When you create a membership site, your customers are paying you for access to content you are providing.
The site itself is only going to be as strong as the content within. You want and need your customers to come back and renew their membership so you make money, this will only happen if they like the content you are providing for them.
It stands to reason that one of the most important things to running your membership website is providing great content.
There are several things you should consider when providing your content, these include substance, style, tone, and voice.
Also since you are working with an online medium, your content doesn’t have to be limited to the written word. Audio, video, and still images work as well, as long as you keep things consistent.
The most important thing to consider in your membership site is ensuring your material is highly relevant to your audience. Because by making your audience very specific, you can make your content specific to their needs and desires.
Next, make sure that your information is unique. If your customers can find the same information for themselves easily and for free, they will have little reason to pay you for a subscription to your membership site.
Having said that, there is nothing wrong with mixing some PLR tidbits in with your “original” information. You just need to ensure you don’t overdo it.
The golden rule is if you offer cheapskate content, you will end up with a cheapskate site!
Next, make sure your site is updated frequently – in many cases at least weekly if not more often.
Obviously, this is going to be somewhat dependent on the exact information you are offering your members, as some things lend themselves to updating easier than others.
It is a must, however, that you update often enough that your members have a reason to keep coming back to visit.
Always make sure that your information is current. Old news can be found anywhere, and your members are going to want the latest information around.
If they feel they are not getting that from you, they will go somewhere else.
Keep it short and sweet. People read slower on the web than they do printed material, so if it is taking them too long to get through your information, they will look for something else. Make sure your content goes straight to the point!
Make sure your information is correct. Free information on the internet is not always the most reliable, so if people are paying for it they expect it to be correct. (If you are outsourcing your material, ensure it is factual).
Keep your information easy to read. Your membership site is not the place to write a 20 page novel. Use words your audience will understand, and use short sentences and paragraphs. It’s much easier to read.
Keep things personal. You are the expert and members are paying for that expertise, so let your writing have a style and tone that is your own.
Mix it up. People like variety and it will keep them more interested. Try new ideas, and watch and see what is more popular with your members.
A picture is worth a thousand words, plus it makes your pages more interesting to read so make sure you add lots of graphics and photo’s etc.
Be generous, offer bonuses (and make them worthy), people love it when they receive presents!
Be willing to get feedback from your members. Rating articles, leaving comments, etc. are all ways that you can get feed back and your members will feel more involved with the site. (A forum is a good idea.)
Make sure your pages are printable. Many people still print articles to read at home or share with friends. (I certainly do.)
Following these simple guidelines will help keep your content interesting and your members coming back simply because your members will love you.
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