Lessons Learned in Launching and Operating a Membership Only Site

I just found a great post from Yaro Starak sharing his experience in launching a members-only site. I will cite some of the key points in his post and share my experience as well in starting and maintaining the DigitalFilipino.com Club from December 2003 to the present.

• Build your preeminence
  Becoming known as an expert in your field requires a lot of hard work and investment. In my case, writing numerous articles, joining or forming an association catering to that niche, creating free e-learning programs (using an autoresponder), doing speaking engagement and advocacy on e-commerce helped in establishing myself in this area.
  
  This is a continuous effort and getting your contacts to spread the word for you will be helpful, in addition to your resources.
  
  
• Communication channels
  My mailing list/newsletter is one of the most important moves I've taken when putting up DigitalFilipino.com. By the time the membership club was launched, I have sufficient number of contacts to offer the membership and pitch it whenever appropriate.
  
  
• How to launch a membership site
  The right combination of tools must be available to launch a membership site. For me, I used WebsiteWizard to start my online membership program. That web service allowed me to:
• accept payments online
• have a members-only area where members can download research reports, join forums
• have a mailing list system that can be used for broadcasting services.
  
  
• Content and pricing
  A membership site will have higher chances of success if individuals that join or sign-up will find high quality content. In our case, these are composed of research reports, e-commerce related e-books, tutorials, advice, presentation papers by fellow members, among others. Always give more than what they pay for.
  
  Depending on which country you are based and the package you're offering, pricing may differ from one membership program to another. To find the right price is to get an estimate on the value you are offering. Adjust this based on freshness of offerings and changes in the target market.
  

August 3: E-Mail Marketing Hands-On Workshop

To all SME and Corporate members of the DigitalFilipino.com Club, we shall be having an E-Mail Marketing hands-on tutorial session this August 3, Friday, from 9 am to 3 pm. This will be held at Alfox Internet Cafe (beside Chowking), Kamuning Road, corner Edsa, Quezon City.

Topics include:

• Introduction to E-Mail Marketing
• Examples of E-Mail Marketing Campaigns
• Using AutoResponder and Forums for E-Mail Marketing Campaigns
• Designing an E-Mail Marketing Campaign
  

SME members can send 1 representative while Corporate members can send 2 representatives. Please confirm for food count purposes.

Interested non-members and individual members are requested to sign up as an SME or Corporate member prior to August 3 and confirm attendance for food count purposes.

August 1: DigitalFilipino.com Club 29th Networking Event with Bloggers

The DigitalFilipino.com Club will be having its 29th networking event this August 1 Wednesday, 6:00 to 9:00 pm. The venue shall be at Max Restaurant, Park Square 1, Makati City.

Our sincerest thanks to Yehey.com for hosting our small get together.

This gathering is exclusive for DigitalFilipino.com Club members only and are requested to confirm attendance for food count purposes. Those who submitted entries to the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs in 2007 writing project were also invited.

Interested non-members are requested to sign up as a member prior to August 1.

Agenda shall be as follows:

5:30 - 6:00 Registration
6:00 - 6:30 Introduction and updates by each club member and blogger guests

6:30 - 7:00 Updates from Yehey.com

7:00 - 7:30 Club Updates (Janette Toral)
- 2007 Young Filipino Internet User Top Websites
- Final Result: The Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs in 2007

7:30 - 8:00 Raffle of Ten Entry Winners in the The Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs in 2007 (Prizes sponsored by YesPayments.com, YesPinoy.com, GiveMeUnlimited.com, RegaloService.com, and GalingPinoy.com)

8:00 - 9:00 Networking among members and bloggers

Club members are requested to confirm their attendance for food count purposes.

Interested non-members are requested to sign up as a member prior to June 29 and confirm attendance for food count purposes.

There are three types of membership: Individual, SME, Corporate.

We hope you can join. Thank you.

July 25: Barangay.ph - Global Filipino Village Online Launch

I just sent an invite to all DigitalFilipino.com Club members inviting them to the launch of Barangay.ph this July 25. The preparations and partnerships made for this launch was enormous. I certainly look forward to it.

Filipinos abroad will find a home away from home in Barangay.ph. It is packaged as a "Global Filipino Village Online" that will provide easy access to patronize and support the Philippines.

Barangay means “village” in Filipino. As the name implies, Barangay.ph is a web portal designed around buildings typically found in a village. The 13 buildings include associations, bank, church, city hall, hospital, library, market, real estate, restaurant, school, social hall, theatre, and travel. These buildings, each with their own unique functions, will provide online venues where Filipinos can effectively exchange ideas and causes as well as make use of one other’s trades and professions.

The market building, will sell goods and services to buyers worldwide for delivery to family and friends in the Philippines. The library building will provide resources such as Filipino newspapers from around the world, dictionaries and articles about culture and heritage. The social hall building will have social events, message boards, humor and philanthropic communities. The content of the 13 buildings will develop as the demand for it grows.

Individuals, companies and associations are invited to come on-board and partner up with the site. Barangay.ph will work hand in hand with enterprises to get their name, product and message delivered to a global audience. It is a collaborative effort with commercial and non-profit organizations, both private and public.

CEO of Barangay.ph Jonno Alcaro and wife Nanette are the brains behind it. Jonno is the former co-owner, Director and EVP of Yellowpages.com. Nanete is the former Director of Sales and Marketing of deluxe hotels both in Manila and the U.S., such as The Peninsula NY, Plaza Athenee NY and Hotel Bel-Air LA. They have over 45 combined years of marketing expertise in the U.S., worldwide and online. Together, they have created the business and marketing model behind Barangay.ph.

The mission of Barangay.ph is to bring the Philippines homeland closer to overseas Filipinos of every generation and in so doing, contribute to the growth of its economy. It aims to be the one stop Global Filipino Village online for all.