I feel a new blog starting to surface
I really do… I feel a new blog starting to surface. (Don’t mind me… I am doing something that most people call blogging… lol) which is writing my thoughts and clicking post.
Here are some things that I am thinking right now.
- I write a lot of posts on my blog and I know for a fact that a lot of people read what I write. I see many other blogs who write (reshash) things that have been covered countless times over the last three and even four years and they get pretty decent reactions out of it.
- What I write is pretty darn unique and original (at lesast I think so) but I never seem to get the reaction I desire. (Something is missing… what I don’t know).
- I release my 60 minute video, sales were awesome… I decide to kill two birds with one stone and launch a membership site (something that many of my more regular contacts recommeded many times).
- I launch the membership site and over 80 people joined by way of my free VIP pass, but not many of my regular contacts joined. Most of the people who joined in, I met for the first time. (What’s up with that… the people who suggested that I start a membership site and said that they would join if I were to launch one never joined).
- To help push the an increase in actual Paid Memberships, I try to encourage more free sign up by using HostGator.com as a tool to do so. (Post was just published a few hours ago… but I have been blogging on this blog for three years… I know a dead post after 10 minutes of posting it)
- The membership site is very hard to run. I want to help everyone, but doing so take a ton of time. I enjoy doing the videos and the tutorials, and even enjoy making the themes. However, as you know, this isn’t something I can do for free. (I only have ONE actual VIP member who is paying $29.95 / month.
- I feel a new blog starting to surface, because I feel like this one may really be dead. I think my content is stale, I think my readers are on auto pilot, I think I have a lot of trouble hitting home with you guys. (I think many of you guys and gals don’t like how I make money… you’re lazy and you don’t want to work hard like me.)
So really… you all know me, you’ve seem me flip my lid… you’ve seen me get emotional and go off the deep end, you’ve seen me even write a post telling you to unsubscribe from my blog before. LOL!!
I am actually in a great mood. I am not upset with you, or upset with the situation. I really enjoy doing what I do very much. It’s the best job in the world. But I am curious why things are the way they are, for sure it is something I am doing wrong.
With that said, I am going to take a little break for about a week (a complete break). What you all don’t know is I am having my garage converted into an office. It’s a pretty huge project actually. The entire project consists of expanding our house to create a beautiful new home office, new full bathroom, extra laundry room and an extra bedroom, which will become our master bedroom suite. We’re having a detached garage built later in March obviously due to the fact that we converted our garage into living space.
My new home office will be done in about a week, I wanted to have that done first before anything else. So, I think I am going to take a week off and really sit back and consider my options and how I want to invest my time online. Building niche blogs carries my very far, it really does… but it’s boring. That is one of the things I like most about blogging here. But blogging here, doesn’t pay very well at all.
When I get back, and just being honest, I think I am going to sell the membership site or just call my loss. I am sure the new owner can turn it into something very profitable. For whatever the reason may be, I am just not feeling it. I spent a week doing videos and even the actual members who have access to the site, only half the people actually logged in to view them. In most cases, much less than half. I am not upset by this (partly because I think I am just too tired to be anything) but it does strike me as kind of odd.
Everyone who reads my blog wants to make money online, about 95% of you don’t. So when I create a resource for you to make money online and even give you access to this resource for free, then why don’t you use the tools provided to you? Strange… kinda strange guys and gals.
But anyways, I think we all have some thinking to do… so I’ll talk to you all in about a week. Be good, have fun, and when I get back, I think I’ll have a more clear picture on things. 
Take care.
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23 comments
Garry;
I have been a member of a lot of membership sites. As we discussed, I have not gotten around to yours yet because I am focused on some other projects. Your content is typically great, and I am afraid that I would be unable to resist spending time on your site.
Having said that, I am afraid that you might be giving up too soon on the site.
Most membership sites that I have seen have two things that you do not have: a real sales page and an affiliate program.
Now, if you are not feeling it, that is one then. If you don’t want to promote it because that seems too much like “internet marketing” to you, thing fine.
But I do not think that you can judge the success or failure of a membership site after only a week or two, especially if it has not been promoted properly.
You know I support whatever you do, I just wanted you to hear my two cents (which is about all my opinion is worth in this case).
Regards,
Mark
Hey Garry. I am really surprised at the membership numbers you have given. It does seem strange that out of all the people that follow your blog you have only had a few sign on. Their loss. Congrats on the new home office. That will definitely be nice.
I can understand taking a break and changing direction. You are a very talented and giving individual and I believe you will be successful at whatever you do because you have a giving attitude. It may be old fashioned but I still believe that people who give are the people who reap great rewards.
Enjoy your time off, relax, think, ponder and get away for a while. Have a great day.
Eric
HI Garry,
I speak from my book.
I understand your frustration.
Look, making money online is like beeing an entrepreneur. Beeing an entrepernuer online isn’t very different from being one offline, at least from the point of view of the mindset that you have to have, from other viewpoints online it’s far easier (you need less money to start, for example…).
A recent statistic showed that from all the business that will be started in 2009, 40% will close before the end of the year. 95% will be closed prior 5 years and only 0,4% will reach 10 years.
For blogpreneurs I believe the numbers will not be different. The causes ?
1. Laziness
2. Fear
3. Lack of action
That all could be resumed as not proper mindset.
Now I come very honestly to my answers on why I’m not in your membership arena.
You know I’m blank due the purchase of our appartment, but that’s not the only element why I haven’t joined yet (although it’s a fact that I have the credit card actually blocked).
I periodically bounce from hating MMO and telling myself that i stop doing it because it drains my energy and lowers my conscoiusness, to the point where i digg deep in it again pulled by greed and the excitement to test and improve a new money making system. This cycles takes approx 3 months . Every 3 months I hit one of this 2 peaks. Now I’m again near at the peak where I’m thinking that my life purpose isn’t to be a marketer.
Your way to make money online is unique, seriously, I haven’t found one other person on the net teaching what you do with your deal blogs. It’s effective BUT it takes a lot of effort and time. Due the fact that english isn’t my tongue, it’s even harder for me to provide all that content (sure I can outsource, but I’m still at the beginning of my outsourcing attempts), so i decided to do it in italian, but the earnings with italian ads sucks (the other day i got on one blog 5.000 impressions with a CTR of 1,95 and a total earning of $6,65…) add the fact that the topic isn’t my passion but that i do it for the money then i get the same result of the equation that you got: it’s boring, it doesn’t inspire me + (for me, probably not for you) it doesn’ pay for the effort
Another reason why your long time readers haven’t joined could be that, due the fact that they’re following you since long time, they have allready learned a lot from your way to make money and from your philosophy and they may think that there isn’t so many more thinks to learn that justify the monthly fee.
I from my site fear monthly fees, I’ve been subscribed to a few services, now I’m out of all of them, but due to laziness and procrastination, you don’t unsubscribe and the money keeps flowing away: I wasted a lot of money. So now when I see a monthly fee, a red flag rises in my brain LOL
In cocnlusion my main point is that I’m looking for the purpose of my life and decided to do only on the sideway a few very low time consuming online businesses just to keep coming in a few bucks as extra cash.
I believe that once I’ll have found my life purpose and I’ve found a way to make it also be a business, my business will be driven by passion and that will make me switch gears.
I don’t know where I will lead and you don’t know where you will, so just in case our journeys will bring us in different directions I want to sincerly tell you that you have taught me a lot of things, that yours, David Cooely’s and Steve Pavlina’s blogs where the only blogs that I’ve read regularly in the last 1,5 years. Thanks for all this posts and the enlightening chats.
Thank you
ciao
alexander
P.S. look for your life purpose, I’m convinced that once you found it, also you will bring in balance motivation with monetization and then “working” will be fun, rewarding and will make you money.
Wow, a new home office! How exciting!
And I’m sure there are more great things in store for you – as Eric said, I believe we reap what we sow – and I am amazed at how much you give of yourself. VERY unique in the MMO arena.
Part of what you may be missing is asking for help – there are those out there that you’ve helped that may be willing to give back a little. Count me among them.
Couple of ideas for you –
1. Why not continue to offer the membership site free with the purchase of the video? That video is awesome and I know that for me the membership site sealed the deal. I knew I would get ongoing support and not just be left hanging. Doing this would have $$ continue to roll in for you.
2. YOU do not need to provide said support alone – you have some amazing founding members in that forum. Tap that talent to help run the place. I would be willing to volunteer some time and effort to develop the community – and I’m sure others would be as well.
What do we get out of it? I’ve already made some friendships in the forum with people I would not have known were it not for your site. That’s valuable to me. We have the makings of a very good community there.
Of course, you would need to provide the content, but you wouldn’t have to go overboard. Most folks would be happy with the basic instructional videos and a handful of themes and the ongoing support of the community. Even then, you can tap the talent of the forum members to help. I am capable of doing videos and customizing themes. Others there are too.
I’ve also made it a mission this year to help others get started online. I know the process and I know it works and I want to help others get started. Pay it forward, so to speak.
3. Or do it another way: a lot of folks are really cutting back expenses right now. How about lowering the membership fee? I know how I approach these things – $29.95 or even $19.95 per month and I’m cautious. But $9.95 a month? Sure – I’ll throw $10 at damn near anything. If I don’t like it? I cancel and I’m out $10. Big deal!
This is already too long but I hope it gives you some food for thought.
Enjoy your week!
I think that it is part of life to get a little frustrated sometimes.
I haven’t followed your blog for that long but I can feel your frustration but the question I ask myself is why are you frustrated? Do you know?
If it is because you goal was to get thousands of subscribers to the forum in an instant then maybe you were just having to high expectations (I’m guessing here).
You’re already making more money that most online marketers (or wannabe marketers) so you have a lot of people that envy you. That should be something to celebrate and not cause you frustration.
If your frustration is caused by the fact that other people don’t ACT (even when you show them how) then YOU have something to work with. I know that you know this but I’ll say it anyway. You can’t force people to do things… not by pushing them and not by pulling them. You can only inspire (which you do) and then let the rest be up to them.
I can feel that you care for people and that might be what is causing your frustration but you can help people… they can only help themselves. Enjoy the successes of those that have taken your help and made money (or whatever) from it.
To your success!
Mikael
Hi Garry!
Your frustration seems justified for sure, so I thought I’d toss my 2 cents out here.
Something I’ve been thinking about during my learning phase in all of this is that you are building a community that ultimately competes with each other and you. I think that in itself is a pretty big challenge to overcome. It’s tough for people to really open up about what they are doing and the sites they are building when everyone else is attempting to do the same thing. I admire you for sharing your knowledge about your techniques and your willingness to teach others, but I can also see how it would be tough to disseminate so much that you’ve learned through your experiences to people who will end up competing against you.
The video and membership site are great ideas, in my opinion, to help offset some of the time and knowledge you’ve acquired. The lack of participation so far could be from people who are still digesting and trying to figure things out for themselves based on all of the information on your site. I can only speak for myself here, but I know I have been really pouring over the topics and posts and spending a lot of time simply putting things together on my own. I believe there’s a natural beginning surge to something like this and then there’s a “cooling off” period where people try to put it all together and figure out where they need help after they’ve tried for themselves.
My honest opinion is that memberships to this site will largely be short-term, like 6 months or so, because once someone feels confident that they’ve put the pieces together in a workable system, they probably assume they don’t need to keep paying for something they already know. As flawed as this logic may seem at first, I fully understand it. That’s probably why there are so many tacky, one-page sites promoting and selling “the greatest online money-making system in the world” because they understand the short-term nature of this process.
The downside to the MMO “systems” is that there are so many of them out there, and support seems sketchy at best, credibility is instantly questionable and therefore taints the entire mindset about those “systems” no matter who is offering it.
I’m a hardcore logical thinker. I’m all about steps and processes and procedures, just ask my coworkers. I think a good strategy for you might be to develop a complete package that includes videos, themes, eBook, examples and pretty much all of the information a person who knows nothing would need to get started, and offer it at a competitive price (maybe 100-150 bucks) and include membership to the forum for one year or indefinitely. Then limit your own participation in the forum to maybe 1 hour per day. That could satisfy your desire to help people without feeling like you are wasting your time. Periodically you could put together new lesson packages (like something other than deal blogs) and offer those as well as selling smaller theme packs or whatever you think people will need.
Since I am still very new and very much a procedural thinker, I would LOVE to help you put something like this together. I believe one on the problems with other gurus who sell this stuff is that they forget the overwhelmed feeling that often drives newbies away, so I’d love to participate in building something that really does clarify the process and not only lays out steps, but also explains why that step is important compared to other alternatives. I’m always a little disappointed with ebooks and lessons I usually find because they don’t explain things well enough to newbies to really paint the whole picture. I need the big picture as well as the steps to get there and I bet I’m not the only one.
Anyway…that’s just my opinion.
Neil
Garry,
Congrats on the new office. I know you put your heart and soul into the video and membership site. The intro video was Awesome. Like I saided before I’ve been reading your blog for the pass 7 or 8 months. You give alot of information others wouldn’t. You are straight forward and to the point.
I agree with Wendy don’t do it all by yourself. Pick out the go getters from the membership site let them take on some tasks for you maybe in exchange for some one on one coaching. I also agree about the price maybe a factor for some. Maybe a relaunch of the 60 minute video broken down into 4 parts, discounted price on the membership for those who join in 30 days. Once you have your team in place this can be done. Just a thought. I’m learning from you and others on the site. I’m pretty sure we all can agree that there’s not many sites like yours that will give straight up information like we receive here. With that saided enjoyed your week from the blog, get your office up and just be Garry, the husband, the father, the man.
Peace,
Joe
Hiya Garry =)
WAYYYYY cool on the new office and the entire addition! Congrats to you!
Ok, let’s talk…
Kiddo – you need a break. I am high-fivin’ ya on the week off thing. Breaks are good The reason we spend so much time building all our passive streams of income is so we can be passive once in a while, right? =)
You said this -
“Building niche blogs carries (me) very far, it really does… but it’s boring. That is one of the things I like most about blogging here. But blogging here, doesn’t pay very well at all. ”
How many “help you make money online” type blogs do you think really make money? Not just some money, but big money? I’d bet that 1% is reeeeeealllyy pushing it. Unless you can get those big advertising bucks or build a name that has an enormous following, these type of blogs don’t earn a substantial direct income.
Garry, there are new blogs like ours popping up all over the internet at warp speed. Funny thing is, it is one of the LEAST profitable blog niches to get into.
On the same token, there are many blogs like ours that are fizzling out and left abandoned at warp speed, too. Why? Because they realized they weren’t making any money.
If niche blogging is your work…. and THIS blog gives you joy… that is, in my opinion (current value = about half a cent), the best reason to continue to blog here.
Perhaps you’ve turned this blog into “work”? Just a thought.
I don’t post every day. Could I? Sure. SHOULD I? Perhaps. Thing is, my blog is not my job. I really enjoy posting there and I want to keep it that way.
When I get an idea for a post, I let it simmer in the ol’ pea-brain for while. Eventually, BAM! Out pops 2000+ words….lol I format it, make it it pretty (to me) and I get great pleasure seeing it go live. Why? Heck if I know – I’m weird…lol
I learned a painful lesson by working in the golf course. You see, I love to golf (yes, I am a glutton for punishment). But once I got into the management side of the golf business, my “joy” became my JOB. After a while, when I had a day off, the LAST place I wanted to be was at a golf course.
Golf paid my bills…. but there no longer was any joy. Pretty sad, huh?
It took me about a year and a half after being OUT of the business to even want to look at my clubs – let alone play.
If you find enjoyment by blogging here at GCDC, then please, find a way to allow yourself to continue.
If you DON’T enjoy it, then use the “free” time to take up something else you might enjoy…. like golf =)
Blogs like ours are not meant to be work.
Just my half a cent. As always, I’m just an email away if you want to talk.
Jennifer
~PotPieGirl
One word G-man Beerfridge yes you Need a Beerfridge for your garage office, oh and when is the office warming party.
On another note what other kinds of promotions have you tried or done. Offer up a jv opp to the mmo community. Yaro did well with his membership site and load of people promoted it. Give an incentive to people to promote it you put a few bux in their pockets.
Dont forget to put up some pics of the reno.Need washroom i can hook you up, fly my ass down their (cold here) we’ll bbq some ribs do a bathroom throw some darts, you are putting a dart board in the office right?
See ya in a week
Garry,
I have two comments. First, I think that the price is steep for a lot of people. $29 a month is a lot.
Second, I think that you need to pre-sell the membership site a little more. What are your plans with it? Is it temporary and going to close soon? How will people use it to make money?
Just my thoughts. As always, I love your blog.
Fred
Garry,
You have an amazing talent for making money online. Your generosity in giving your time to others in laudable. Your 60 minute video is awesome. The videos and membership site is a great resource and I think it would be a shame for you to give up on it so quickly.
I haven’t been an overly active participant on your forum because I’m not as good at you at organising my time. When real life calls here I have to drop everything net related.
I agree with the above commentators …. I see nothing wrong with choosing a core group from the VIP members you have graciously given free membership to becoming Moderators on your forum.
Mods being passionate about their respective topics will have no difficulty moderating your forum for free. You still remain the Admin but limit your contribution to perhaps one or two responses a day. Add videos to the archive at longer intervals and pace yourself more.
I for one have downloaded your videos and pdfs resources and I have to admit that I am still trying to set aside time to read/view them properly.
Feck … you are good Garry. Don’t give up now.
Only for you I’d have given up long ago. I’m probably what you might consider a waster when it comes to making money on the net but I certainly wouldn’t have a hope if it wasn’t for you.
If I can be of help on your forum site please don’t hesitate to let me know …. and I’ll come running.
Hang in there Garry.
Paddy
Whoa Garry this post almost made me want to cry. Please-please take a break and don’t give up on this quite yet. When I first got access to your forum I was totally blown away by the amount of content you had loaded up on there. I think the main reason why not a lot of people have watched all the videos, etc. is because, well–we’re busy implementing what you teach!
However, if you feel in your heart this isn’t the right thing to do there’s probably nothing we can say to change your mind.
Garry,
Slow down!
You have done SOO much in the last week!
Naturally your going to feel overwhelmed.
Rome wasn’t built in a day and allot of the people your helping just plain old cant work at the same pace you do.
You cant work at the pace you do or you’re gonna have a blow out!
The brightest stars burn out the fastest.
But most of all…
Do what you enjoy most.
Garry,
I respect what you do and have purchased from you and used your services. Have you ever stopped to think that maybe some of us our busy like you? How much time do you spend on other people’s blogs or membership sites?
I have a full-time job and 2nd part-time one and then comes my blogging. There are many I like to keep track of, Mark, Ian, Joe, Grizz, John Cow, etc. I can’t spend time with all of them and then get work done that I need to get done to try to earn some dough from blogging.
So you like telling us how it is? Well, Chill man. I think many of us are doing the best we can. I have 3 projects going as it is. And they are finally starting to produce a little bit. Give me and your new site some time, man.
Have a good week.
Hello Gary
I am a new follower of your blog, since referred by potpiegirl….I have not been active in your forum yet due to all the other re-organization and goal setting I have been doing since the beginning of the year.
Your 60 minute video was fabulous….although I found your ability to code wordpress a little overwhelming for me,,,,trying to make a mindmap out of all the steps you did to SEO, and modify the default theme to simplify the steps for me. ( slow it down)
Your deal blog model is intriguing me……BUT I think I might represent a high percentage of your readers….I have tried many different models in the past, probably not nearly as intensely as yourself, and got frustrated when the results did not appear like they would materialize.
In other words when an idea becomes another “JOB” we get frustrated…..we all need help from others……..How can I help you to help me?
Sometimes we just need to know others think our needs are just as important as others.
You must follow your “instincts” too…I sense you could use a helping hand……but that asking can be
hard for some of us
Sincerely
Leo Hanes
Garry, what are your goals for this site? Do you want it to generate income, provide a creative release, or pump your ego? All of these are valid options, but some of them are mutually exclusive at times.
Comments are great if you are into ego, money is nice if that’s what you are after, and if you are looking for a creative release you probably wouldn’t have written this post.
Figure out what you are after then attack it. You are the kind of person who will find a way to meet his goals. Right now you might just be pulling in too many different directions.
Aw Gary I’ve been a terribly lazy bastard lately. I love the comments you got from a “from the hip” post like this. Quite a helpful bunch, there are a ton of great ideas in there.
I’ve often wondered how that actually works, and that there is some point where you end up creating competition for yourself.
I’ve been so sucked in, and on vacation myself to get around here lately. Go ahead and yell unsubscribe, I still won’t listen to ya. haha
I want another week off…
Your blog is without a doubt one of the most informative and helpful blogs out there. I truly appreciate your content. I am always trying to look to improve my knowledge and strategy to make my own business stronger. I am never disappointed when I come here. Thank You and Keep up the good work
Hi Gary,
I missed the free VIP membership offer due to a funeral last week but will purchase the 60min video as soon as things settle down.
Also, I was confused (probably with all the things happening in my situation…) with how the 60min video was connected to the free VIP and later to the other membership options. I did send a personal email voicing my concerns.
I don’t know how fast you progressed from a free VIP to the current membership offer, but it seemed too fast for me. One day it was free then the offer changed the next day?
It would have been more attractive to instead of having a free VIP period, to start at $4, then to $19, then $29, etc. in steps over a period of 30 to 60 days.
With growth in success testimonials from this “base” of memberships, then it could be stepped up to the current level over a period of 6-months to a year. This is based on on membership site similar to yours where I am active.
I hope my feedback is useful, even though it was an awkward time for me to make quick decisions.
Best of success…you have a unique niche that will attract many bloggers.
Very respectfully,
MikeR
Like Amanda, this post made me want to cry. I’m still sitting here trying to think of the most helpful thing to say to you – and while what I add might not be that helpful I just couldn’t go without saying anything.
Personally, I have devoured the membership site. I’ve downloaded everything that I could just so I would always have access to the material. I’m eagerly awaiting part II of the deal blog video – I hope I’m not waiting in vain.
As for the membership site I personally don’t like to spend much time in forums of any kind just because the information can be so flaky, for lack of a kinder word. It’s very easy to get lead down a wrong path with the advice of kind, good intentioned, helpful people. If I ask a question I want it to be answered by the person who’s expertise sold me on the membership – and you have done that. Friendship and support are one thing – but I don’t want to pay for it or mix it with my learning process.
What I am willing to pay for is knowledge. Jennifer at PotPieGirl recommends your video by saying you have knowledge that she needs/wants, and I feel the same way. I didn’t hesitate to buy your video (and I don’t buy much IM stuff) because I felt you had knowledge that I wanted AND the ability to share it in a way that was easily digestible.
I still believe you have an excellent product in a market filled with junk – you just need a better way of reaching a new audience. It’s ironic that your fans feel they know you well enough to not need to pay for your knowledge – but there are a lot of people who don’t know you yet and could really use what you have to offer.
As Wendy commented – the price may be an issue, as many people are hesitant to commit to a $30.00 monthly bill unless it provides a complete ’system’ that will make life totally easy… (you know the sales page).
I know from experience that the people who have called me a ‘lifesaver’, ‘brilliant’, etc. are the very ones who have snubbed my personal products. They would rather pay $150.00 for a new purse or pair of shoes and so I decided to be the one that sold them all the trinkets their heart desires with my boring little niche sites- and that’s where my money comes from!
Certainly you have a dilemma – and of course I’m selfishly hoping you’ll stick around to make your membership site a veritable treasure of valuable information – and find some personal and professional satisfaction in the process.
Congratulations on your new home office – I just moved to a new home office this weekend and I can already see the increased productivity with a better environment. I hope you really enjoy your new space.
Have a really good week off!!!
Garry regardless what you end up deciding to do, I’m pretty happy with what you provided already. Yes, a big part of me jumping on the deal was the included VIP and the promise of “2 maybe 3 more videos in the series” and the promise of working with others on the forums helping and sharing what I learn and learning from them along the way.
I still can’t figure out how you can come up with so much content, and I’m grateful for it as well as inspired by it, but I do also think you tend to give your all right up front and tend to burn yourself out a bit. I know it’s part of the entrepreneurial spirit as I do this myself, but it takes some work to keep from burning yourself out too fast on things that get your excited.
As far as the sales, I honestly think 80 sales from only your direct readers is actually pretty damn good. You haven’t even begun to leverage those “friends” and contacts yet which could bring in a ton more. As you know, there are a lot of people who like to learn and gather resources but only a small percentage of people actually take action on what they learn/gather. Doesn’t matter the niche really either. But with even half of the people that bought the video taking part in the forums, that’s actually a really good number.
I’ve been involved with a lot of different kind of forums some HUGE and some tiny niche forum and one thing that always seems true is only a small percentage of the visitors actually jump in and take part. Most people just “lurk” and learn from the shadows. I have seen it from both sides. But don’t assume those that are not posting are not learning and don’t appreciate the forum/post. Many times those are the very “niche noobs” this system is targeted at who are just absorbing the info and still not confident enough to post yet. Nothing wrong with that and, as I mentioned, very common on forums of all types…even those that they have to pay for. Boggles the mind for most people, why someone would pay for something and then not take part but sometimes just lurking is all someone needs or wants. Of course I’m not lurking myself and probably posting too much lol but I can understand why some people may not want to post just yet.
As far as taking action, I have to admit I am usually one of those ones that gather resources and learn but then rarely put the information to immediate practice. I’ve bought tons of ebooks, programs and systems and many I haven’t even read or installed! No idea why but it just is and I have a feeling there are a lot of others like me in that sense. BUT I am proud to say that I put your training into instant action and already have 5 niche deal blogs setup with another 5 planned. Yeah, I need to work on the content but I’m actually proud of myself for getting this far lol. In case that doesn’t translate how I mean it, I’m just saying you did an excellent job and I was inspired enough to actually get to work which is huge! And judging by the other active members showing off their deal blogs I think it struck a chord with quite a few people.
All that jibberjabber done, I can understand the frustration with the limited revenue the “membership site” has brought in so far. Yes, 80 sales in 48 hours is really decent and a great percentage as far as readership (even if it doesn’t seem like it) but I’m sure you were expecting a ton more sales/signups to the paid membership site. After all, that is where the good, and easy, money is at…residual income.
If you are still in it and don’t decide to give it up or sell it off (would be a shame really as most of us WANT to learn from YOU
), then it’s time to reach out and get some exposure for the program. Finish setting up the affiliate program…personally I’d give away all of the revenue of the video sales, or at least a huge percentage of it, as the commission for affiliates. But then they wouldn’t get anything from the membership side, which is where the real long term income is. I’d actually add another 10-15 minutes to the video at that point explaining how much more can be learned/experienced by joining the membership site (things like answers from you, more videos, free themes/templates, and all the other positive reinforcements that come with a tight niche community) and let them know they have a free trial (maybe 7 days) but they can stay on for xxx amount (I agree with the others that lowering the price may help as well…$9.99 – 14.99 would be ideal for both paying, broke, members as well as you since more people would probably sign up as well as stay paying members for longer since it wouldn’t be as much of a burden).
Once you have an affiliate program setup get out there and really call in some favors. There is no reason why you can’t get a blog post up on john chow, johncow, tyler cruz, shoemoney, problogger…all the places that lots of “noobs” go to learn and who would eat this stuff up. Some of those guys might post for you for free (using the affiliate program as their payment) while others may be worth a small “review me” post. Once they are posting about it and pumping the affiliate program others will join in promoting it and of course the result would be more signed up, paid, members.
Maybe even consider adding the video to clickbank type thing with heavy upsell for the membership forums at the end of the video.
You have a good product, a good name for yourself and lots of happy customers. Only thing missing is scaling it up to realize the profits you deserve
.
Anyway, as the others have said, definitely take your time off and try to enjoy it. Everyone needs a reboot sometimes and it usually leads to even more inspiration. Anything to keep you away from posting like this…you’re draggin me down, man lol jk
.
Hi Garry,
Firstly I`d like to thank you for the valuable information you have so far provided. It is easy to tell from what you write that you are the real deal and not some type of person that profits from copying other people`s work.
I understand that there are times in life where the end result will be less than satisfactory and no where near what you had expected, but maybe you just need to look at it from a different angle.
I believe you should charge more for membership per month and email members weekly or bi-weekly videos/themes etc (over a certain number of months that would be in course format).
The videos in the VIP forum should be removed and be part of the videos to be emailed out. And the forums should be purely for discussion and people who sign up as a member should be the only ones allowed access automatically.
And as far as marketing goes, because the signup fee is higher, you could offer a really good affiliate program that would encourage other people to advertise for you.
Anyway, enjoy your break and I truly hope you decide to continue posting here.
Best Regards,
Hawachan
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