5 Lessons Learned From Managing a Membership Website

1) Launch Fast & Make Gradual Improvements (00:00:59)

• Launching a website quickly and making gradual improvements is crucial, as perfection is the enemy of progress, and the goal is to create a minimal viable product (MVP) that can be launched with 80% of the desired features, (00:00:59)
• The MVP concept allows for launching a website with the least amount of effort and time, getting to market successfully, and then gathering early feedback from visitors and members to make updates and fine-tune the website, (00:01:09)
• Launching fast and making gradual improvements enables gathering early feedback, fine-tuning talking points, sales pitch, and marketing materials, and helps avoid investing time and energy into something that may need to be changed later, (00:01:52)
• The MVP approach can be applied not only to the entire website project but also to specific parts of the website, such as add-ons or new features, allowing for release, feedback, and improvement without over-developing or over-investing, (00:02:38)
• This approach is beneficial as it allows for gradual improvement, and many users have seen this approach in action with add-ons that have multiple phases, such as phase one, phase two, and phase three, where additional changes are rolled out after gathering feedback, (00:03:27)

Learn More (00:03:38)

• The value of early member feedback is crucial for a membership program, and a beta launch can help achieve this goal, allowing for the collection of feedback and making changes along the way (00:03:40).
• A beta launch does not necessarily have to be a technical beta launch, but rather an early launch with a minimal viable product, which enables the implementation of changes based on feedback (00:03:45).
• The objectives of a beta launch include determining the benefits, establishing the process of rolling it out, and identifying the key metrics and feedback to focus on during the initial launch process (00:03:49).
• The key performance indicators (Performance indicator) and feedback collected during the beta launch are essential for making informed decisions and improvements to the membership program (00:04:01).
• Launching a membership program with a beta launch or a minimal viable product allows for flexibility and adaptability, enabling the program to evolve and improve based on early member feedback and metrics (00:04:05).

2) Solid Onboarding Increases Retention (00:04:17)

• Solid onboarding is crucial for increasing retention, and preparation is key to success, not just for website owners, but also for members, as it provides them with the knowledge they need to succeed within the community (00:04:17).
• Providing members with simple first steps is essential, as overwhelming or confusing them with too much information can lead to early cancellations, and happier, more engaged members will result in less overall work (00:04:51).
• Setting members on the right track initially can help them engage with the community, understand what they signed up for, and see the value in their membership, resulting in less support inquiries, cancellation requests, and other issues (00:05:22).
• Feedback from early members can help fine-tune the onboarding process, and may reveal the need for additional resources such as video tutorials or welcome emails to help members navigate the website and its features (00:05:49).
• Onboarding starts with the home page and the initial offering, and compelling members to sign up by showing them the value of the website is crucial, as an ugly or clunky website can still attract members if it provides enough value (00:06:24).
• Educating members on how to use the site and what they can get out of it is essential, and providing welcome emails and short videos can go a long way in helping members understand what to do next and what to expect (00:07:42).
• Simple welcome emails and a one-to-two minute video explaining the website and its features can significantly improve the member experience, reduce early cancellations, and increase retention (00:07:54).

Learn More (00:08:17)

• Creating an effective onboarding plan is crucial for membership websites, which involves defining the audience, their expectations, and how to meet and exceed those expectations (00:08:23).
• A welcome plan should include a welcome email or an email sequence, as well as other assets to ensure a smooth onboarding process for new members (00:08:28).
• The onboarding plan may also involve follow-up phone calls or a series of emails to ensure members are satisfied with the services provided (00:08:57).
• A well-structured onboarding plan can lead to happier members who utilize the services correctly and get the most out of them, which can ultimately lead to word of mouth advertising (00:09:19).
• By nailing the onboarding process and welcome plan, membership websites can increase member engagement and encourage members to share their positive experiences with others (00:09:30).

3) Brilliant Customer Service Pays Dividends (00:09:39)

• Providing brilliant Customer service is crucial as it pays dividends, and it’s essential to remember that members will always have problems, but it’s how those problems are handled that they will remember, (00:09:41)
• Exceptional customer service can turn upset members into advocates, and it’s often the most passionate members who get upset because they care the most about the product and have high expectations, (00:10:16)
• Turning members into advocates can lower the cost per acquisition, increase revenue, and grow the community, as using existing members to bring in new members is cheaper and more effective than paying for advertising, (00:11:15)
• When dealing with customer service issues, it’s essential to put oneself in the member’s mind and think about how they would want the issue to be resolved, and what it would take to wow them with the customer service experience, (00:11:51)
• Creating customer service experiences is vital, especially for solopreneurs, as it provides feedback and helps to be proactive in reaching out to new sign-ups, welcoming them, and asking if they need help, which can lead to a better overall experience, (00:13:05)
• Creating touch points with members is essential to stay engaged with the community, gain feedback, build loyalty and trust, and create evangelists, which can be achieved by reaching out to members through simple emails or chat tools on the site (00:13:38).
• Providing exceptional Customer service can turn members into advertisers and lower the cost per acquisition, whether it’s financial or the time spent trying to get new members signed up to the site (00:14:42).
• Reaching out to members, whether it’s through a simple email or a chat tool, can help create engagement opportunities, gain feedback, and build loyalty and trust, which is necessary for customer service to exist in the first place (00:13:54).
• Members who have a positive experience with the site are likely to tell their friends and colleagues about it, which can lower the cost per acquisition and save time and money for acquiring new members (00:14:59).
• Creating customer service touch points, such as calling members or sending them emails, is crucial to provide exceptional customer service that people will rave and rant about, and to create a sense of community and personality behind the website (00:14:08).

Learn More (00:15:29)

• The discussion of Customer service is not limited to just replying to customer or member inquiries, but also covers getting personal with them, noticing the most active members, and celebrating their achievements (00:15:39).
• The article provides ideas on how to promote the content that active members are contributing to the website and cultivate the community as a whole (00:15:48).
• The article is a great resource to get new ideas about how to invigorate the community and the website, making it a worthwhile read to gain some insights (00:16:03).
• The article’s content can help with promoting user-generated content and recognizing the efforts of the most active members, which can lead to a more energized and engaged community (00:15:56).
• Reading the article can provide valuable information on how to enhance the overall community experience and make the website more engaging for its members (00:16:12).

4) It Takes Work (00:16:14)

• Managing a membership website takes work, and what comes easy won’t last, while what lasts won’t come easy, as it requires time and effort to launch and manage the website and community (00:16:14).
• One common reason why some membership websites don’t succeed is that people don’t look at the website as a business, and even if the goal isn’t to generate revenue, the website should still be thought of as a business with members as customers (00:16:57).
• Running a business takes work, whether it’s a side hustle or a full-time job, and the level of success depends on the time and effort put into launching and managing the website and community (00:17:30).
• Initially, awareness needs to be brought to the website and community, and visitors need to be convinced to join, whether it’s for a free or paid membership, and then members need to be maintained to keep them engaged and paying (00:17:49).
• Having a successful membership website and community comes with rewards, including recurring revenue, freedom and flexibility, and the ability to provide value to members and make a positive impact on the community (00:18:26).
• Successful membership website owners have put in time and effort to generate significant revenue, achieve freedom and flexibility, and create a full-time job and business (00:18:40).
• It’s essential to work smarter, not necessarily harder, by finding ways to bring tasks to their lowest common denominator, whether it’s marketing or maintaining member engagement, to make the most of limited time and resources (00:19:36).

Learn More (00:20:00)

• Membership website owners have various tasks to manage, and learning how to tackle these tasks efficiently is crucial, with tips and shortcuts available to help achieve things like maintaining a marketing pulse on the site and continuously recruiting new members with minimal energy, time, and effort (00:20:02).
• Knowing how to focus time and work smarter, not harder, is key, especially when having to create content, do Customer service, and marketing, as most membership website owners are one-person shows (00:20:28).
• A tip of the week was shared, which provided actionable steps on what to do after a site launches to keep things moving forward and staying top of mind, and these tasks do not have to be done every single day, but can be done once a week or every other week to make a big difference for the community (00:20:47).
• The shared tip of the week was considered one of the favorites, as it gave practical advice on how to manage a membership website, and a link to this tip was shared (00:20:42).
• The importance of learning how to manage tasks efficiently cannot be overstated, as it allows membership website owners to create content, provide customer service, and do marketing, all while working smarter and not harder, which is essential for the success of the website and the community it serves (00:20:34).

5) Ask Yourself the Right Question (00:21:09)

• When creating a membership website, it is essential to ask the right questions, such as how many members can be attracted, rather than focusing solely on potential earnings, as this will help determine the value that needs to be provided to bring people to the website (00:21:13).
• The key question to ask is who the Target audience is and what they are looking for, as this will help in providing something that they are willing to pay for, whether it’s a one-time payment or an ongoing membership with a recurring fee (00:21:26).
• Instead of asking how much money can be made, which is a broad question, it’s more important to consider what value is being provided to members and prospective members, and whether it’s enough to compel them to pay for what they’re getting out of the website (00:22:27).
• The focus should be on providing value to members, which is a crucial aspect throughout the lifespan of the membership website and community, and this is closely related to having a compelling offering and education during the sign-up process and after (00:23:01).
• Ultimately, the goal is to attract and engage members, and to connect with the community, which benefits both the website owner and the members, and this is achieved by providing valuable content and resources (00:23:30).

Learn More (00:23:48)

• Creating a community atmosphere is crucial for a membership website, and this can be achieved by getting in front of the Target audience, bringing in influencers, and turning successful members into ambassadors, which was discussed in a previous tip of the week that provided five tips for attracting new members to a website (00:23:51).
• Building relationships between members and with the website owners is essential, and this can be done by creating individual relationships with members, using upsell techniques, and fostering a sense of community, which are all topics discussed in a previous presentation (00:24:27).
• The importance of taking a holistic approach to managing a membership website was emphasized, focusing on creating a community and caring about the members, rather than just focusing on making money (00:24:04).
• Viewers were asked to share their experiences and what they wish they knew when starting their membership community or website, with the goal of learning from each other’s journeys and gaining insights into starting a business and creating a website (00:24:57).
• A question-and-answer session was initiated, with a participant named Steven being invited to share his thoughts and experiences, and being given the opportunity to unmute his microphone and join the discussion (00:25:20).

Lesson From BD User: Don’t spend too much on customizations before you get some initial feedback from your users (00:25:26)

• When launching a website, it is advisable not to spend too much on customizations until initial feedback is received from users, as the website may evolve in a different direction and some customizations may not be used (00:25:29).
• The importance of getting enough feedback before implementing customizations is highlighted, as it can help determine which features are truly needed and which can be omitted, thereby avoiding unnecessary expenses (00:26:02).
• Having a clearer picture of what members want can help in identifying the customizations that will have staying power and will not be wasted, as is the case with the speaker’s current situation (00:26:39).
• The speaker has learned from their experience and now has a better understanding of which customizations to implement, having evolved and gained more knowledge about their website and its members (00:26:44).
• The speaker, Stephen, shares his words of wisdom, emphasizing the importance of waiting for user feedback before investing in customizations, and this advice is appreciated as valuable wisdom (00:26:59).

Lesson From BD User: You must be passionate and/or knowledgable about your target niche/industry (00:27:09)

• Creating a successful membership website requires being passionate and knowledgeable about the target niche or industry, as this enables the creation of high-quality content that answers questions and provides value to users (00:27:38).
• Using the stock website as much as possible and minimizing customization, unless absolutely necessary, can help streamline the process and reduce potential mistakes (00:27:27).
• Content is a crucial aspect of a website, and being able to provide valuable information and answer questions can establish authority and trust with users, making it a key factor in attracting and retaining customers (00:27:49).
• Having a wealth of knowledge and being a beacon of information in a particular industry can trump customizations and other factors, as it establishes the website and its owner as a trusted authority (00:29:25).
• Finding the right niche or Target audience can be a process of trial and error, and it may involve unexpected discoveries, such as finding a demand for discontinued auto parts (00:29:51).
• Research has shown that 80% of website traffic is for research purposes, rather than the buying process, highlighting the importance of providing valuable and informative content (00:31:13).
• Using software to identify and answer questions related to a particular subject can be an effective way to create content and attract leads (00:31:32).
• Building lead generation websites and creating content that moves the needle with Google can be an effective way to attract consumers and connect them with professionals in a particular industry (00:31:56).

3 Formulas To Generate $5,000 In Membership Fees (00:32:13)

• The goal is to have one customer who pays a significant amount, such as $3,000 to $5,000 per month, and to take care of that customer, which is the philosophy behind generating substantial membership fees (00:32:27).
• There are three free formulas to generate $5,000, which were shared in a blog article, and the key is to focus on having a few high-paying clients rather than many low-paying ones (00:32:52).
• The strategy involves creating a niche and figuring out who to work with, what services to provide, and how to continuously stimulate leads, with techniques such as answering questions in forums and posts, as well as using tools like Google Ads to feed the marketing efforts (00:33:28).
• Vincent shared his story of how he implemented this strategy and now has sites that revolve around one high-paying client, which has been a successful approach for him (00:33:08).
• The importance of identifying a niche and target client, and then providing valuable services to that client, is crucial in generating significant membership fees, as seen in Vincent’s experience (00:33:21).
• The use of online marketing tools, such as AdWords, is also necessary to support the marketing efforts and attract new leads, which is an ongoing process (00:33:40).

Lesson From BD User: The BD platform can do anything (00:34:06)

• Many people wonder if a specific software is worth it for their business, and the answer is yes, as it can accommodate various niches and business models (00:34:07).
• A common concern is whether the software’s design is suitable for their business, but many instances have shown that even with minimal design efforts, the software can generate significant revenue (00:34:51).
• Some people question whether the software has enough features for their needs, but the software is constantly being updated with new feature add-ons, with over 1500 added last year (00:35:41).
• The software’s future capabilities are also a concern, but it is designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing users to modify the code and add plugins, making it future-proof (00:36:15).
• Finally, the quality of support is also a consideration, but the software has an excellent support system, with timely and comprehensive responses, as well as a strong community support (00:36:48).
• The concept of a minimal viable product allows users to quickly succeed or fail, and failing fast can be beneficial as it saves time and money by avoiding investment in an idea that may not work (00:37:34).
• Quickly failing can be a competitive advantage for users, as it enables them to test their ideas and find out what works and what doesn’t without wasting resources (00:37:56).
• The design of a website is not the most important factor, as long as it can compel people to use the service or website by providing value, even if the website is basic or ugly, like Craigslist (00:38:17).
• To succeed, it’s essential to get the solution online quickly, figure out how to compel people to sign up, provide value, and connect with users to understand their needs and preferences (00:38:45).
• The platform is suitable for testing multiple ideas and replicating a successful formula for running a membership site in different markets, industries, or verticals, as mentioned by Vincent who services various industries like pest control and auto parts (00:39:21).