should you start a membership site?

Posted by in Creative Ideas | 7 comments

I’ve just recorded a short audio that I hope will help anyone that is considering starting a membership site. Since I’ve launched two of them myself I feel a bit more qualified than most to address the issue.

The play button is below, and a link to the full mp3 is below that.

Link to MP3

To see my two membership sites check out OfflineBiz.com and MySilentTeam.com

Did you find this helpful? Please leave a comment below – would love your feedback.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

  • http://thekitchencounterculture.com Judith Parker

    Thanks Jim.

    I was actually thinking about what to do next…start a member web site? or just putter about like I have been?… I will, based on your advice keep puttering.

    Blessings…and Keep Food REAL!

  • http://http:www.demandmovies.net Reg B.

    Hi Jim…

    Just listen to the April 9th recording…

    Thanks for letting us that could not be on the live call… It was very well done… The panel I think need to jump in more and telling their stories of how they got started how they got over putting off thinking that its to hard and get their business going… Sorry that didn't come out right, but I think you get the point… Love to have one on Multiple streams of income and running more then one business at a time.

    Looking forward to hearing you and motivating me to just do it…

  • http://www.capefearweddingminister.com Dale Curtis

    Brother Jim,

    I love the simple and practical advice you share. You give away so much 'behind the curtain information' others will not share for free. That information reveals the reality of the internet business whether it's ebay, offline, or membership sites.

    You are right about finding niches about that which people are passionate. I have a wedding minister site for couples coming to this area who need the services of a minister. One lady who found my site sent me an email and asked if I would baptize her children. It was a military family and because they moved around a lot they could never work out the details to get their children baptized. I baptized them yesterday! It was beautiful.

    Now I have to think there are others who would pay for the same if I offered it more intentionally so I will be testing the market using some techniques you have FREELY shared with us.

    So, here's a big THANK YOU and . . .

    Blessings on you and your family,

    Rev Dale
    http://www.capefearweddingminister.com http://www.thecapefearweddingminister.blogspot.com
    PS Have your children been baptized?

  • http://www.TheReferralAdvisor.com scott

    Jim,

    Ironically, I'm in the process of building a membership site right now.

    I started an aweber list prior to launching the site in order to give away information and build trust.

    I'm looking forward to see how this works out.

    Scott

  • http://www.TheReferralAdvisor.com scott cunningham

    I am in the process of creating a membership now and appreciate your insights (as always).

    I built a list prior to launching the site, so at least I did that right :)

    I appreciate you.

    Scott…..

  • http://N/A LEE HARVEY

    Jim,

    I just watched the last 3 minutes of your ebay auction. What an amazing thing this is! You have your work cut out for you to make this $36,000 plus winner a profitable site. If you pull it off you will be all over the internet and the news. Congrats & good luck!

    With no disrespect to the winner meant, but if they had this kind of money to spend, they didn't really need your help. The ones that need your help are the common people like myself outhere in this bad economy trying to make our bills and not go under. If you can find a way to do that, I will be your biggest supporter and a provide you the best endorsement you will ever get!

  • http://www.tasks-to-go.com Christine

    Hi Jim

    I'm not a member yet but so far from what I've seen, it looks like a great investment.

    I just listened to your audio about the membership site and enjoyed your honest evaluation of what it takes to run one before you take that plunge.

    Could you share if you utilize any specific membership group 3rd party software like igroops or I think it's called 'amember'… can't remember.

    Also, there are scripts out there selling to enable you to create your own simple membership site, but that appears to be more like a log in area to give your 'members' or affiliates download material, upsell them, etc.

    Would like your opinion on the backdoor element of a membership site and also the other issue I've heard are the options for payments/upgrades/and also tracking your affiliates' commissions if you offer that … PayPal vs shopping cart, etc.

    Thanks.

    Christine