Let’s get started with the basics: What Is a Membership Program?
A membership program is where a customer pays for access on regular, periodic basis like weekly, monthly or annually. It can be access to any type of product or service such as a health club, book of the month, DVD of the month, Netflix, and of course, online membership programs! The online programs are usually for information targeted toward a niche or group with a common interest, such as painting, investing or losing weight.
This is for sure one of the best business models for internet marketing because: The customer pays YOU on a regular basis – usually monthly – after you put the time and effort in JUST ONCE! The potential is there to get paid month after month. As an example…let’s say that you charge about $40 for your membership site, and you had 100 members paying that $40 to you every month– what would that come to?
As a side benefit, you also will build up your ‘expert reputation’ by providing great information to your subscribers. As the information rolls in and they are able to apply your teachings, they will be more likely to trust you and purchase other related products and services from you in the future. These can either be your own products or affiliate products that you receive a commission on. The point is that as you build a relationship with the people in your membership program, you can then make even more money by helping them and providing great products in the same niche.
Now, I’m not saying that you just need to get 100 members and then you can stop…not quite. You will lose members, and that’s okay. I mean, it’s okay as long as you continue to add members each month as well. You will find that your membership can add up quickly once you have a system in place!
So what do you need to do to start a Membership program of your own?
(I’m beginning to feel like a parrot….BUT here it goes!!!)
Step 1: Choose a Hot Target Market
Step 2: Research what they are already purchasing
Step 3: Create a membership program that fits in with what they are already buying
Step 4: Get your sales process laid out and then set it up (it can be a sales letter tied to a website or even a webinar giving the information!)
Step 5: Begin promoting your membership program on a regular, consistent basis – use low cost or free methods (more on that in my Products section!!)
**Important Note: whatever methods you use to promote your membership program, remember to pay attention and test each method. If you find that you are not making sales, STOP that method. Don’t tweak it and try to make it work…you’ll only waste time. Walk away. If you find that you are making sales with a particular method, then repeat that method again as much as possible. Continue to test different methods, repeat the ones that work.
The real ‘trick’ to making a membership site successful is taking action on it. It’s important to get started and remain consistent in what you do to set up and add to your business. My suggestion is to also make yourself a target that you want to hit by setting up a membership site. Your target needs to be very specific, such as “I want to be making $xxxx.xx cash flow from my business by _____ (specific date).” This will help you to stay motivated and visualize the end result.
To your business,
Glenna Garcia
P.S. If you see the potential and are ready to get started with your own membership program, you’ve come to the right place! Not only am I going to continue giving tips and information on membership sites, you can get started by clicking on the previous line!! Best of luck and let me know if you have questions!
Tags:business model,membership,series
