI. I'm going to be doing this myself ie. having a free and paid membership level with a membershipsite I'm currently working on. I'll let you know how this works if interested.
      Yes i would be very interested in hearing how the free and paid approach goes.

      From the outset it seems like its going to work however im not really sure how it would work exactly and what exactly i would stop the free members being able to use.

      Tom Brite
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  • Profile picture of the author Marian Berghes
    I can give just 1 pointer: Don't put the forum up right away...it will put people off when they see the forum is empty and you just have 50 members or something.

    Get a good amount of members and them ask them what they think about a forum.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tom Brite
      Originally Posted by Marian Berghes View Post

      I can give just 1 pointer: Don't put the forum up right away...it will put people off when they see the forum is empty and you just have 50 members or something.

      Get a good amount of members and them ask them what they think about a forum.
      Yeah im always turned off by a empty forum too.

      I will probably do a pre-release only to war room members for free for a month and then release it soon after so that its tested and populated first.

      Not only will that iron out any bugs but also mean that i can get some nice feedback and maybe even some guestspeakers which would be really great.

      Tom Brite
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  • Profile picture of the author mohamed.hammad
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    • Profile picture of the author Tom Brite
      Originally Posted by mohamed.hammad View Post

      I would say get

      Free membership to explode your list in no time
      after that face them with an upsell to your paid membership with $1 trial for the first 30 days
      I really don't need to explode my list... okay i know the money is in the list and ive proved that to myself many a time but this membership site wont be about building a massive list to profit from, i actually hate promoting other peoples products to my list unless i personally know its fantastic and can't be beaten.

      The upsell of a paid membership sounds good however.

      Tom Brite
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      • Profile picture of the author mohamed.hammad
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        • Profile picture of the author Tom Brite
          Originally Posted by mohamed.hammad View Post

          You don't need a list to sell affiliate stuff to it,
          you can easily follow up with them until they become paid members to your membership site!

          The upsell I've said to you will have a GREAT conversion especially when you provide amazing content then the refund rate will get low dramatically as people finish their $1 trial and start paying the full price
          Yeah i really don't want to be making money from the users unless thet are buying products i use myself and highly reccomend, which will be done mostly from the site anyhow and then also just to upgrade.

          Thanks for your input.

          Tom Brite
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  • Profile picture of the author designstd.com
    From my opinion paid brings you better targeted people

    Free gets you everyone
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