15+ Upsells & Easy Upgrades Members Will Buy That You Can Sell – TODAY!

Introduction (00:00:00)

• The discussion begins with a segue to the tip of the week, where the hosts will share a list of perks and benefits for premium members (00:00:00)
• The hosts have created a list of 15 plus perks and benefits that can be provided to premium members, with the possibility of mentioning more (00:00:06)
• The topic of providing additional perks, benefits, features, and abilities to premium members is a common question, and the goal is to make the added cost worthwhile (00:00:17)
• The presentation was inspired by a post in the Facebook group, which led to compiling a list of around 17 or 18 items (00:00:27)
• The list will be gone through, and it is expected that additional sub-items and ideas will emerge based on the listed items (00:00:39)
• The presentation aims to get started and explore the list of perks and benefits that can be provided to premium members (00:00:48)

Standard Membership Plan Offerings (00:00:50)

• Most membership and directory websites have a standard membership plan offering, which typically includes a free membership plan or a general user plan that is free to register and sign up for, but limited in terms of features and access to information (00:00:50).
• The free membership plan usually has limited visibility in terms of the information available on the profile page, and general user accounts are often not visible on the website at all, with limited access to the content available on the website (00:01:11).
• In contrast, premium membership plans are typically offered, 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 (00:01:54).
• Premium membership plans usually offer greater visibility, more features on the website, and access to more content, providing more benefits to members who pay for the membership (00:02:08).
• The goal of offering premium membership plans is to not only attract initial sign-ups but also to constantly provide benefits to members, ensuring they stay signed up and continue to pay the membership fees (00:02:27).

Membership Plan Settings (00:02:40)

• Membership plan settings allow for configurations such as displaying members at the top of search results, with options to prioritize premium members, and this can be set up based on the membership plan (00:02:40).
• The display order in search results can be configured based on the membership plan, and badges can be associated with each membership plan to differentiate between tiers, such as gold and blue badges (00:02:43).
• Premium members can have additional information displayed on their profile pages, including phone numbers, websites, and the option to accept reviews, with several toggles available to configure these individual items (00:02:56).
• Banner ads can be hidden on the profile pages of premium members, and there are numerous toggles and settings that can be configured within the membership plan settings to customize the experience (00:03:18).
• 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 (00:04:01).
• Premium members can be offered free or discounted leads compared to lower-tier members, as they are already paying a membership fee, and this can be set up using the membership plan settings (00:04:32).
• The membership plan settings provide a range of options to customize the experience for premium members, including the ability to define and set up various settings, such as display order, badges, and access to exclusive content (00:04:56).

Search Result Order (00:04:59)

• The first membership upsell is to display members at the top of the search results, with an example given of a “super member” named Lisa Jones, who is shown at the top due to her membership plan settings (00:04:59).
• Lisa Jones is part of the “recommended” membership plan, which has a search priority of one, meaning she will show up first in search results, followed by members with higher search priority numbers (00:05:25).
• The search priority is set in the membership plan settings, with lower numbers showing up higher in the search results, such as zero being the highest and showing up first, then one, and so on (00:05:27).
• Other members, such as local business listings, have a higher search priority number, in this case three, which means they will show up after members with a search priority of one (00:05:45).
• 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 up higher in the search results (00:05:57).
• The search priority is based on the membership plan, with the lower number showing up at the top of the results, ahead of other members, allowing for customization of search results based on membership levels (00:06:11).

Member Badges (00:06:13)

• Member badges can be displayed prominently, with options including a badge on the member’s profile page and a badge on the search results page, using the member badge add-on (00:06:14).
• The member badge add-on allows for a badge to be displayed on the member’s profile page, as well as on the search results page, and this is separate from the badge on the member dashboard (00:06:22).
• The profile page badge and search results badge can be customized with different images, such as a “recommended” badge, and it is suggested to choose an image that matches the branding, possibly using an icon pack that matches the branding’s color set and tone (00:06:44).
• Members can have multiple badges, including a membership plan badge, and a verified member badge, which can include a special icon designating verified members (00:07:05).
• The badges can be viewed by clicking into the member’s profile, where other badges, such as the membership plan badge and the verified member badge, can also be seen (00:07:03).

More Info on Profile Pages (00:07:16)

• Displaying more information on a user’s profile page can be a valuable upsell, such as allowing users to share their website URL, display their phone number, or connect with visitors, which may not be available on lower-tiered plans (00:07:16).
• Lower-tiered plans may have limitations, such as displaying banner ads on the user’s profile page, which can be considered a nuisance, whereas premium members can be featured in sidebar banner ads (00:07:30).
• The membership plans have settings that control what member information is displayed on their public profile page, including options to show or hide website links, social media links, street address, and phone number (00:07:52).
• Additional settings are available, such as showing banner ads on the profile page, and removing the header and footer of the website to make the profile page look like a mini website for the member (00:08:11).
• Removing the header and footer can hide the main menu and logo, making the member’s profile page feel like their own mini website, which can be a premium feature for users who do not have their own website (00:08:27).
• This mini website feature can be a paid upgrade, allowing users to have a dedicated page without the need for a full website, which can be a valuable offering for certain users (00:08:41).

Members-Only Areas (00:08:48)

• 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, which can be achieved with the members-only add-on (00:08:48).
• The members-only add-on allows for the protection of specific pages, which by default are public for everyone, but can be restricted to only allow members to view them (00:09:04).
• Once a page is protected and restricted to members, it is possible to choose which membership plans have access to the special content on that page, making it a perk of higher-tiered plans (00:09:11).
• The option to protect a page and choose which membership plans can view it is available in the web page builder, where a page of content is being created (00:09:02).
• The ability to offer exclusive content to higher-tiered plans is a benefit that can be used to upsell memberships, by providing an additional perk to members who subscribe to these plans (00:09:18).

Discounted Lead Prices (00:09:22)

• Discounted lead prices can be offered to members as a benefit, particularly if they are selling leads that come from their profile pages, such as those generated from request a quote buttons, with higher tiered plans potentially offering half price on leads (00:09:22).
• The business model for discounted lead prices may vary, with higher tiered plans possibly costing more monthly but providing discounts on leads, as illustrated in the examples provided (00:09:24).
• The host pointed out several illustrations of membership upsells, including discounted lead prices, which are just a few of the many options available, with the goal of going through the list quickly to highlight the various possibilities (00:09:26).

More Membership Plan Settings (00:09:49)

• 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 (00:09:56).
• 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 (00:10:23).
• Membership plans can also be set up to stream newly published content pieces directly on the home page, giving members’ content more visibility on the site, specifically for certain membership plans (00:10:38).
• The membership plan settings provide options for customizing the content publishing experience, including setting limits on posts and showcasing member-generated content on the home page (00:09:49).

Content Publishing Abilities (00:10:55)

• Content publishing abilities allow members to add content to a site beyond their profile information, and this feature can be edited in the post publishing tab of a membership plan (00:10:56).
• The post publishing tab is considered the “Holy Grail” of what members can additionally add to the site, and it includes options such as posting classifieds, community articles, and coupons (00:11:07).
• It is possible to choose which post types members can access, and it is not recommended to have too many post types on the site as it can make the site too busy and result in empty pages (00:11:27).
• The ability to post different types of content can be used to differentiate between higher and lower tiered membership plans, with higher tier plans allowing members to post more types of content, such as videos, events, and coupons (00:11:39).
• The host mentioned that members can be given the option to post certain types of content, and this feature can be used to create a tiered system where lower tier plans have limited or no posting abilities (00:11:16).

Limit Posts Per Member (00:11:49)

• The membership upsell strategy involves limiting the number of posts members can make, with options to set maximum free posts, paid posts, or a combination of both, allowing for flexibility in post limitations (00:11:50).
• Members can be restricted to only paid posts or only free posts, and the limits of how many posts they can make can be adjusted, with the possibility of charging a fee for posting (00:11:52).
• Higher-tiered members can be given the perk of posting unlimited coupons at no cost, while free members may be required to pay a fee, such as $5, every time they want to post an event, serving as an incentive to upgrade to a paid plan (00:12:06).
• The limitation on posts can be used as a strategy to encourage members to upgrade to a paid plan if they plan to publish a lot of content, providing a clear benefit to paying members (00:12:18).
• The add-on allows for customization of post limits, including the option to set a maximum number of free posts, and to charge for posts, providing a way to monetize member engagement (00:11:54).

Display Content on Homepage (00:12:25)

• Displaying content on the homepage is a feature that allows streaming of newly published content, such as post types and content, with the ability to feature specific items like photo albums, and this can be particularly useful for showcasing content from certain membership plans (00:12:25).
• The option to stream content from specific membership plans can be configured by going to design settings, then home page, and selecting additional content to display, where users can choose the type of content to display, such as photo albums, events, coupons, or articles (00:12:57).
• To restrict the streaming of posts to only members in certain plans, users can click on edit settings, scroll down, and select the option to only include posts from members in specific plans, and then check the box next to the desired membership plans (00:13:10).
• Additionally, to prevent a single member from dominating the homepage with their posts, users can set a limit of one post per member, ensuring that multiple members’ posts are displayed in the available spots (00:13:35).
• The settings also allow for the option to only display posts from the admin membership plan, which can be useful if the admin is publishing events or other important content that should be showcased on the homepage (00:13:56).
• By configuring these settings, users can create a more dynamic and engaging homepage that showcases content from various membership plans and prevents any one member from overwhelming the page with their posts (00:14:12).

Other Off-Site Boosts (00:14:13)

• Some additional off-site boosts can be added to a membership plan or charged to members individually, such as pinning member posts to the top of post search result pages, which is similar to pinning higher-tier members to the top of member search results (00:14:40).
• Members can also be spotlighted at the top of all member search result pages, garnering a lot of attention to individual members, and there are several settings that go along with this feature (00:15:09).
• Featuring members on the home page can be done in a few ways, including using the “feature members on homepage” add-on to choose specific members, or by choosing to stream members within the design settings based on membership plan (00:15:18).
• Members can be enabled to reply to reviews left on their profiles, which is a valuable option for businesses, and this setting can be configured within the membership plan settings (00:16:00).
• Creating custom banner ads to showcase individual members and linking them to the member’s profile page is also an option, and these banner ads can be sold as one-off boosts (00:16:20).
• These off-site boosts, such as spotlighting members on top of search results or featuring them on the home page, can be sold as individual upgrades, providing an additional revenue stream (00:16:47).

Pin Featured Member Posts (00:16:56)

• The concept of pinning featured member posts allows administrators to prioritize certain posts at the top of search results, which can be useful for various purposes such as announcements or promotions (00:16:57).
• To accomplish this, the pin featured post add-on is required, and administrators can access it by going to the manage posts section, where they can select a specific post and set it as a featured post (00:17:18).
• Once a post is set as a featured post, it will appear at the top of the search results for that post type, and multiple posts can be set as featured posts to appear at the top of the search results (00:17:37).
• Administrators can also set an end date for the featured post, which allows them to charge members for boosting their posts for a specific period, such as until the day before an event (00:18:08).
• The featured post setting can be easily deactivated by unchecking the box, and the post will return to its natural order in the search results, and the system automatically deactivates the featured post when the set end date is reached (00:17:53).
• This feature provides a hands-off and automated way for administrators to manage featured posts, and it can be used as a boost that members can pay for to promote their events or content (00:18:30).

“Spotlight” Members in Search Results (00:18:40)

• Spotlighting members on top of search results is a feature that can be added to a site, where members can be highlighted with a special wrapper, and this can be based on their membership plan, with the option to move them to a “super plan” that spotlights them, and only the admin can auto-assign them to this plan (00:18:40).
• The Highlight members tool can be used to add this feature, and it allows for customization of the wrapper’s design, including the color and text, with options to change the color to a reddish orange, add text such as “recommended member”, and adjust the text color, with white contrasting nicely (00:18:45).
• The spotlight feature is connected to the membership plan, so any members of the plan will have the spotlight outline on the search results page, and it can be turned on and off, with the option to marry it with a high search results priority to garner more attention for those members (00:19:02).
• To set up the spotlight feature for higher-tier members, the highest tier membership plan can be duplicated, and the only changes needed are to the search results priority to ensure the highlighted members show at the top of the results, and configuring the options for the add-on, with the option to change the name of the plan to something like “Member Spotlight” (00:19:24).
• The spotlight feature can be used to offer a paid upgrade for members, where they can be featured or highlighted for a certain period, such as a week, and then moved back to their original plan, with the option to manually move members to the spotlight plan and then move them back when the paid period is over (00:20:35).
• The feature can be easily set up and customized to fit the site’s needs, with options to change the design and text of the spotlight wrapper, and to adjust the search results priority to ensure the highlighted members are shown at the top of the results (00:21:10).

Feature Members on Homepage (00:21:41)

• Featuring members on the home page is a common practice, where recent members are streamed on the home page with options to limit the photo albums and membership plans that are displayed, allowing for hand-picked members to be showcased in a specific format (00:21:42).
• The feature members on home page option enables the selection of specific members to display on the home page, and also allows for the display of featured members who are hand-picked, with the ability to place custom content anywhere on the page (00:22:01).
• Under the home page settings, there is an option to display custom content, which can be used to create a spotlight section for members, where an article or profile can be linked, and members can pay to be featured in this section (00:22:19).
• The custom content option allows for the use of pre-made elements and design blocks to create a unique layout, with the ability to upload images, play with image styles, and customize font and titles to create a personalized spotlight section (00:22:59).
• The spotlight section can be created using the custom content options for the streaming widget, which provides up to five options, and can be edited and styled to fit the desired design, with the ability to use pre-made blocks and basic content blocks (00:23:03).
• The image styles for the spotlight section can be customized to be square, rounded, or circular, and the font and titles can be played with to create a unique design, allowing for a high degree of creativity and personalization (00:23:26).

Allow Members to Reply to Reviews (00:24:04)

• Allowing members to reply to reviews on a business listing site is a powerful feature, especially for responding to negative reviews, and can be used as a membership plan setting (00:24:04).
• This feature enables members to potentially defend themselves or remedy issues with the person who left a bad review, and it can be found in the membership plan settings, specifically under the profile page tab in the review settings section (00:24:08).
• To enable this feature, members must first have the ability to receive reviews, and they can also be given the option to accept or delete their own reviews, allowing them to moderate and curate their testimonials (00:24:41).
• The setting to allow members to reply to reviews can be toggled on or off, and it is located in the same section as the setting to accept or delete reviews, giving members control over their profile and testimonials (00:25:02).
• By enabling this feature, members can respond to both positive and negative reviews, and they can also remove negative reviews if they choose to do so, allowing them to manage their online reputation (00:25:10).

Custom Banner Ads to Showcase Members (00:25:16)

• Custom banner ads can be added to a site to showcase members and link to their profiles, allowing members to boost their visibility, and this can be done in just a few minutes (00:25:18).
• The banner ads can be used to promote members’ profiles, and can link to a blog article or other content that showcases the member, such as a “puff piece” or an expose article (00:25:21).
• Instead of selling banner ads to external companies, sites can sell them to their own members, providing a way for members to increase their visibility and promote their profiles (00:25:40).
• The banner ads can be added to different categories and sidebars, and can even be used for a “page takeover” where a member’s banner is displayed at the top of a page and in the sidebar (00:26:22).
• Members can be given the option to “boost their profile” through a link in their dashboard, which can lead to a page where they can purchase different promotional options, such as a featured banner ad or a spotlight in a newsletter (00:26:55).
• The promotional options can be linked to digital products using an add-on, and can include features such as being featured in a blog or Facebook post, or having a banner ad displayed on the site (00:27:00).
• The “boost your profile” options can be displayed in the member dashboard, and can include links to purchase different promotional packages, making it easy for members to increase their visibility and promote their profiles (00:27:19).

Extra: 3 Ways To Engage Users Inside Their Member Dashboards (00:27:34)

• To enhance the member dashboard experience, it is possible to add content, such as buttons and other types of content, to make it a great place to upsell other services and products being offered to members (00:27:38).
• The member dashboard can be utilized to engage users in various ways, including adding interactive elements to create a more immersive experience for members (00:27:43).
• Banner ads can be used to draw attention to a specific member, with the option for members to pay for category takeovers or location takeovers, and custom pages, such as search results pages, can also be created (00:28:03).

Extra: Add Custom Content (& SEO Value) To Search Result Pages (00:28:32)

• Adding custom content and SEO value to search result pages can be achieved by customizing search results pages, such as a category page for lawyers or a location page for Los Angeles, and adding a custom sidebar, effectively creating an additional custom banner ad for a member who wants to take over that page or category (00:28:32).
• Customizing search result pages can include adding custom content to designated sidebars, allowing members to take over specific pages or categories, such as a location page for Los Angeles (00:28:46).
• The process of customizing search result pages and adding custom content, including custom sidebars and banner ads, can be learned from an article that will be shared, which provides information on how to add custom content and SEO value to search result pages (00:28:49).
• Members who want to take over a specific page or category can benefit from the ability to add a custom banner ad, providing them with additional visibility and advertising opportunities (00:29:02).
• The customization of search result pages and the addition of custom content can be done for various categories or locations, such as a category page for lawyers or a location page for Los Angeles, allowing members to target specific audiences (00:29:06).
• An article will be shared that provides more information on how to add custom content and SEO value to search result pages, including customizing search results pages and adding custom sidebars and banner ads (00:29:11).

Off-Site Boosts (00:29:13)

• Off-site boosts or benefits can be offered to premium or higher tiered members, providing them with additional value outside of the main website (00:29:13).
• These benefits take place primarily off of the website, allowing for customization to resonate well with members (00:29:25).
• The ability to craft off-site boosts to resonate with members is a key aspect of creating a valuable experience for premium or higher tiered members (00:29:28).

Provide a Coaching Call (00:29:32)

• Offering a coaching call to higher tier members can help them get the most from a website, with options including a monthly, semi-annual, or one-time initial call, to ensure their profile is set up and provide best practices and tips, (00:29:32)
• The coaching call can provide higher tier members with information based on higher performing members, such as tips and best practices, to help them have a good start and remain a premium member, (00:29:34)
• The goal of the coaching call is to ensure that members are happy initially and that they have a good start, which can lead to long-term satisfaction and retention as a premium member, (00:29:40)
• The coaching call can cover topics such as setting up a profile, providing tips and best practices, and helping members to get the most from the website, with the aim of keeping them as premium members, (00:29:46)
• By offering a coaching call, members can receive personalized guidance and support, which can go a long way in ensuring their satisfaction and retention as premium members, (00:29:52)

Write Puff Pieces About Members (00:30:10)

• Writing a puff piece article about a member on a blog and sharing it on social networks can provide the member with more exposure and potentially lead to inquiries from other members about how to get a similar article written about them (00:30:10).
• To streamline the process of writing these articles, a list of 10 to 20 questions can be prepared in advance to ask members when they purchase a Spotlight article or when it is offered to them (00:30:36).
• The list of questions can be sent to the members, and their answers can be used to publish an interview-style article or converted into a full article, providing a way to efficiently create content about members (00:30:52).
• Sharing the article on social networks not only benefits the featured member but also informs other members about the possibility of getting an article written about them, which may lead to more members inquiring about this option (00:30:17).
• The process of writing and sharing puff piece articles can be a valuable membership upsell, as members may be willing to pay for the opportunity to have an article written about them and shared with a wider audience (00:30:30).

Mentions in Your Social Media Posts (00:31:04)

• Mentioning members in social media posts can be a way to provide extra exposure for them, which may require some extra work (00:31:04)
• Members can be mentioned in social media posts not just when they have a Spotlight article or a puff piece, but also when they are randomly selected as a high-performing member, a new member, or a member who has received a terrific five-star review (00:31:06)
• Showcasing members in social media posts demonstrates to other members that their best interests are being looked out for, and it also informs general users and website visitors about the high-performing or top-tier members (00:31:25)

Mentions in Your Email Newsletters (00:31:41)

• Mentions of premium members can be included in email newsletters, which can be sent out on a weekly, monthly, or annual basis, highlighting top-performing, newest, longest-lasting, or highest-reviewed members (00:31:47).
• Newsletters can be sent not only to members but also to the entire community, providing an opportunity to showcase high-achieving members to a broader audience (00:32:07).
• The content of the newsletters can be tailored to specific industries or interests, such as a newsletter for people in the real estate industry, home buyers, or home sellers, where featuring highest-tier or highly recommended interior designers can be of interest to general readers (00:32:20).
• The information featured in the newsletters can be sourced from the website, and there are various possibilities for incorporating this content to promote higher-tier members or services (00:32:39).

Final Thoughts (00:32:46)

• Members can be a valuable source of content, and their achievements and wins, as well as reviews they’ve received, can be repurposed for social media posts, eliminating the need to constantly come up with new ideas (00:32:47).
• It’s not necessary to wait for members to pay for boosts, features, or spotlights, especially in the beginning stages, as these can be gifted to select members to generate interest and get the ball rolling (00:33:06).
• By spotlighting hand-picked members, other members will become interested and curious, and a simple informational page can be created to explain how they can participate in these programs and opt for them (00:33:21).
• Promoting from within the membership base can be an effective strategy, allowing the website owner to take action and promote members without waiting for a transaction to happen (00:33:34).
• The website owner can proactively set up pages for these features and gift them to members, then create a page with information on how members can participate in these programs, making it easy for them to opt-in (00:33:42).