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Best Way To Structure This Offer...

by Cory D
4 replies
Hey everyone!

I'd like to hear what you guys think of this..

I'm in the process of setting up a membership site. I don't have any stand alone products at this time. I really just wanted to focus on the membership site to start (and it is best suited for the market I'm in.)

I wanted to ask you guys what you think is the best way to structure a front end offer to a paid membership site.

As of right now, I have one month's worth of content created. More content will be created as I go based on demand and subscriber feedback.

I was initially thinking to give them one month free. However, that seems like I'm giving away too much with no up front ROI.

I then thought I could give away one video lesson for free (the month's content consists of 4 core video lessons) and then require they purchase the remaining months content placing a buy link in the members area at a discount and then to be rebilled later.

This seemed a little too complicated. Simple is better in my opinion..

I now have an idea that I could offer a 7 day trial with full access to all videos and present it as "the first week free."

They would be directed to sign up for a recurring billing agreement (most likely pay pal) where they would agree to 7 days free and then would be rebilled after seven days and every month there after and can cancel any time.

From your guys' experience, what has given you the best results in terms of membership trial offers?

I know of the 1$ trail offer that I've heard works pretty well, but I think that strategy usually works best when you have upsells, which I do not at this time.

I'd be interested to hear what you guys think. Even if you think I need to create more content to properly structure an offer, let me know. I really value you're guys' advice and opinions. Thanks in advanced!


Cory D
#offer #structure
  • Profile picture of the author Langeani
    I have never worked in this way, so my opinion is purely based on impression

    But I'd make the $1 free trial and then the "upsell" would be the monthly price.

    Some of the people won't cancel. You could drip feed content every week, instead of every month. So, in that way, you can make the $1 trial be for the first week of content only.

    Offer AWESOME content for that first week though.

    You got the hardest part, which is content and taking action. You can always tweak the way you market!

    Cheers
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Originally Posted by Cory D View Post

    I was initially thinking to give them one month free. However, that seems like I'm giving away too much with no up front ROI.

    Cory,

    In my opinion, your thinking is not congruent with the building of a long term business, especially a membership site.

    I wouldn't worry in the least about "giving away too much with no up front ROI." In fact, isn't that exactly what you're hoping your customers will recognize about your membership site? That you are giving way more than you are asking in return?

    I wouldn't be concerned about ROI right now, that can come down the road as you gain subscribers. Right now, you want to get as many people in the door as you can - then dazzle them with what a great bargain membership really is - such a low price for all this goodness!

    I am convinced that the way to succeed with this model is to way, way over-deliver on quality and quantity so that the decision to stay subscribed is a no-brainer. How are you ever going to show off what you are offering if you can't get people in the door, or if they only stay for a week or a month?

    Take a long-term perspective. Dump the first month ROI focus.

    The best to you in this project,

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author Cory D
      Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

      Cory,

      In my opinion, your thinking is not congruent with the building of a long term business, especially a membership site.

      I wouldn't worry in the least about "giving away too much with no up front ROI." In fact, isn't that exactly what you're hoping your customers will recognize about your membership site? That you are giving way more than you are asking in return?

      I wouldn't be concerned about ROI right now, that can come down the road as you gain subscribers. Right now, you want to get as many people in the door as you can - then dazzle them with what a great bargain membership really is - such a low price for all this goodness!

      I am convinced that the way to succeed with this model is to way, way over-deliver on quality and quantity so that the decision to stay subscribed is a no-brainer. How are you ever going to show off what you are offering if you can't get people in the door, or if they only stay for a week or a month?

      Take a long-term perspective. Dump the first month ROI focus.

      The best to you in this project,

      Steve
      I see where you're coming from. I guess the first month free isn't a bad idea. I just wanted to balance ROI with over delivery as to not give away more than I really need to.

      Because basically, at this point, I would be giving away an entire product for free. It definitely is extreme over delivery, but people are selling these types of products all day long to people. I just wanted to provide ongoing training because it suits the market I'm in.

      Thanks for your advice!
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  • Profile picture of the author KenThompson
    Hi Cory,

    Steve makes a good case, and I understand your trepidation with giving away an entire month for free. Maybe consider finding a middle ground if it's more comfortable.

    You can offer a two week trial for $1 and explain the benefits of what they'll get in the remaining two weeks comprising the first month. Write it in the style of a cliffhanger that makes them feel how much they'll miss out on if they choose to leave after the trial period is over.

    Do you have content ideas lined-up for the second and succeeding months? You should because you can then structure similar copy to make them want to keep their subscription for next month.

    But that will only work if you can create copy that is not hype but rather written so it truly is painful if they miss what's coming in the next month. This will take a little more set-up since each member will receive an automated email with the preview of what's ahead.

    Ken
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