Webinar Wednesday 150 – February 1, 2023

Add-On: Star Ratings for Posts (00:03:00)

• The Star Ratings for Posts add-on has been officially released and was demonstrated in a webinar two weeks ago (00:03:00).
• The release of the add-on was also announced in the Facebook group, and members with the VIP add-ons Club already have access to it as part of their package (00:03:06).
• A link to the add-on, along with a tutorial video covering its features and use cases, will be shared in the chat for attendees to review after the webinar (00:03:18).
• The tutorial video provides more information about the add-on, including its features and use cases, for those who want to learn more about it (00:03:21).
• Some people have already implemented the Star Ratings for Posts add-on on their sites, and there is excitement to see the various use cases that will emerge from its implementation (00:03:37).

Leads: Easy to Click “Copy” Button for Lead Data (00:03:44)

• When a member purchases leads on a site, they receive the lead’s name, phone number, email address, and other relevant information, such as the category selected and the message included with the lead, after accepting or purchasing a lead (00:03:45).
• The lead’s information includes their name, email address, phone number, and other details, and an easy copy button has been created for the name, email address, and phone number to allow members to easily copy this information and follow up with the lead (00:03:50).
• The easy copy button is located next to the lead’s name, email address, and phone number, and when clicked, it copies the selected information, allowing members to easily access and use the lead’s details (00:04:26).
• The functionality of the copy button can be demonstrated by logging in as a sample member on a demo site, where a purchased lead is displayed with a copy button next to the lead’s name, email address, and phone number, and when the copy button is clicked, the selected information is copied (00:04:18).
• The copied information can then be used by the member to follow up with the lead, and the copy button provides a convenient way to access and use the lead’s details (00:04:32).

Finance: Search Subscriptions by “Date Ended” (00:04:42)

• The finance tab has a newly released search subscriptions page that is powerful and provides insight into the financial health of a site, with a new search field for “date ended” allowing users to search for subscriptions that were closed, canceled, or ended, and this feature can be used to search for subscriptions that ended in a specific time period, such as the previous month (00:04:44).
• The search subscriptions page allows users to search subscriptions based on date created, next due date for recurring subscriptions, and the new “date ended” field, which enables users to search for subscriptions that ended in a specific time period, such as January (00:05:18).
• The ability to search subscriptions by “date ended” is useful for tracking cancellations and will serve as the foundation for visual reports, graphs, and charts that will be introduced later in 2023, allowing users to run reports for month-over-month cancellations and other metrics (00:06:00).
• The introduction of visual reports, graphs, and charts will provide a visual representation of search results, enabling users to easily track and analyze subscription data, and this feature is expected to be introduced after the completion of API and Zapier integration work (00:06:28).
• The new search field and upcoming visual reports will help users gain a better understanding of their site’s financial health and make data-driven decisions, with the ability to search for subscriptions that ended in a specific time period, such as January, and view charts and graphs of cancellation rates (00:06:33).

Language: Set all Default Text Labels to “French” (00:06:34)

• The default text label options available include English language, Spanish language, and French language, with German language being the next language to be added, allowing users to select their preferred language for their website, such as French, with just a couple of clicks (00:06:36).
• To set the default text labels to French, users can go to their general settings, select localization, and choose French as the default website language, and then check the box to use the same language for text labels (00:07:19).
• After selecting French as the default language, some areas of the website, such as the main menu and home page text, will still need to be updated manually with custom content, while other default text labels will be automatically translated to French (00:07:04).
• The process of changing the default text labels to French can be verified by refreshing the page, which will display all the default text labels in French, except for certain areas that require manual editing, such as post type names (00:07:42).
• The system for adding new languages is based on demand and popularity, with German being the next language to be added, and the ability to switch between languages, such as from French to English, is also available (00:08:33).

Over 100+: Updates, Fixes & Feature releases in January (00:08:43)

• In January, there were approximately 100 updates, fixes, and feature releases, which were made possible thanks to the support of the community (00:08:43).
• The community’s support tickets, questions in the Facebook group, and overall feedback and suggestions were instrumental in driving these updates forward (00:08:47).
• The feedback and suggestions from the community will continue to help push future updates, with some new features and releases coming soon (00:08:55).

Translate: Ability to Set Default Text Labels as German & More (00:08:57)

• The German language translation is scheduled to be released next (00:08:58)
• The ability to utilize the API is also mentioned as a forthcoming feature (00:09:00)

API/Zapier: Create Posts from RSS Feeds & Other Sources (events articles, jobs, etc.) (00:09:01)

• API or Zapier can be used to create posts on a site, such as events, articles, jobs, and photo albums, with the ability to include images, and this feature is coming soon (00:09:03).
• The integration with Zapier will allow users to sync up an RSS feed to their website, automatically grabbing available data like images, titles, and comments, and posting it on the site (00:09:06).
• By utilizing an RSS feed, users can easily have articles and other content posted on their website, including the ability to post comments, making it a convenient way to keep their site updated with fresh content (00:09:12).

Comments: Setting to Allow Users to Edit, Delete or Both (00:09:27)

• A recent addition to post comments is the ability to add star ratings for posts, and new default functionality is being released to allow users to edit or delete their comments, or both, with the website owner having control over the time frame for these actions (00:09:28).
• The website owner can set a time frame, such as 24 hours, during which users can edit or delete their comments, after which the feature is no longer available to them (00:09:30).
• This time frame feature is useful for preventing members from deleting comments after a certain period, such as six months, which can be beneficial for the website as comments can help with ranking and other benefits (00:09:32).
• The ability to edit or delete comments can be set by the website owner to be available for a limited time, allowing members to make changes to their comments while also preventing them from removing comments that may be helpful to the website at a later time (00:09:35).
• The new functionality aims to provide a fair balance between giving members control over their comments and maintaining the integrity of the website’s content, by allowing website owners to set a maximum time period for editing or deleting comments (00:09:36).
• This feature is expected to be significant, as it allows website owners to manage comments effectively, while also considering the benefits that comments can bring to the website, such as helping with ranking and encouraging engagement (00:09:42).

Reduce Spam: Blocking Dozens of Foreign Characters Most Associated with Spam (00:10:24)

• A few dozen foreign characters, known as homoglyphs, have been identified as appearing like regular letters and will be added to the spam block list to help reduce spam, with credit given to the BD Dev team (00:10:25).
• The identified homoglyphs are expected to help minimize a significant amount of spam that is still coming through forms on sites, as spam is a relentless issue that requires ongoing efforts to battle (00:10:39).
• The process of battling spam is continuous, and the goal is to keep up with it and minimize it as much as possible, with the addition of the homoglyphs to the spam block list being a step in this direction (00:10:51).

Tons More: Speed, Security, Quality-of-Life Features & Exciting New Releases on the Way! (00:10:56)

• Speed, security, and quality-of-life features are always being developed and improved (00:10:57).
• Before moving on to the tip of the week, an opportunity is given for attendees to ask questions about the specific updates that have been discussed (00:11:02).
• Attendees are also given the option to save their questions for later in the discussion if they prefer to ask about other topics (00:11:09).
• A call to action is made for attendees to raise their hand and ask questions or provide comments about the new features, with Rich being the first to respond (00:11:15).
• Rich is acknowledged and greeted, and his question or comment is about to be addressed, with Jason also being mentioned in the conversation (00:11:22).

Best practices to reduce website spam? (00:11:23)

• Best practices to reduce website spam include blocking spam keywords that apply to any public forms on the site, such as contact forms, newsletter forms, or sign-up forms, to prevent bots from filling them out (00:11:45).
• Certain keywords that seem to populate over time can be filtered out to reduce spam, and companies with no relevance to the site’s space may be using bots to fill out registration forms (00:12:06).
• Some companies, like Search engine optimization listing companies, may be looking for places on the internet to create free profiles for their customers, and changing the URL of a sign-up plan or setting a delay time for form submission can help prevent this (00:12:59).
• Setting a delay time, such as three seconds, can help determine if a form is being filled out by a human or a bot, as humans are unlikely to fill out a form that quickly (00:13:32).
• Moderating sign-ups and making the application process feel more exclusive can also help reduce spam, although there may not be a silver bullet, especially for sites offering free profiles (00:14:18).
• The internet is littered with people who want to SEO customers to get their listings on random sites, and being aware of this can help site owners take steps to prevent spam (00:14:46).

How to Sell Spotlight Articles to Your Members (00:15:00)

• The topic of selling Spotlight articles to members is introduced as a way to publish more content, engage members, and create a new revenue channel for directory businesses (00:15:01).
• The concept of Spotlight articles has been previously discussed, but this time it will be explored in more depth, including the benefits, what to include, and how to make them effective (00:15:22).
• The benefits of Spotlight articles will be outlined, providing members with reasons to sign up, and will cover important aspects such as how to make the articles effective (00:15:37).
• The discussion will delve into the details of Spotlight articles, including what to include and how to make them appealing to members, in order to help directory businesses sell them successfully (00:15:45).
• The goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of Spotlight articles, enabling directory businesses to confidently sell them to their members and increase engagement and revenue (00:15:49).

Benefits of Spotlight Articles for Businesses (00:15:55)

• Having a spotlight article for a business member can increase their online visibility, search engine ranking, and attract new customers to generate more revenue (00:16:09).
• The primary reason businesses consider buying a spotlight or feature article is to get new customers and generate more revenue, but it also enhances their brand image and reputation (00:16:27).
• A spotlight article can make a smaller company appear bigger by showing their followers and prospects that they have third-party websites and external resources talking about them (00:16:55).
• This can help businesses stand out from their competition, especially if their competition is also listed on the same website, making it a huge selling point for members (00:17:15).
• The goal of a spotlight article is to get more eyeballs on the company, get them in front of new prospects, and generate more revenue (00:17:50).
• A spotlight article is considered a paid editorial, which has a more organic feel than an explicit paid advertisement or banner ad, and it spotlights the business in a positive light (00:18:06).
• Offering spotlight articles as a free or paid service can be a valuable option for members, and it can be used to reach out to individual businesses and provide them with a unique selling point (00:18:32).

What to Include in a Spotlight Article (00:18:40)

• To create an engaging spotlight article, it is essential to include more than just basic information about the business, such as its history and what it offers, to make for an enjoyable read and increase the chances of attracting new customers (00:19:00).
• Including high-quality images and videos can enhance the article and make it more consumable, as well as easier to share on other online platforms, and this can be achieved by utilizing resources available and multimedia provided by the businesses themselves (00:19:36).
• Customer testimonials are crucial in making the article feel less like a paid advertisement and can provide social proof that the business is worth checking out, which can be obtained from the business’s listings or elsewhere online (00:20:14).
• Linking out to the business’s website and social media profiles can give readers access to more information and also help with the business’s Search engine optimization, while including unique and relevant content can appeal to the target audience (00:20:52).
• Using a template with boilerplate questions that the member can fill out can save time and effort, as the member can provide most of the content, including customer testimonials and links to their website, allowing the creator to simply put the information into a cohesive article format (00:22:09).
• Creating an emotional or personal connection between the business and the readers is key to attracting prospective customers, and this can be achieved by asking unique questions that provide insight into the business and the people behind it (00:21:40).

The Power of Storytelling in Spotlight Articles (00:22:43)

• The power of storytelling is an element that makes effective commercials and advertisements able to grasp the viewer’s attention and form an emotional connection with them, which helps businesses stay in the back of the person’s mind who’s seeing the advertisement (00:22:44).
• Crafting Spotlight articles that tell a story and include emotional appeal will help engage with potential customers, build a relationship and connection with them, and differentiate businesses from their competition (00:23:20).
• Including a story or emotional appeal in Spotlight articles will capture the reader’s attention, inspire them to take action, and create an emotional connection, which is more effective than just laying out basic business information (00:23:36).
• The goal of Spotlight articles is to get more customers and increase revenue for business members, and to continue selling these articles as an additional stream of revenue, which requires making the articles effective (00:24:29).
• Through storytelling, companies can more effectively communicate their message and values, which is important as people tend to care about the values certain companies have, and being able to sprinkle this into the article is an important element (00:24:58).
• To make Spotlight articles effective, it’s helpful to collect information up front, such as images and social media links, and to have businesses answer a preset number of questions about their business to help tell their story (00:25:32).

Using ChatGPT for help writing spotlight articles (00:25:54)

• To write a spotlight article about a local business, it is possible to use ChatGPT for help by asking it to generate questions to ask the business, such as the story of how they started their business and emotional questions, with the goal of creating a compelling story (00:25:56).
• ChatGPT can provide a list of questions to ask the business, including what inspired them to start the business, how they overcame challenges, and how the business has impacted their personal and professional life (00:26:41).
• The questions generated by ChatGPT can be used to help write the spotlight article, and the tool is a great way to get ideas and work faster and smarter as a website owner or online marketer (00:27:07).
• By inputting a simple prompt into ChatGPT, such as asking for 10 emotional questions to ask a local business, it is possible to receive a list of great questions that can be used to create a compelling story (00:27:22).
• ChatGPT is a useful tool for generating ideas and helping with writing tasks, and it can be a lot of fun to use, especially for those who have never seen what it can do before (00:27:29).

Measuring the Success of a Spotlight Article (00:27:36)

• Measuring the success of a spotlight article is crucial to determine its effectiveness in bringing new customers and generating revenue for businesses, and this can be done by tracking the article’s impact, such as monitoring engagement and feedback, and using website analytic tools like Google analytics to see page views and article views (00:27:36).
• The engagement and feedback can be measured by looking at comments, social media shares, and other online properties where the article is accessible, and these statistics can be shared with members to demonstrate the article’s effectiveness (00:27:49).
• Tracking the success of a spotlight article can also involve monitoring the views, likes, and comments on videos or audio interviews with business owners, and using these statistics to improve the articles and understand how they are being received by readers (00:29:56).
• Understanding how the articles are being received can help identify areas for improvement, such as the use of multimedia elements, and can inform decisions about how to better include these elements in future articles (00:30:22).
• Some members may be interested in seeing the return on investment (ROI) and analytics for the article, while others may simply want a well-written article about their business that they can point to, so it’s essential to be prepared to provide both types of information (00:31:18).
• Having good analytics to share with members can be beneficial, especially for local businesses with little to no online presence, as it can help demonstrate the value of the spotlight article and improve future articles (00:32:10).
• For local businesses, particularly those with brick and mortar stores, having just one article written about them can be beneficial, so providing a well-written spotlight article can be a valuable asset for these businesses (00:32:21).

Selling the Spotlight Article to Businesses (00:32:33)

• To convince businesses to purchase Spotlight articles, it is essential to help them understand the importance of investing in their online presence, which can have a significant impact on their marketing efforts and revenue goals (00:32:33).
• Providing examples of successful Spotlight articles can be an effective way to showcase the value of this marketing tool, and it is recommended to write articles for two or three business members for free to have examples to share with other members (00:33:13).
• Positioning the Spotlight article as a valuable marketing tool that will last forever on the website can help businesses see the long-term benefits, and offering discounts for bulk purchases or including them as free add-ons with premium plans can incentivize businesses to sign up (00:33:43).
• Creating different tiers of Spotlight articles, such as a simple Spotlight and a super Spotlight, can cater to different businesses’ needs and budgets, with the simple Spotlight being a shorter article at a lower price point and the super Spotlight being a longer article with additional features (00:34:55).
• The price of the Spotlight articles will depend on the business’s reach, and it is crucial to create a perceived value for the articles to motivate businesses to opt for this marketing tool, with the goal of making it an attractive and valuable service for businesses (00:35:22).
• Offering different plans for Spotlight articles, such as shorter questionnaires or shorter articles, can help create a perceived value and make the service more appealing to businesses, with the aim of making it a desirable marketing tool for businesses to enhance their online presence (00:35:46).

4 Spotlight Article Examples (00:36:14)

• Spotlight articles are featured on various websites, including Bank of America’s website, which has a story on a small business called Bare Bottle Brewing, highlighting their success and community involvement (00:36:16).
• A small WordPress blog, Everyday Dog Magazine, also features Spotlight articles, including one on a company that creates dog IDs, with a questionnaire sent to the business to gather information and create content with minimal effort (00:37:01).
• Another example is Lama.com, which features a list of the best Chinese language restaurants in Los Angeles, including Sea Harbor Seafood, with embedded Instagram posts to enrich the article (00:38:15).
• Brilliant Directories was also featured in a podcast and accompanying article, with a spotlight on the business, including an interview with Jason Halluzum, and this type of content creation can be beneficial for websites, providing a triple win for the business, members, and visitors (00:38:55).

Let’s Recap the Benefits! (00:40:20)

• Investing in a spotlight article can help businesses increase their online presence by including relevant information about the businesses, sending them questionnaires, telling a compelling story, and measuring the success of the article with some insights, which can make the spotlight articles effective (00:40:22).
• The discussion is shifting gears to take questions about membership websites, the tip of the week, or anything else related to the topic, with a significant amount of time left for questions (00:40:47).
• A participant named Alan is given the opportunity to ask his question, and he is joining from South Wales in the United Kingdom, where it is nearly one o’clock in the morning, and he has just started looking at the webinars (00:41:03).
• Alan’s question is about to be addressed, but the specific details of his question are not yet provided, as he is just introduced and given the chance to ask his question (00:41:19).
• The session is open to taking as many questions as possible from the participants, including Alan, who is at the top of the list, and others who can raise their hands to ask their questions (00:40:51).

TikTok, Snapchat & other social inputs not displaying for members? (00:41:28)

• Members can now add TikTok, Snapchat, and WhatsApp as part of their social links to be displayed on their public profile, in addition to Facebook and Twitter, and this feature is available for members to use when they sign up (00:41:29).
• To use this feature, there is no need to activate anything, and members can add these social links to their profile without requiring any additional setup (00:41:50).
• If the social links are not visible on a member’s profile, it may be due to an older form being used, which can be resolved by checking the default form settings (00:42:55).
• The default form settings can be accessed by going to the member’s contact details, and the newer social links, including TikTok, Snapchat, and WhatsApp, should be visible and available for members to use (00:43:16).
• Once the default form settings are updated, the social links will be saved and displayed on the member’s public profile, along with other information such as state, county, and short description (00:43:24).
• Members who sign up will have the option to fill in their social links, including TikTok, Snapchat, and WhatsApp, and this information will be available on their public profile (00:43:34).

How much to charge for spotlight articles? (00:43:45)

• The cost of writing featured or Spotlight articles can vary widely depending on the industry, member engagement, and website traffic, with average charges ranging from $50 to a few hundred dollars (00:43:46).
• Press release sites typically charge between $200 and $500 for article distribution, regardless of the industry, which can serve as a reference point for pricing Spotlight articles (00:44:15).
• To determine the optimal price, it is recommended to research competitor sites or industry-related sites to find an average price for similar services, and consider the value of the article in relation to the membership price (00:44:26).
• When testing pricing, it is suggested to start with entry-level pricing and gradually increase it until feedback is received, and offering a few freebies to members can provide examples to share with potential clients (00:44:48).
• Having examples of Spotlight articles can help demonstrate the quality and value of the service, making it easier to sell and promote to others (00:45:03).

Suggestion to sort members by number of leads received (00:45:30)

• The suggestion to sort members by the number of leads they receive is considered valuable because it would allow for easier identification of members who receive many leads but do not respond to them, which could be a huge help in converting free members to paid members (00:45:46).
• Currently, there is a drop-down menu in the search members section that allows sorting based on ID, who can first or oldest or newest, or revenue, but adding an option to sort based on the number of leads received would be beneficial (00:46:06).
• The ability to add a sort option based on profile views, likes, and reviews has been greenlighted, and it is suggested that sorting by the number of leads received should also be included, along with the number of reviews (00:46:36).
• Some members do not contact leads, and it would be helpful to be able to sort members by the total number of leads they have been matched with, regardless of whether they were accepted, declined, or pending (00:47:27).
• Displaying additional metadata, such as pending, accepted, and declined leads, as well as the total number of matched leads, under the revenue tab could also be useful (00:48:01).
• The suggestion to include the number of leads received as a sort option is considered a good idea and will be passed on to the team for further consideration (00:48:18).

What happens when a member’s credit card expires? (00:48:37)

• When a member’s credit card expires or declines, they will be set to an “on hold” status, unless they downgrade to a lower tier plan or pay their past due amount, and their profile will no longer be public (00:48:37).
• If a member falls past due, they will be set to an “on hold” status, unless they downgrade to a lower tier plan or pay their past due amount, and they will no longer have access to members-only areas (00:49:13).
• It is recommended to use billing reminder emails to notify members of their past due status, and to include a link to downgrade to a lower tier plan, such as a free plan, to facilitate the downgrade process (00:49:34).
• The link to downgrade can be included in the final past due reminder email, allowing members to click on the link and change their plan to a free plan, which will then be an active plan (00:50:38).
• The semantics of the default button text have been changed from “upgrade” to “change my plan”, to accommodate both upgrades and downgrades, and to provide a more flexible and user-friendly experience (00:51:15).

How to add a spotlight article to homepage? (00:51:48)

• To add a spotlight article to the home page, it is recommended to go to edit post settings and edit blog articles, where a category called “Spotlight members” can be added, although this may not automatically show the articles on the home page (00:51:50).
• An alternative option is to use a streaming widget to automatically show the spotlight articles on the home page, which can be done by selecting a specific category of post type to stream, in this case, the “Spotlight members” category (00:52:16).
• Another suggestion is to use custom content and create a unique section for spotlight articles, which can be easily done using pre-made blocks, allowing for a dedicated space for spotlight articles (00:53:32).
• Cloning the website blog articles post type and creating a unique post type called “Spotlight articles” is another option, which would provide a dedicated content channel for spotlight articles and allow them to be searched in a dedicated fashion (00:54:11).
• This unique post type can then be chosen as a streaming widget or section on the home page, which would fill up dynamically with the spotlight articles (00:54:32).

How to get members to fill out their basic details? (00:54:54)

• To get members to fill out their basic details, it is possible to extract existing information from other platforms, but members must give permission, and there currently isn’t a straightforward way to do this, such as a “magical button” that automatically fills in the information, (00:54:56).
• When people use the “sign up with Facebook” tool, it only gets their name and doesn’t pull any more information from Facebook because they’re signing in with a personal account, (00:55:50).
• Customization is possible, and it’s feasible to build a custom solution to extract information such as phone numbers, addresses, and social links, but it’s essential to evaluate the risk versus reward and consider the time and cost involved, (00:56:20).
• To avoid “form fatigue,” it’s recommended to eliminate any unnecessary fields for basic profile information and save additional details for a separate tab, allowing members to fill in only the essential information, (00:56:38).
• Members can be asked to provide only the most necessary information, and any additional details can be added to an “additional details” tab, which can be customized based on the specific needs of the site and its audience, (00:57:37).
• There are resources available, such as articles and videos, that provide guidance on how to customize member profile form fields to suit the target market, (00:58:02).

Asking ChatGPT for funny questions (00:58:36)

• A request was made to ask ChatGPT for funny questions, and a break was taken to ask it for some humorous jokes for membership website owners who are creating their sites and want to maximize signups (00:58:36).
• ChatGPT was asked to create 10 jokes for membership website owners, and some examples of the jokes generated include why a membership website owner crossed the road to get more subscribers, why a membership site decided to double its price to filter out freeloaders, and what to call a membership website with a 100% sign-up rate (00:58:46).
• The jokes generated by ChatGPT also included questions like how a membership website convinces its users to sign up, with a humorous answer being “just give us your email and we’ll take it from here,” and why a membership website put up a sign that says “free trial” to see if users will bite and then sign up for the real deal (00:59:21).
• The person found the first joke generated by ChatGPT to be the funniest, which was about a membership website owner crossing the road to get more subscribers, and then moved on to address questions from other members, including Michael (00:59:40).
• Michael, who was calling in from New York City, was acknowledged and thanked for being part of the discussion, and was about to ask a question (00:59:55).

Automatically add posts from other websites? (01:00:01)

• The goal is to allow members to automatically add posts from their existing websites to a page on the directory, either on their member page or a separate page, using their RSS feed (01:00:03).
• A recent update has introduced the ability to add posts to a website using a Comma-separated values file, which will serve as the foundation for the upcoming feature to create posts from RSS feeds (01:00:32).
• The new feature will enable website owners to take their members’ RSS feeds and add them to their profiles, populating posts on their profile page for blog posts, although members will not be able to set this up on their own (01:00:51).
• This feature is expected to be released within 60 days, as the development team has just released the CSV method and is now working on supporting images, after which they will focus on implementing the RSS feed feature (01:01:21).
• The development team has previous experience with similar features, such as reviews and leads, which will facilitate the implementation of the RSS feed feature, and a more precise estimate for the release is around 45 days (01:01:40).

Single Sign-On for LinkedIn? (01:01:50)

• A Single sign-on feature through LinkedIn was previously considered, but its priority has decreased due to the availability of Google and Facebook login options, and it is currently on the back burner (01:01:53).
• Despite this, there is still interest in implementing a LinkedIn sign-in feature, particularly from professional members who use the site, such as accountants, and it could be a helpful tool for them (01:02:26).
• The potential implementation of a LinkedIn login feature is seen as a valuable service that could be offered to members, and it would be announced in the Facebook group if it is released (01:02:50).
• A suggestion was made to offer a premium service to sync members’ RSS feeds to their profiles, which could be an upsell opportunity (01:02:57).
• The conversation then shifted to a new participant, Selva, who joined from Toronto, Canada, and was about to ask a question, which was related to hosting a photo contest (01:03:27).

Hosting a contest for more member signups? (01:03:29)

• The website swiftpaws.ca is related to dogs and cats, and the goal is to increase sign-ups for listings or newsletters by hosting a photo contest where people can submit pictures of their pets on the website, along with their name, address, and other details (01:03:46).
• To run a successful contest, it’s generally recommended to use social media with a hashtag or shared post, but since the goal is to drive traffic to the website, creating a contest page on the site is a better option (01:04:37).
• The contest aims to raise awareness of the website on social media and drive more traffic to it, with the main interest being to get people to log in to the website daily to view their entries (01:05:02).
• To incentivize people to register an account and post a photo on the website, a “carrot” is needed, such as offering prizes, and in this case, three pet food products are being given away for free to the winners, including a large box of treats and toys (01:05:51).
• The website has an Instagram account with around 300 followers, which is growing quickly, but to promote the contest, it may be necessary to create viral content, run ads targeting pet owners, or use influencers who are paid per post (01:06:26).
• To effectively run ads, it’s essential to target specific demographics, such as pet owners in Canada, particularly in metropolitan areas where people are more active on social media, and to create an ad that clearly states the contest details, such as the grand prize (01:07:21).
• To enter the SwiftPaws photo contest, a simple registration process is necessary, and it is easier to target Canadians, with a direct link to the sign-up page in ads, rather than to the plans page, to avoid confusion (01:07:42).
• Creating a 30-second video explaining the contest and registration process can be helpful, with a call to action to visit the sign-up page, which should be labeled clearly, such as “photo contest free registration” (01:08:26).
• A sign-up page should be created with a free membership plan, and the URL should be easy to remember, such as “photo contest”, and the page should include a video explaining the contest and how to register (01:09:59).
• The sign-up page can be customized with a sidebar, including a video and confidence boosters, to make the registration process clear and easy to follow, and to reduce the loss of prospective contest entrants (01:11:05).
• Running ads efficiently, and possibly offering a bigger grand prize, can help to attract more participants to the contest, especially when the audience is still growing and needs to be engaged (01:09:08).
• Creating a new membership plan that is free, such as “SwiftPaws photo contest free entry”, and setting up a URL for the sign-up page, can be done through the Finance tab and membership plans, and the page can be customized with a video and other elements (01:10:05).
• The page for Swift pause photo concept free entry has been refreshed, and it includes confidence boosters and information related to the contest, with a new page URL that can be shared (01:11:32).
• To change the checkout URL, go to the advanced settings, search for the default member sign up URL, and change it to a preferred term such as “sign up” to make it sound softer than “checkout” (01:11:52).
• The new page URL can be customized, and it is recommended to check the “get listed” page to ensure the buttons are working correctly, and to copy the link URL from the membership plans page if needed (01:12:45).
• The form can be edited to gather more information, but it is recommended to keep it simple with just name and email, and to customize the sidebar information and title instead (01:13:35).
• A video can be added to the page to make it more compelling and exciting, and it is recommended to keep the video short and simple (01:14:06).
• The registration process will create a user account, and then the user can add a photo, so any additional information required can be gathered later (01:14:01).
• The page is customizable, and it is recommended to make it pretty and compelling to attract users, with a sidebar and a title that can be edited (01:13:26).

Benefits of a minimal website homepage? (01:14:27)

• Having a simplistic website homepage, similar to Google, can be beneficial as it allows for a clean design with minimal elements, such as an image or a search bar, making it easy for users to navigate and find what they are looking for (01:14:28).
• The decision to have a minimalistic homepage depends on the type of site, and it is essential to strip away non-valuable elements, editing out whatever is not necessary, and focusing on key calls to action, such as sign up, log in, or contact us (01:14:58).
• A minimalistic approach can work well if the site has valuable content that users can search for and get relevant results, and it can also create an app-like feel with a portal experience on the homepage, featuring a limited number of buttons or calls to action (01:15:20).
• Reducing the number of calls to action on the homepage can improve the user experience, making it more intuitive and app-like, rather than a clunky website, and this approach can be beneficial for sites with a lot of content (01:15:40).
• Creating a minimalistic homepage with a focus on simplicity and ease of use can be an effective way to engage users and provide a positive experience, as long as the site has valuable content and a clear purpose (01:15:47).

Using ChatGPT to create a list of member categories (01:15:52)

• ChatGPT can be used to create categories, such as those for a restaurant business directory website, including cuisine type, location, and price range, with the input determining the output (01:15:54)
• The categories created can have subcategories and sub-subcategories, for example, cuisine can be a subcategory with American, Italian, and Chinese language as sub-subcategories (01:16:33)
• Using the dynamic category filter on the sidebar of a search results page can allow for filtering by these sub and sub-subcategories (01:16:42)
• The use of ChatGPT for category creation is relevant to various types of websites, including a bar site, and can be useful for organizing and filtering content (01:16:55)
• The webinar discussed the use of ChatGPT for category creation as part of a larger topic of selling Spotlight articles to members and providing membership tips (01:17:09)
• The webinar also covered other topics, including the announcement of an IPad giveaway in the Facebook group and the recommendation to subscribe to the YouTube channel for tutorial videos and other content (01:17:31)
• The webinar was part of a series, with the next webinar scheduled for two weeks later, and a replay of the current webinar would be available shortly after it ended (01:17:26)