When it comes to building an online business, there are so many different types of
platforms to choose from that it can often become overwhelming and confusing as to
where you should begin. From affiliate marketing, CPA opportunities to developing your own high quality information product, there are many different paths and directions to go.
Out of the many different business opportunities and platforms that I've explored over the years however, one of the most profitable and long-term ventures involves creating high quality membership websites, otherwise known as “continuity websites”.
With membership websites, you are able to not only generate recurring payments from
every subscriber that joins your website, but you are also able to build credibility within various markets as members recognize you as an authority as well as a source for
quality information.
This valuable credibility will provide you with a powerful springboard that will enable you to eventually launch other products, websites and opportunities to an existing base of targeted customers that you have already developed a relationship with.
After all, if someone is willing to pay a monthly subscription to access information about Membership To The Bank | Page : 4
a specific market or topic, it's likely that they will be willing to purchase other relevant products, or services that serve as components to your main membership site.
However, there is often a misconception that prevents new business owners and
entrepreneurs from venturing into the continuity marketplace. They are misled into
believing that membership based websites are simply too difficult, expensive or time
consuming to create, and maintain.
After all, you first need to purchase a membership script or software that will power your website and help you effectively manage the different areas of your community, but you also need to provide subscribers with fresh, quality content as well.
For many, this part of building a successful membership site is what prevents them from going any further. There are many different ways that you can build successful
membership website without having to spend a lot of time or money.
In fact, since membership websites are so flexible in terms of how they are structured, you can build community sites that aren't entirely focused on content at all, but instead, offer training, personal coaching, community access or tools and resources on
segments of your market.
This way, you can design your membership website around your preferences, schedule
Membership To The Bank | Page : 5
and what you are most comfortable working with.
You could also create a membership website based around monthly updates, so that
you are able to free up your time throughout the remainder of the month, while still
providing value to your subscribers on a regular basis.
Regardless what market you are interested in catering to, you can build a profitable
membership site around that niche, and this report will show you some of the best
methods for creating successful membership websites quickly and easily.
So, let's get right to it!.....
Membership To The Bank | Page : 6
HOW TO CREATING A MEMBERSHIP SITE
While you could create a membership website that carries a broader theme, they are often harder to maintain, and when it comes to creating targeted marketing campaigns, the more focused your membership site is, the easier it will be to tap into your customer base and recruit subscribers to your site.
Every website begins with a theme. A theme is a specific topic or focus that your
membership website will focus on.
Before you can choose a theme or topic for your membership site, you will need to
conduct a bit of market research, so that you can closely evaluate the viability of
creating a membership based website within specific markets that interest you.
You want to make sure that you can find a „point of entry‟, so that you can generate
exposure for your membership site regardless of the competition.
A FEW THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND
There are a few things to keep in mind when evaluating potential topics for your
membership site, including:
1) Are There Existing Membership Websites Within The Market?
Membership To The Bank | Page : 7
You want to build your membership sites around a viable industry, and by determining
whether there are successful membership sites already catering to your market, you will maximize your chances of building a membership website that will be widely accepted
and of interest to the majority of your customer base.
For example, if during your market research you determine that there is a very low number of membership websites that target a specific topic, it‟s a good indication that the market is too small to accommodate too many membership websites.
While smaller niche markets can be profitable, in order to scale your membership
website you want to focus on broader markets.
2) How can you offer something new to an existing customer base?
If you have established that a specific market is actively purchasing and subscribing to similar membership websites, you need to determine your unique point of entry.
- How can you create a community of your own that offers something different
than what other membership sites are offering?
- How can you offer distinct value in your own membership program?
Membership To The Bank | Page : 8
You need to set yourself apart from other membership sites in the marketplace by first defining your USP, and then creating a membership website that clearly demonstrates
how you are different, how your members benefit by being part of your community, and
why they should choose you over the competition.
Your USP could be as simple as the delivery methods that you offer, or the format in
which your content is made available.
For example, if you find a competing membership website offering ebook-only products
to their members, consider offering both ebook and video or audio based versions of the information products that you create. Since people prefer to learn in different ways, by offering many different formats for your training tools, you are able to cater to a wider audience while separating yourself from the competition.
Membership To The Bank | Page : 9
3) Do You Have The Ability To Provide Quality Information And
Resources To This Market That Aren’t Already Being Offered?
Just because you've confirmed that a market is a viable one doesn't mean that you will be able to create a successful membership site for that market, unless you have the ability to create content that your subscribers will be interested in paying for.
Consider the costs of outsourcing content for different markets, as the more popular a topic is, the greater the number of freelancers to choose from. If your topic is too focused or specific, you might find it difficult to locate qualified freelancers who have enough experience to produce quality content for your site.
Developing a membership website that offers specialized content is a great way to develop a USP (unique selling proposition) so that you can stand out in the market and attract subscribers.
4) Is Your Theme Or Topic Considered “Evergreen”?
Evergreen topics include subject matter that will still be in demand years from now.
These topics aren‟t based on fads or temporary hot topics, but rather on stable, long-term markets that have proven to be viable over a long period of time.
Membership To The Bank | Page : 10
Markets that are considered evergreen include weight loss, parenting, employment,
finance, credit, health topics and even sports or hobbies.
It's important that your membership site is designed around a viable topic so that you can build a long-term membership program.
After all, you want to focus on a scalable community base that can consistently grow
and maximize your overall income, and if you base your membership website around a
short-term topic, you will struggle to retain subscribers after the initial buzz wears off.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT THING TO KEEP IN MIND
You want to make sure that your membership site will attract enough subscribers to
justify the time and work involved in consistently updating the community with fresh
content.
Here are a few other things to consider:
1) Will you be able to come up with fresh ideas for future updates to ensure that
your website stays fresh?
2) Is your market scalable with the potential for ongoing growth? Can you offer
upgrade options to further maximize your income, or are products and your
Membership To The Bank | Page : 11
overall scope extremely limited?
3) Is your target audience able to solve their problems quickly (making it difficult to retain subscribers), or is your potential topic able to expand so that you can cater
to a large-scale, ever-growing community?
These are just a few things to keep in mind when choosing your membership theme.
Once you have a general idea as to your membership theme, take it one step further by identifying what you are personally interested in or experienced with that could add
additional value to your community program.
Are you experienced with a specific instrument?
Are you trained in specific programs or software?
Are you experienced with popular hobbies or sports?
Are you knowledgeable regarding a specialized topic in a „desperate‟ market?
The best membership sites involve frequent activity from the administrator so the more active you are within your membership community, the easier it will be to develop a relationship with your subscriber base and encourage member loyalty.
Membership To The Bank | Page : 12
This means that you want your membership theme to be something that you are
personally interested in or have experience with. You'll also find it easier to develop content for your site if you have a genuine interest in the topic.
The more focused your website is, the easier it will be to tap into your niche market and determine exactly what your target audience is interested in and provide it to them. If your membership site is too generic or broad, you will have trouble tailoring your content to what the majority of your members base is looking for.
If you struggle to pin down a topic for your membership website, consider exploring the digital marketplaces where you can quickly evaluate potential topics and see what is
currently selling.
One of the greatest resources for evaluating potential membership site topics is found at Membership To The Bank | Page : 13
While ClickBank is primarily known for digital products, they also showcase membership based websites from within dozens of categories and niche markets. You can locate membership websites by searching using the “ Future $” option within the search area of their marketplace.
You want to search through existing membership sites and communities in order to
determine how their membership site is structured (traditional, coaching based, email based, etc), their price structure, whether they have an affiliate program, as well as the specific content that is being offered and overall value on the site itself.
Then, ask yourself the question:
“How can you improve on their existing model?”
“Can you expand on the topic’s coverage and provide additional
resources, tools and information?”
Write down any ideas that you come up with as you evaluate existing membership sites
in your niche market, for future reference.
This will help you thoroughly analyze the existing subscription sites in your niche so that you can create an improved membership website, that offers unique value to your own
Membership To The Bank | Page : 14
members base.
Another simple strategy for reviewing potential markets and topics for your membership site is by exploring www.Amazon.com to determine the number of available products focusing on your subject matter. This is a great way to determine whether or not your market is a popular (and profitable) one.
SPYFU, available at http://www.SpyFU.com is a great niche research tool that will provide detailed statistics on keywords as well as existing Adwords advertisers.
Google Alerts is an exceptionally useful tool for locating hot topics and current trends that could serve as potential ideas for your membership site. You can access Google
Alerts at http://www.Google.com/alerts
Yahoo Answers and Yahoo Buzz are also two very useful research tools that will help
you come up with killer membership topics based on overall popularity.
Membership To The Bank | Page : 15
With Yahoo Buzz, available at http://www.Buzz.Yahoo.com you are able to keep on top of current trends and hot topics.
All of this research takes a bit of time but it‟s a critical step in effectively evaluating the theme and topic of your membership site so that you can build the very best
membership website possible within your market.
When creating your membership website, there are many different models that you can
choose from, including coaching or training, email based courses, monthly updates or
you can even choose to set up a "time limited" membership site, where subscribers pay to access training materials or weekly courses for a limited time.
In the next chapter, we'll take a close look at the different options available to you so that you can choose the best format for you, and begin building your membership site!
Membership To The Bank | Page : 16
