Are Fixed Term Membership Sites still Profitable in 2012??

Of course. Why wouldn't they be?

Just like anything else though, success or failure depends on what you offer, who you offer it to, and how you market it.

Thanks for the advice Ron!!

Anybody else currently running a FTM site? Would like to get your take on this.

I'm currently a member of one. If you offer people information in a topic they're interested in they'll sign-up. But it depends on your ability to market and whether you keep offering valuable information.

Rose

There is a ton of money to be made but really you have to set yourself well apart from the competition to succeed.

I believe that the majority of effort must be invested in marketing. Yes the content of the site is crucial but without a prospect/client base that trust you first you are unlikely to succeed.

You must check out this thread first as there are some great posts....

Also, what about the overall business objectives and obstacles to reach them?

Marcus Rockey

See the porn industry. That's pretty much their entire business model. They were doing it long for "mainstream" IMer's started doing it.


To me, the porn industry is the original IM. They were doing ad swaps and JV's long before it become "vogue" with the mainstreamers.

Huh? Im not sore or not succeeding in online ventures, so why would i want your free ebook?? I asked if fixed membership sites were still profitable. I just didnt understand what that meant or how it pertained to my question.

I've read thru alot of post on here about this subject, and not once have i heard..if you dont have a list or some sort of following..u wont succeed. Its people that started these sites(FTM) and had no list or fanbase and are were making big bank monthly.

The problem is marketing the website, unless you can get the site ranking high people will not pay the money to sign up to the website. However, i still think the idea works, though has a very limited amount of niches you could focus on.

I am talking about pre-eminence and authority in a particular niche. Along side this there is the need for you to know the beliefs, frustrations and desires of your prospects so you can meet their needs through your content.

If you can meet their needs through content then you bridge the gap between where they are and purchasing.

All good marketers have this understanding. Building a list, creating trust and targeted value are essential for success. Your prospect will buy via emotion.

Does this make sense?

Who buys without trust? Perhaps a small minority but without it building a sustainable business that provides financial independence is going to be virtually impossible.

Marcus

I had two reasons for joining the membership site instead of using Google.

1. The information was on a specialized topic that is not found all over the internet.

2. My time is worth something to me and I didn't want to waste time searching all over the internet.

I wanted the information delivered directly to me. I wanted to know it was written by someone who had actually used the information and made a profit with the method. I wanted to ask that person questions if needed.

Rose

I have not intended to offend you at all though I might have.

I have not said you must have a list either but a client base (followers and others that know you) is needed.

Marcus

Thanks again Rose! Very useful info.

Well said Shane!!

Anyone else have advice or feedback!!

Anybody else running one or apart of one?

They still work. Why would they?

People pay for quality.

There is also an all-in-one thread on membership sites that has some good information.

Rose

I run a piano lessons membership site. But it's specialized. New Age only. Been doing it successfully for 10 years now - a lifetime online.

The secret? Exceed expectations and deliver excellent content people want and believe is valuable. Do this and you should succeed. The key is micro-niching and finding a big enough market to meet your goals.

The recurring income is great and I give new content ever 3-4 weeks. If you go into this remember- patience and persistance pay off. If you're committed and willing to work for it, no other business model can match it for a recurring, stable income.

People will pay for quality give them a good reason to stay in the loop.

I won't pay for rehashed tips and tricks, it has to be cutting edge!

You know... of course Fixed Term Memberships work.

As do most other kinds of memberships or products or programs or services.

If... you work at them.

You seem to feel that having a list is optional - and, sure... you can have success online with no list.

Sure, you can build a successful FTM or any other kind of product sale or membership site without a list.

Sure, you can - but if you feel it's optional or that it's not needed as a priority first or that it's not a better prerequisite to have a list initially, you're sadly mistaken.

Lists aren't necessary - but, they are kinda like air - it makes it a lot easier to breath when you have it.

I've been doing FTM's since Jimmy D. Brown coined the term and sold his Mmebernaire many years ago... since Russell Brunson modified it and added the free front end videos... and, I can tell you that there simply is no "Easy."

It's all work... but it's work worth doing if you are in the right market at the right time with a great offer and a well placed message to market match and...

If you can get your offer in front of the target audience you want to see what it is you are offering - i.e. a list.

You CAN build a site with no list... but it's not nearly as prudent as building a targeted list first and then marketing your site to them.

Being dogmatic about a position that is not advantageous isn't good for anyone... there is a reason that most marketers online tell you to build a list; because it is just good business.

I can't tell you how much money I've personally lost over the years because of two huge mistakes I've made in my own marketing:

Mistake #1: Didn't build my lists.
Mistake #2: When I did build my lists - I ignored them.

Disregard these at your own peril.

Also... as a side note, focusing on building your list gives you clarity on who your target market really is and what they honestly WANT (not NEED - big difference).

Just offering my $.02 - had to chime in... generalities defending less than intelligent positions that can harm others... as a personal choice, these are fine, as a teaching or point of business position other new marketers might adapt - I feel they can be misunderstood and need clarity.

PLR Membership sites should always be profitable

Yeah I think they are worth while if you have a unique angle

Think of it this way. People are making money selling e-books at $17, $37, $47 price range. That's just one product. With a fixed-term membership website you're making income for as long as you have the duration set (3 months, 5 months, 12 months, whatevever).

So yes, they're still very lucrative. And remember, you can still promote to your membership in a variety of ways, so you can still profit on the backend.

RoD