Webinar Wednesday 187 – September 25, 2024

Brilliant Directories Mobile App (00:01:33)

• The Brilliant Directories mobile app is highly recommended for users with a BD site, allowing them to see recent members and transactions on the go (00:01:34).
• The app can be downloaded for free from the Apple Store or Google Play Store by searching for "Brilliant Directories" or visiting brilliantdirectories.com/slapple-app for Apple or going to the Google app store (00:01:36).
• The app is useful for users with multiple BD websites, as it allows them to toggle between them and view recent members and transactions for each site (00:02:00).
• The Brilliant Directories team is always pushing new updates to the platform, many of which come from user suggestions and feedback from the Facebook group (00:02:23).
• Webinar Wednesday aims to cover features that can help users grow their community, increase traffic, convert visitors to members, and explore revenue opportunities (00:02:36).
• The webinar includes a Q&A session, where users can ask questions about the platform, their site, or any topics related to growing their community (00:02:48).
• There are also BD lab updates to be shared during the webinar, which will be covered before the Q&A session (00:03:03).

CLEANUP: Save storage by deleting orphan images from deleted members or posts (00:03:14)

• A cleanup feature is available to help manage storage by deleting orphan images from deleted members or posts (00:03:14).
• The system can clean up images and other files to keep storage under control, especially when approaching storage limits (00:03:24).
• The "My Website Resources" section in the admin area contains cleanup tools, including "Clean up unused images" (00:03:48).
• The "Clean up unused images" tool safely deletes unused images, such as profile images and logos from deleted members, and orphaned images from deleted posts (00:03:55).
• The tool calculates the storage used by unused images and allows users to delete them, with a current limit of 20,000 files at a time, which will be updated to unlimited soon (00:04:17).
• Other cleanup tools include deleting temporary files, old export files, and backup files created manually through cPanel (00:04:40).
• Deleting backup files created manually through cPanel is safe, as BD has its own backup of the site, which is stored for up to 14 days and once per month after that (00:05:08).

CREDITS + API: Add/Deduct credits via bulk actions, API, + Zapier (soon w/ Pabbly) (00:05:40)

• The Brilliant Directories API now allows adding or deducting credits through bulk actions under the search members page, API, or Zapier (00:05:40).
• The API and Zapier integration enables users to perform these credit actions, providing more flexibility and automation options (00:05:47).
• In the future, the API will also be integrated with Pabbly, allowing for further automation possibilities through the Pabbly platform (00:05:57).

TAGS + API: Add/Remove Member Tags via API, + Zapier (soon w/ Pabbly) (00:06:04)

• Member tags can be added or removed both with bulk actions and via the API and Zapier, allowing for easy management of member segmentation (00:06:06).
• Bulk actions can be accessed through the "Search Members" feature, where users can select multiple members and apply actions such as adding or removing credits, or adding or removing tags (00:06:15).
• The "Search Members" feature also allows for searching based on smart lists and tags, making it easy to reward or segment members based on specific actions or characteristics (00:06:47).
• In Zapier, users can update or create users and update credits or tags, allowing for automation of workflows and rewards (00:07:50).
• When using Zapier, users can add or remove tags by assigning the member tag ID, which can be found in the smart list and tags section of the sidebar (00:08:30).
• The tag ID can be used to add or remove multiple tags at once by separating the IDs with commas, making it easy to create complex workflows (00:08:46).
• These updates allow users to create workflows that reward or tag members based on actions taken outside of the site, such as filling out forms or taking actions on a BD website (00:09:02).

SEO LINKS: Improved logic for canonical URLs related to pagination (more soon) (00:09:15)

• Improvements have been made to the logic for canonical URLs, which inform Google about the parent page of multiple pages with the same content, to help eliminate redundancies and improve SEO for all sites (00:09:19).
• Canonical URLs point to the main page and instruct Google to prioritize it in search results, reducing duplication (00:09:22).
• The updated logic aims to tighten up SEO and is part of a series of upcoming updates related to canonical URLs and SEO (00:09:43).
• The improvements are expected to benefit all sites by enhancing their search engine optimization (00:09:38).

BUSINESS DATA: Optimize processing time when importing thousands of records (00:09:51)

• Business data has been optimized for processing time, especially when importing thousands of records, making it even faster than before (00:09:54).
• The previous processing time was already quick and efficient, allowing users to set it and forget it, but further improvements have been made (00:10:02).
• Additional optimization for business data processing time is being explored for future improvements (00:10:07).

TRANSLATIONS: More languages added for text label translations (soon) (00:10:11)

• More translations are being worked on to allow users to translate the front end of their website into multiple languages with just a click (00:10:11).
• Currently, four languages are available for automatic translation: English, Spanish, French, and German (00:10:22).
• For other languages, users have to manually edit text labels, of which there are approximately 1,800, with most being 1 to 3 words long (00:10:29).
• The manual editing process is cumbersome, prompting the addition of more translations, mainly in the most popular markets where users have requested it (00:10:36).
• A short list of languages has been compiled, with the goal of making these additional translations available by November (00:10:46).

REVIEWS: SEO pages to showcase/index all reviews of individual members (soon) (00:10:49)

• Two new features are nearing completion and are currently undergoing quality assurance testing (00:10:50).
• Individual SEO pages will be created to showcase and help members' reviews get ranked, improving SEO and the visibility of reviews (00:10:55).
• These SEO pages will also assist with payments for the reviews received by members (00:11:04).

PAYMENTS: Webhooks for all payment attempts, failures etc. (soon) (00:11:05)

• Webhooks will be created for all recurring payment attempts and failures, allowing users to send payment information to third-party accounting software like QuickBooks (00:11:06).
• The webhooks will send the status of recurring payments being processed on a site overnight, enabling users to update their accounting software or track payment information as needed (00:11:16).
• This update is part of a series of changes planned for the end of 2024, with more features to be announced in the future (00:11:37).
• A Q&A session was opened to address questions and comments about the new and upcoming features (00:11:44).

How to clean up old posts or blogs? (00:11:57)

• A question from Dawn was raised regarding how to clean out old posts or blogs, which is a part of the cleanup update process (00:11:57).
• Blogs usually exist online and can remain accessible for years, as seen in an example of an article from 2012 (00:12:13).
• If a specific article is no longer desired on a site, it requires a manual action to remove it, as the system cannot automatically identify unwanted articles (00:12:20).
• The decision to remove an article is subjective and based on personal preference, unless there is a specific criteria for what is considered "old" in that context (00:12:41).
• Further guidance can be provided if Dawn expands on the question or provides more context (00:12:31).

BD Swag Shop (00:12:46)

• A free swag giveaway is being held in the Facebook group, where 20 lucky winners will be chosen to receive BD swag from the shop at brillianddirectories.com (00:12:49).
• To enter the contest, participants need to leave a comment on the designated post in the Facebook group, which will be shared, and winners will be randomly chosen on October 1st (00:13:23).
• Winners will be announced in a post, and they can choose their preferred BD swag from the shop (00:13:43).
• The webinar will also have a Q&A session, where participants can ask for help with their Brilliant Director's website, membership sign-ups, or strategy assistance (00:13:50).
• Participants can use the "raise your hand" feature to ask questions, and each question will be limited to around 3-4 minutes to accommodate everyone (00:14:01).

How to Import Members? (00:14:17)

• To import members, users can choose between instant business data import and CSV import, with CSV import being the preferred option when the data is already available on the user's computer in a file (00:14:43).
• The instant business data import has features such as automatic logo finding, geocoding records, and creating the about section blurb, but these features are not automatically included in the CSV import (00:14:55).
• Geocoding is available in both import options, but users need to provide their own API key for the CSV import (00:15:11).
• The instant business data import already includes logos for some records, but not all, and users need to include the image file name in the CSV file for the CSV import (00:15:51).
• The CSV import does not automatically fetch images, and users need to obtain them separately (00:16:29).
• The data for the import can come from various sources, such as LinkedIn, and can be collected using software with AI functionality (00:16:10).
• There is a section in the documentation that explains how to import members with images (00:16:19).

Geocode Records and API Key (00:16:36)

• Geocoding records is necessary for location searches on the Brilliant Directory's website, as it fetches the longitude and latitude of a business, which is how location searches are done (00:16:53).
• When importing a CSV file, an API key is required to geocode the members, but if the CSV file already contains latitude and longitude fields, the geocoding should be done automatically (00:17:08).
• The reason geocoding is necessary is that having a street address is not the same as having the longitude and latitude, which Google relies on for location searches (00:17:17).
• To have location searches on the front end of a website, it is recommended to connect the Google Maps API to the site, which can find a longitude and latitude even with just a city and state (00:17:51).
• The Instant Business Data feature creates an "About" section for each business, which is a new creation and not part of the existing database, to provide Google with more content and make the pages less thin (00:18:26).

Using ChatGPT for Member Spotlight Articles (00:18:40)

• Using ChatGPT for member spotlight articles can be an effective way to create content, and the same methodology can be applied to creating the about section for members (00:18:53).
• A link to a video is shared that demonstrates this methodology, which can be used instead of creating a blog article post to update the about section (00:19:04).
• If uploading a CSV file with limited information such as phone numbers and addresses, using this methodology can give Google something to index and potentially rank the page in search engine results (00:19:21).
• This approach may not fully answer the question of ranking in Google, but it is worth trying, and progress can be shared in the Facebook group for feedback (00:19:36).
• Jason is thanked for his question, and Rich is unmuted to ask his question, with the conversation transitioning to the next topic (00:19:57).

Can we Convert Texts to Buttons? (00:20:08)

• A website's calendar booking page can be converted from text to a button for a more uniform look, and this can be done by adding a quick button class to customize the link (00:20:28).
• The website previously allowed members to have hyperlinks within their bio sections, but this feature was turned off due to challenges with unknown link destinations and potential dead links (00:20:41).
• The feature can be offered to premium members as a benefit, as they are less likely to post malicious links and risk losing their membership (00:21:16).
• Paid members, referred to as "Rockstar members," can create links that populate on their profiles, whereas free members' social media links do not appear on their public profiles (00:21:47).
• A button was created using the primary color, and it was decided to keep the URL text as is, with the option to add a clickable arrow for better mobile visibility (00:22:10).
• The button is part of a widget that will carry throughout all forms, and it includes schema markup for better functionality (00:22:46).
• The updated design was well-received, and the website's directory, which connects podcasters with potential guests, was also praised for its cool idea and great design (00:23:11).

Tactics/ Ideas for Generating Leads for Members within the Community (00:23:41)

• Tactics for generating leads for members within a community include direct mailers, which, although less common, can still be effective, as seen in the example of Bed Bath and Beyond's 20% off coupons (00:24:22).
• Social media platforms, such as Facebook groups, can be used to connect with like-minded people and create a sense of community, which can sometimes be enough to attract people without needing a hard sell (00:24:37).
• LinkedIn groups can also be utilized, especially for business-oriented communities or those with a specific niche, such as boat and yacht owners (00:25:02).
• Creating a page on social media platforms and focusing on content creation, such as shorts and stories on TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms, can help direct people to a specific website or platform (00:25:14).
• Creating meetups and expanding to other cities or regions can be an effective way to build a community and generate leads in a more hands-on approach (00:25:48).
• Press releases, getting picked up in articles, exchanging links with other articles, and cross-promotion with other brands or companies can help build steam and generate leads without using paid advertising (00:26:13).
• When cross-promoting, it's often more effective to target smaller brands or "B-listers" rather than established companies, as it can be easier to get your foot in the door (00:26:37).

Is there a way to transfer some updates that I've done over the last few months? (00:26:44)

• A user is considering launching a second BD site and wants to know if it's possible to transfer some basic updates from the existing site to the new one, as both sites can be accessed with the same login (00:26:46).
• BD has a service to clone a website, which can be used for a one-time transfer of updates, and a promo code "vip3" can be used for this service (00:27:07).
• The cloning service has a cost due to the need for oversight, as many sites have billing and other features that need to be curated to avoid issues like cloned recurring payments (00:27:24).
• The cloning team can be informed about the specific parts of the site that need to be cloned, and they will handle the process (00:27:39).
• After cloning, customizations can be made on the second site (00:27:44).

How to set up a Freemium BD Website for clients? (00:28:00)

• A freemium BD website can be set up to allow clients to get a free text listing for their name, soccer club, business website, email, and WhatsApp number, with the goal of creating a freemium fundraising model (00:28:00).
• The website would allow clients to register for a free text listing, and then offer them the option to upgrade to a paid listing with links to their website and other features for a monthly fee (00:29:49).
• The free listing would be a text list, and clients would not be able to click on the website unless they upgrade to a paid listing (00:29:43).
• The idea is to collect data on clients and their interests, and then use that data to target them with specific offers and promotions (00:28:35).
• The website would be used to promote digital magazines, which would be created to raise funds for clients' children, clubs, and causes (00:29:05).
• The digital magazines would be created by a group that has produced 62 million digital magazines, and would be available in free and paid versions (00:31:01).
• Clients would be able to select their interests when they register, and would be categorized based on their interests and demographics (00:31:32).
• The website would allow for segmentation and targeting of clients based on their interests, and would enable the creation of smart lists and newsletters to promote specific offers and products (00:32:33).
• The website would be used to promote products and services to clients, and would enable the creation of targeted marketing campaigns based on client interests and demographics (00:33:04).
• The website is not a business directory, but rather a platform for people who are part of clubs and organizations to connect and access relevant products and services (00:33:12).

How to Hire BD Specialists? (00:33:21)

• To find a Business Development (BD) specialist, go to the Brilliant Directories marketplace and click "Hire Experts" to find professionals who can help with building BD directories (00:33:46).
• When searching for a BD specialist, look for profiles with locations that match your needs, such as the United States of America, which can be found on the profile page (00:34:09).
• To be successful when working with a BD specialist, start with simple and small scopes, setting yourself up for small wins and building a relationship that can flourish over time (00:34:31).
• When working with a BD specialist, avoid sending large amounts of information, such as 40 pages of goals, and instead focus on one objective at a time (00:34:34).
• BD platforms can be used to promote local businesses, such as those owned by parents in a school community, by creating directories of sponsors and families (00:35:30).
• When using a BD platform for local business promotion, keep it simple and start with small scopes to set yourself up for success (00:35:45).
• Ryan from Directory Toolkit is mentioned as an example of a professional who can be found on the Brilliant Directories marketplace (00:34:05).

How do I determine payment for BD Specialists? (00:35:53)

• Determining payment for Business Development (BD) Specialists involves considering factors such as time, experience, and skill, with a combination of objective and subjective assessment (00:35:55).
• Checking third-party sources like Fiverr can provide information on going rates for certain tasks and help determine fair payment (00:36:06).
• The location and language skills of the specialist, such as being an American speaker, can impact their rate, with some skills commanding a premium (00:36:14).
• Effective communication and understanding between the specialist and the client are crucial, as poor communication can lead to project delays and dissatisfaction (00:36:33).
• Starting with smaller project scopes can help build a relationship and set the stage for successful collaborations, reducing the risk of miscommunication and project failure (00:36:50).
• Gradually increasing project scope and budget can help ensure successful outcomes and avoid the "black hole of development," where projects drag on and ultimately fail to meet expectations (00:36:48).

Will the Webinar Replay be posted on Facebook? (00:37:21)

• The webinar replay will be posted on the Facebook group, with a post likely going up about 10-15 minutes after the webinar is completed (00:37:26).
• The next webinar will take place in two weeks, which will be in October, as the year 2024 is coming to an end (00:37:56).
• Viewers who haven't joined the Facebook group are encouraged to do so by leaving a comment on the free swag giveaway post (00:37:51).
• The Brilliant Directories app can be downloaded from brillianddirectories.com, the Apple app store, or Google app store (00:38:08).
• The webinar replay will be posted in the Brilliant Directories Facebook group for those who missed it or want to re-watch (00:38:12).
• The hosts appreciate the viewers who joined the live webinar on YouTube and look forward to the next one in two weeks (00:38:17).