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Originally Posted by gleem
I have some questions feel free to tackle.
1. How do you up the trial to full member conversions? I experimented with full access all the way do to 3 vids, 2 vids, then zero video for trial area, and so far giving them nothing but thumbs & upgrade links is the best for conversions, but it's still not 2007 fantastic.
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We haven't experimented enough with this. Most people I know say the only way is a limited members area with instant upgrade links throughout. I haven't tried it so I can't say.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gleem
2. How do you maintain order and not have to mod all day on a members forum in a members area full of members who all joined at very different price points from $5 retention people all the way upto $39. I tried once and everyone just got pissed off cause some guy posted he was in for $5 a month.
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At first I was very afraid of members complaining about price, or non exclusive sets or competing sites etc. Surprisingly we never had that problem. A few times discount prices have been brought up but nobody's complained. One thing we did to help that is offer our best discount to everyone. That is our yearly membership. It's the lowest price and best deal. So if they complain about a monthly price someone else got the other members always remind them if they want the best price just join yearly. That definitely helps.
Surprisingly we haven't encountered one scenario where we regret being totally open and honest with the members.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gleem
3. For a small staff, what is best to allocate time to, please put this in order of priorities you would have:
Affiliate pic galleries
Affiliate WMV/MPG video galleries
Affiliate FLV gals
Affiliate banners
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Does it have to be these? I really think the best service you can do yourself (and your affiliates) is to really get your tours converting on traffic you are buying. If you are turning a profit on paid spots then they'll probably convert well and make good money with you as well.
It also depends on your site. Twistys has a huge picture archive. Over 1,000,000 images and a number of our members of photography lovers and don't care about video. So pic galleries are important for us. But for most sites I think the video galleries are most important followed by banners and probably pic galleries last.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gleem
4.For retaining members, which is best
adding new sites to the members area (combined members area)
adding various exclusive content site/niche oriented leased feeds
adding leased DVD feeds
improving the CMS, CMS development
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I'm against leased feeds. I know they've improved quite a bit since I was first exposed to them in 2001. I've never touched them and never will. One main reason is because everybody is sharing that feed. So at best you are adding that feed to keep up with the competition but not to surpass it.
I think it depends on the site and the members. Their feedback is key and whatever they seem to be requesting more of I'd look into.
I'd say having a cms that allows you to adapt and grow is key. We had to completely rewrite our cms this year. Why? Because simple features we should have been able to add we couldn't.
Improving the surfer experience is the most important thing to worry about. Improving the content and site navigation are probably the two best areas to focus on.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gleem
5. Marketing budget, whats the allocation priority to get more revenue.
1. Buying banner spots to directly sell your own sites to surfer
2. Buying gallery spots to directly sell your own sites to surfer
3. Hiring someone to get email marketing lists to send CANSPAM compliant emails to potential members.
4. Buying banner spots to recruit affiliates
5. Buying webmaster email lists & paying for affiliate mailings to recruit affiliates.
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In order of importance.
1. Buying banner spots to directly sell your own sites to surfer
- tube sites provide a greater audience and larger numbers than ever before possible in our industry. The companies that are able to buy these spots at a profit are making a killing.
2. Buying gallery spots to directly sell your own sites to surfer
- still has potential but a decreasing market. Important to do but not make it your main focus.
mid level importance
4. Buying banner spots to recruit affiliates
- i'm not big on buying banner spots to recruit affiliates. I prefer the old go out and contact everybody one by one on my own. Maybe I'm just cheap lol
of very low importance
3. Hiring someone to get email marketing lists to send CANSPAM compliant emails to potential members.
and
5. Buying webmaster email lists & paying for affiliate mailings to recruit affiliates.
- never did this so can't really comment on it