Webinar Wednesday 142 – September 7, 2022

Speed: Improved mobile page speed scores (95+ benchmark scoring) (00:02:33)

• A new advanced setting will be available to enable, which has significantly improved mobile page speed scores, with scores of 95 Plus in test sites, as Benchmark scoring, and this improvement can be seen in a quick example, (00:02:34).
• The mobile score of 70 plus is considered a good score, as it is really difficult to get into the 80s and 90s, especially for sites that have more than just text and images, such as search function functionality, JavaScript, tracking, or Google ads, (00:03:06).
• The new setting has increased the benchmarks, providing a better starting point for fresh sites, and even if additional resources are added to the site, such as tracking and other tags, a scoring of 70, 80, or 90s is still considered good, (00:03:42).
• The improved mobile page speed scores can be seen in test sites, with a score of 95 on mobile, and this new setting is expected to be released by the next webinar, allowing for further discussion and testing with attendees, (00:03:56).
• The release of this new setting will provide an opportunity to take sample size tests from attendees and see if it actually improves their scoring, (00:04:08).

Embed.ly: Paste links from 700+ solutions to embed content into webpages & posts (00:04:10)

• Embedly is a tool that allows users to embed content and media into their pages and posts, and it will be made available to all Brilliant Directories websites, enabling the embedding of links from over 700 solutions (00:04:11).
• The Embedly tool can be used in the text editor, where users can simply paste a link from a popular source, such as Twitter, and it will grab a “card” to embed into the webpage or post (00:04:24).
• Examples of solutions that can be embedded using Embedly include Twitter, Calendly for scheduling, and SoundCloud for audio and video sources, which can be easily dropped into the text editor (00:05:25).
• The Embedly feature is expected to be released by the next webinar, and it will provide a new level of functionality beyond current workarounds for white-label embeds from domains (00:04:40).
• The development of Embedly is part of a broader focus on data portability, more integrations, and easier embedding into Brilliant Directories sites, which will be a key feature available to all users in the coming year (00:06:21).
• The Embedly tool will allow users to embed a wide range of content, going beyond just YouTube and Vimeo, and will provide a more seamless experience for creating and editing webpages and posts (00:05:56).

Links: Turn website address form fields into buttons (00:06:38)

• When creating a form, a field called “website address” can be added to ask the person filling out the form to input their website address, and up until now, the full URL of the website address would be displayed on the front end of the website, such as on a member’s profile page (00:06:38).
• The displayed website address would appear as plain text, which is not very visually appealing and does not effectively serve its purpose, but this is about to change with a new feature (00:07:05).
• The new feature will allow users to choose whether to display the website URL field as plain text or as a button, and they will also be able to customize the link text, such as “check out my website” or use an icon or image (00:07:33).
• This new feature will provide more flexibility when it comes to website URL fields, allowing users to keep them as plain text or turn them into buttons with custom text, which will enhance the overall user experience (00:07:58).
• The ability to customize the link text or use an icon or image will be particularly useful for members who want to link to their private booking page or other important websites, and it will make the links more engaging and user-friendly (00:07:51).

API/Zapier: Import member leads into BD website (00:08:09)

• The focus has been on the Zapier API and other tools to import and export data into a Brilliant Directory site over the past six months, with recent developments including the ability to import members into the site using third-party forms and feeds (00:08:10).
• The ability to import member leads is expected to be released soon, allowing users to import leads from other forms, such as Typeform (service) or Jotform, and embed them anywhere on the internet to collect leads, which can then be fed into the Brilliant Directories website (00:08:21).
• The import feature will also support importing from RSS feeds related to member leads, and will enable the creation of conditional lead forms using tools like Typeform or Jotform, allowing for more complex lead capture forms (00:08:46).
• The conditional lead forms can be used not just anywhere on the internet, but also embedded on the Brilliant Directories site, providing an alternative to the default form that comes with the site (00:09:13).
• Future developments include the ability to import member reviews, as well as the ability to import data posts, such as events or blogs from RSS feeds, which are expected to be released soon (00:09:39).
• These upcoming features are expected to provide more flexibility and functionality for users, allowing them to import and manage various types of data in their Brilliant Directories website (00:09:53).

Editor: Add ID tags to titles (ability to create table of contents) (00:09:57)

• The ability to add ID tags to headings and titles in the text editor allows for the creation of a table of contents, enabling users to jump around a page and click on links to navigate to specific topics or sections (00:09:57).
• This feature is similar to those found on blogs, where a table of contents is typically located at the top of the page, and users can click on links to navigate to specific parts of the article (00:10:01).
• The primary purpose of adding ID tags to titles is to create a table of contents at the top of blog articles or other content, making it easier for users to navigate and find specific information (00:10:23).
• With the release of this feature, it will be possible to demonstrate how to create a table of contents for blogs using the text editor, allowing users to add ID tags to titles and jump around a page (00:10:34).

And many, many more on the way! (00:10:46)

• The community’s suggestions and reported issues are crucial in improving the platform, with many updates on the way (00:10:47).
• The Facebook group is a key source of suggestions, and the support team is always available to help with issues reported by the community (00:10:51).
• The community’s input, including suggestions and reported issues, helps improve the platform for everyone, and this feedback is highly valued (00:10:54).
• The next webinar is expected to be packed with new features to demonstrate, thanks to the community’s contributions and the ongoing efforts to enhance the platform (00:11:02).
• The community’s enthusiasm and engagement are appreciated, and there is excitement about the upcoming updates and new features (00:10:59).

15+ Perks & Benefits Premium Members Want (00:11:10)

• The discussion is about providing perks and benefits to premium members to make the added cost worthwhile, with a list of 15 plus items to be covered (00:11:17).
• The list of perks and benefits was compiled from a post in the Facebook group and has around 17 or 18 items, with potential for additional sub-items and ideas (00:11:45).
• The goal is to provide additional features, abilities, and benefits to premium members, addressing a common question about what can be offered to make the premium membership valuable (00:11:31).
• The list is intended to be a starting point, with the expectation that there are plenty of other items that can be thought of and added based on the initial list (00:11:49).
• David has created the list of perks and benefits, which will be presented and discussed to provide ideas for making premium members happy (00:11:15).

Standard Membership Plan Offerings (00:12:00)

• Most membership and directory websites typically have a standard membership plan offering, which may include a free membership plan or a general user plan that is free to register and sign up for, but has limited features and access to content (00:12:01).
• The free membership plan usually has limited visibility in terms of the information available on the member’s profile page, and general user accounts may not be visible on the website at all, with limited access to the website’s content (00:12:27).
• In contrast, premium membership plans are usually available, which have a fee associated with them, such as a recurring monthly or annual fee, and may also involve a one-time setup fee or a one-time fee (00:13:04).
• Premium membership plans typically offer greater visibility, more features on the website, and access to more content, providing more benefits to members who pay for the membership (00:13:11).
• The goal of offering premium membership plans is to not only attract members initially but also to constantly provide benefits to keep them signed up and continue collecting membership fees (00:13:36).
• The specific details of standard membership plan offerings can vary depending on the website, target demographic, and target industry, and there are no set rules for what these plans should include (00:12:10).

Membership Plan Settings (00:13:51)

• Membership plan settings allow for configurations such as displaying members at the top of search results, with options to configure the display order in search results based on membership plan (00:14:06).
• Badges can be associated with each membership plan, providing a visual representation of membership tiers, as seen in the Marketplace with gold and blue badges (00:14:18).
• Profile pages of premium members can display additional information, with toggles available for individual items such as phone numbers, website URL, and review acceptance (00:14:45).
• Banner ads can be hidden on the profile pages of premium members, and other settings can be configured within the membership plan settings (00:15:01).
• The members-only content add-on can be used to give premium members access to exclusive pages or areas within the website, offering additional information and potentially discounted lead prices (00:15:12).
• Premium members can be offered discounted or free leads, compared to lower-tier members, as a benefit of their membership fee (00:15:44).
• These settings can be configured to provide a customized experience for premium members, with options to define and set up various features and benefits (00:16:06).

Search Result Order (00:16:10)

• The search result order can be customized to display members at the top of the search results, with a specific example using Lisa Jones as a super member in the webinar (00:16:10).
• The membership plan settings have a search priority feature that determines the order of search results, with lower numbers showing first, such as zero being the highest priority and then one, two, three, and so on (00:16:35).
• The recommended member membership plan has a search priority of one, which is why Lisa Jones, who is part of this plan, shows at the top of the search results, while other members with higher search priority numbers, such as local business listings with a priority of three, will show after her (00:16:47).
• The search results priority can be edited in the membership plan settings, under the search visibility section, where a lower number can be assigned to show a member at the top of the search results ahead of other members (00:17:10).
• The search priority is based on the membership plan, with the lower the number, the higher the priority, and this can be adjusted by editing the membership plan and changing the search results priority number (00:17:19).

Member Badges (00:17:24)

• Member badges can be displayed prominently, and there is a member badge add-on available that allows for badges to be shown on a member’s profile page and search results page (00:17:24).
• The member badge add-on provides the option to have a badge on the member’s profile page, which is separate from the badge displayed on their member dashboard, and is related to sharing their profile (00:17:32).
• The two main types of badges that can be used are the profile page badge and the search results badge, which can be customized with different images, such as a “recommended” badge (00:17:50).
• The membership plan badge is also available, which is displayed as a thumb icon, and verified members can have a special icon added to their profile to designate their verified status (00:18:15).
• Badges can be customized to match the branding of the organization, including the use of icon packs that match the color set and tone of the branding (00:18:00).
• Members can have multiple badges displayed on their profile, including a membership plan badge, a verified member badge, and other custom badges (00:18:17).

More Info on Profile Pages (00:18:27)

• Displaying more information on a member’s profile page can be a way to differentiate between lower and higher tiered plans, with higher tiered plans allowing members to share their website URL, display their phone number, and other contact information, while lower tiered plans may have limitations such as displaying banner ads on their profile page (00:18:27).
• The settings for what information to display on a member’s profile page can be found under the profile page tab, and include options such as showing website links, social media links, street address, and phone number, with each option having a yes or no setting (00:18:58).
• Additional settings include the option to show banner ads on a member’s profile page, which can be used to generate revenue or to provide a premium feature for higher tiered members (00:19:19).
• To make a member’s profile page look like a mini website, the header and footer of the main website can be removed, which would hide the main menu and logo, providing a more personalized experience for the member (00:19:26).
• This feature of creating a mini website for members can be a selling point for premium membership plans, especially for members who do not have their own website, as it provides them with a professional online presence (00:19:47).

Members-Only Areas (00:19:58)

• Members-only areas can be created by designating certain content pages and post types to only be viewed by certain members of certain membership plans, with the option to protect a page by default and choose which membership plans get to view the special content on that page (00:19:58)
• The members-only add-on allows for the designation of specific content pages and post types to be viewed only by certain members, providing an additional perk for higher-tiered plans (00:20:01)
• When creating a page of content, there is an option to protect the page and choose which membership plans are allowed to view the content, with the default setting being public for everyone (00:20:14)
• The ability to offer exclusive content to certain membership plans can be used as a benefit for higher-tiered plans, and can also be combined with other perks such as discounted leads (00:20:28)

Discounted Lead Prices (00:20:33)

• Members can be offered discounted lead prices if they are selling leads from their profile pages, such as those generated from request a quote buttons, with higher tiered plans potentially offering half price on leads (00:20:34).
• The business model for offering discounted lead prices can vary, with higher tiered plans possibly costing more monthly but providing discounts on leads (00:20:41).
• David pointed out several illustrations of how discounted lead prices can be implemented, including offering half price on leads for higher tiered plans (00:20:50).
• There are many items on the list of ways to implement discounted lead prices, and David explains each one in detail (00:20:54).
• The goal is to quickly go through the list of illustrations and explanations provided by David to finish up the discussion on discounted lead prices (00:20:59).

More Membership Plan Settings (00:21:00)

• Membership plans can be configured to control the types of content members can publish, such as articles, videos, events, and classifieds, with higher tier members potentially having more publishing options (00:21:02).
• The limit posts per member add-on allows for setting a higher or no limit on the number of posts members can publish, which can be adjusted based on the membership plan (00:21:30).
• Membership plans can also be set up to stream newly published content pieces directly on the home page, giving certain members’ content more visibility on the site (00:21:45).
• The membership plan settings provide options for customizing the content publishing experience for members, including which types of content they can publish and how their content is displayed on the site (00:21:06).
• The configuration of membership plan settings can help control the level of engagement and visibility members have on the site, with options such as limiting or expanding publishing capabilities (00:21:12).
• The settings available for membership plans allow for a tailored experience for members, with options for publishing, post limits, and content visibility, which can be adjusted to suit the needs of different membership tiers (00:22:02).

Content Publishing Abilities (00:22:06)

• Content publishing abilities allow members to add various types of content to the site beyond their profile information, and this feature can be edited in the membership plan settings under the post publishing tab (00:22:06).
• The post publishing tab is where administrators can choose what types of content members can post, such as classifieds, community articles, and coupons, depending on their membership plan (00:22:15).
• It is possible to restrict certain types of content to higher-tier membership plans, while lower-tier plans may only allow members to have a profile, and this can be configured in the post publishing settings (00:22:49).
• The types of content that can be posted may vary depending on the site, but it is not recommended to have too many types of content as it can make the site look busy and result in empty pages unless there is a lot of content (00:22:37).
• The ability to post certain types of content can be used to differentiate between higher and lower tier membership plans, with higher tier plans offering more posting abilities (00:22:51).
• The post publishing settings can also be used in conjunction with add-ons to provide additional functionality and options for members (00:23:00).

Limit Posts Per Member (00:23:00)

• The add-on allows limiting the number of posts members can make, with options to set the maximum number of free posts and to have only paid posts, only free posts, or both free and paid posts, enabling control over posting limits and potential fees (00:23:00).
• Members can be restricted from posting based on their membership tier, with higher-tiered members potentially having unlimited posting capabilities at no cost, while free members may be required to pay a fee, such as $5, every time they want to post an event (00:23:24).
• The limitation on posting can serve as an incentive for members to upgrade to a paid plan if they plan to publish a significant amount of content on the site, as paying for individual posts can become costly (00:23:30).

Display Content on Homepage (00:23:36)

• To display content on the homepage, it is possible to stream newly published content, such as featured photo albums, and this can be done by going to design settings and selecting additional content to display, with the option to only include posts from members in specific membership plans (00:23:36).
• The option to only include posts from members in specific membership plans can be found by clicking on edit settings and scrolling down, where there is a checkbox to select the membership plans that will be allowed to stream posts on the homepage (00:24:20).
• It is also possible to limit the number of posts per member that can be streamed on the homepage, by setting the option to “yes” for limiting one post per member, which will ensure that multiple members’ posts are displayed instead of just one member’s posts (00:24:44).
• Additionally, it is possible to choose to only display posts from the admin membership plan on the homepage, which can be useful if the admin is publishing events or other important information (00:25:03).
• The settings for displaying content on the homepage can be found in the design settings and home page sections, and they provide a way to customize what content is displayed and who can display it (00:24:00).

Other Off-Site Boosts (00:25:24)

• Members can be given additional boosts that are not necessarily tied to their membership plan, such as pinning their posts to the top of search result pages, which can be done for higher-tier members or as an a la carte option (00:25:26).
• Spotlighting members at the top of member search result pages can garner a lot of attention for individual members, and there are various settings that can be configured for this feature (00:26:10).
• Members can be featured on the home page using the “feature members on homepage” add-on, which allows specific members to be chosen, or by streaming members based on membership plan, with options to stream the newest, oldest, or random order of members (00:26:24).
• Custom content can be added to the home page to feature individual members, such as a short paragraph or a couple of sentences about the member (00:26:56).
• Members can be allowed to reply to reviews left on their profiles, which is a setting that can be configured within the membership plan settings (00:27:10).
• Custom banner ads can be created and added to the website to showcase individual members, with the option to link to the member’s profile page (00:27:30).
• These boosts can be sold as one-off options, such as spotlighting members on top of search results or featuring them on the home page (00:27:55).

Pin Featured Member Posts (00:28:07)

• Pinning a featured member post allows it to be displayed at the top of the post search results, and this can be accomplished by using the pin featured post add-on and going to manage posts (00:28:08).
• The pin featured post add-on enables the option to set a specific post as a featured post, which will show at the top of the search results, and multiple posts can be set as featured posts (00:28:27).
• The featured post can be set for a specific post type, such as a photo album, and an end date can be set for the featured post, allowing for automated deactivation after a certain period (00:29:15).
• Setting an end date for a featured post can be useful for events or boosts that need to be promoted for a limited time, and the member will get the benefit of the featured post without requiring manual deactivation (00:29:28).
• The pin featured post add-on provides a hands-on and automated way to manage featured posts, and changes are saved automatically without requiring a save button (00:29:41).
• The featured post will be displayed at the top of the search results, such as a photo album, and will be automatically deactivated after the set end date, making it a convenient and efficient way to manage member posts (00:29:50).

“Spotlight” Members in Search Results (00:29:51)

• Spotlighting members in search results can be achieved by adding a “Highlight members” tool to the site, which is based on the membership plan, and allows admins to auto-assign members to a “super plan” that spotlights them, (00:29:51).
• The spotlighted members can be moved to a special membership plan that people can sign up for, and only admins can auto-assign them, adding a nice wrapper around them and pushing them to the top of the search results, (00:30:05).
• The “Highlight members” add-on can be enabled and configured to change the appearance of the spotlighted members, such as the color and text, and it is connected to the membership plan, (00:30:31).
• The spotlighted members can be given a special designation, such as “recommended member”, and their appearance can be customized to stand out, such as with a burnt orange color, (00:30:51).
• The spotlighted members will have a special outline on the search results page, and when combined with a high search results priority, they will show up at the top of the results and garner more attention, (00:31:21).
• To set up the spotlight feature for higher-tier members, admins can duplicate their highest-tier membership plan and change the search results priority to ensure the highlighted members show up at the top, (00:32:00).
• The spotlight feature can be used to cycle through higher-tier members, and admins can manually move members to the spotlight plan for a limited time, such as a week, and then move them back to their regular plan, (00:32:40).
• The name of the spotlight plan can be changed to something like “Member Spotlight” to reflect the special designation, and the plan can be used to feature members on the home page, (00:32:50).

Feature Members on Homepage (00:32:52)

• Feature members on the homepage by hand-picking specific members to display in the same format as recent members, with options to limit photo albums and membership plans, and customize the design settings (00:32:54)
• The feature members on the homepage option allows for hand-picked members to be displayed, and also provides the ability to display custom content, such as a spotlight on a particular member, using design blocks and content blocks (00:33:12)
• Custom content can be placed anywhere on the homepage, and can include links to articles or profiles, and can also be used for paid boosts where members pay to be featured (00:33:39)
• The custom content option includes up to five pre-made elements, and can be styled using basic content blocks and pre-made blocks, with options to upload images and play around with image styles, such as square, rounded, or circle images (00:34:12)
• The spotlight feature on the homepage can be created using custom content, without relying on default streaming widgets, allowing for a high degree of customization and playfulness in the design format (00:34:56)

Allow Members to Reply to Reviews (00:35:15)

• Allowing members to reply to reviews, especially negative ones, is a powerful feature that enables them to defend themselves or remedy issues with the person who left the bad review, and this can be set up as a membership plan setting (00:35:16).
• The membership plan setting can be found by editing a membership plan, which can be accessed through the member dashboard, and then searching for the “reply” option under the profile page tab, where review settings are located (00:35:46).
• The review settings include the ability to enable receiving reviews, and members can be given the option to accept or delete their own reviews, allowing them to moderate and curate their reviews (00:35:59).
• Members can also be given the option to reply to reviews, which can be set to “yes” or “no”, providing them with more control over their online presence and reputation (00:36:10).
• Additionally, members can be given the ability to accept or delete reviews on their profile, which can be used to showcase testimonials and remove negative reviews if desired (00:36:16).

Custom Banner Ads to Showcase Members (00:36:27)

• Custom banner ads can be added to a site to showcase members and link to their profiles, which can be done in a short amount of time, such as one or two minutes (00:36:32).
• These banner ads can be used to promote members who are already on the site, instead of getting outside advertisers, and can be linked to the member’s profile, a blog article, or other content (00:36:56).
• The banner ads can be designed using a sample image and text, and can be added to the site as a main sidebar banner ad, or used for different categories and sidebars (00:37:19).
• Members can be given the option to purchase banner ads, such as a page takeover, which can include a banner in the sidebar and a spotlight at the top of the page (00:37:37).
• A “boost your profile” option can be added to the member dashboard, which can include links to different promotion options, such as a homepage spotlight, newsletter promotion, and featured banner ad (00:38:04).
• The “boost your profile” options can be linked to digital products using the sell digital downloads add-on, and can include buy pages for members to purchase these promotions (00:38:18).
• The buy pages can be designed to look appealing, with examples of what the member will get, and can be accessed directly from the member dashboard (00:38:34).
• The goal of these custom banner ads is to promote members and their profiles, and can include options such as a spotlight on a member, like Lisa Jones, and can be used to drive traffic to the member’s profile or other content (00:36:49).

Extra: 3 Ways To Engage Users Inside Their Member Dashboards (00:38:45)

• To engage users inside their member dashboards, there are three ways to add content to the dashboard area, which can make it more of an experience and a great place to upsell other services and products being offered to members (00:38:45).
• Adding buttons and other types of content to the member dashboard can enhance the user experience and provide opportunities to promote additional services and products (00:38:50).
• Banner ads can be used to draw attention to a single member, and members can pay for category takeovers or location takeovers, allowing them to create custom pages with designated sidebars (00:39:12).

Extra: Add Custom Content (& SEO Value) To Search Result Pages (00:39:43)

• Adding custom content and SEO value to search result pages is possible, allowing for customization of pages such as a category page for lawyers or a location page for Los Angeles, with the ability to add a custom sidebar and an additional custom banner ad for a member (00:39:43).
• This customization can be used to allow a member to take over a specific page, category, or location, providing them with additional advertising opportunities (00:40:10).
• An article is shared that provides information on how to customize search results pages, including adding custom content and SEO value, which can be accessed and reviewed at a later time (00:39:52).
• The article shares tips on how to effectively add custom content to search result pages, including the use of custom sidebars and banners, to enhance the user experience and provide additional value to members (00:39:56).
• The ability to customize search result pages can be beneficial for members who want to increase their visibility and reach a specific audience, such as lawyers or businesses in a specific location like Los Angeles (00:40:03).

Off-Site Boosts (00:40:24)

• Off-site boosts or benefits can be offered to premium or higher tiered members, which are primarily taking place outside of the website, allowing for customization to resonate with members and the community as a whole (00:40:25).
• These benefits are designed to take place primarily off of the website, giving the opportunity to craft them in a way that resonates well with members and the community (00:40:34).
• The ability to offer off-site boosts allows for a high degree of flexibility in what can be offered to members, with the goal of making them happy and valued (00:40:36).

Provide a Coaching Call (00:40:43)

• Offering a coaching call to higher tier members, such as premium members, can be an effective way to ensure they get the most from the website, with options including a monthly, semi-annual, or one-time initial call (00:40:43).
• The coaching call can be used to help members set up their profiles, provide best practices, and offer tips based on higher performing members, which can contribute to the members’ overall satisfaction and success (00:40:46).
• By providing a coaching call, members are more likely to have a good start and remain a premium member on the site in the future, as it helps them get the most out of the website and sets them up for long-term success (00:41:02).
• The goal of the coaching call is not only to make members happy initially, but also to ensure they have a positive experience that lasts long-term, which can lead to increased member retention and loyalty (00:41:08).

Write Puff Pieces About Members (00:41:21)

• Writing a puff piece article in a blog and sharing it on social networks can provide members with exposure and potentially lead to other members inquiring about similar opportunities (00:41:21).
• Sharing the article on social networks can get the featured member more exposure and may prompt other members to ask about getting an article or spotlight written about them (00:41:24).
• To streamline the process of writing puff pieces, a list of 10 to 20 questions can be prepared to ask members when they purchase a spotlight article or when it is offered to them, and their answers can be used to publish an interview-style article or a converted article (00:41:45).
• The list of questions can be sent to members to get their answers, which can then be published in an interview format or converted into an actual article, providing a way to efficiently create content (00:41:47).
• Although writing puff pieces may seem like extra work, it can be a valuable way to provide members with benefits and encourage them to engage with the community (00:42:10).

Mentions in Your Social Media Posts (00:42:15)

• Mentioning members in social media posts can be an effective way to showcase their achievements and provide exposure, not just when featuring their Spotlight article or puff piece, but also by randomly selecting a high-performing member, a new member, or a member with a great review (00:42:17).
• By highlighting members in social media posts, it demonstrates to other members that their best interests are being looked out for and that efforts are being made to increase their exposure (00:42:34).
• Showcasing members in social media posts also informs general users and website visitors about the high-performing or top-tier members, promoting awareness and potentially driving engagement (00:42:46).

Mentions in Your Email Newsletters (00:42:52)

• Mentioning premium members within email newsletters is a way to highlight top-performing, newest, longest-lasting, and highest-reviewed members, which can be sent to members and the community as a whole (00:42:52).
• Newsletters can be sent out on a weekly, monthly, or annual basis, and can include highlights of top members to the entire community, not just members (00:42:57).
• The content of the newsletter can be tailored to the specific industry or audience, such as a real estate industry newsletter that highlights top interior designers, which can be of interest to general readers (00:43:26).
• Higher-tier members can be incorporated into the newsletter in various ways, providing opportunities to showcase their work and performance to a wider audience (00:43:50).
• The information from the website can be used to create engaging content for the newsletter, such as featuring the highest-recommended or highest-performing members in a particular field (00:43:40).

Final Thoughts (00:43:57)

• To determine what to post on social media, consider repurposing members’ achievements and wins, such as reviews they’ve received on the site, to create engaging content (00:43:57).
• Website owners do not have to wait for members to pay for features or spotlights, as they can gift these to members in the beginning stages to get the ball rolling and spark interest (00:44:19).
• By spotlighting hand-picked members, other members will see these features and become interested in participating in these programs, which can be explained on a simple informational page (00:44:27).
• Promoting from within the membership site by highlighting members’ achievements can be an effective way to engage the community without requiring a transaction (00:44:42).
• The discussion can now move on to answering questions from members, including topics such as the tip of the week, updates, and assistance with membership sites, with an invitation for members to raise their hand and ask questions (00:45:05).
• A member, Rich, had technical issues with their mic earlier, but it has been partially resolved, and they are now able to ask a question about their site, which has a social feature (00:45:22).

How to designate donations as separate from membership fees? (00:45:42)

• The discussion involves collecting funds and figuring out how to orchestrate the process, with the goal of being transparent when collecting funds and distinguishing between paid directory fees and donations (00:45:43).
• To address the issue of distinguishing between directory fees and donations, it is suggested to use the VAT and tax add-on, designating a specific tax for charity donations, which can be applied per membership level or when signing up (00:46:18).
• The tax setting can be applied site-wide, not based on the membership plan, and can be created as a new tax rule applied to all countries and regions (00:46:50).
• An alternative approach is to set up a one-time charge or fee when creating a membership plan, which can be used to collect donations (00:47:20).
• The donation can be set up as a recurring payment or a one-time charge, and it is possible to allocate the funds separately by identifying the line item and value of the donation (00:47:30).
• The idea is to have a clear and transparent way to collect and allocate donations, such as $4 from every book sale going towards a specific cause, and to be able to track and identify these transactions (00:48:03).
• It is possible to put the donated funds aside and allocate them separately by searching for transactions with a specific value or by identifying the digital product associated with the donation (00:48:21).
• The transaction history tab can be used to identify and track donations, and it is recommended to create a separate product for the donation to make it easier to track and allocate the funds (00:49:11).
• Creating a digital download product is a preferred option, and adding features like Venmo options can be complicated when routing funds to other platforms, so it’s better to keep it simple (00:49:33).
• A social media-like experience is being created, where users can make donations, such as $4, to support a cause, like podcasting for good, and this approach is considered a better route (00:50:04).
• Using a digital download product for donations allows users to register as general users on the site, capturing their email address data, which can be used to stay in touch with them and keep them updated on the progress of the fundraising efforts via newsletters (00:50:27).
• The digital download product approach eliminates the need to use external platforms like GoFundMe, which can send users off-site and create additional accounting systems (00:50:17).
• Users can ask questions and get help in the Facebook group if they need assistance with setting up their digital download product or donation system (00:50:45).
• The discussion involves multiple participants, including Jason and Ray, who find the webinars helpful and engaging (00:51:01).

Is it important for SEO to have keywords and keyword variations on pages? (00:51:06)

• Having keywords in a footer is important, but it can be overdone, and having a thousand links to every city with a link to tutoring can have a negative effect (00:51:25).
• It is recommended to add some keyword variations to the page, but not to do keyword stuffing, which is when a thousand keyword variations are put at the bottom of the page with no coherent grammar or readability (00:52:52).
• Using tags can be helpful to add variations of keywords to a page, and it is also helpful to have additional content on the page to add more value (00:53:10).
• Including meaningful content with different variations of the keyword can help Google understand what the page is about, but it should be done in a coherent fashion to avoid keyword stuffing (00:54:07).
• Finding a tasteful balance between adding good keywords and overdoing it is important, and spamming a site with keywords should be avoided (00:54:35).
• Adding related content to a page can enhance its SEO value, and it is possible to post a page in a Facebook group to get feedback on how to improve it (00:54:40).
• Creating content for pages can be done at a comfortable pace, such as a few pages a week, and it does not have to be a daunting task, or a template can be used to generate custom content (00:55:03).
• If there is a specific page that needs review or improvement, it can be shared in the Facebook group for analysis and feedback from other group members (00:55:20).
• Google prefers pages with rich content, such as a 1500-word blog article, over thin content, which is a page with just a title and a few words, and will rank the former higher in search engine results (00:55:36).
• Not every page needs 1500 words to rank in Google, but rather certain keyword touch points or content touch points that satisfy Google’s ranking requirements (00:56:01).
• Sharing a page in the Facebook group allows for feedback and analysis to identify if the page is missing any important content or elements (00:56:12).
• The Facebook group is available for discussion and feedback, and Shavar is invited to participate and share thoughts (00:56:22).

Can third-party SSL certificates be installed on a BD website? (00:56:27)

• Third-party SSL certificates can be installed on a BD website, and there are different levels of SSLs available, ranging from free to thousands of dollars a year (00:56:47).
• To add a third-party SSL to a BD site, users can follow the instructions provided in a shared article, and if they get stuck, they can email the support team or consult the company they bought the SSL from for guidance (00:57:01).
• The article provides steps for users to add the SSL to their site themselves, and the support team or the SSL company can also provide instructions to follow (00:57:11).
• A replay of the webinar will be posted in the Facebook group, which can be accessed by going to brilliantdirectories.com/forward slash Facebook, and users can also subscribe to the YouTube channel at brilliantdirectories.com/forward slash YouTube (00:57:42).
• The next webinar will be in two weeks, and users can ask any further questions in the Facebook group, where the team will try to respond as soon as possible (00:58:00).
• The Brilliant Directories family appreciate the users’ participation and look forward to seeing them in the next webinar (00:58:20).