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This episode’s topic is membership site software, and who better to guest than the longtime developer of James’s current membership site platform?
Kleq’s John Lint has been involved in the online space since 2001 and started creating membership site software around 2007. Initially developed for his own business needs, his software eventually evolved into a platform due to demand from friends, leading to the establishment of Kleq.com.
James and John will be discussing the advantages of a private membership site platform over options like a private Facebook group.
They’ll look at the autoresponder integration and membership customization that are some of Kleq.com’s best features.
And they’ll talk about the considerations that go into starting a content or coaching membership site.
Table of contents:
1. Creating the glove for the hand
2. Just what is a membership site?
3. The drawbacks of popular platforms
4. The process of development
5. Setup and management made simple
6. Maximum brand control
7. Almost no extra charges
8. Who is a membership site for?
9. A summary of tips
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a. High-tier programs
b. Billing frequency
c. Membership availability
d. Sales and engagement tools
e. Expert collaboration
Creating the glove for the hand
If James recalls correctly, John was developing software to seamlessly integrate with CRM and EDM systems, a glove for the hand, you might say.
Correct, says John. He had wanted it originally for his own online business to sell online courses.
Knowing the importance of an email list, John wanted software that could do advanced things with his email system. This resulted in a tool that could manage email lists and execute advanced functions without requiring users to switch platforms or invest in additional, costly tools.
Just what is a membership site?
Before they discuss its advantages and share success stories and tips, James would like John to define a membership site.
A membership site, says John, is a private, member-exclusive area where users can access content, coaching, and community features. It can be offered for free or through subscription, creating a recurring revenue model. This private platform allows for regular content delivery, coaching sessions, and community interactions without relying on external social media sites, thus ensuring control and security.
The drawbacks of popular platforms
James latches onto the private aspect. Many memberships, he knows, use popular platforms like Facebook, Slack, Discord, and WhatsApp. What are the drawbacks of these versus having a privately owned and controlled space?
First of all, says John, such platforms typically limit style and functionality customization. They only offer tools they build, with no input allowed for new features.
Another shortcoming is the risk of losing control on these external platforms. John knows James is big on “owning the racecourse.” Bugs or glitches can disrupt a membership site and business operations. Owning the platform offers some control over this.
Says John, as long as you can accept payments online, build an email list, and have a private area for content delivery, you have the key needs for a successful membership site.
James points out, too, that using popular platforms can lead to commoditization, where the platform will want a share of business.
Rogue members are another possibility. These members might create clone groups and siphon off clients from the original membership.
Having a proprietary membership site, James sums up, offers better control and protection, leading to a more predictable income stream and safeguarding against sudden disruptions or competitive threats.
The process of development
James would like to discuss the development process of John’s software.
John describes starting with landing pages and quickly moving to funnels to meet his requirements and those of his clients. As needs grew, the software expanded to include features for membership sites, payment processing, and other functionalities, often suggested by industry experts.
John acknowledges the challenges typical of software development, such as maintaining functionality and addressing bugs promptly. Fixing issues quickly is a principle he instills in his development team, to maintain smooth operations and high reliability for users. This sets them apart from competitors who might address issues, say, in the next update.
James loves John’s proactive, problem-solving mentality. He’s seen himself that issues in the software are often resolved within hours. It’s very good for user experience and speaks to John’s dedication to maintaining a robust and responsive platform.
Setup and management made simple
James appreciates how John’s software simplifies setup and membership site management. Users can simply point their domain to the platform, making it it appear as if the site is hosted on the user’s domain while being managed by the platform. This relieves the user as well from dealing with hosting, security patches, and server issues.
John adds that they handle cyber-attacks and implement security protocols, ensuring a secure and reliable environment for users.
James also likes the ease of creating on-ramps into the membership – setting up a book funnel with a single button click, integrating with email providers, and automating follow-ups.
The platform’s capabilities include seamless integration with payment systems like PayPal and Stripe, user engagement tracking, and quick setup for courses, forums, and social walls. These features make managing a membership site straightforward and efficient.
James mentions, too, the platform’s flexibility in handling multiple membership levels with distinct features, ensuring that each member only sees their relevant content. The simple admin login and portable app usage enhance the user experience, making it easy for James to manage the site and respond to queries on the go.
Maximum brand control
Many membership owners value scalability and customization in membership platforms, something generic platforms often limit. James appreciates that his website matches the look and feel of his older top-level site while being hosted on a new platform, offering maximum brand consistency.
Some of John’s users have hundreds of thousands of members with varying tiers and prices, showcasing the platform’s scalability and ability to support extensive user bases.
While John’s platform provides tools and basic templates for quick setup, it also allows for extensive customization. Users can tweak fonts, colors, styles, and page elements to match their existing brand identity. This flexibility caters both to users with detailed custom designs and those who prefer a clean, simple layout like Apple’s.
James compares this to a versatile car that can be driven automatically or manually, catering to both novice and advanced users. Other platforms with their uniform appearance and forced branding can confuse users and undermine brand identity. By allowing full control over the domain and appearance, the platform ensures a seamless, branded experience.
Almost no extra charges
James is aware that many membership platforms impose significant extra charges, such as surcharges on merchant fees and hefty costs for additional features. A surcharge on transactions could accumulate to a substantial amount over time, and some platforms charge thousands for simple customizations. In contrast, John’s platform has maintained consistent pricing for seven years, with only one notable add-on fee for mobile app access, due to the need for dedicated programmers.
John confirms this – apart from the mobile app, there are no additional surcharges or hidden fees. The platform continually adds new features, releasing updates every few weeks, without raising prices. This lets users benefit from the latest functionalities without extra costs. The platform’s flexibility and responsiveness show its commitment to user satisfaction and continuous improvement.
James appreciates the platform’s customizable features and the impact they have on his business. He highlights the “Add to Calendar” feature, which has significantly improved retention rates, and the unique “post-it note” system in the sounding board, which helps track mentees’ commitments. These simple yet powerful features enhance the user experience and demonstrate the platform’s innovative approach to meeting user needs at no extra cost.
Who is a membership site for?
The most important thing John wants people to know is that successful membership sites solve pressing problems for their target markets. His clients who have built membership sites span various industries, showing the versatility and potential of this business model.
Examples would be:
Health and fitness: Membership sites focused on muscle building, yoga, pain relief, and nutrition. These platforms cater to individuals seeking guidance and support for their physical well-being.
Investing and real estate: Sites offering advice and courses on stock trading, real estate investment, and financial planning. These attract individuals looking to improve their financial literacy and investment strategies.
Business coaching: Platforms providing business coaching, whether for online businesses, real-world businesses, or niche-specific coaching. These help entrepreneurs and business owners grow and manage their ventures.
Music education: Membership sites for learning musical instruments like piano, guitar, and drums. These cater to aspiring musicians and hobbyists seeking structured learning and community support.
Wellness and mental health: Sites focused on mental health, wellness practices, and lifestyle improvements. These offer resources and support for personal well-being and mental health management.
Specialized niches: Examples include dog training, parenting education, wedding planning, and relationship advice. These sites solve specific problems and provide valuable guidance in niche areas.
The key takeaway is that a membership site can be successful in any market where there is a significant problem to solve.
A summary of tips
James and John offer several tips for those considering building a membership site, stressing the importance of strategic planning and the flexibility of their platform to support various approaches. Here are key takeaways:
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1. High-tier programs: James suggests starting with a high-tier program because it requires fewer members to be profitable and there’s less competition if you are skilled. This approach can be more manageable and lucrative in the beginning.
2. Billing frequency: When deciding on billing frequency, it’s common to offer both monthly and annual options. James notes that merely giving two months free for annual subscriptions may not be enough to entice members; offering a 30% to 40% discount for annual payments can be more effective in encouraging long-term commitments.
3. Membership availability: Memberships can be structured in various ways, such as always open, always closed but periodically opening, or having big launch events. Each method has its advantages, and the platform supports all these strategies, allowing flexibility based on user preference and marketing approach.
4. Sales and engagement tools: John’s platform offers various tools to boost engagement and sales, including evergreen and live webinars, automated launch sequences, and incentive-based sharing systems. Users can also create quizzes, quiz funnels, and countdown funnels to personalize member experiences and drive conversions.
5. Expert collaboration: Kleq has also been developed in collaboration with expert marketers who often request specific features like quiz funnels, book funnels, and automated launch sequences. These features are integrated into the platform, ensuring that users have access to advanced marketing tools to grow their membership sites.
Kleq’s versatility caters to different strategies and needs, making it a robust solution for anyone looking to build a membership site. James encourages listeners to try the platform, highlighting the built-in membership funnel that he uses, which simplifies the setup process.
Want to get started?
Getting started with Kleq is an easy process, which includes a 30-day trial. Once users sign up, they receive emails guiding them through creating their first online course, setting up payment systems, and configuring sales funnels. This user-friendly approach allows individuals to establish their business quickly, often within a week.
John emphasizes the platform’s comprehensive features, designed from his extensive knowledge of online marketing. These features include an affiliate system and various customization options, letting users build their membership site according to their needs and preferences.
Users are encouraged to experiment and gradually expand their business, utilizing tools as they grow more comfortable with the platform.
James adds that the platform is flexible enough to accommodate different membership models, even those with minimal content. Many users have simplified their membership offerings to focus on core features, achieving significant results.
If you’re interested, the link to a special offer is Kleq.com/James.
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