Andy Beard - Internet Business Systems Discussion - Latest Comments in Exclusive Content For Membership Sites and Agencies

Re: Exclusive Content For Membership Sites and Agencies

John Crenshaw — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 22:29:30 -0000

Do you really need to share that info? I mean, sure, we all want to share great ideas, but if it gives you a competitive advantage, what's the point in sharing it? I'd give it to friends if anything, and I'd even be cautious about that.

Re: Exclusive Content For Membership Sites and Agencies

John Crenshaw — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 22:29:30 -0000

Re: Exclusive Content For Membership Sites and Agencies

Dave Origano — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 11:57:14 -0000

Hey Andy,

I just wanted to give you a pat on the back for clearly saying that eBooks and 'regular' membership sites aren't the end-all. So many people slap something together, but you've actually thought about the best use for what you do and provide.

If I can ever ask you for a short interview on how you see these differences between just providing content and providing content in the most effective way - let me know.

-Dave

Re: Exclusive Content For Membership Sites and Agencies

Dave Origano — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 11:57:14 -0000

Hey Andy,

If I can ever ask you for a short interview on how you see these differences between just providing content and providing content in the most effective way - let me know.

-Dave

Re: Exclusive Content For Membership Sites and Agencies

Franck Silvestre — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 04:34:04 -0000

Sounds good Andy. This will be a success. And honestly, I think you should have done this for a long time.

Yaro had a nice blog post on this (he did it as well).

Franck.

Re: Exclusive Content For Membership Sites and Agencies

Franck Silvestre — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 04:34:04 -0000

Sounds good Andy. This will be a success. And honestly, I think you should have done this for a long time.

Yaro had a nice blog post on this (he did it as well).

Franck.

Re: Exclusive Content For Membership Sites and Agencies

AndyBeard — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:07:29 -0000

Lisa I do appreciate such in depth feedback

I have nothing specifically wrong with ebooks, I have purchased quite a few myself, been given a few to review, and I have promoted some to an extent as an affiliate.
Part of the reason I do it is because big launches can generate a lot of search volume and bring in subscribers. I have for instance had over 2000 visitors for Day Job Killer - I sold a few copies but wasn't really trying hard to convert, but I also gained more than 100 subscribers from it.

Some stuff I promote on the higher end I know that many people can't afford them, or are probably already signed up under someone else. Part of that is karma, part of it is the insight it gives me when tracking as to the respose rates, and who knows, maybe I will luck out and sell a copy or 2.

Cheaper membership stuff and useful tools actually converts much better, but then this blog's primary purpose isn't making money ;)

If I can cover the cost of the programming, and make a little for the time I am going to have to invest then releasing this is viable, otherwise it just doesn't work, even if I keep it to just a few friends - it would only take a few people to raise an alarm and possibly limit access to the data this requires.

Re: Exclusive Content For Membership Sites and Agencies

AndyBeard — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:07:29 -0000

Lisa I do appreciate such in depth feedback

Cheaper membership stuff and useful tools actually converts much better, but then this blog's primary purpose isn't making money ;)

Re: Exclusive Content For Membership Sites and Agencies

Lisa J. Stewart- Big Foot Web — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:43:29 -0000

This is a tough one. I lean towards the either offering it for nothing to your readers or share with friends/colleagues discreetly .
Nothing makes you feel like more of an outsider than reading a post like "PM me if you are in MY special circle of friends and I will tell you". It may work one of two ways- encourage the person to return and try and try and become "in with the in crowd" or it may turn them off and they may choose not to play that game.
If the info is so sensitive an explosive than share it with friends- but to publicly declare " I know the meaning of life and won't share unless you are one of my friends" is annoying- unless you are one of the friends. If the idea is to make you loyal reader feel special then it may work but the risk might be not worth it. Those kinds of post in blogs and forums REALLY irritate me and make most people feel small and excluded from "the bog boy" circle. More opportunities available from the 90% of average readers than the 10% inner sanctum types.
As for an e-book. I love you Andy. I am one of your biggest fans- If I lived in Europe you might be in danger of me stalking you :-)
I think with an e-book you will have to carefully weigh the benefit of offering information for sale sometimes and changing the way you interact with your readers over open dialogue and absolute trust. Readers- and maybe even you- on a subtle level may see each new post or article as a way to convert readers into e-book sales. Not that there is anything wrong with that .. I have no doubt anything you would publish would be top notch quality and worth every penny.

However, when the perception changes from giving way information freely to charging for select/best information the dynamic changes.

I understand the value in both and each have its merits, however it just changes the direction of readership relationship. Making money passively from readers via ad sales, etc. is different from seeing them as direct source of revenue.

In a bit of a moood today- hope I don't offend you- not my intent.

Re: Exclusive Content For Membership Sites and Agencies

Lisa J. Stewart- Big Foot Web — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:43:29 -0000

However, when the perception changes from giving way information freely to charging for select/best information the dynamic changes.

In a bit of a moood today- hope I don't offend you- not my intent.

Re: Exclusive Content For Membership Sites and Agencies

George — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 09:11:20 -0000

Great post. I agree with you it can be hard to know how much information to give away, and I respect you for not listing your end of figures, I don't think I'd do that either!

Re: Exclusive Content For Membership Sites and Agencies

George — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 09:11:20 -0000

Great post. I agree with you it can be hard to know how much information to give away, and I respect you for not listing your end of figures, I don't think I'd do that either!

Re: Exclusive Content For Membership Sites and Agencies

Internet Marketing Strategy — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:30:07 -0000

Hey Andy,
This is similar to what Brian Clark is preaching through his "Teaching Sells" program. Did you go through that by any chance?

-Gyutae Park of Winning the Web

Re: Exclusive Content For Membership Sites and Agencies

Internet Marketing Strategy — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:30:07 -0000

Hey Andy,
This is similar to what Brian Clark is preaching through his "Teaching Sells" program. Did you go through that by any chance?

-Gyutae Park of Winning the Web

Re: Exclusive Content For Membership Sites and Agencies

Mystic Liquid — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:22:16 -0000

Great post. Really enjoyed it.

Re: Exclusive Content For Membership Sites and Agencies

Mystic Liquid — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:22:16 -0000

Great post. Really enjoyed it.

Re: Exclusive Content For Membership Sites and Agencies

5ubliminal — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:52:28 -0000

If there's coding involved just holler see if I would be interested. Meanwhile check my latest post on the site: The TextBlender. N-Joy it!

Re: Exclusive Content For Membership Sites and Agencies

5ubliminal — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:52:28 -0000

If there's coding involved just holler see if I would be interested. Meanwhile check my latest post on the site: The TextBlender. N-Joy it!

Re: Exclusive Content For Membership Sites and Agencies

Michael VanDeMar — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 08:49:47 -0000

Very nice Andy. :)

Let me know if you get stuck on any of the tools, or run into some constraint you can quite figure out a viable workaround for, I'd be happy to try and help if you do.

Re: Exclusive Content For Membership Sites and Agencies

Michael VanDeMar — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 08:49:47 -0000

Very nice Andy. :)

Let me know if you get stuck on any of the tools, or run into some constraint you can quite figure out a viable workaround for, I'd be happy to try and help if you do.