Webinar Wednesday 131 – March 9, 2022

Forms: Display Alternate Field Label Text (00:02:43)

• The ability to display alternate field label text in the form manager was a suggested feature from a previous webinar, allowing for more customization and flexibility in forms, particularly for those who add their own fields to collect data from members or site visitors (00:02:45).
• Field labels are the text outside of the input box, and by default, there would only be one field label, but with this new setting, it is possible to have different labels for the input view and the public display view, such as “enter company name” for the input view and “my company name is” for the public display view (00:03:32).
• This feature can be accessed by going to the toolbox and the form manager, where users can edit and customize their forms, including the member listing contact details form, and toggle open the cog to access different display settings (00:04:30).
• The display settings include input view, which is used when people enter a value for the field, and display view, which is the public display view that presents the information in a friendly manner, and there are also other views for leads and emails (00:05:13).
• This feature is particularly useful for those who have custom fields in their forms, as it allows them to ask questions in a more effective way and present the information in a friendly manner, and it is expected that everyone will eventually find it handy (00:05:54).

Admin: Identify Members Who Have Credits (00:06:02)

• The member credits system add-on was recently released, allowing members to be provided with credits that can be used and spent around the website, and now members who have credits can be identified in the admin area (00:06:07).
• Under the “Search Members” section, there is a search filter for transaction types, which now includes an option to search for members who have a positive amount of credits available (00:06:47).
• A search can be performed to find members with a credit balance, and the results can be sorted and filtered by the amount of credits, such as most credits or least credits (00:06:52).
• The search results can be exported or used to create a smart list, which can be saved and used to send targeted email newsletters to the segmented group of members who have credits (00:07:20).
• The smart list is dynamic, meaning that if a member’s credit balance reaches zero, they will automatically be removed from the list (00:07:39).

Admin: Identify Members with Incomplete Profiles – Use “service” to require sub-categories as well (00:07:49)

• The search members page now allows identifying members with complete or incomplete profiles, and users can customize what fields are necessary for a member’s profile to show up in the search results (00:07:50).
• The profile status can be used to search for complete or incomplete profiles, and users can create a smart list of members who have incomplete profiles, which can be used to email them a newsletter reminding them to complete their profiles (00:07:53).
• A smart list can be created to dynamically update the list of members with incomplete profiles, and this list can be used to send targeted emails, such as a monthly reminder to complete their profiles (00:08:14).
• The smart list feature can also be used to create lists of members who have complete profiles and who joined within a specific time frame, such as the previous month, which can be used to send welcome emails (00:08:26).
• The service tag can be used to require subcategories to be selected in order for a member’s profile to be considered complete, and this setting can be accessed through the general settings and search settings (00:10:34).
• The require complete profiles setting must be set to yes in order for the profile status filter to show up on the search members page, and the fields that are required to be filled out can be set in the advanced settings (00:10:59).
• The fields that are required to be filled out can be set using a comma-separated list of field names, which can be obtained from the import template or the form manager (00:11:21).
• The service tag can be added to the list of required fields to require subcategories to be selected, and this will affect how members are considered to have complete profiles (00:11:37).

New Add-On: File Upload for Forms (00:11:56)

• The new add-on for forms will include the ability to have file upload fields, allowing users to upload various types of files (00:11:57).
• This feature will enable members to upload different file types, such as images, PDF, and resumes, which can be useful for various applications (00:12:00).
• The file upload feature is expected to be available soon, providing a new functionality for forms (00:12:06).

Maps: Ability to Set the Default Pin Market When Entering Address (00:12:10)

• The Google map currently starts in the center of the world, appearing to be in Africa, when members are entering their location, but with the new update, it will be possible to set the default pin marker when entering an address (00:12:12).
• The update will automatically set the primary country of the website as the center of the pin marker, and there will also be an advanced setting to override this and set the map marker to start at a specific longitude and latitude (00:12:25).
• This advanced setting will allow websites that focus on a specific city, region, or county to have the map marker start in that location when people are entering their addresses, creating a better focused experience for region-specific websites (00:12:32).
• The new feature will improve the user experience by displaying a more relevant map area when entering an address, rather than showing a world map, and the pin will start wherever the website owner has chosen to centralize it (00:12:56).
• The update aims to provide a more tailored experience for websites with a regional focus, allowing them to customize the Google map to suit their specific needs and improve the overall user experience (00:13:06).

Homepage: Setting to Hide Homepage Sections on Mobile Devices (00:13:09)

• The homepage of a directory software has streaming sections that can display recent members, blog articles, and events, but sometimes it is desirable to hide certain sections on mobile devices to provide a better user experience (00:13:10).
• Hiding specific sections of the homepage on mobile devices can have double benefits, including providing a better mobile experience by creating a shortened version of the homepage and improving mobile speeds by reducing the number of items that need to be loaded (00:13:28).
• By hiding sections on mobile devices, the homepage will load faster, which can also improve Google and other speed score tools, as they tend to favor faster-loading websites (00:13:35).
• The ability to hide homepage sections on mobile devices can contribute to a better overall user experience, as well as improve the stability and speed of the website (00:13:46).
• The option to choose which sections to hide on mobile devices allows for customization and flexibility in designing the mobile version of the homepage, which can be beneficial for users and search engines alike (00:13:21).

Speed/Stability: Tons of Updates to Improve Overall UI, Functionality and More! (00:13:57)

• Tons of updates are being implemented to improve the overall user experience, functionality, and more, with the development team working very hard on these improvements (00:13:59).
• The suggestions and feedback from users, as well as support tickets, play a significant role in helping to improve the software, and users are thanked for their contributions to the upcoming improvements (00:14:08).
• The development team’s efforts are focused on enhancing the overall user interface, functionality, and other aspects of the platform, with the goal of providing a better experience for users (00:14:06).
• The feedback and suggestions provided by users are greatly appreciated and have a direct impact on the improvements being made to the platform (00:14:11).
• The updates and improvements are a result of the collaborative effort between the development team and the users, who are credited with helping to shape the future of the software (00:14:15).

5+ Ways to Turbocharge Your BD Signups Using Facebook Groups – by Cory Barnes (00:14:24)

• Corey Barnes is the guest and has been with BD for several years, leveraging Facebook groups to drive traffic to his BD websites, and he also has a Facebook accelerator program (00:14:25).
• Corey has made multiple guest appearances, with this being his third appearance on Webinar Wednesdays, and he is waiting to receive a special jacket and blazer after five appearances (00:14:51).
• The topic of discussion is “5+ Ways to Turbocharge Your BD Signups Using Facebook Groups”, which will be presented by Corey Barnes (00:15:12).
• Corey is excited to share his knowledge and thanks BD for having him on the webinar (00:15:19).
• The presentation is expected to provide valuable information on utilizing Facebook groups to increase BD signups, with the host occasionally chiming in to add comments or questions (00:15:08).

About Cory Barnes & His Business (00:15:22)

• Corey Barnes is from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and has been working with Brilliant Directories for two years, utilizing the technology to serve local markets (00:15:22).
• Corey’s company, called Connect, launched a Facebook group called Chattanooga Small Business Networking in May 2018, which has grown to nearly 31,000 members, approximately a fifth of the local population (00:15:24).
• In addition to the Chattanooga group, Corey also launched a Facebook group called Huntsville, Alabama Small Business Networking in January, which has about 5,600 members, and has a separate Brilliant Directory environment in that city (00:16:27).
• Between the two markets, Corey has approximately 2,600 business listings in the directories and is currently scaling into three other markets (00:16:42).
• Corey has found a formula for success by leveraging Facebook to create a synergy between the Brilliant Directory websites and the Facebook groups, which work in tandem with each other (00:16:55).
• The Brilliant Directory software has been instrumental in Corey’s business, providing a platform to host group members in a structured way and allowing for free listings or upgrades (00:18:11).
• Corey has worked with professionals to design banners and logos for the Facebook groups and has trademarked the name, creating a unified brand across different markets (00:17:33).
• Corey has also worked with a professional to customize the Brilliant Directory website, creating an Angie’s List-style platform where users can create free listings or search for vendors (00:18:37).

1) Share Your Website URL In Your Facebook Group Banner Image – Add A Call To Action (CTA) (00:19:15)

• Creating a professional Facebook group banner is highly recommended, as it serves as a virtual billboard or signage, and having a well-designed banner can differentiate a business from its competitors and create instant trust and credibility with potential customers (00:19:54).
• A Facebook group can be beneficial for any industry, regardless of the niche, such as dog trainers or yoga, and can serve as a community or online community that provides tremendous opportunities for businesses (00:19:38).
• To create an effective banner, it’s essential to include a call to action, such as asking for vendor recommendations, creating a free listing, or providing a website URL, which can be displayed in a separate section of the banner (00:20:36).
• Having a professional banner is crucial, as most Facebook groups do not have well-designed banners, and this can be an opportunity for businesses to stand out and establish their credibility (00:20:20).
• Free training videos are available to help businesses create their own private Facebook groups, which can be found in the Brilliant Directory private group, and these resources can provide valuable guidance on building a successful online community (00:19:22).

2) Welcome & Introduce NEW Members In Your Facebook Group… Include A Link To Your Website In The Post (00:21:24)

• To establish a strong Facebook group, initially invite friends, family, members, colleagues, and contacts, and consider inviting people from local networking organizations, with the goal of reaching a base following of 50 to 100 members (00:21:25).
• Once the group is established, encourage members to invite their friends by offering giveaways such as AirPods, cash, and gift cards to entice and encourage engagement (00:21:45).
• Welcoming new members is an effective way to encourage them to introduce themselves and share what they do, which can be done by creating a post that welcomes new members, mentions what the group does, and includes a call to action to visit the group’s website (00:22:06).
• Including a link to the group’s website in the welcome post is crucial, as it allows new members to learn more about the group and consider becoming a member, with options for free and premium plans (00:22:44).
• Tagging new members in the welcome post ensures they receive a notification and are more likely to see the post and take action, such as creating a listing (00:22:54).
• Seasoned and established members will also welcome new members in the comments, keeping the conversation going and creating a sense of community (00:23:16).
• Creating a graphic that includes the group’s URL, people networking, and stock images can be attached to the welcome post, providing a visual snapshot of what the group does and making it easier for visual learners to understand (00:23:27).

3) Utilize Membership Approval Questions To Capture Contact Info Of New Facebook Group Members (00:23:53)

• Utilizing membership approval questions is an effective way to capture contact information of new Facebook group members, allowing group owners to create questions that are presented to new members when they join the community, such as asking if they are local to the area or own a business (00:23:54).
• One strategic question to use is offering something of value for free, like an e-guide, in exchange for the member’s email address, and using the word “good” to encourage members to share a quality email address (00:24:21).
• Creating a valuable resource, such as a guide made with Canva or Beacon, can be done quickly and used as a lead magnet to capture email addresses and establish trust and credibility with potential customers (00:24:55).
• These lead magnets can be used to follow up with potential customers and eventually convert them into paid subscribers or members after establishing trust through free resources and interactions (00:25:14).
• Alternatively, other types of content, such as a free course, video training, or blog post, can be used as lead magnets if a guide is not available, and leveraging existing content can be an effective way to capture leads (00:25:33).
• Using existing content and presenting it as a valuable resource can be a great way to capture leads with minimal work involved (00:25:47).

4) Start A “Promote Your Business…” Thread (00:25:56)

• Creating a Facebook post that allows group members to promote their business in the comments can be a powerful way to encourage engagement and make connections, with the post reaching 18,700 people and receiving over 1,100 comments (00:25:57).
• This approach gives members a chance to promote themselves and creates an opportunity to mention a website URL, such as a directory, in the comments, allowing for leads, access, and networking (00:26:44).
• After the post has gained popularity, adding a comment with a call-to-action, such as signing up for a free or premium plan on the website, can entice members to join and bump the post, with all members seeing the comment as a notification (00:27:19).
• The contacts from the post can be scraped and reached out to individually through messenger over the course of a few days, allowing for a more organic and personal approach to promoting a directory (00:27:54).
• Using the polling tool or survey tool can also be an effective way to engage with group members and encourage participation, with polls working really well to spark conversation and interest (00:28:56).
• The approach of creating a promotional post and following up with members can be applied in various ways, such as asking a different type of question, and can be a valuable tip for immersing people in a business or website (00:28:37).
• The key to this approach is to make it a natural progression, where members are happy to talk about their business and engage with the directory, rather than feeling like they are being subjected to a cold call or cold touch (00:28:26).
• Simplistic questions, such as “are you a PC guy or a PC person or a Mac person” or “Coke versus Pepsi,” can be effective at keeping engagement and centric to a group, making it a fun place for people to hang out online (00:29:04).
• Online groups can become a place for both business and pleasure, as people spend most of their time online, and fun, cheeky posts can help achieve this (00:29:25).
• Reaching out to premium subscribers to sponsor specific posts can be a bonus tip, where a business, such as “Joey’s Tire Shop,” can sponsor a post, and in exchange, their name and logo can be promoted to a large audience (00:29:38).
• This sponsorship opportunity can be sold to businesses, allowing them to reach a large audience, such as 20,000 people, and can be a simple way to add additional revenue (00:29:58).
• Directory members can be reached out to as leads for sponsorship opportunities, offering to mention their name and logo in a post in exchange for payment through a platform like PayPal (00:30:06).

5) Incentivize Facebook Group Members To Visit Your Website By Offering Them A Freebie (eBook, Guide, Video, etc.) (00:30:20)

• To encourage Facebook group members to visit a website, it’s essential to offer them a freebie, such as an e-book, guide, checklist, video, or a free mini training, which can help drive traffic from the group to the website (00:30:29).
• A specific example of a freebie is the “Chattanooga’s Hidden Gems” e-guide, which was created by making a poll in the Facebook group to gather information about favorite hidden gems in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area, and then using the responses to create a guide with local attractions (00:30:50).
• The e-guide was promoted by offering a $20 reward to one participant, and a virtual assistant was used to vet the answers and create the guide, which was then added to the home page of the website (00:31:05).
• By offering a freebie like the e-guide, not only are consumers being provided with valuable information, but businesses are also being showcased, which helps to balance the marketplace and attract consumers (00:31:56).
• The e-guide has been successful in driving engagement and has been well-received by both consumers and businesses, with businesses appreciating the opportunity to be featured and consumers enjoying the discovery of new local attractions (00:32:25).
• When consumers download the e-guide, they are prompted to provide their email address, which allows for the collection of emails and the building of a list, although it would be ideal to collect emails in real-time on the page (00:32:42).

BONUS) Create & Place A Banner Image Linking To Your Facebook Group Directly On Your Website (00:33:08)

• Creating a banner image that links directly to a Facebook group on a website is a great way to increase engagement and drive traffic to the group, and this can be done by adding a clickable link to the home page or footer area of the website (00:33:09).
• The banner can be used to direct new customers who may not be aware of the Facebook group to join it for free, and it can also be used to retarget people who have visited the website but haven’t joined the group yet (00:33:42).
• Adding a banner to the footer or sidebar of a website can help bring people into different ecosystems and channels, such as Facebook groups or webinars, and can be an effective way to promote and market these channels (00:34:38).
• Creating a Facebook pixel can help retarget people who have visited a website and clicked on a specific button, such as a banner linking to a Facebook group, and can be used to show them ads on Facebook (00:34:52).
• Remarketing can be an inexpensive and effective way to target people who have visited a website but haven’t converted, such as joining a Facebook group or signing up for a premium page, and can be used to offer exclusive deals or promotions (00:35:17).
• Facebook remarketing can have a higher conversion rate than other types of remarketing, and can be used to target people who have clicked on a join page or premium page but didn’t convert, and can be used to offer them exclusive deals or promotions (00:35:38).

Does Cory currently have staff or people that help him with managing his business? (00:36:03)

• Cory currently has a team of three people who work for him as 1099 employees, and they help moderate the group and oversee the Brilliant Directory, providing services such as a free 15-minute profile optimization call for premium subscription holders (00:36:18).
• These team members assist with tasks like answering questions, adding logos, and filling out URL, which allows Cory to focus on other aspects of the business (00:36:39).
• Cory started managing the business on his own for about six months before bringing in paid moderators to oversee the Facebook groups and directory, which has been beneficial for freeing up his time to focus on scaling and growing the business (00:36:54).
• With the tasks delegated to his team, Cory now focuses on scaling and marketing, with plans to launch the Brilliant Directory software in 20 to 40 other markets in the United States, aiming to generate significant revenue (00:37:33).
• The goal is to have each market generate $2,000 per month in revenue, which could result in a million-dollar business, and Cory has already seen success with $36,000 in sales in January and a six-figure business with the Huntsville, Alabama group (00:37:47).

What were Cory’s first investments back into his website and business? (00:38:02)

• The initial investment after setting up the website was purchasing the Brilliant Directory software, always opting for the VIP version, which includes an SSL certificate (00:38:28).
• The strategy involved launching a Facebook group and immediately promoting it in other groups, using a system to share banners and invite members, which helped gain a couple hundred members quickly (00:38:47).
• The approach included doing giveaways and marketing, such as offering Apple Inc. AirPod Pros, cash, or gift cards, to attract people and create engagement (00:39:38).
• Hiring bloggers to add content to the Brilliant Directories for SEO purposes has shown great results (00:39:28).
• To participate in giveaways, people are often asked to perform tasks such as asking for vendor recommendations or inviting friends to the group (00:40:05).
• The size of the giveaway is adjusted based on what is being asked of the participants, with bigger giveaways requiring more significant actions (00:40:14).
• When starting a new group, it’s essential to begin with a good base of members, and using smaller giveaways or offering prizes like a $59 GoPro knockoff camera can help achieve this (00:40:48).

Can Cory’s strategies work for any industry or location-based website and community? (00:41:32)

• The strategies discussed can be applied to industry-specific markets where regions do not matter, and they can work nationwide, as evidenced by students in the program who have used these strategies successfully in various fields (00:41:34).
• These strategies have been used in different industries, such as dog training and yoga tips, and they can be designed to work globally or nationally instead of being limited to a local city (00:41:53).
• While there are different strategies that can be used, the key is to tweak the approach based on the specific market, and additional content and support are available through a private Facebook group for further guidance (00:42:08).
• The importance of adapting the strategies to the specific market is emphasized, and finding the right approach may require some adjustments to achieve success in different industries or locations (00:42:22).

FB Group Accelerator (00:42:26)

• The Facebook Group Accelerator is a recommended resource for those interested in leveraging Facebook marketing, with its website being facebook group accelerator dot com (00:42:27).
• The recommendation for the Facebook Group Accelerator may vary slightly depending on the specific markets being targeted (00:42:26).
• It is suggested to take a look at the Facebook Group Accelerator for those who want to utilize Facebook marketing (00:42:36).

How important is it to offer a free membership plan on your website? (00:42:40)

• Offering a free membership plan on a website is important as it allows small businesses to get their foot in the door and provides an opportunity for follow-up, with the free plan including access to a Facebook group community and a free business listing with no strings attached (00:42:58).
• The free plan also helps collect structured data, including phone numbers and email addresses, which can be used to introduce oneself, answer questions, and send newsletters, making it a valuable tool for building relationships with potential customers (00:43:40).
• Having a free plan may attract spammers, but it can be managed by deleting spam accounts and blocking IP addresses as part of a daily routine, with the benefits of getting free local subscribers outweighing the drawbacks (00:44:17).
• The value of getting free local subscribers who can be called and followed up with is more important than worrying about spammers, and the free plan can be a great way to initiate contact and build a relationship with potential customers (00:44:33).
• Patrick from Windsor, Ontario, asked about the importance of a free plan, and the response highlighted the benefits of offering a free plan, including the opportunity to collect data and follow up with potential customers (00:42:41).

How can you build momentum in your community and get members comfortable to start engaging with each other in discussions? (00:44:55)

• To build momentum in a community and get members comfortable with engaging in discussions, it’s essential to deliver content that is enjoyable, informative, and non-salesy, which will encourage members to participate and have fun, (00:46:02).
• Members join a group to enjoy themselves, and when they join, it’s crucial that the content shared is something that the creator would laugh at or find informative, and that they believe in and love, (00:46:20).
• Using polls, surveys, book recommendations, and giveaways can be effective ways to encourage engagement without being salesy, and sometimes it may be necessary to pay for initial engagement to get people in the habit of participating, (00:46:52).
• If a post receives low engagement, it doesn’t mean that no one is listening, but rather that they may not be ready to respond or engage yet, so it’s essential not to get discouraged and to try different approaches to encourage participation, (00:47:58).
• The timing of content sharing is also important, as people may be more likely to engage with funny or lighthearted content in the evening when they are relaxed, rather than during normal business hours when they are busy, (00:48:25).
• Sarah, who has already launched her directory site and created a community page on Facebook with over 100 members, can try these strategies to build momentum and encourage engagement in her community, (00:45:17).
• It’s also important to note that faking comments or engagement by asking friends to participate is not a recommended approach, as it can be seen as dishonest and may damage the community’s trust, (00:45:42).

Suggestion for getting members to communicate in a Facebook group (00:48:49)

• Colette suggests that asking general questions about the community, such as “what is your favorite restaurant in this area”, can help increase engagement in a Facebook group, as it encourages members to participate and share their thoughts (00:49:05).
• The discussion highlights the importance of motivating members to engage with the Facebook group, and Colette mentions that listening to Jason’s content motivates her to improve her own Facebook presence (00:49:00).
• The Facebook group accelerator program is mentioned, and a free resource is available on the sales page, which includes a list of must-have apps for Facebook group administrators (00:49:50).
• The webinar concludes with an invitation for viewers to subscribe to the YouTube channel and join the Facebook group, which can be accessed through the website brilliantdirectories.com (00:50:15).
• The next webinar is scheduled to take place in two weeks, and the hosts express their appreciation to Corey and the attendees for participating in the webinar (00:50:31).