Writing on the Web from Patsi Krakoff, The Blog Squad

3 Reasons Membership Sites Fail & 2 Solutions

There is a trend online to offer membership programs where people sign-up to get access to training and networking for a recurring low fee. I personally know of several online businesses that have bought into expensive membership software only to be disappointed.

There are three reasons a membership program can be difficult:

1. You don't have a huge database (50,000 on list)
2. You aren't well-known, well-branded
3. You don't have compelling content

Unless you've got a huge database, a highly recognizable brand, and unique compelling content, a monthly membership program will probably fail. Unless, of course, you circumvent these issues. There are ways to be smart and make a membership site work like a charm.

This was also the message communicated by Marc Manieri of JournalEngine on last week's Webinar.

Part of the problem is beacause there is so much free information available on the Web today. Also, you have to have access to large numbers of people to get enough members into a low-fee program to make it profitable. It is also time-consuming and work-intensive to keep people's attention, to keep them coming back for more.

Your Website Is Not Enough: You Need an "Engagement Platform"

If you've invested a lot in rebuilding your website, I congratulate you for keeping fresh content published about your business. Congratulations, and may I ask, how's that working out for you? Oh...

May I make a suggestion? Your website is probably great and all, but if you're not getting your visitors engaged, if they're not taking action and participating in some way, then you need more than just a well-designed site. You need an "engagement platform." Let me explain...

Recently I've been thinking a lot about the engagement problem. I love teaching smart professionals about content strategies and how to make good use of business blogging.

But the biggest challenges in teaching are:

• Getting their attention
• Keeping them engaged long enough to learn
• Getting them to take action and apply the learning
• Retaining the learning

These are the same challenges you face with marketing to new clients:

How do you get their attention, keep their attention, get them to take action and become loyal clients?

How to Hot-Sync Your Knowledge to Your Audience

How can you monetize your "intellectual property?" I put that in quotes because it sounds so fancy and official. Seriously, you probably know a lot and there are people out there in the world who would pay to know what you know.

We can hot-sync a lot of things, but not our brains. So how do you sell what you know? I guess the questions are:

1. What would people pay money to know, that you know like the back of your hand?
2. What's the best way to teach what I know? (text, video, audio, slide pics?)
3. How would I format and package that knowledge? 
4. Who are the audience of raving fans for this knowledge, and where do I find them?
5. How much would they pay to learn this?
6. What systems and programs do I need to format, deliver, market and sell this puppy online?

"Puppy" is a much friendlier term for "intellectual property," don't ya think? There's more to this 'monetizing of knowledge' than just writing an ebook and offering it for sale. There's a couple of things to notice these days... (in case you've been too busy to notice yourself:)

JournalEngine Teleseminar on Tuesday, March 2

We had some people who  missed the webinar on JournalEngine, and many people had questions. We've decided to open up the lines for questions on a teleseminar this coming Tuesday March 2 at 4 p.m. ET. If you're curious about adding new profit streams to your business don't miss this. Attend (for free) a teleseminar with Marc Manieri and find out about JournalEngine. Tuesday, March 2, 2010, 4 p.m. ET. Registration page here: JournalEngine Teleseminar (will be recorded).

Why You Should Attend: Read this post: Multiple Pathways to Online Profits

Business Blogging in Under 30 Minutes a Day

Are you getting results from your business blog? Like new leads, new clients, new sales? Here's how to learn smart business blogging quickly and painlessly.

A business blog is the best way to get found, get known, and get clients, but it takes most people way too much time.

Multiple Pathways to Online Profits

What are some different ways you can deliver services to your clients? Or do you only have one way of working with people? Maybe you coach, consult, or teach by phone. How many different ways can you do this?

For example, if you teach people how to do something, you can give them tips and teaching points through online systems:

1. By email
2. In blog posts
3. By an e-newsletter
4. With an e-course (delivered by autoresponders with KickStartCart)
5. Through teleseminars (delivered and recorded using Audio Acrobat or FreeConferenceCall.com)
6. By video clips, either using a Flip camera, Logitech Webcam, or a program like Camtasia that records what you see on your computer screen.
7. By ebook, or by an online informational platform like MyKnowledgeGenie.com
8. Through a membership content site like JournalEngine.

People like to choose how they get their information. Some like visual, others like audio, some like in-person workshops and conferences. Just like you wouldn't pick only one way to market online, you shouldn't deliver your services only one way. Give people a choice.

Email Marketing Promotions: How to Be Annoying

It's a curious thing, email marketing promotions. Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em. I feel it's my part of my job to email people to tell them about good opportunities, but many times there's a price tag involved.

Some people don't like to buy anything, ever, no matter how good. And others only want things in their own particular niche and get mad when you promote anything that doesn't concern them and their needs.

I'm full of insecurities and nervous ticks every time I pull the trigger on an email broadcast.  Why? Because I know I'll get some unsubscribe notices and the occasional complaint from someone who feels email promotions to be annoying.

I hate to annoy people, especially since I feel as if I know my subscribers. 

This past week, I was particularly "annoying," according to one person. I really wanted people to sign up for the iFlashVideo membership service (and I still do, it's that good!).

Well, I did one final reminder email, and sure enough he unsubscribe AND sent me a negative email. I'm telling you this to sort of relieve my bad feelings and to explain myself. I know I shouldn't worry about one email, but I do.

Mardi Gras Parade in Ajijic, Mexico

It's not every place you live where you open your front door only to find a parade of marching horses, men dressed as women, and local beauty queens right at your door step. Since the street was blocked and I couldn't get out of my garage, I grabbed my camera and shot a few delightful images to share with you here:

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Quality Video Marketing

Final hours... If you want to save time, money & energy with professional quality video's for your blog or website, you have until 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 to get on the pre-notification list for iFlashVideo.com low-fee member's program. Please use this link to sign up: Video Members List.

3 Big Blog Bloopers: Which of These Errors Do You Make?

Over the weekend, my eye caught the attention of an email with the words "brain," "memory," and "Valentine's gift." I slapped my forehead, what was I thinking? I forgot to buy something for "Attila the Hunney,"(my favorite husband), so I quickly read the email through.

It turned out to be a plug for someone's blog and ebook, but I checked out the blog anyway. Here's what I found, and I hope you're not making these common errors too.

Once I arrived on the blog, I was disappointed to find it was all about the author and her stuff. I really thought she was going to offer me some memory tips, but instead she asked me to buy her book. Not one tip, not even a tiny one to entice me... to make me want to buy her book.

Here are three common errors people make all the time on their blogs and what you can do about them.