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

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 .

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!!!

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

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…

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.

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

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.