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My (first) Membership Site Plan - whaddya think?

by Rick Britton
10 replies
Appreciate any comments and criticisms, I've not done this yet but I thought this might work. It may not be optimum which is OK; my criteria are 'easy' , 'achievable' , 'low up front cost'

I have been running an 'info product' type business by e-mail & using Drop Box for some years (sports betting niche) It's been fine, I was not doing it to make $mega more as fun. We have a good social scene going on and all the members chat with each other and celebrate together when a big win is landed.

However, I now intend to run it is as a paid membership site.I am planning:

1. A simple sales page with a good offer. Probably going to offer 'First Month Free Trial'
2. If they take the 'First Month Free' offer, go to OTO for a 'Lifetime Membership' at $XX
3. Use Twitter as my main driver of traffic to the sales page
4. Once income generated then start Solo Ad campaigns
5. Turn members into affiliates

I already have over 50 members and I imagine 200 subscribers would be my limit. As the success depends on making money for them by recommending successful & profitable bets my plan is to drive monthly subscription costs up and keep total numbers down. So, I would start say at $10/month and aim to drive it up to $20, $30, $40. It's a very hungry market and if you can prove success then attracting members won't be hard plus I already have a rep and am quite well known (well my brand is)

I know you experts would probably split test and do all kinds of clever IM stuff.

I expect some would say give the first month for $1 or something to see if they really are buyers but I don't see that makes much difference.
#membership #plan #site #whaddya
  • Profile picture of the author jaypoole
    If you want to push your prices up then I recommend making people queue to come on board. Create a web page that's just a sign-up to a waiting list. Then open membership for a short time period and give people advance notification that they just have 24/48/72 hours to join. I wouldn't make it a free trial, ot if you do use that to start the relationship then is it possible to offer a cut down version of what they'd get as a full paying member?
    Focus on the members you already have and showcase their successes. Make people want to join and restrict the opportunity they have to do so.
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    • Profile picture of the author Rick Britton
      Many thanks

      I need to do really simple stuff as I lack tech skills so building web pages and making them wait is likely to be beyond me.

      I certainly will use scarcity and restriction. The only way to get the advice is by being a member. I advertise the results afterwards and that creates the interest.

      I'm planning to fill it to say 200 members, then close access. When a certain number drop out or whatever, I'll re-open the access but at the higher price. I'll continue re-iterating until I get to the right price which is approx 40 per month.

      Be nice if I get there!
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    • Profile picture of the author ab1962
      Originally Posted by jaypoole View Post

      If you want to push your prices up then I recommend making people queue to come on board. Create a web page that's just a sign-up to a waiting list. Then open membership for a short time period and give people advance notification that they just have 24/48/72 hours to join. I wouldn't make it a free trial, ot if you do use that to start the relationship then is it possible to offer a cut down version of what they'd get as a full paying member?
      Focus on the members you already have and showcase their successes. Make people want to join and restrict the opportunity they have to do so.
      Hi Rick

      I agree with jaypoole and what he suggests can work really well. I also like the fact that you are building a business that creates recurring income for you because with a recurring income system you can make sure you build an asset that will help you earn income for years to come. If I may ask how do you use dropbox in your system?
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      • Profile picture of the author Rick Britton
        Hi, thanks for the reply

        I use Drop Box to deliver material like spreadsheets & PDFs that the members need to follow the advice - and also to give content and value

        So when I post new stuff in the Drop Box folders I either Tweet or e-mail saying ' FYI new stuff, go get'

        It's free, easy and takes no management skills
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  • Profile picture of the author DaleRodge
    Sounds like a good plan, and from personal experience a free "taster" period always works very well! This helps you prevent any refunds/chargebacks (since people know exactly what they're buying into) but it also helps drive sales because if you pack it will excellence then they'll want to stick around.

    However, when it comes to things like this it always sounds great in theory but ultimately it's a case of trial and error. No doubt on your first go you'll get it wrong (we all do) but providing you stick with it and keep tweaking & altering you'll eventually get it where you want it to be. Good luck
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    • Profile picture of the author Rick Britton
      Thanks man

      My existing members are all 'big fans' so will provide plenty of testimonials. Hopefully, during the 'Free Trial' the new members will enjoy the group, there will a social function, forum & Q&A section plus I'm planning a lot more content than I currently give. If that's the case then hopefully most will stick around for more / be happy to pay.

      By the way, my reason for doing this is at least 50% altruistic. I'm going to be giving 25% to an unfunded athlete trying to get to the Tokyo Olympics 2020 so he can travel to train and compete.
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  • Profile picture of the author Oziboomer
    Hi Rick,

    Have you thought about asking the 50 or so members what they think you should charge?

    You could sort of make it a competitive thing as to what to charge.

    Maybe members could vote on a figure and you could award lifetime membership to the person who got closest and a reduced monthly fee for those that didn't.

    Then when you promote new members you could always do what Frank Kern has done where you offer a high monthly membership fee but have a free trial and then the genius bit is you immediately offer a lifetime monthly recurring that is "locked in" at a lower price forever if they commit there and then rather than take the monthly trial.

    Best regards,

    Ozi
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    • Profile picture of the author Rick Britton
      Thanks Ozi

      Yes well I am thinking of doing all kinds with the existing members. Some are useful as I get them making spreadsheets and other useful stuff. I will ask some to become moderators on the 'Members Forum' for reduced monthly fees

      I will definitely be doing 'sign up now and get a fixed monthly fee for life' and other such ways to get them to sign up. Also going to do 'Once my maximum membership is filled I'm locking the doors' and all those good things.

      What do you think about getting existing members to work as Affiliates? Get them Tweeting their links and posting on their Facebook, putting links in their Forum signatures and so on? Was thinking 50% on going commission would motivate them.
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      • Profile picture of the author Oziboomer
        Originally Posted by Rick Britton View Post

        What do you think about getting existing members to work as Affiliates? Get them Tweeting their links and posting on their Facebook, putting links in their Forum signatures and so on? Was thinking 50% on going commission would motivate them.
        50% is a good commission to earn but maybe tread carefully as some existing members may be feeling like they are paying too much if you offer 50%.

        The key might be to work out how to word the "lifetime" membership that is lower than the 50%.

        Look after the regulars first.

        Given they are a competitive lot you want to keep them competitive but also sharing nature you have developed.

        Perhaps there is a way to give some benefits to all members when a new membership is sold.

        Reward the behaviour.

        The affiliate might earn a commission but the whole membership get a lucky draw of X.

        The Tokyo athlete gets a bonus if we do this.

        Keep the goodwill you have developed as it is more valuable than losing members because of something that might cause attrition.

        I guess what I'm saying is reward good behaviour individually - i.e. for referral. . ..

        . . . but reward the group as a whole for sticking around and supporting the new members.

        Work that out and you will be golden.

        Best regards,

        Ozi
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        • Profile picture of the author Rick Britton
          That's great advice, will definitely reflect on it all

          Thanks man
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