WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.520 --> 00:00:05.779 Alright, guys. Let's dive right into it. Welcome to Brilliant Directories 2 00:00:06.080 --> 00:00:07.379 webinar Wednesday, 3 00:00:07.759 --> 00:00:10.420 where you can gain tips to grow your online 4 00:00:10.800 --> 00:00:11.300 community. 5 00:00:12.495 --> 00:00:16.015 I'm Jason there on your left, one of your presenters today. 6 00:00:16.015 --> 00:00:20.195 We're also lucky enough to be joined by Rick and Patrick Burnell. 7 00:00:20.735 --> 00:00:23.635 Rick is a support specialist here at Brilliant Directories. 8 00:00:24.175 --> 00:00:27.075 In many there's a high probability that you may have 9 00:00:27.630 --> 00:00:31.869 interacted with Rick via email or phone call. So thank you for joining us, Rick. 10 00:00:31.869 --> 00:00:35.170 And we're also here with Patrick who is a digital marketing 11 00:00:35.629 --> 00:00:39.730 expert and specializes in marketing and growing Brilliant Directories 12 00:00:40.365 --> 00:00:43.665 websites. So gentlemen, thank you for being able to join us here today. 13 00:00:44.285 --> 00:00:45.745 Thanks a lot for having us. 14 00:00:46.364 --> 00:00:47.665 Glad to be here, Jason. 15 00:00:48.045 --> 00:00:49.505 Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. 16 00:00:51.165 --> 00:00:54.225 And I always like to encourage everyone to join 17 00:00:54.525 --> 00:00:59.740 our Facebook group. You can go to brilliantdirectories.com/Facebook 18 00:00:59.740 --> 00:01:03.760 and go ahead and join the group. We'll wait for you if you wanna go ahead and do that right now. 19 00:01:03.820 --> 00:01:05.920 It's a great place to carry on the conversations 20 00:01:06.460 --> 00:01:11.405 after webinar Wednesday. There's fantastic participation in there. I learn a lot. 21 00:01:11.405 --> 00:01:15.104 I see that people are asking good questions and assisting each other. 22 00:01:15.244 --> 00:01:17.024 So if you're looking to continue, 23 00:01:17.564 --> 00:01:24.760 to find ways to grow your online community, you definitely wanna be part of our Brilliant Directories strategy group on Facebook. 24 00:01:24.760 --> 00:01:28.300 Just go to brilliantdirectories.com/facebook. 25 00:01:29.320 --> 00:01:33.960 And I do see a few new names attending with us today, so welcome. 26 00:01:33.960 --> 00:01:38.595 It's great to be with you here on webinar Wednesday. You are in for a treat. 27 00:01:39.155 --> 00:01:41.815 Webinar Wednesday is a great platform 28 00:01:42.435 --> 00:01:46.375 to increase your and gain more marketing skills to grow your community 29 00:01:46.835 --> 00:01:47.335 faster 30 00:01:47.715 --> 00:01:48.695 and more efficiently. 31 00:01:49.475 --> 00:01:55.369 Some topics that we like to cover during webinar Wednesdays are ways, that help you, 32 00:01:55.909 --> 00:01:58.810 build a stronger community, and this can be through, 33 00:01:59.189 --> 00:02:01.450 ways to convert visitors into members, 34 00:02:01.750 --> 00:02:05.289 increase your website traffic. We could talk about search engine optimization 35 00:02:05.670 --> 00:02:06.170 strategies, 36 00:02:06.955 --> 00:02:13.295 identifying specific ways in which you can increase your revenue based on the industry that you're serving. 37 00:02:13.435 --> 00:02:16.895 And one of my favorite topics is improving the website navigation. 38 00:02:17.195 --> 00:02:21.849 This is something that we always come back to when we're reviewing somebody's website 39 00:02:22.150 --> 00:02:22.970 is making, 40 00:02:23.510 --> 00:02:30.650 small tweaks and changes whether it's images or text or the main menu links, and that has a huge impact on 41 00:02:31.750 --> 00:02:32.569 the performance 42 00:02:32.870 --> 00:02:35.209 of a website in gaining new members 43 00:02:35.695 --> 00:02:37.235 and engagement from visitors. 44 00:02:37.615 --> 00:02:38.915 So if you have questions, 45 00:02:39.295 --> 00:02:47.075 if you're if you've just started your website or you're you've had your website and community online for a while and you're looking for ways to take it to the next level, 46 00:02:47.535 --> 00:02:52.210 please share your questions with us. We will get to them just a little bit later in the webinar. 47 00:02:52.210 --> 00:02:53.350 So have those ready. 48 00:02:55.890 --> 00:03:02.950 And part of marketing and growing your community, and we're gonna include this slide in all the webinar Wednesdays moving forward, is to be conscious 49 00:03:03.490 --> 00:03:05.265 of the hamster wheel. 50 00:03:05.665 --> 00:03:10.405 And the hamster wheel is getting stuck in one of these five steps. 51 00:03:11.665 --> 00:03:19.605 You always wanna make sure you're cycling through these five steps, identifying a problem, creating copy that explains how you solve that problem, 52 00:03:20.030 --> 00:03:21.170 designing your website, 53 00:03:21.630 --> 00:03:25.650 marketing your website, following up with members. You wanna continuously, 54 00:03:26.990 --> 00:03:31.250 keep cycling through these steps and not getting stuck in any 55 00:03:31.790 --> 00:03:37.935 one specific area. Just as a side note, I do realize a lot of people get stuck on step three. 56 00:03:38.474 --> 00:03:39.995 Think of it as a boxing match. 57 00:03:39.995 --> 00:03:46.735 You wanna kind of jab and punch and dodge, and you wanna keep moving through these steps so that you're always growing different aspects 58 00:03:47.035 --> 00:03:48.390 of your community. 59 00:03:51.570 --> 00:03:57.110 And I just wanted to mention, webinar Wednesday is such a great platform for marketing tips and strategies. 60 00:03:57.170 --> 00:04:01.670 If you have any technical issues or support questions, you do have 61 00:04:02.535 --> 00:04:05.255 the the Brilliant Directories support team behind you. 62 00:04:05.255 --> 00:04:12.855 You can go ahead and email them if you're reporting any new known issues, or you need help troubleshooting that may not be working properly on your website. 63 00:04:12.855 --> 00:04:16.475 We are here to support you, and that's an appropriate place 64 00:04:16.919 --> 00:04:21.419 to reach out and time to reach out to support is for those things. 65 00:04:23.320 --> 00:04:28.440 Alright. Great. We're gonna keep this webinar short and sweet, but a lot of good information here. 66 00:04:28.440 --> 00:04:34.925 We're gonna dive right into one of my favorite segments here is Rick's Corner where Rick can provide simple solutions 67 00:04:35.465 --> 00:04:37.965 for common questions. And this is actually, 68 00:04:38.745 --> 00:04:45.485 a common question that I see in support tickets, I've seen in the Facebook group, and I even heard in webinars and phone calls. 69 00:04:46.220 --> 00:04:48.320 So, Rick, can you tell us a little bit about, 70 00:04:49.260 --> 00:04:53.440 what is the difference between member articles versus blog articles, 71 00:04:53.980 --> 00:04:55.920 as far as the different post types, 72 00:04:56.540 --> 00:04:58.000 for the directory websites? 73 00:04:59.895 --> 00:05:00.775 Sure thing, Jason. 74 00:05:00.775 --> 00:05:06.395 I'm actually happy to show you what the main difference is between the two types of post types. 75 00:05:07.335 --> 00:05:10.314 The, the idea behind the member articles 76 00:05:10.854 --> 00:05:14.160 and the idea behind the blog articles. We're definitely gonna cover both. 77 00:05:15.280 --> 00:05:19.940 I'll be happy to share my screen as well just to walk you guys through the different 78 00:05:20.640 --> 00:05:22.500 options that you have available here. 79 00:05:22.880 --> 00:05:25.940 Perfect. So let's take a step back and maybe explain to us 80 00:05:26.335 --> 00:05:27.615 what we're even talking about. 81 00:05:27.615 --> 00:05:35.715 Like, if you can show us what what you're referencing in the admin on and on the front end of a site, as to what these types of articles are. 82 00:05:36.095 --> 00:05:38.675 Let me pass over the screen to you. 83 00:05:40.670 --> 00:05:41.570 Okay. Perfect. 84 00:05:42.030 --> 00:05:44.510 So this is the correct screen. Alright. 85 00:05:44.510 --> 00:05:48.690 So back to the topic on hand, the, the idea is that Brilliant Directories 86 00:05:49.150 --> 00:05:51.810 offers two options for you to create articles, 87 00:05:52.735 --> 00:05:55.475 the member articles and the blog articles. 88 00:05:56.014 --> 00:05:57.395 Now the member articles, 89 00:05:57.935 --> 00:06:05.395 as the name is very explicit and it explains by itself, the idea is that the user of the website is the one that creates 90 00:06:05.960 --> 00:06:06.780 those articles. 91 00:06:07.160 --> 00:06:12.540 And the blog articles are intended for your community, meaning the admin of the website is able to publish 92 00:06:12.840 --> 00:06:14.620 content through those blog articles. 93 00:06:15.080 --> 00:06:19.740 Let me start off by navigating to the product section of the back end. 94 00:06:20.125 --> 00:06:27.025 Here is where we're going to be able to identify the membership levels and the post types that those membership levels have. 95 00:06:27.405 --> 00:06:31.505 So by default, all brand directories websites come with three different 96 00:06:31.885 --> 00:06:34.705 types of members or membership levels or products, 97 00:06:35.610 --> 00:06:36.670 one of them being 98 00:06:37.530 --> 00:06:41.630 the admin block contributor. This is a default membership level. 99 00:06:42.810 --> 00:06:51.324 And, well, the other two are the general user, and then usually, like, a premium or feature type of membership level is also included by default. 100 00:06:51.544 --> 00:06:55.805 Now let's go ahead and focus on the admin block contributor for now. 101 00:06:56.185 --> 00:06:57.805 So what we're gonna do here 102 00:06:58.505 --> 00:07:03.085 what we have to do here is to ensure that this membership level has the correct 103 00:07:03.690 --> 00:07:04.330 the correct, 104 00:07:04.889 --> 00:07:08.669 post type activated so they can go ahead and complete those type of posts. 105 00:07:09.130 --> 00:07:10.910 In this particular scenario, 106 00:07:11.370 --> 00:07:13.150 this is called the design blog. 107 00:07:13.770 --> 00:07:17.470 In in any other case, it will be referenced to as, 108 00:07:18.665 --> 00:07:20.925 as the just the general blog, 109 00:07:21.625 --> 00:07:23.885 website blog, or admin blog. 110 00:07:24.025 --> 00:07:31.165 So when we when we are sure that this post type is active, let me go ahead and open this up here on a different tab. 111 00:07:31.290 --> 00:07:35.230 I'm just going to navigate to the members inside this particular website, 112 00:07:35.610 --> 00:07:42.410 and I'm going to log in as one of those members so we can go ahead and and view this this in a more much more easier way. 113 00:07:42.410 --> 00:07:45.310 So let's go ahead and open up the login as member. 114 00:07:47.555 --> 00:07:48.055 Alright. 115 00:07:48.595 --> 00:07:53.815 Now when we log in as this member, here what we have are the design blocks. Very straightforward. 116 00:07:53.955 --> 00:07:55.735 We have that here to the left. 117 00:07:56.195 --> 00:07:59.495 So here we have the design blocks. Let me go ahead and open that up. 118 00:07:59.810 --> 00:08:01.590 I'm gonna add a design block. 119 00:08:01.890 --> 00:08:02.790 So once again, 120 00:08:03.410 --> 00:08:04.150 this particular 121 00:08:04.610 --> 00:08:05.110 website, 122 00:08:06.210 --> 00:08:09.910 this post type is called design block, but it could be called, 123 00:08:10.530 --> 00:08:13.545 anything else that is more related towards your 124 00:08:14.025 --> 00:08:15.885 own industry, towards your own community. 125 00:08:16.665 --> 00:08:17.165 Now 126 00:08:17.705 --> 00:08:19.545 when when you have, 127 00:08:19.865 --> 00:08:27.085 when you have created this membership level and you have indeed assigned an admin of your website to be able to publish this type of content, 128 00:08:27.465 --> 00:08:29.165 this is what they're gonna have available. 129 00:08:29.699 --> 00:08:31.060 Now you have the publish. 130 00:08:31.060 --> 00:08:36.200 Of course, this is super straightforward, and it's and it's also important to note that this is the same 131 00:08:36.580 --> 00:08:40.200 for both the member articles and the website blog 132 00:08:40.740 --> 00:08:43.959 up up until this point. So let me scroll down. 133 00:08:44.385 --> 00:08:48.625 And here, this is the main difference between the two different types of posts. 134 00:08:48.625 --> 00:08:55.285 So you have the custom SEO day data, and that's the meta title, the meta description, and the meta keywords. 135 00:08:55.665 --> 00:09:02.010 This is information that search engines are gonna pick up on, and they're gonna index each individual 136 00:09:02.390 --> 00:09:04.570 post that you complete through this, 137 00:09:05.990 --> 00:09:08.170 through this feature, through this post type, 138 00:09:08.710 --> 00:09:13.210 according to what you set up as the meta title, as the meta description, as the meta keywords. 139 00:09:13.795 --> 00:09:21.415 So besides that, the rest of of the form is the same in both of those content of those both of those post types, 140 00:09:22.355 --> 00:09:27.790 but but basically gives you, as the admin of the website, more control over each post. Right? 141 00:09:27.790 --> 00:09:32.530 Because you're able to edit this information. So, Rick, so this so what you're showing us is 142 00:09:33.310 --> 00:09:36.370 only the admins of the site would publish 143 00:09:37.150 --> 00:09:38.130 blog articles 144 00:09:38.670 --> 00:09:39.870 is what you're saying. 145 00:09:39.870 --> 00:09:44.555 And then the other one, the member articles are are more like community articles 146 00:09:44.935 --> 00:09:49.275 that all member the the other members of your site would contribute articles to? 147 00:09:50.375 --> 00:09:52.635 That users of the website will contribute, 148 00:09:53.660 --> 00:09:58.800 content to. Correct. So And they're and they're shown separately on the website. They're not mixed. 149 00:10:00.139 --> 00:10:04.240 Correct. They're actually separate. We we're gonna get to that in just one second. 150 00:10:04.940 --> 00:10:15.895 I I wanted to point out the fact that the, the idea behind the block, the one that we are on here right now, the admin block, is like the holy place for your for your website. 151 00:10:15.895 --> 00:10:18.795 Right? You, as a directory owner, want to ensure 152 00:10:19.149 --> 00:10:19.970 that you're publishing 153 00:10:20.670 --> 00:10:22.450 useful content for your community, 154 00:10:23.390 --> 00:10:30.450 useful content for your community, and this is basically a place where you're going to go ahead and add that content and those articles 155 00:10:31.070 --> 00:10:34.135 right through the blog. So as Jason just put it, 156 00:10:34.695 --> 00:10:38.875 there they they do come up in the front end in two different sections. 157 00:10:39.095 --> 00:10:43.415 So you have the slash blog, which is going to display the admin blogs. 158 00:10:43.415 --> 00:10:47.755 So let me go ahead and jump there real quick here. So I'm just gonna go to slash blog. 159 00:10:51.310 --> 00:10:57.730 And here in this search results page, this will be for a second for it to load, this is where you're going to, 160 00:10:58.510 --> 00:11:04.130 have all the blog posts that are completed by the admin. So slash blog basically just reference 161 00:11:04.485 --> 00:11:05.145 references the, 162 00:11:06.085 --> 00:11:08.585 the blog articles that are published by the admin. 163 00:11:09.845 --> 00:11:15.785 On the other hand, then the other option or the other feature that we have, is the slash articles. 164 00:11:16.645 --> 00:11:20.100 So this slash articles is basically the section in which 165 00:11:20.579 --> 00:11:26.279 all the content or articles that get published by the user of the website show up. 166 00:11:26.579 --> 00:11:28.759 So let's go ahead and take a peek here. 167 00:11:29.699 --> 00:11:32.759 We we did go over the admin blog contributors. 168 00:11:32.980 --> 00:11:36.805 I'm just gonna go ahead and open up the premium trusted listing because I know that this, 169 00:11:37.665 --> 00:11:40.464 this particular product does have that feature active. 170 00:11:40.464 --> 00:11:43.764 So let me go ahead and open those members up here real quick. 171 00:11:45.610 --> 00:11:50.510 And I'm gonna show you what the difference is between those articles and the blog articles that we just saw. 172 00:11:50.810 --> 00:11:55.070 So let's go ahead and just log in as one of these anyone will work. 173 00:11:55.210 --> 00:11:58.270 So let's go ahead and log in as Stacy Hartwell. 174 00:12:00.295 --> 00:12:07.334 When we're logged in, then here, instead of having the the the, the blog articles that we saw before, we have the member articles. 175 00:12:07.334 --> 00:12:09.355 In this particular scenario, again, 176 00:12:09.735 --> 00:12:15.730 since these are features that you can activate or deactivate all across the the products that you offer, This particular 177 00:12:16.190 --> 00:12:20.529 member had the design blog articles as well, but that's not usually the case. 178 00:12:21.069 --> 00:12:24.050 What we're gonna focus on right now are the member articles. 179 00:12:24.190 --> 00:12:30.975 Let me go ahead and add a member article here real quick just to show you the main difference between this form and the other one that we saw. 180 00:12:31.035 --> 00:12:35.435 So as we can see here, this is actually very straightforward, very similar to what we saw before. 181 00:12:35.435 --> 00:12:39.935 But if we scroll down, we don't have the additional custom SEO information that we had. 182 00:12:41.035 --> 00:12:44.280 And it's also very important to note that the, 183 00:12:44.900 --> 00:12:51.800 that the content that gets published through those member articles is gonna show up on the slash articles 184 00:12:53.140 --> 00:12:53.640 page 185 00:12:54.020 --> 00:12:56.040 of all the brilliant directories websites. 186 00:12:56.355 --> 00:13:02.455 So this is going to be the search results page that's gonna display all the articles that are published by the user of your website. 187 00:13:02.515 --> 00:13:04.774 Right. And those articles might be a little more, 188 00:13:05.555 --> 00:13:10.214 self promoting of the member services or some industry knowledge that they might have. 189 00:13:10.389 --> 00:13:16.630 And you definitely wanna keep those separate from what your company's website blog is trying to present to the world, 190 00:13:17.110 --> 00:13:21.769 and that type of information. So this is a way to keep them separated. Very nice. 191 00:13:22.565 --> 00:13:24.025 That is completely correct. 192 00:13:24.725 --> 00:13:33.945 The idea but it's also very important to note that these articles that are published on this section by your members are also very useful for you as a directory owner. 193 00:13:34.085 --> 00:13:34.404 Right? 194 00:13:34.404 --> 00:13:39.089 So as a community website owner, it's very important for your users to contribute this type of content. 195 00:13:39.089 --> 00:13:46.230 You can then repurpose that content by sharing it somewhere else, sharing it on on social media, and use it in different campaigns. 196 00:13:46.529 --> 00:13:57.275 So it's very important for you as, as the website owner to constantly keep this going, keep people motivated to contribute this type of content to your website so then you can use that later on down the road. 197 00:13:58.615 --> 00:13:59.115 Fantastic. 198 00:13:59.895 --> 00:14:01.355 And and then lastly, 199 00:14:03.550 --> 00:14:07.470 the the articles that the members publish, they also show on the member's profile page. 200 00:14:07.470 --> 00:14:12.290 So they are getting credit for the content they're contributing to the website. Correct? 201 00:14:12.350 --> 00:14:15.089 It's it's not just the the title and the description. 202 00:14:16.585 --> 00:14:17.705 100%. 203 00:14:17.705 --> 00:14:21.085 So the, the that's also a very valid point. 204 00:14:21.145 --> 00:14:34.440 If you notice that more and more of a specific type of customer is publishing this type of content, then that's something that you should that you should look for, and that's something that you should promote yourself as this is going to help your website altogether. 205 00:14:34.660 --> 00:14:37.780 Awesome. Yeah. The the the user of the website does get, 206 00:14:38.340 --> 00:14:42.195 does get a a list added to their profile when they publish this type of content. 207 00:14:42.195 --> 00:14:43.875 So I have I have two questions for you, Pat. 208 00:14:43.875 --> 00:14:48.695 Pat, what do you think the best utilization of the the website blog is? 209 00:14:48.995 --> 00:14:53.735 And then secondly, what's the best way to in incentivize members to contribute 210 00:14:54.035 --> 00:14:54.535 articles, 211 00:14:55.300 --> 00:14:59.240 to your website? Because writing articles does seem like a lot of work. 212 00:14:59.300 --> 00:15:04.840 How can you simplify that and and incentivize your members to contribute content to your site such as articles? 213 00:15:06.100 --> 00:15:08.835 That's a great question. I I have to say that 214 00:15:09.235 --> 00:15:13.335 of all the features that get activated on directories, the one that I find 215 00:15:13.795 --> 00:15:16.855 is the emptiest for the longest is the member articles. 216 00:15:17.235 --> 00:15:20.375 And I think it's all about going back to that flywheel, 217 00:15:21.569 --> 00:15:28.949 to the I'm sorry, to the hamster wheel concept where you're launching your website and you're identifying what need am I filling. 218 00:15:29.410 --> 00:15:29.910 Oftentimes, 219 00:15:30.290 --> 00:15:35.089 that need is directly related to the type of content that you're getting people to publish. 220 00:15:35.089 --> 00:15:37.225 So, obviously, if I'm in events directory, 221 00:15:37.685 --> 00:15:39.685 I wanna be publishing events. If I'm, 222 00:15:40.245 --> 00:15:43.465 the a classified directory, I wanna make it classified. 223 00:15:43.925 --> 00:15:46.345 So if I'm introducing member articles 224 00:15:46.805 --> 00:15:56.770 just because I think my members will write an article because they feel like doing so, it it's very difficult because as a member, that's the most taxing piece of content 225 00:15:57.230 --> 00:15:59.570 you can ask me to write. So I think it's important 226 00:16:00.030 --> 00:16:02.850 that that that you don't release member articles 227 00:16:03.425 --> 00:16:15.345 until you have a strategy that will incentivize them, until you have a plan of attack, and you can help explain to them if they do write an article what the benefits of adding that content is. 228 00:16:15.345 --> 00:16:16.404 I think it's a great 229 00:16:16.709 --> 00:16:17.209 segue, 230 00:16:17.910 --> 00:16:23.689 actually, to the tip of the week when we do get to that because we are gonna touch on how important it is to incentivize 231 00:16:24.470 --> 00:16:25.209 your members 232 00:16:25.589 --> 00:16:28.089 to help them understand the value of that content. 233 00:16:28.644 --> 00:16:37.225 For those that do it well, the member articles, the public blog, the community blog, it's one of the best sources of original content, 234 00:16:37.685 --> 00:16:41.945 and it's really good for SEO, and it's really good for driving, 235 00:16:42.610 --> 00:16:45.430 traffic to the website, but it has to be released 236 00:16:45.970 --> 00:16:48.790 responsibly with a with a plan of attack behind it. 237 00:16:50.690 --> 00:16:51.190 Gotcha. 238 00:16:52.290 --> 00:16:54.070 You know, one I think one thing 239 00:16:54.625 --> 00:17:03.665 one way to simplify asking members to write for write articles is maybe not asking them to write articles, but it could be like a it's any piece of content. 240 00:17:03.665 --> 00:17:07.825 It basically has a title and then a body of text. So it could really be anything. 241 00:17:07.825 --> 00:17:09.044 It could be an update. 242 00:17:09.770 --> 00:17:11.470 I've seen people use it as, like, 243 00:17:11.849 --> 00:17:13.549 status updates instead of, 244 00:17:14.250 --> 00:17:15.069 blog posts, 245 00:17:15.369 --> 00:17:17.470 and they only utilize the title part 246 00:17:18.250 --> 00:17:21.069 of, blog. So it makes it easy for members to continuously 247 00:17:21.529 --> 00:17:22.349 post updates. 248 00:17:23.049 --> 00:17:23.869 You can also 249 00:17:24.205 --> 00:17:26.065 call it something instead of articles, 250 00:17:26.605 --> 00:17:27.425 like checklists 251 00:17:27.725 --> 00:17:28.225 or 252 00:17:28.685 --> 00:17:35.505 like five tip that you call like five tip articles, and the theme is that members publish five tips about something about that industry. 253 00:17:36.685 --> 00:17:37.185 So 254 00:17:37.610 --> 00:17:40.910 anything to make it a little more simple and and less daunting 255 00:17:41.290 --> 00:17:42.330 for members to write. 256 00:17:42.570 --> 00:17:46.990 And then, of course, incentivizing them, letting them know what they're going how they're gonna benefit 257 00:17:47.370 --> 00:17:50.890 by publishing those articles. You're gonna you're gonna showcase them on the website. 258 00:17:50.890 --> 00:17:52.670 You're gonna share them in your newsletters. 259 00:17:52.965 --> 00:17:56.184 You're basically gonna give them more exposure for those articles. 260 00:17:57.765 --> 00:18:02.424 I I I do agree, Jason. Giving giving a little bit of guidance, I've also seen, 261 00:18:02.804 --> 00:18:06.265 some directories call them marketing tips. So they ask their members to 262 00:18:06.649 --> 00:18:08.909 share marketing tips, so they don't call them articles. 263 00:18:09.370 --> 00:18:12.890 Some of them are travel blogs, so they get people to post travel blogs. 264 00:18:12.890 --> 00:18:17.149 Some of them have them be recipes. Some of them have them be book reviews. 265 00:18:17.450 --> 00:18:19.710 It's interesting when you take because articles 266 00:18:20.415 --> 00:18:23.955 exactly vague. So vague. Could be anything. It's so vague. 267 00:18:24.015 --> 00:18:28.755 But if you can give a little bit of guidance, and it's a a directory for mom, and it's kids' activities. 268 00:18:29.135 --> 00:18:33.475 And then moms can write what the kids' activity is. It's it with that guidance, 269 00:18:34.030 --> 00:18:38.750 you're much more encouraged to provide that that content because it isn't vague at that point. 270 00:18:38.750 --> 00:18:39.630 It it is guided. 271 00:18:39.630 --> 00:18:43.730 And you read other activities, and you wanna contribute because the content is good. 272 00:18:44.110 --> 00:18:45.809 And that definitely is a good approach. 273 00:18:46.845 --> 00:18:49.265 And what would you say You guys don't mind? 274 00:18:49.325 --> 00:18:56.145 Let me just interrupt real quick because I forgot to mention something that's very important, and it's the the difference between the member articles and the blog articles. 275 00:18:56.605 --> 00:18:59.025 So as I started explaining, the 276 00:19:00.130 --> 00:19:03.750 the, the blog articles have the custom SEO section 277 00:19:04.210 --> 00:19:07.510 added. Right? So that's one of the main differences 278 00:19:07.890 --> 00:19:11.670 between the, the the website articles and the blog articles. 279 00:19:12.135 --> 00:19:20.395 Now you the the reason why that custom SEO set those custom SEO settings are activated for the blog articles and not for the member articles 280 00:19:20.775 --> 00:19:25.915 is because you, as a directory owner, do have control of what gets published on those SEO, 281 00:19:26.750 --> 00:19:28.450 those additional SEO settings. 282 00:19:28.830 --> 00:19:35.649 If we would have activated that for the members, it's very difficult to control what they'll be posting, and it could could eventually 283 00:19:36.110 --> 00:19:38.769 end up hurting you as a directory owner. Abs absolutely. 284 00:19:39.149 --> 00:19:41.730 I wouldn't I wouldn't rely on my members to, 285 00:19:42.635 --> 00:19:47.674 fill in fill in the the SEO meta details of their post, whether it's member articles or coupons. 286 00:19:47.674 --> 00:19:50.315 You're you're just asking for a a catastrophe at that point. 287 00:19:50.315 --> 00:19:52.575 Either they're gonna abuse it or they're gonna do it incorrectly. 288 00:19:52.875 --> 00:19:57.695 So those ones are better to be managed by the SEO templates, the master SEO templates. But, 289 00:19:58.290 --> 00:19:59.990 yeah, when you're creating your 290 00:20:00.370 --> 00:20:07.890 admin website blog post, you do wanna have that extra level of control to customize the the meta tags per article. 291 00:20:07.890 --> 00:20:09.430 So, yeah, definitely, 292 00:20:09.970 --> 00:20:12.965 agree with you there, Rick. And and, Jason, quick question. 293 00:20:12.965 --> 00:20:20.325 If I'm a directory owner, I'm just getting started, and I'm not too familiar with SEO, and I go and write an admin blog article Skip it. 294 00:20:20.404 --> 00:20:23.044 And I leave those and see, if I skip it, what would happen? 295 00:20:23.044 --> 00:20:28.010 Does that mean there's no SEO on that article? No. All of the templates have a fallback master, 296 00:20:28.710 --> 00:20:32.090 have fallback master SEO. So you're gonna be just fine, 297 00:20:32.550 --> 00:20:37.130 with regards to those. It's those are just optional fields to override the master, 298 00:20:37.670 --> 00:20:39.050 SEO meta text. 299 00:20:40.165 --> 00:20:41.225 Alright. That's great. 300 00:20:43.285 --> 00:20:46.425 I'd say let's open it up to some some questions here. 301 00:20:47.205 --> 00:20:50.665 If any like to hear if anyone is running a blog on 302 00:20:51.125 --> 00:20:53.145 their website or allowing members 303 00:20:53.920 --> 00:20:57.460 to post articles on their website if you've had successes or struggles 304 00:20:57.840 --> 00:21:00.160 in getting members to contribute articles. 305 00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:04.820 If you wanna raise your hand, we'd love to unmute your microphone here and, 306 00:21:05.360 --> 00:21:08.800 get your feedback on how you can get members to contribute articles. 307 00:21:08.800 --> 00:21:12.885 And while people are raising their hands, Pat, I wanted to get to that second part of my question. 308 00:21:13.905 --> 00:21:20.325 What do you think is the best way to utilize the the website's company blog, the admin admin's blog, 309 00:21:20.865 --> 00:21:22.725 for the website? And what are some 310 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:23.700 pitfalls, 311 00:21:24.160 --> 00:21:28.180 or common errors to avoid when you're running your own company blog? 312 00:21:29.520 --> 00:21:32.020 So I I do think it does come down 313 00:21:32.560 --> 00:21:33.540 to to 314 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:40.754 deciding what problems it is you're solving for the industry, especially as you're getting started with your directory 315 00:21:41.455 --> 00:21:42.995 and building a repertoire 316 00:21:43.855 --> 00:21:46.034 of content that gives you the credibility 317 00:21:46.335 --> 00:21:46.830 in the industry of 318 00:21:47.710 --> 00:21:50.110 industry of saying that, hey. You do know what you're talking about. 319 00:21:50.110 --> 00:21:53.330 You're offering a lot of quality content and solutions. 320 00:21:54.350 --> 00:21:54.850 Oftentimes, 321 00:21:56.110 --> 00:21:58.905 people will say, give away your best content for free, 322 00:21:59.625 --> 00:22:05.165 and and people will will be more willing to to sign up perhaps to download premium content 323 00:22:05.465 --> 00:22:09.965 or to get a full full membership. If you're giving away good content 324 00:22:10.745 --> 00:22:13.805 for free because you're not you know you're an expert in your industry, 325 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:17.360 That's what's gonna make somebody wanna be a part of your community. 326 00:22:17.360 --> 00:22:22.260 They're gonna say, I'm not catching content like this anywhere else. It's tailor made to me, 327 00:22:22.560 --> 00:22:27.675 and I'm gonna wanna join this particular directory and keep getting information like this delivered to me. 328 00:22:28.555 --> 00:22:32.015 No. Those are great suggestions. Basically, quality content curated 329 00:22:32.315 --> 00:22:34.415 specifically for one audience, 330 00:22:35.195 --> 00:22:36.815 that that you're trying to, 331 00:22:37.675 --> 00:22:38.495 connect with. 332 00:22:38.795 --> 00:22:40.815 One of the common pitfalls we see 333 00:22:42.070 --> 00:22:44.410 from time to time in in the webinars even, 334 00:22:44.790 --> 00:22:46.170 people have their blog, 335 00:22:46.630 --> 00:22:49.590 but I'll I'll just use a simple example. Let's say doctors. 336 00:22:49.590 --> 00:22:52.330 They they have a a directory to find doctors. 337 00:22:52.950 --> 00:23:01.745 So they'll write blog articles like 10 tips for finding doctors, and in the same stream they'll they'll have an article 10 ways doctors can attract more patients. 338 00:23:02.044 --> 00:23:05.505 So they're they're writing for the consumer and they're writing for the professional 339 00:23:06.125 --> 00:23:09.325 and those should actually be separated because now you have content. 340 00:23:09.325 --> 00:23:20.010 Now if a consumer reads that, they feel like this website is is trying to find ways to, you know, market to them, which you never want to feel like you're being marketed to, as a customer or consumer. 341 00:23:20.710 --> 00:23:24.490 So one strategy is if you don't want to give your members the ability to 342 00:23:25.225 --> 00:23:27.404 publish articles, the the member articles, 343 00:23:27.705 --> 00:23:29.705 you can create two channels yourself. 344 00:23:29.705 --> 00:23:34.924 One for the end user, the website visitor, and one for the professional members that are actually 345 00:23:35.304 --> 00:23:36.605 searchable on your directory, 346 00:23:36.985 --> 00:23:39.085 and create two different channels and streams 347 00:23:39.420 --> 00:23:43.440 with content that appeals to each one individually without commingling 348 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:45.120 commingling the messaging, 349 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.560 between the two. 350 00:23:47.020 --> 00:23:47.820 That that's correct. 351 00:23:47.820 --> 00:23:56.295 And normally, what I recommend is the blog that's public foot facing, which means it's on your main menu or it's highlighted in your home page. 352 00:23:56.515 --> 00:24:03.255 I always recommend that to be the blog for your end users, the people that are using your directory to find members. 353 00:24:03.395 --> 00:24:05.575 And if you're gonna write articles, 354 00:24:06.210 --> 00:24:13.669 like marketing tips or strategies for your members to get more business, I usually recommend you make that a member's only 355 00:24:14.210 --> 00:24:19.270 and make it exclusive for them and actually make that one of the reasons why they wanna sign up. 356 00:24:19.409 --> 00:24:21.510 But just because it's member's only, 357 00:24:22.175 --> 00:24:24.115 it doesn't mean that you can't also 358 00:24:24.575 --> 00:24:29.775 have it be public facing and have it be something that you drive traffic to to generate leads. 359 00:24:29.775 --> 00:24:32.595 Because if you're really giving away great marketing tips 360 00:24:32.895 --> 00:24:41.710 and you're writing great content, you're probably gonna wanna spend some some advertising dollars and driving traffic there because that tends to be what helps to convert 361 00:24:42.010 --> 00:24:45.870 the most is when people in the industry say, wow. This site I'm a dentist, 362 00:24:46.250 --> 00:24:52.995 and this site's giving me great insights into how I can get more people to to come to my particular practice, 363 00:24:53.615 --> 00:24:55.534 maybe this is a directory worth investing in. 364 00:24:55.534 --> 00:25:01.475 But I probably wouldn't make that a front facing blog article because that the end goal of most directories 365 00:25:01.870 --> 00:25:05.870 is for the end users to find the services and the professionals. That's right. 366 00:25:05.870 --> 00:25:07.470 That would be your, like, b to b side. 367 00:25:07.470 --> 00:25:11.649 You know, things that are business to business, you you kinda wanna keep them behind the curtains. 368 00:25:11.710 --> 00:25:17.169 You know, consumers aren't really aware of them no matter what it is, whether it's content or any types of business dealings. 369 00:25:17.325 --> 00:25:20.845 You know, the consumer walks into a restaurant and orders their food. 370 00:25:20.845 --> 00:25:29.585 They don't see what's going on in the back of the kitchen with the the person that's delivering the fish and the meat and the vendors and and the the the fabric and cloth suppliers. 371 00:25:30.250 --> 00:25:34.010 You know, that's business b to b. They have their own separate blog that they deal with. 372 00:25:34.010 --> 00:25:35.470 So think of your website, 373 00:25:35.850 --> 00:25:37.690 like a restaurant actually is a good analogy. 374 00:25:37.690 --> 00:25:42.465 You have the front of the house, which is for the consumers, and then back of the house, which is all your 375 00:25:42.945 --> 00:25:45.505 business dealings and and vendors and things like that. 376 00:25:45.505 --> 00:25:50.005 And that could be its own happy universe as well. And that's a good way to think about separating, 377 00:25:51.904 --> 00:25:56.325 if you're gonna use the member blogs and the, admin blog for those two different channels. 378 00:25:57.529 --> 00:25:58.090 That's correct. 379 00:25:58.090 --> 00:26:14.225 And and for if I sign up as a business for Yelp, in the they'll nurture me, and they'll educate me as a business because I'm their customer, and they'll have an article that says how to deal with a negative review because they wanna equip me with tools on how to deal with that negative review because they do wanna give me good customer support. 380 00:26:14.365 --> 00:26:23.645 But they're obviously not gonna make that a blog that's front facing on their website because they don't want the consumers to be seeing how businesses are being taught to deal with those negative reviews. 381 00:26:23.645 --> 00:26:28.600 So, yes, the the kitchen analogy is a great one. Fantastic. So I think we've covered two 382 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:35.640 two methodologies or two strategies with these two different channels to essentially just public any publish any types of articles. 383 00:26:36.020 --> 00:26:41.555 One, your member community articles, the ones that all the members articles go up to, the users articles. 384 00:26:42.175 --> 00:26:46.835 The other is your personal company blog where you just post information that you curate 385 00:26:47.775 --> 00:26:48.355 that yourself. 386 00:26:48.735 --> 00:26:55.200 The other is you as the admin managing two channels of your blog, one for the end user and one for the professional members. 387 00:26:55.659 --> 00:26:59.260 So those are two strategies, and I see we have some people's hands raised. 388 00:26:59.500 --> 00:27:01.200 We got a good friend, Jeff, here. 389 00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:05.679 Jeff, I'm gonna try to unmute your microphone. There we go. How are you today? 390 00:27:06.705 --> 00:27:07.925 Morning, guys. Good. 391 00:27:08.545 --> 00:27:11.365 Just a question with regarding separating channels. 392 00:27:11.745 --> 00:27:19.605 If you're writing an admin blog and you want you want a certain member level to actually get access to that rather than a bot. 393 00:27:19.950 --> 00:27:21.970 Yes. So you could have the certain channel. 394 00:27:22.590 --> 00:27:26.690 Yes. So that would be, premium content on your site. It's very common. 395 00:27:27.470 --> 00:27:29.169 So what you what I would recommend 396 00:27:29.710 --> 00:27:34.529 doing, and you probably have this, is using the members only content. 397 00:27:35.905 --> 00:27:39.205 And what that would allow you to do is not only restrict 398 00:27:39.745 --> 00:27:43.765 specific pages of your site, but entire specific types of content. 399 00:27:44.065 --> 00:27:50.160 So those could be like the admin blog articles, and then you can pre select which membership levels can have 400 00:27:50.620 --> 00:27:52.880 access to that entire, group of content. 401 00:27:53.820 --> 00:27:59.440 Jason, I I think it would only take you two minutes to show us, with the interior design demo. 402 00:27:59.580 --> 00:28:02.800 If I wanted to clone the admin blog 403 00:28:03.145 --> 00:28:07.165 and call it marketing tips and make that only for one membership level, 404 00:28:07.545 --> 00:28:11.945 what would be the steps to to follow for that? Because it's very quick to do this. 405 00:28:11.945 --> 00:28:16.205 You could you could have two admin blogs on billing directories. One that's intended 406 00:28:16.505 --> 00:28:18.205 for front facing end users 407 00:28:18.590 --> 00:28:23.890 and one that is just for a specific membership level like like Jeff is asking for. Absolutely. 408 00:28:24.030 --> 00:28:26.030 But, let me let me let me show you how to do that. 409 00:28:26.030 --> 00:28:28.530 But did did I answer your question a little bit there, Jeff? 410 00:28:29.630 --> 00:28:34.755 Yeah. Okay. Great. So let's say you wanted to create a third channel of articles. Right? Your, 411 00:28:35.155 --> 00:28:37.975 right, your your BD site comes with two channels, 412 00:28:38.755 --> 00:28:42.055 but you can very easily create a third channel. 413 00:28:42.435 --> 00:28:45.735 The easiest way to do that would be to come to your, 414 00:28:46.515 --> 00:28:48.135 content, edit post settings, 415 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:53.800 And from here, you can see all the different types of content that can be published throughout your website. 416 00:28:54.180 --> 00:28:57.240 In this case, let's clone the member article. 417 00:28:58.020 --> 00:28:59.400 Go ahead and clone it. 418 00:29:01.235 --> 00:29:03.095 So now we have two member articles. 419 00:29:03.555 --> 00:29:06.135 We're gonna wanna change a few things here, 420 00:29:07.475 --> 00:29:10.535 and we'll call these just premium secret articles. 421 00:29:10.915 --> 00:29:12.615 Right? So just give it a nickname. 422 00:29:12.995 --> 00:29:13.495 Premium 423 00:29:14.780 --> 00:29:15.840 secret articles. 424 00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:22.299 You're gonna wanna change the URL permalink because you you don't it's gonna be a different channel basic. 425 00:29:22.299 --> 00:29:23.600 So we'll just call these 426 00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:25.679 premium articles, 427 00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:27.520 premium hyphen articles. 428 00:29:28.415 --> 00:29:29.934 That's really all you need to change. 429 00:29:29.934 --> 00:29:33.775 Actually, you might wanna change the title that you see on the search results page. 430 00:29:33.775 --> 00:29:36.595 So the search results design, they'll change the title to premium 431 00:29:36.975 --> 00:29:39.715 search results, and I'll just go ahead and save the changes there. 432 00:29:40.590 --> 00:29:42.270 One more little detail, Jason. Yes. 433 00:29:42.270 --> 00:29:46.670 Perhaps from the general settings, we'll say not to show for everybody. Correct? 434 00:29:46.670 --> 00:29:48.770 If it's gonna be members only? 435 00:29:49.230 --> 00:29:51.490 Yes. Let's let's show that. 436 00:29:51.950 --> 00:29:54.530 So if you wanted to make this members only content, 437 00:29:55.705 --> 00:29:57.225 you can scroll down here. 438 00:29:57.225 --> 00:30:03.005 And this setting here, if you have that add on, you'll have this option always show content. 439 00:30:03.145 --> 00:30:04.425 You're basically saying is this 440 00:30:05.305 --> 00:30:07.405 are these posts public to everyone 441 00:30:07.880 --> 00:30:11.960 or are you gonna pre select which members can have access to this content? 442 00:30:11.960 --> 00:30:19.500 So if you don't want this to be automatically public, these types of posts to the world, you're gonna want to set this to no. 443 00:30:20.855 --> 00:30:21.355 And 444 00:30:21.894 --> 00:30:25.995 what we've done in effect here, this is gonna be really cool. I'm glad you brought this up, Pat, 445 00:30:26.455 --> 00:30:30.075 because we're gonna go back to what Rick was doing at the beginning of this segment. 446 00:30:30.534 --> 00:30:33.880 And now that we've created this brand new, 447 00:30:34.419 --> 00:30:34.919 membership 448 00:30:35.380 --> 00:30:36.280 post type 449 00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:39.720 type of post, so here it is, premium secret articles. 450 00:30:39.780 --> 00:30:45.320 Now we have to choose which members can publish this article and which members can view this article. 451 00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:47.805 So let's head on over to the finance tab, 452 00:30:49.885 --> 00:30:55.585 and let's say we want the admin blog contributor to be the one to publish this. So we're gonna edit 453 00:30:56.205 --> 00:30:58.625 the admin blog contributor membership level, 454 00:31:00.205 --> 00:31:01.965 and we're gonna go to post publishing. 455 00:31:01.965 --> 00:31:05.240 Those are the privileges and restrictions for publishing content. 456 00:31:05.539 --> 00:31:08.200 And if we scroll down, these are all the ones we saw classifieds, 457 00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:10.919 design blog, here's member articles, 458 00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:13.960 and we now have premium secret articles. 459 00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:16.440 So the admin owner 460 00:31:16.995 --> 00:31:19.255 can post and we'll save the changes, 461 00:31:20.915 --> 00:31:26.855 and then we can go to another membership level like our premium membership levels or whatever it might be and select 462 00:31:27.475 --> 00:31:30.615 can view. And because this is a private 463 00:31:31.300 --> 00:31:39.240 post type now, because of the the setting that we selected a few moments ago, I have to select which other membership levels can view 464 00:31:39.540 --> 00:31:43.400 this type of post. And in effect, you now have members only content. 465 00:31:43.860 --> 00:31:46.760 You've created a new channel of of post types, 466 00:31:47.915 --> 00:31:51.375 and and you have full control over who can view these types of posts, Jeff. 467 00:31:52.875 --> 00:31:56.795 Excellent. Thank you. Alright. Thank you. Good question there. Let's see. 468 00:31:56.795 --> 00:31:58.890 We got Vijay's got his hand up. 469 00:31:59.210 --> 00:32:02.990 Vijay, do you have any comments or questions about member articles versus blog articles? 470 00:32:03.930 --> 00:32:08.170 Yes. I do. First time on one of these calls or couple of times anyway, but, 471 00:32:08.970 --> 00:32:12.010 yeah. So I had a I wrote down a few questions about, 472 00:32:13.445 --> 00:32:13.765 when, 473 00:32:14.245 --> 00:32:18.445 member articles are posted, is there a way that we can approve the article? So, like, 474 00:32:20.645 --> 00:32:22.965 10 points for you. 10 points for you, Pat. 475 00:32:22.965 --> 00:32:26.345 He was he was it was a guarantee that someone was going to, 476 00:32:27.285 --> 00:32:28.345 ask that question. 477 00:32:29.399 --> 00:32:33.019 So you you as the admin owner would like to moderate the articles 478 00:32:33.320 --> 00:32:37.100 before they go live even if the members are creating them. Correct? 479 00:32:37.559 --> 00:32:39.740 Right. Just just because, like, if if 480 00:32:40.200 --> 00:32:44.805 they might be posting stuff that's always going live, that's not appropriate for the site and Absolutely. 481 00:32:45.425 --> 00:32:46.885 Let me show you in 482 00:32:47.345 --> 00:32:50.645 two in three steps how you can accomplish that. 483 00:32:51.025 --> 00:32:51.525 Alright. 484 00:32:53.280 --> 00:32:59.620 It's gonna get a little tech I say technical level is four out of 10 on this one, because you just need to follow the instructions, basically. 485 00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:03.140 The first thing we need to do 486 00:33:04.160 --> 00:33:04.660 is 487 00:33:05.585 --> 00:33:08.725 let's use the member articles as an example here, Vijay. Okay? 488 00:33:09.265 --> 00:33:12.485 Yeah. So come to the edit post settings, and 489 00:33:12.785 --> 00:33:19.765 because you might wanna do this for certain post types like events or member articles, but not for other post types like coupons or job listings. 490 00:33:19.825 --> 00:33:23.700 It's up to you. But if you wanted to do it, for example, for the member articles, 491 00:33:24.080 --> 00:33:25.780 first thing we wanna do is identify 492 00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:33.894 which form in the form manager is being filled out, when the member creates their their member 493 00:33:34.355 --> 00:33:38.934 article. So if you if you edit the member article settings, if you scroll down, 494 00:33:39.635 --> 00:33:42.294 you'll see here select form to use, 495 00:33:42.835 --> 00:33:44.934 and it's the member articles form. 496 00:33:45.470 --> 00:33:53.410 That's the form we're gonna wanna edit, and our goal and objective here is we're gonna remove the option where the member selects publish yes or no. 497 00:33:54.910 --> 00:34:00.530 Because when the member publishes, they can choose they when it creates an article, they can choose if it's published yes or no. 498 00:34:01.205 --> 00:34:08.185 In effect, what we're gonna do is every time the member submits or saves the form, it's gonna automatically set it as unpublished 499 00:34:08.485 --> 00:34:10.265 status, not published status. 500 00:34:10.804 --> 00:34:12.985 So now that we know which form to use, 501 00:34:13.380 --> 00:34:15.480 we're gonna head on over to our toolbox 502 00:34:15.940 --> 00:34:17.960 and go to the form manager. 503 00:34:23.139 --> 00:34:24.920 And once we're in the form manager, 504 00:34:26.244 --> 00:34:27.304 we're going to 505 00:34:27.925 --> 00:34:32.505 identify the member articles form. So we're gonna use this little search filter here in the top. 506 00:34:32.724 --> 00:34:39.780 I'm just gonna search for, member article fields and here I just And I can already see that this is the form that's being used. 507 00:34:40.020 --> 00:34:41.960 So I'm gonna go ahead and edit this. 508 00:34:42.739 --> 00:34:43.699 Once we're here, 509 00:34:44.020 --> 00:34:46.360 you just need to do a couple things, Vijay. 510 00:34:47.860 --> 00:34:50.360 Mhmm. This is the field where it says publish, 511 00:34:51.219 --> 00:34:55.554 and the field type is yes or no. So, again, the member is simply selecting 512 00:34:55.855 --> 00:34:57.234 publish yes or no. 513 00:34:57.855 --> 00:35:00.194 We want to change the field type, 514 00:35:00.974 --> 00:35:05.315 and you want to select the advanced form field type hidden field. 515 00:35:06.575 --> 00:35:07.960 Okay? And then 516 00:35:08.339 --> 00:35:11.400 in the field label name, just put the number zero. 517 00:35:12.339 --> 00:35:20.279 So this is gonna be a hidden field in the form, and every time the member resaves this post, it's gonna be set to an unpublished 518 00:35:20.740 --> 00:35:23.545 status. Even if they're coming back to edit the post, 519 00:35:23.845 --> 00:35:32.984 every time they save this form for an article they're saving, it's going to set the post status, publish yes or no, to zero, which is the unpublished status. 520 00:35:33.620 --> 00:35:38.920 And then what you And, Jason Yeah? What I if if I wanna moderate the post for my members, 521 00:35:39.460 --> 00:35:45.220 why is it that I make it so if they go and edit the article, it sets it to unpublished again. 522 00:35:45.220 --> 00:35:46.760 What'd be the for that? 523 00:35:47.724 --> 00:35:48.224 Well, 524 00:35:48.685 --> 00:35:52.464 it they could totally change the article from what from what its original 525 00:35:52.765 --> 00:35:54.605 form was, what it what it was saying. 526 00:35:54.605 --> 00:35:59.665 So anytime there's an edit, you probably want to remoderate it, for appropriateness 527 00:36:00.180 --> 00:36:04.040 and, just to make sure it's in line with whatever your website guidelines are. 528 00:36:05.380 --> 00:36:06.900 Under Of course. Of course. 529 00:36:06.900 --> 00:36:12.200 If you're gonna moderate in the first place, then at that point, you're moderating every moderating every, every resave. 530 00:36:12.339 --> 00:36:19.455 Chances are people aren't gonna come back and resave their articles, but oftentimes they may, and to refresh the article or the content, 531 00:36:20.095 --> 00:36:26.515 but it's important for the admin to if they're moderating the site for the for the post to be set to unpublished. 532 00:36:28.230 --> 00:36:38.650 And then the last piece of this puzzle, so now members are saving or editing articles, they're all being set to unpublished because of this what I just did here, just two things, hidden field value zero. 533 00:36:39.350 --> 00:36:40.330 And then lastly, 534 00:36:40.865 --> 00:36:44.325 the way to view all the unpublished content, Vijay, 535 00:36:44.865 --> 00:36:48.325 is you can go from time to time into your content, 536 00:36:48.704 --> 00:36:49.684 manage posts, 537 00:36:50.305 --> 00:36:51.365 and this is basically 538 00:36:52.704 --> 00:36:55.105 all the the post that you and your members have, 539 00:36:55.585 --> 00:36:57.740 published to the site or added to the site. 540 00:36:59.080 --> 00:36:59.580 And, 541 00:36:59.960 --> 00:37:02.700 what you can do is let's say it's design blogs. 542 00:37:04.200 --> 00:37:08.620 In the top right corner, you can search for on the word unpublish, 543 00:37:09.805 --> 00:37:14.785 unpublished. And then you can then sift through all your unpublished articles and then manually, 544 00:37:15.485 --> 00:37:19.185 set them as to a published status if you choose to do so. 545 00:37:19.805 --> 00:37:24.305 But, anyways, that will solve your problem, Vijay, and allow you to moderate all the posts, 546 00:37:24.710 --> 00:37:25.529 from your members. 547 00:37:27.109 --> 00:37:29.690 Awesome. Thanks, Zips. Yeah. It's cool, Vijay. 548 00:37:30.069 --> 00:37:32.630 Alright. Awesome. Thanks for the question there. And, Pat, you're right. 549 00:37:32.630 --> 00:37:34.250 Someone was gonna ask that one. 550 00:37:35.029 --> 00:37:35.529 Okay. 551 00:37:35.910 --> 00:37:38.410 Of course. Of course. It comes up quite frequently. 552 00:37:39.435 --> 00:37:40.335 In my experience, 553 00:37:40.955 --> 00:37:43.275 and and I've been doing this for a very long 554 00:37:44.235 --> 00:37:45.455 I've yet to encounter 555 00:37:45.915 --> 00:37:49.215 one directory owner that's run into the issue of somebody 556 00:37:49.675 --> 00:37:50.175 inappropriate 557 00:37:50.715 --> 00:37:51.215 content. 558 00:37:51.755 --> 00:37:53.695 I know it may not be the most responsible 559 00:37:54.339 --> 00:37:54.839 approach, 560 00:37:55.140 --> 00:38:00.119 but I usually abide by the rules that until there is a problem, there is no problem. 561 00:38:00.180 --> 00:38:07.625 So I usually recommend not especially as you're getting started, not to put in too many roadblocks in getting in content up. 562 00:38:07.625 --> 00:38:12.445 I think you'll most people will be pleasantly surprised to see that there's not a lot of people trying to to sabotage 563 00:38:13.065 --> 00:38:16.205 direct in for the content. I understand 564 00:38:17.065 --> 00:38:22.430 responsibly why you'd want that. But in in all the years I've been doing this, thankfully, 565 00:38:23.210 --> 00:38:28.030 I haven't heard of a of a scenario where something inappropriate has been posted. Hopefully, that 566 00:38:28.730 --> 00:38:29.230 you. 567 00:38:30.090 --> 00:38:33.710 Of course, the moment that happens, you may have to adapt. But I usually recommend 568 00:38:34.155 --> 00:38:37.615 not going through these additional steps that we're going through right now. 569 00:38:37.755 --> 00:38:42.255 But I understand why certain people wanna take these measures too. 570 00:38:42.875 --> 00:38:43.375 Awesome. 571 00:38:43.915 --> 00:38:44.415 Alright. 572 00:38:44.875 --> 00:38:48.575 Rick, thank you very much. Obviously, we can continue going on about 573 00:38:49.839 --> 00:38:52.579 strategy for blog articles versus member articles. 574 00:38:52.880 --> 00:38:54.980 It's obviously a great topic, and there's 575 00:38:55.280 --> 00:38:56.660 a wide range of benefits 576 00:38:56.960 --> 00:38:57.940 for each one. 577 00:38:58.240 --> 00:39:00.980 So if you have more questions about this, this is a great 578 00:39:02.065 --> 00:39:03.765 way. This is this is a great 579 00:39:04.145 --> 00:39:06.385 topic to continue in the Facebook group. 580 00:39:06.385 --> 00:39:12.305 So if you have more questions about blog articles versus member articles, feel free to ask them in the Facebook group. 581 00:39:12.305 --> 00:39:14.085 So thank you so much, Rick, for this segment. 582 00:39:14.680 --> 00:39:16.220 You're welcome. Thank you guys. 583 00:39:17.720 --> 00:39:20.520 Alright. Let's dive into the tip of the week. 584 00:39:20.520 --> 00:39:23.740 If you're just joining us, you came at the perfect time. 585 00:39:24.120 --> 00:39:26.620 The tip of the week here is super high value. 586 00:39:27.525 --> 00:39:31.385 Whether you're a startup directory or an established directory, 587 00:39:32.165 --> 00:39:36.265 we wanna show you the value in welcoming new members to build lasting 588 00:39:37.045 --> 00:39:39.065 relationships, and why this is important 589 00:39:40.089 --> 00:39:47.150 for your entire community to welcome new members, make them feel warm and fuzzy, and also steps that you can take today 590 00:39:48.250 --> 00:39:49.390 to optimize, 591 00:39:50.650 --> 00:39:52.990 the way in which you welcome 592 00:39:53.290 --> 00:39:54.109 new members. 593 00:39:55.825 --> 00:40:05.665 And and, Pat, can you share a little bit about why it's even important to welcome your new members and why you just why not just let them sign up and and not and not deal with them anymore? 594 00:40:05.665 --> 00:40:06.965 Why why is it important? 595 00:40:08.460 --> 00:40:13.760 I I mean, with with as fast as things are moving these days and people make 596 00:40:14.140 --> 00:40:14.640 decisions 597 00:40:15.020 --> 00:40:16.240 instant instantly 598 00:40:16.540 --> 00:40:20.400 without much thought behind them anymore. Either you saw an ad that was interesting, 599 00:40:21.020 --> 00:40:23.280 you saw an article that got you engaged. 600 00:40:23.655 --> 00:40:28.155 There was something that got you to click a button, fill out a form somehow, someway, 601 00:40:29.575 --> 00:40:35.335 but it's it's it hasn't really made an impact on you yet. We all fill out forms. 602 00:40:35.335 --> 00:40:39.115 We all browse the Internet. We all interact, and it's very easy 603 00:40:39.840 --> 00:40:44.400 to forget even things that you've signed up for. Oh, I never I forgot I signed up for that too. 604 00:40:44.400 --> 00:40:46.340 Although, I forgot I signed up to that community. 605 00:40:47.200 --> 00:40:49.940 Unless you have a plan in place 606 00:40:50.400 --> 00:40:55.635 to make sure that when they signed up because they signed up for a reason. You had their interest. 607 00:40:55.695 --> 00:40:58.435 They were interested in something about what you have to offer. 608 00:40:58.815 --> 00:41:00.515 You have a very small window 609 00:41:01.615 --> 00:41:05.475 to follow through on what they're hoping to get out of you. It's basically 610 00:41:06.690 --> 00:41:11.910 the beginning of a relationship, and it's that one small window that you have to make it. 611 00:41:12.369 --> 00:41:15.570 And and, basically, you have them become a champion of your brand. 612 00:41:15.570 --> 00:41:23.515 And if you don't have a good strategy in place, you may have people signing up, but they're not upgrading or they're not engaging or they're not adding content. 613 00:41:23.894 --> 00:41:25.674 And that's because you haven't really 614 00:41:25.974 --> 00:41:30.315 figured out a good strategy for welcoming people that have become a part of your community. 615 00:41:31.974 --> 00:41:33.755 Yep. I I agree with that. 616 00:41:34.400 --> 00:41:36.980 You basically have a few moments in time 617 00:41:37.280 --> 00:41:42.740 where a person is gonna decide if they're gonna continue to follow you or they're gonna choose to forget you. 618 00:41:43.040 --> 00:41:43.540 And 619 00:41:43.920 --> 00:41:47.940 having a quality welcome plan is one strategy you can utilize 620 00:41:49.015 --> 00:41:51.355 to sway them more towards the follow side 621 00:41:51.655 --> 00:41:53.595 rather than going down the forget route. 622 00:41:54.615 --> 00:42:00.635 But before you can start figuring out how you want to welcome and shower your members with awesome things, 623 00:42:01.095 --> 00:42:02.075 you need to have 624 00:42:02.730 --> 00:42:06.910 a plan. You need to have a guide and a map that you follow. 625 00:42:07.530 --> 00:42:08.030 And 626 00:42:08.730 --> 00:42:09.610 these are 627 00:42:09.930 --> 00:42:13.950 the map that you follow, the guide that you follow relates back to the hamster wheel. 628 00:42:14.410 --> 00:42:15.150 You need 629 00:42:15.665 --> 00:42:22.565 to define your audience because if you're gonna make a welcome plan and you're gonna welcome new members, you have to know who you're welcoming, 630 00:42:22.865 --> 00:42:28.325 and you have to know what problems they have that you as a community are committed to solving, 631 00:42:28.820 --> 00:42:30.920 and then you have to let them know 632 00:42:31.300 --> 00:42:35.240 what you promised to provide them with, whether it's gonna be tips, leads, 633 00:42:36.180 --> 00:42:37.000 more sales, 634 00:42:37.380 --> 00:42:37.880 information, 635 00:42:38.420 --> 00:42:39.720 making them feel loved. 636 00:42:40.260 --> 00:42:45.875 You have to know what expectations you wanna set, and they have to know what what you have to set their expectations, 637 00:42:46.415 --> 00:42:54.355 so that everyone's on the same page, and you know the types of things you should be delivering to them in your in your welcome plan and beyond. 638 00:42:54.975 --> 00:42:59.840 And then lastly, you have to decide, and this kind of goes back to last week's tip of the week webinar, 639 00:43:00.380 --> 00:43:06.000 how automated you want things to be or how hands on your engagement is going to be. 640 00:43:06.380 --> 00:43:11.760 If you have a high volume of members, you probably want to move more towards the automated route. 641 00:43:12.220 --> 00:43:13.200 If you have 642 00:43:13.865 --> 00:43:15.165 a fewer number of members, 643 00:43:15.944 --> 00:43:21.805 you probably want to be more hands on where you give direct phone calls and one on one love to 644 00:43:22.265 --> 00:43:23.385 the new sign ups. 645 00:43:23.385 --> 00:43:29.730 But these are just some things you have to have in place, and when you're defining your audience you want to do one at a time. 646 00:43:29.730 --> 00:43:34.230 So we were talking about the the website visitors versus the professional members. 647 00:43:34.530 --> 00:43:40.070 Those are two different types of audiences, and it warrants two different types of welcome plans 648 00:43:40.555 --> 00:43:41.435 for each one. 649 00:43:41.435 --> 00:43:47.935 So our suggestion is when you're listening to this tip of the week, keep in mind that you're gonna be doing this for one audience 650 00:43:48.235 --> 00:43:49.135 at a time. 651 00:43:49.675 --> 00:43:50.955 Yeah. That's that's great advice. 652 00:43:50.955 --> 00:43:58.040 And and I think that that's probably one of the things that people skip the most is they try to build the site for everybody at the same time. 653 00:43:58.040 --> 00:44:00.300 But here, what we're saying is, 654 00:44:01.560 --> 00:44:04.300 basically, do you wanna take care of the welcome 655 00:44:04.760 --> 00:44:08.700 experience of the end users of your site, the people that are browsing your directory, 656 00:44:09.185 --> 00:44:11.925 Or do you wanna start off by taking care of the welcome experience 657 00:44:12.465 --> 00:44:16.165 of the businesses or the professionals that are signing up, the members themselves? 658 00:44:16.865 --> 00:44:17.365 And 659 00:44:17.825 --> 00:44:19.905 just commit 100% 660 00:44:19.905 --> 00:44:24.885 to making sure that whichever audience it is that you're starting with, make that experience 661 00:44:25.290 --> 00:44:26.190 absolutely phenomenal. 662 00:44:26.650 --> 00:44:30.510 And when you've completed all of these steps that we're gonna go through in today's presentation, 663 00:44:31.130 --> 00:44:36.330 then the reason we call it getting off the hamster wheel is because you're gonna you're gonna get off. 664 00:44:36.330 --> 00:44:40.355 You're gonna follow all the steps. And when you're done and you've released the content, 665 00:44:40.655 --> 00:44:45.395 you're gonna you're gonna start back and you're gonna go after the next audience, and it really doesn't stop. 666 00:44:45.615 --> 00:44:50.995 It's just a a continual process you can you can implement for your particular directory. 667 00:44:51.430 --> 00:44:54.650 That's right. Yeah. Eventually, you wanna have a welcome plan for all your different audiences. 668 00:44:54.870 --> 00:44:55.750 Let's start with one. 669 00:44:55.750 --> 00:45:01.450 Pick a lane, because you don't wanna commingle your messaging, like we mentioned for the end users and the professional 670 00:45:02.070 --> 00:45:02.570 members. 671 00:45:03.430 --> 00:45:06.410 So what are the, the benefits of a quality 672 00:45:06.885 --> 00:45:09.465 welcome plan? Well, it's all about customer 673 00:45:09.765 --> 00:45:11.145 delight. Like we mentioned, 674 00:45:11.445 --> 00:45:14.265 you have a few moments in time to really, 675 00:45:14.725 --> 00:45:16.665 sway them towards the follow side. 676 00:45:17.045 --> 00:45:17.545 And 677 00:45:18.565 --> 00:45:26.530 what happens when you do that for your website and your community is you're gonna get continued engagement from your members after the initial sign up. 678 00:45:26.530 --> 00:45:29.670 They're not just gonna sign up and abandon your website. 679 00:45:30.530 --> 00:45:34.310 You're also gonna demonstrate that you're an industry leader because ideally, 680 00:45:34.875 --> 00:45:38.235 the assets that you follow-up with, will be related, 681 00:45:38.635 --> 00:45:42.175 to knowledge that you have on the industry that your members are seeking, 682 00:45:42.475 --> 00:45:45.455 and therefore they'll look to you as a beacon of information, 683 00:45:46.155 --> 00:45:48.015 for the market that you're in. 684 00:45:49.109 --> 00:45:55.849 Also, with the continued engagement from a welcome plan, there's higher probabilities of upgrades because there's more touch points. 685 00:45:56.150 --> 00:46:00.890 You're continuing to interact with the sign ups after they join initially, 686 00:46:02.515 --> 00:46:06.035 and you get members involved and participating on your website. 687 00:46:06.035 --> 00:46:12.295 Ideally with a good welcome plan, you tell them what to do next on your website, you tell them how to get involved, 688 00:46:12.595 --> 00:46:14.135 so you get greater participation, 689 00:46:14.950 --> 00:46:15.690 and hopefully, 690 00:46:16.630 --> 00:46:18.870 as an example is publishing member articles. 691 00:46:18.870 --> 00:46:22.250 If you can tell them the incentives of doing so and getting them to participate, 692 00:46:23.510 --> 00:46:27.210 they're they're gonna stay within your community's universe longer. 693 00:46:27.430 --> 00:46:31.934 And if they're staying in your community's universe longer, you're gonna have less churn rate. 694 00:46:31.934 --> 00:46:33.875 That basically means less cancellations 695 00:46:34.255 --> 00:46:35.234 of membership. 696 00:46:35.694 --> 00:46:41.714 So rather than your community staying stagnant or shrinking, it will continue to grow, 697 00:46:42.654 --> 00:46:45.315 because these are the benefits of a quality 698 00:46:45.770 --> 00:46:46.589 welcome plan. 699 00:46:48.810 --> 00:46:51.310 And in case you think you can slip by without 700 00:46:51.849 --> 00:46:52.990 a welcome plan, 701 00:46:54.650 --> 00:46:59.150 you might be able to, but you're missing out on a on easy wins because 702 00:46:59.505 --> 00:47:07.605 a welcome plan, and it sounds like a big term and a lot of work, but we're gonna show you how simple a welcome plan can actually be and the value that you can you can gain. 703 00:47:07.825 --> 00:47:12.704 So without welcoming your new members, you're basically leaving them out to dry after they sign up. 704 00:47:12.704 --> 00:47:17.150 So they joined your site and now there's no follow-up. Even a even a good welcome email, 705 00:47:17.609 --> 00:47:21.790 is lacking. So you're you're basically not telling your members what to do. 706 00:47:22.250 --> 00:47:31.484 You're gonna get less less overall engagement because of that, because eventually people will forget about you, and you haven't told them what to do or how to participate on your website. 707 00:47:31.945 --> 00:47:33.724 There's also gonna be missed opportunities 708 00:47:34.425 --> 00:47:39.305 to connect further and also educate them, so they're not gonna see you as an industry leader. 709 00:47:39.305 --> 00:47:41.724 So it's hard for you to establish credibility. 710 00:47:42.345 --> 00:47:45.530 These welcome plans are a great way to establish credibility, 711 00:47:46.150 --> 00:47:51.210 and for them to understand the voice and persona of your company's mission. 712 00:47:53.110 --> 00:47:53.610 Lastly, 713 00:47:54.070 --> 00:47:58.470 well not lastly, but you're gonna have more abandoned or canceled membership. 714 00:47:58.470 --> 00:48:00.175 That goes back to the churn rate. 715 00:48:00.315 --> 00:48:04.255 If people don't feel like there's any value coming from your community, 716 00:48:04.795 --> 00:48:08.395 they'll just stop using your website. They won't come back. They'll forget about you. 717 00:48:08.395 --> 00:48:18.060 Eventually they'll cancel their memberships if they're paid memberships because they just don't know how to participate on your website and they're probably not gaining any benefits. 718 00:48:18.840 --> 00:48:23.900 All of this actually makes it more expensive for you to operate your 719 00:48:24.280 --> 00:48:25.420 directory website. 720 00:48:27.045 --> 00:48:32.825 If you have a good welcome plan, and members are participating on your website, and 721 00:48:33.125 --> 00:48:34.744 they're enjoying the experience, 722 00:48:35.205 --> 00:48:39.605 they are going to turn into your marketers. They're gonna recruit new members. 723 00:48:39.605 --> 00:48:41.545 They're gonna do a lot of the marketing 724 00:48:42.030 --> 00:48:42.770 for you. 725 00:48:43.230 --> 00:48:54.290 And also, not just doing the marketing, but when new prospects see this activity, new prospective members see this activity from the members, it's gonna make it an easier decision for them to want to join 726 00:48:54.785 --> 00:48:58.005 your community. So when you don't have that sense of community, 727 00:48:58.305 --> 00:49:02.245 you are gonna have to market 10 times harder, and that becomes expensive, 728 00:49:03.105 --> 00:49:09.205 for you as the website owner and make takes it it makes it harder and takes longer to grow your community. 729 00:49:10.839 --> 00:49:13.660 And that point is so important to me. It's it's really 730 00:49:14.200 --> 00:49:16.540 in in the past, it was all about that marketing 731 00:49:16.920 --> 00:49:20.300 funnel for for the the marketers that are on this call with us. 732 00:49:20.359 --> 00:49:22.460 And that was all about driving more leads 733 00:49:22.895 --> 00:49:24.835 that would convert into more customers. 734 00:49:24.974 --> 00:49:28.994 And you would say, if I wanna increase my business, I just increase more leads. 735 00:49:29.214 --> 00:49:34.595 And the customer, the person that signs up on your directory is actually an afterthought because you're always thinking 736 00:49:34.974 --> 00:49:39.660 about that next sign up, where in fact, it's much a much better investment 737 00:49:40.520 --> 00:49:46.940 to make sure that the person that signs up on your directory has the very best experience they possibly can. 738 00:49:47.000 --> 00:49:56.775 If if Jason signs up on my directory and he's the first ever member and I wow him and I blow him away with quality, and I reach out to him for help with connections, 739 00:49:57.315 --> 00:50:00.055 and I ask him for favors to help promote my brand, 740 00:50:00.515 --> 00:50:02.934 I'm gonna have somebody that's happy 741 00:50:03.474 --> 00:50:07.095 to help me out because I've gone out of my way to make the customer 742 00:50:07.395 --> 00:50:07.895 experience 743 00:50:08.570 --> 00:50:09.770 an exceptional one. 744 00:50:09.770 --> 00:50:18.910 And it's actually the best investment that you can make is focusing on the the actual customers you have rather than always focusing on bringing new customers 745 00:50:19.290 --> 00:50:21.390 while ignoring your your primary base. 746 00:50:22.545 --> 00:50:24.005 That just goes back to the, 747 00:50:24.305 --> 00:50:26.484 you know, we've heard it many times. It's, 748 00:50:27.105 --> 00:50:28.085 it's more economical 749 00:50:28.464 --> 00:50:31.045 to keep an existing customer than to, 750 00:50:31.585 --> 00:50:36.885 source a new customer to find a new customer. So, therefore, customer retention or member retention 751 00:50:37.270 --> 00:50:39.610 is less expensive than new member recruitment, 752 00:50:39.990 --> 00:50:40.490 potentially. 753 00:50:41.830 --> 00:50:53.994 So this is this is where that that this number five point comes in, where if you aren't retaining your customers and you're losing them because you're not establishing a good initial connection after their sign up, it could become very 754 00:50:54.295 --> 00:51:00.154 expensive and your growth will be stagnant because you'll just be plateauing every month rather than going up. 755 00:51:01.654 --> 00:51:02.154 But 756 00:51:03.030 --> 00:51:03.770 don't worry. 757 00:51:04.790 --> 00:51:06.650 Like we said, it's not that hard. 758 00:51:07.030 --> 00:51:13.130 A simple yet effective welcome plan can do the heavy lifting for you to create those lasting relationships 759 00:51:13.750 --> 00:51:14.650 with your 760 00:51:15.185 --> 00:51:15.685 members. 761 00:51:17.025 --> 00:51:20.645 So a little bit of upfront work will go a long way for you. 762 00:51:21.105 --> 00:51:22.645 So what are some of the goals 763 00:51:23.825 --> 00:51:26.305 of a quality welcome plan? We've kinda covered them. 764 00:51:26.305 --> 00:51:29.285 But in essence, what you wanna do is create an unbreakable 765 00:51:29.585 --> 00:51:33.130 bond and loyal following. Now that's going to that's going to get established 766 00:51:33.430 --> 00:51:34.170 over time, 767 00:51:34.789 --> 00:51:36.569 but it has to start somewhere. 768 00:51:37.109 --> 00:51:38.170 And if you've convinced 769 00:51:38.630 --> 00:51:42.650 someone to subscribe to your newsletter or sign up as a free or paid membership, 770 00:51:43.215 --> 00:51:45.055 they kind of they're just getting their feet wet. 771 00:51:45.055 --> 00:51:48.115 They like what they see, and we wanna turn that curiosity 772 00:51:48.575 --> 00:51:50.735 into that loyal following. 773 00:51:50.735 --> 00:51:55.955 And and it starts with the welcome plan and welcoming the new member to the community. 774 00:51:56.790 --> 00:52:01.050 So what you wanna do is is you wanna help members feel confident about their decision 775 00:52:01.350 --> 00:52:02.650 to be part of their community. 776 00:52:03.190 --> 00:52:12.525 And that could be by providing them with, relatable content for the main reason they joined, making them feel like they're at home, they're among peers and colleagues, and like minded 777 00:52:13.325 --> 00:52:13.565 people. 778 00:52:14.365 --> 00:52:19.105 You also want to show them what to do next. So people sign up and they need guidance. 779 00:52:19.565 --> 00:52:24.305 We were talking about providing guidance for the type of articles we want members to write. 780 00:52:24.860 --> 00:52:28.800 We also want guidance on how we want people to utilize our community. 781 00:52:29.180 --> 00:52:33.900 You can do, you know, x y and z. You can do this. You can do that. Please do this now. 782 00:52:33.900 --> 00:52:35.680 You know, add your profile photo. 783 00:52:36.540 --> 00:52:39.565 You know, things like that. Just give them a little guidance, 784 00:52:40.025 --> 00:52:45.005 and they'll follow the steps because they're excited to see what your new community is all about. 785 00:52:45.545 --> 00:52:48.204 And that ties right into that giving them more opportunities 786 00:52:48.505 --> 00:52:49.244 to participate. 787 00:52:50.184 --> 00:52:53.244 Whether it's to view content or produce content 788 00:52:53.680 --> 00:52:57.220 or explore content or produce content. These are ways to participate 789 00:52:57.520 --> 00:52:58.020 on 790 00:52:58.400 --> 00:52:59.140 your website. 791 00:53:00.560 --> 00:53:05.120 And then what I like number four here is showering them with more than they expected. 792 00:53:05.120 --> 00:53:09.585 So maybe they signed up and they thought they were just getting a very simple, you know, 793 00:53:10.365 --> 00:53:11.505 access to a community. 794 00:53:12.045 --> 00:53:18.065 But if you can surprise them with a wealth of resources that they they just unlocked and they just hit the jackpot 795 00:53:18.605 --> 00:53:21.869 somehow, and these don't have to be complicated resources to create. 796 00:53:21.869 --> 00:53:26.130 We'll cover that in just a moment. But if you can shower them with more than they expected, 797 00:53:26.430 --> 00:53:31.710 you're gonna wow them, and there's a higher chance that they're gonna wanna stay connected to your community longer. 798 00:53:31.710 --> 00:53:36.255 And again, this all starts with after they initially join your website. 799 00:53:36.635 --> 00:53:42.234 And Pat came up with this one, number five, and I and I really like this one, is introducing them to additional communication channels. 800 00:53:42.234 --> 00:53:44.895 Can you, speak on that just a little bit, Pat, 801 00:53:45.195 --> 00:53:45.695 please? 802 00:53:47.035 --> 00:53:51.055 Definitely. And and I think everybody that that's listening in today can agree. 803 00:53:51.330 --> 00:53:54.790 We've all gone a little tone deaf to to emails. 804 00:53:55.170 --> 00:53:59.990 Even if you sign up, maybe you'll open that first email. Maybe you'll open up that second email. 805 00:54:00.050 --> 00:54:02.550 But after a while, you just even if you love the brand, 806 00:54:03.010 --> 00:54:07.030 if you love what they sell, even if it's an important part of your routine, 807 00:54:07.704 --> 00:54:11.805 you stop opening up those emails. So I find it critical at the beginning 808 00:54:12.345 --> 00:54:12.845 stages 809 00:54:13.305 --> 00:54:16.765 of the relationship that you introduce other communication channels. 810 00:54:17.145 --> 00:54:22.605 Why? Because if your customers or your members or your community stops opening up 811 00:54:23.190 --> 00:54:23.690 emails, 812 00:54:23.990 --> 00:54:28.410 maybe you'll you'll invite them to LinkedIn group or you'll send out a personal invitation, 813 00:54:29.109 --> 00:54:31.930 and maybe you'll have them follow your Twitter account. 814 00:54:32.150 --> 00:54:34.330 Maybe you want them to join your Facebook group. 815 00:54:34.550 --> 00:54:38.915 But what that's gonna do is it's gonna make sure that, you know, maybe my member is not 816 00:54:39.295 --> 00:54:43.215 opening my emails anymore, and I've lost that connection with them. 817 00:54:43.215 --> 00:54:49.455 But if I post something in the Facebook group, then perhaps I have a chance that they see it in that way and they can interact with it. 818 00:54:49.455 --> 00:54:49.955 So 819 00:54:50.255 --> 00:54:54.390 all of your members are gonna interact with different technologies. Some people like Facebook. 820 00:54:54.390 --> 00:54:57.930 Some people love Twitter. Some people like Instagram. Some people 821 00:54:58.390 --> 00:54:59.530 like email communication. 822 00:54:59.990 --> 00:55:01.850 But what's important is to diversify. 823 00:55:02.390 --> 00:55:03.610 And the more diversify, 824 00:55:04.085 --> 00:55:08.265 the better chance you give yourself to make sure that the message that you wanna send out 825 00:55:08.644 --> 00:55:11.944 to your community is gonna be heard by the most fun of people possible. 826 00:55:12.724 --> 00:55:13.224 And 827 00:55:13.525 --> 00:55:18.184 some pitfalls to avoid with that, Pat, actually. You don't need to be everywhere. 828 00:55:19.570 --> 00:55:22.070 Find out where the majority of your audience 829 00:55:22.530 --> 00:55:25.829 participates. It could be LinkedIn. It could be Facebook. It could be Twitter. 830 00:55:26.130 --> 00:55:27.910 It could be YouTube. It could be Instagram. 831 00:55:27.970 --> 00:55:34.335 These are all social networks that exist for a reason, and you don't need to, you know, man all of them. 832 00:55:34.735 --> 00:55:38.415 You know, right as of right now, Brilliant Directories doesn't have an Instagram account, 833 00:55:39.535 --> 00:55:40.495 that that we manage. 834 00:55:40.495 --> 00:55:44.675 We're we're focusing our resources on Facebook, and I think it's doing a fantastic job, 835 00:55:45.055 --> 00:55:47.075 as an additional channel to communicate, 836 00:55:47.917 --> 00:55:49.280 with our Brilliant Directories, 837 00:55:50.060 --> 00:55:50.560 community. 838 00:55:51.420 --> 00:55:57.200 So And, Jason, just just so people can can relate, because it's always nice to to make it a personal experience, 839 00:55:57.500 --> 00:56:00.060 you also have to experiment because you don't know what Right. 840 00:56:00.140 --> 00:56:03.675 What community your your community will react to. So, 841 00:56:04.075 --> 00:56:08.315 when you when I believe when Brilliant Directories started out, you had given LinkedIn a try at the beginning. 842 00:56:08.315 --> 00:56:09.455 Correct? And it wasn't 843 00:56:10.155 --> 00:56:15.855 exactly what you're hoping in terms of engagement, and you're willing to adapt to that and and be flexible 844 00:56:16.235 --> 00:56:19.790 and and try new things. And and I believe that that were worked out better. 845 00:56:20.330 --> 00:56:22.990 Absolutely. Yeah. We had a LinkedIn group for several years. 846 00:56:23.290 --> 00:56:29.390 You know, people would join it, but the format in which LinkedIn groups managed conversations and discussions, 847 00:56:29.930 --> 00:56:31.310 actually wasn't very constructive. 848 00:56:31.785 --> 00:56:32.285 So, 849 00:56:32.744 --> 00:56:35.545 you know, last year or or at some point, we migrated. 850 00:56:35.545 --> 00:56:37.865 We asked everyone to join our new Facebook group. 851 00:56:37.865 --> 00:56:41.005 You know, we started with zero members in Facebook. Now we have over, 852 00:56:41.385 --> 00:56:44.525 a thousand, close to 1,500 members in the Facebook group. 853 00:56:45.069 --> 00:56:49.710 But that's create that was a better way to engage the brilliant directories community. 854 00:56:49.710 --> 00:56:51.410 More people were on Facebook. 855 00:56:51.790 --> 00:56:53.630 Conversations are managed better. 856 00:56:53.630 --> 00:56:56.990 Discussions are managed better in Facebook, and LinkedIn was lacking. 857 00:56:56.990 --> 00:57:00.605 But there are thriving LinkedIn groups for a reason, 858 00:57:00.925 --> 00:57:03.425 because for for those certain types of audiences, 859 00:57:04.365 --> 00:57:05.585 it's it's working. 860 00:57:06.045 --> 00:57:08.125 You know, Twitter is more of like a news feed. 861 00:57:08.125 --> 00:57:11.825 You go on there and you're just getting a stream of news of people you're following, 862 00:57:12.740 --> 00:57:16.920 and sometimes you'll comment or retweet, but that's a place just to absorb, 863 00:57:17.220 --> 00:57:18.200 you know, information, 864 00:57:19.059 --> 00:57:22.040 generally speaking. So it just depends how your community 865 00:57:23.220 --> 00:57:23.720 engages, 866 00:57:24.260 --> 00:57:25.559 with your type of content, 867 00:57:26.180 --> 00:57:28.155 and and figuring out where you would best 868 00:57:28.555 --> 00:57:28.635 fit in. 869 00:57:28.635 --> 00:57:35.915 Because you also again, we all have limited resources at the end of the day, so you wanna make sure that your efforts and your energy are going into the right places. 870 00:57:35.915 --> 00:57:39.615 That's why I was mentioning, you don't need to be everywhere. Just be in the right places. 871 00:57:40.890 --> 00:57:44.670 Exactly. Choose one. Give it your all. See if it works. If it doesn't, 872 00:57:45.049 --> 00:57:47.630 adapt, and you will find your niche. Alright. 873 00:57:50.650 --> 00:57:51.930 There are different ways 874 00:57:52.365 --> 00:57:55.405 there are different types of welcome plan follow-up strategy. 875 00:57:55.405 --> 00:57:59.325 So a welcome plan is basically a follow-up plan for your new members. 876 00:57:59.325 --> 00:58:03.025 So here are some areas and some ways and some types 877 00:58:03.485 --> 00:58:04.145 of places 878 00:58:04.650 --> 00:58:07.470 where you can continue the welcome experience 879 00:58:07.770 --> 00:58:10.190 after a member initially signs up. 880 00:58:12.170 --> 00:58:13.150 First one is 881 00:58:13.770 --> 00:58:16.270 the creating a powerful thank you page after 882 00:58:16.809 --> 00:58:18.270 the member signs up. 883 00:58:18.775 --> 00:58:22.555 You can take them to a page with additional resources, make it more like a portal. 884 00:58:22.855 --> 00:58:28.075 You can figure out what you wanna do, but something that makes them feel warm and fuzzy and kinda tells them, 885 00:58:28.455 --> 00:58:33.270 what to do next. That kinda ties into the initial email after the sign up. 886 00:58:33.430 --> 00:58:37.370 It could be the email that they receive that kind of explains what to do next, 887 00:58:37.750 --> 00:58:39.050 has some links to, 888 00:58:39.510 --> 00:58:43.270 you know, engage further with your community and tells them what to do next. 889 00:58:43.270 --> 00:58:46.845 So, the thank you page, the initial email after sign ups. 890 00:58:47.085 --> 00:58:51.244 And then again, this goes back to the idea of automation versus being hands on. 891 00:58:51.244 --> 00:58:56.285 If you'd like to be more hands on, you have the resources to do so, and it's worth your your time and energy. 892 00:58:56.285 --> 00:58:58.305 You may wanna make direct phone calls. 893 00:58:58.445 --> 00:59:03.070 I'm a big advocate if you're a directory just starting out, if you're a new community. 894 00:59:04.010 --> 00:59:05.130 I'm a talkative person. 895 00:59:05.130 --> 00:59:10.030 I like to call my members, welcome them, ask ask them why they joined, help them complete their profiles, 896 00:59:10.330 --> 00:59:14.810 set them up for success, see if they have other colleagues that would like to join the site. 897 00:59:14.810 --> 00:59:15.870 So in those cases, 898 00:59:16.250 --> 00:59:19.025 a welcome call can be highly effective. 899 00:59:19.025 --> 00:59:23.525 Just have yourself a little script or a little format that you follow on that welcome call, 900 00:59:24.144 --> 00:59:27.125 and it can be a great way to build a lasting relationship. 901 00:59:28.865 --> 00:59:32.885 Emails I always believe you should call your first one hundred members. 902 00:59:33.320 --> 00:59:35.980 Just make a plan of it regardless of how much you're charging. 903 00:59:36.360 --> 00:59:38.940 It's great to hear and connect with your actual 904 00:59:39.320 --> 00:59:40.060 end users. 905 00:59:40.520 --> 00:59:44.460 So set a goal to talk to your first one hundred members, and you'll really learn 906 00:59:44.760 --> 00:59:49.065 a lot about the type of things that they're looking for, what their expectations are when they signed up. 907 00:59:49.224 --> 00:59:52.605 So you can see if you're in line with what you know you'll be able to deliver or not. 908 00:59:52.665 --> 00:59:56.685 Even better take you're absolutely right, Pat. And take notes while you call them, 909 00:59:57.065 --> 01:00:01.165 and write down the buzzwords that they use when they explain their problem. 910 01:00:01.450 --> 01:00:12.090 And your ultimate goal is to find out this is how, you know, political strategies work, because they do focus groups, they find out buzzwords, and that those are the words that they use, you know, on their website and in their marketing. 911 01:00:12.090 --> 01:00:14.750 So find out how they're wording their problems, 912 01:00:15.065 --> 01:00:16.445 how they refer to 913 01:00:16.825 --> 01:00:17.645 certain terminology, 914 01:00:18.185 --> 01:00:20.205 and make sure that your website mirrors, 915 01:00:20.905 --> 01:00:21.645 that terminology, 916 01:00:22.025 --> 01:00:26.585 and addresses those specific problems that they're sharing with you on those phone calls. 917 01:00:26.585 --> 01:00:30.125 So it's almost like research that you're doing on those phone calls, and again, 918 01:00:30.570 --> 01:00:31.950 this little bit of work 919 01:00:32.570 --> 01:00:39.070 will will help your website grow 100 x, because you're gonna your website's gonna be smarter than the competition 920 01:00:39.530 --> 01:00:40.430 with this information. 921 01:00:42.855 --> 01:00:50.635 Also, you know, standard ongoing emails and newsletter, monthly newsletters, you know, shower them with awesome content, high value industry information, 922 01:00:51.735 --> 01:00:55.435 just things that make them feel warm and and fuzzy, make them feel important, 923 01:00:55.895 --> 01:00:59.330 and make them feel like they're a valued member of your community 924 01:00:59.630 --> 01:01:01.650 and that they're gaining something from, 925 01:01:02.110 --> 01:01:02.670 from being, 926 01:01:03.070 --> 01:01:04.370 participating on it. 927 01:01:04.990 --> 01:01:06.030 We've heard this a lot. 928 01:01:06.030 --> 01:01:13.490 I know I believe Colette has mentioned this, from New Zealand and some other attendees here today are, local meetups. 929 01:01:14.205 --> 01:01:23.025 If you're a local community or directory website and it makes sense, you could go ahead and have a cup of coffee with potential members or your existing members. 930 01:01:23.245 --> 01:01:25.665 You can have a conversation, meet them in person, 931 01:01:25.965 --> 01:01:35.220 and that's again another way to create a long lasting relationship, and a fantastic way to welcome a new member is to just go ahead and shake their hand and meet them in person. 932 01:01:36.560 --> 01:01:40.740 And number six is something that's been more common the last few years, 933 01:01:41.135 --> 01:01:41.635 our 934 01:01:42.015 --> 01:01:45.075 webinar introductions to your community. It could be prerecorded 935 01:01:45.375 --> 01:01:46.435 or live webinars. 936 01:01:47.135 --> 01:01:53.315 You can have them, you know, every Tuesday at 04:00, and it and your your new members get a welcome email 937 01:01:54.020 --> 01:01:57.800 to join that webinar, to join you in additional channels as we just mentioned. 938 01:01:57.940 --> 01:02:07.220 And the webinar explains to them the benefits and tells them that they're valued and what to do next, and and all the the resources available to them now that they're part of this community. 939 01:02:07.220 --> 01:02:10.185 So webinar introductions, video introduction introductions, 940 01:02:11.125 --> 01:02:12.505 can be highly effective. 941 01:02:12.885 --> 01:02:19.465 In fact, the webinar introduction or the pre recorded video could be something on that you place on your thank you page. 942 01:02:20.609 --> 01:02:23.270 So a lot of these could be intermixed together, 943 01:02:24.049 --> 01:02:26.630 utilized together, or you can keep them separate. 944 01:02:27.650 --> 01:02:34.685 So now that we know the types of welcome plans, you know, thank you page, email sign up, direct phone calls, what should we include 945 01:02:35.065 --> 01:02:38.125 in those? And what you should include are your best assets. 946 01:02:38.585 --> 01:02:44.125 And if you don't have any good content yet or resources that would be of value to potential members, 947 01:02:44.505 --> 01:02:49.740 you should create it. That should be part of the hamster wheel. Part of it is creating the copy 948 01:02:50.680 --> 01:02:55.500 and the assets that you're gonna use in your marketing efforts, and and your marketing efforts are 949 01:02:55.800 --> 01:02:58.460 the welcome plan that you're putting in place. 950 01:02:59.925 --> 01:03:00.425 Pat, 951 01:03:01.285 --> 01:03:03.065 the one about additional communication 952 01:03:03.765 --> 01:03:04.265 channels. 953 01:03:05.365 --> 01:03:10.325 When someone signs up to your site, what is really the benefit of asking them to join something else? 954 01:03:10.325 --> 01:03:12.985 Is is that something that's going to annoy them? Or 955 01:03:13.610 --> 01:03:16.730 how do you make that something into a it seems like it's extra work. 956 01:03:16.730 --> 01:03:19.930 You just signed up for my site, now sign up for something else. What 957 01:03:20.490 --> 01:03:21.950 how do you make that a benefit? 958 01:03:23.690 --> 01:03:28.270 So, normally, let let's say it's a lawyer directory just to to use a 959 01:03:28.585 --> 01:03:31.165 specific example. If there's an normally, 960 01:03:31.785 --> 01:03:35.705 it's difficult for my members to communicate with other members. 961 01:03:35.705 --> 01:03:40.445 And and I know we wanna think that our directory is what is the most 962 01:03:41.750 --> 01:03:43.930 useful tool that we're offering to them. But, surprisingly, 963 01:03:44.710 --> 01:03:47.210 oftentimes, what people are most excited about 964 01:03:47.510 --> 01:03:49.609 is to connect with like minded 965 01:03:50.230 --> 01:03:53.130 individuals, people that are facing similar problems. 966 01:03:53.595 --> 01:03:54.255 And having 967 01:03:54.955 --> 01:03:57.295 additional communication channels, especially 968 01:03:57.915 --> 01:04:00.655 when they can interact with other members of the directory 969 01:04:01.195 --> 01:04:02.734 and ask questions and 970 01:04:03.035 --> 01:04:03.855 answer questions, 971 01:04:04.395 --> 01:04:04.895 that 972 01:04:05.195 --> 01:04:09.650 will oftentimes become the most valuable part of what it is you have to offer. 973 01:04:09.950 --> 01:04:11.650 So take away the promotional 974 01:04:12.270 --> 01:04:12.770 opportunities 975 01:04:13.470 --> 01:04:17.890 that that comes with that. Just the fact that you really are showing your members that 976 01:04:18.430 --> 01:04:22.770 you're servicing them. You're you're trying to make sure that you give them 977 01:04:23.415 --> 01:04:26.075 opportunities to connect with other people, ask questions, 978 01:04:26.535 --> 01:04:27.655 and you do care 979 01:04:28.695 --> 01:04:33.355 Gotcha. About them being able to grow. So I think the keyword there was exclusive 980 01:04:33.655 --> 01:04:34.155 invites 981 01:04:34.455 --> 01:04:36.395 to additional communication channels. 982 01:04:36.830 --> 01:04:42.610 So now that they've become a member, now they can access these additional channels to participate on. 983 01:04:42.990 --> 01:04:44.530 Got it. That's right. Exactly. 984 01:04:45.150 --> 01:04:46.130 Got it. Got it. 985 01:04:46.990 --> 01:04:54.225 So also what you wanna do as far as creating assets is creating quality articles that provide high value industry insights. 986 01:04:54.285 --> 01:04:55.825 So what does that jargon mean? 987 01:04:56.285 --> 01:04:59.745 Is let's use the lawyer example. You used a lawyer directory. 988 01:05:01.245 --> 01:05:06.480 You know, you want to create articles that are gonna help them perform better in their industry. 989 01:05:06.700 --> 01:05:07.519 And that's, 990 01:05:09.019 --> 01:05:10.880 content that they can only access, 991 01:05:11.740 --> 01:05:15.680 by being a part of your site and things that you wanna include 992 01:05:15.980 --> 01:05:19.695 in the welcome plan. So now that they've joined your site, oh, great. 993 01:05:19.695 --> 01:05:24.755 Now I'm getting this awesome article on, you know, 10, you know, just 10 ways to to increase, 994 01:05:25.775 --> 01:05:28.435 my customers each month or whatever it might be. 995 01:05:29.455 --> 01:05:31.890 Video tutorials are fantastic as well. 996 01:05:32.450 --> 01:05:35.010 I really like them on how to best use the community. 997 01:05:35.010 --> 01:05:42.150 We've seen in the Facebook group a lot of people create videos for potential members on what they can gain and how to best utilize, 998 01:05:42.529 --> 01:05:47.670 the website itself, and those video tutorials are great for marketing. They show up in YouTube. 999 01:05:48.185 --> 01:05:50.365 They can be repurposed for many different, 1000 01:05:51.945 --> 01:05:52.445 marketing 1001 01:05:53.225 --> 01:05:54.665 assets, and, yeah. 1002 01:05:54.665 --> 01:05:59.485 People like visual things like video tutorials that you can actually talk to your audience. 1003 01:06:01.370 --> 01:06:06.250 Also creating how to guides for the industry or checklists that your members should make sure, 1004 01:06:07.130 --> 01:06:16.435 that to do lists or checklists that will help their business, make sure that they're doing everything they should be doing to be either a part of your website or the best they can be in their industry. 1005 01:06:16.435 --> 01:06:22.295 And it's easy to create 10 step checklist for, you know, x y and z, and then also 1006 01:06:23.234 --> 01:06:28.214 other resources that again propel them towards being better at what they do, or 1007 01:06:29.369 --> 01:06:33.789 providing them with the information and expectations that you promised them on the initial 1008 01:06:34.250 --> 01:06:34.910 sign up. 1009 01:06:35.450 --> 01:06:37.069 Another thing I like to do 1010 01:06:37.450 --> 01:06:39.930 on welcome plans is showcase other members. 1011 01:06:39.930 --> 01:06:43.789 Members who have completed their profiles, have added a lot of content to the website, 1012 01:06:44.195 --> 01:06:49.895 show them that they're show the new member that that you're giving visibility to members who are participating 1013 01:06:50.595 --> 01:06:51.494 on your website. 1014 01:06:52.195 --> 01:07:02.010 And that's a great way to lead by example, and the new members will learn that if they participate on your website, they add content, or whatever your end goal is, they too can be featured, 1015 01:07:03.190 --> 01:07:08.090 in your newsletters or wherever you are featuring your members. So showcasing your best members, 1016 01:07:08.710 --> 01:07:13.895 is also a great strategy to show the new members that they are part of a group. 1017 01:07:14.035 --> 01:07:18.915 And hopefully those members that you're showcasing are very relatable to the new members. 1018 01:07:18.915 --> 01:07:22.375 Maybe it's a prominent doctor of a doctor directory or and and whatnot. 1019 01:07:23.395 --> 01:07:24.375 And then lastly, 1020 01:07:25.380 --> 01:07:29.640 always throughout this process, explain to them why they should do, 1021 01:07:30.180 --> 01:07:33.720 any of the actions you want them to do and incentivize them. 1022 01:07:34.500 --> 01:07:37.000 Incentivize them with access to more 1023 01:07:37.425 --> 01:07:37.925 features, 1024 01:07:38.385 --> 01:07:38.885 or 1025 01:07:39.585 --> 01:07:41.125 providing them with more visibility. 1026 01:07:42.545 --> 01:07:43.685 Just figure out 1027 01:07:44.225 --> 01:07:44.725 what 1028 01:07:45.265 --> 01:07:51.605 drives them to want to be part of the community and do more of those things, and you will have very happy 1029 01:07:52.029 --> 01:07:53.569 new members along the way. 1030 01:07:54.670 --> 01:08:03.309 And I think it's it's good to try to come up with a real life example because it's it's it seems daunting, and that's why we go back to that hamster wheel. 1031 01:08:03.309 --> 01:08:05.089 And it always starts off with 1032 01:08:05.925 --> 01:08:07.625 what problem are you solving 1033 01:08:08.005 --> 01:08:11.545 and which audience are you addressing. I remember in a previous webinar, 1034 01:08:11.925 --> 01:08:15.065 it's a concept I really, really liked, and it was about the, 1035 01:08:15.925 --> 01:08:18.825 it was about martial art dojos and and studios. 1036 01:08:18.885 --> 01:08:27.019 And the the the problem that they were tackling was the fact that these days, they call them McDojos, and there are dojos just launching everywhere. 1037 01:08:27.019 --> 01:08:32.719 But the instructors are not they don't have experience, and they don't have a high standard. So 1038 01:08:33.135 --> 01:08:33.635 perhaps 1039 01:08:34.015 --> 01:08:39.475 their entire mission, the initial problem they're solving is for the end user. And the end user, 1040 01:08:39.854 --> 01:08:41.875 what they're trying to do is they're building a directory 1041 01:08:42.654 --> 01:08:43.154 of 1042 01:08:43.535 --> 01:08:48.910 dojos that meet a certain standard, And they've gone through all these steps of ensuring that standard, 1043 01:08:49.930 --> 01:08:55.069 and they have a vision and they have a mission to that directory. So they have a community 1044 01:08:55.449 --> 01:08:56.270 for parents, 1045 01:08:56.969 --> 01:09:03.064 that are want to enroll their kids, and they care about finding the right dojos where they have 1046 01:09:03.365 --> 01:09:08.725 instructors that abide by that vision, and they wanna make sure that they enroll their kids in the right dojo. 1047 01:09:08.725 --> 01:09:11.545 And if they're not sure, then they should join this community, 1048 01:09:12.245 --> 01:09:17.640 and that community will be of like minded parents that also wanna make sure that that quality is maintained. 1049 01:09:17.939 --> 01:09:20.360 And then what they wanna do is they wanna write articles 1050 01:09:20.979 --> 01:09:24.520 such as how to tell the difference between a dojo 1051 01:09:25.425 --> 01:09:30.005 that has the right type of instructor leading it and the benefits of enrolling your kids 1052 01:09:30.305 --> 01:09:31.205 in a dojo 1053 01:09:32.145 --> 01:09:34.225 that has experience behind it. 1054 01:09:34.225 --> 01:09:40.484 It's not just a a a somebody that took one one martial arts class and said, I'm gonna launch a dojo. 1055 01:09:40.740 --> 01:09:41.640 And then they're 1056 01:09:42.020 --> 01:09:44.200 saying why they should be participating, 1057 01:09:44.580 --> 01:09:46.360 why they should be supporting the directory. 1058 01:09:46.900 --> 01:09:50.600 Because if it's important to them to to support 1059 01:09:51.060 --> 01:09:57.364 quality martial arts and to make sure that the dojos that abide by these standards and they believe into this vision 1060 01:09:57.745 --> 01:10:04.085 that we have, that we you need to help support them as well, and you need to spread the word, and we need to be a community. 1061 01:10:04.385 --> 01:10:09.680 So it all starts by what is that first need I'm filling, who am I talking to, 1062 01:10:10.060 --> 01:10:13.680 and then following this formula that we're sharing with you today 1063 01:10:14.380 --> 01:10:18.480 and just making sure you have a ton of content and supporting material 1064 01:10:19.020 --> 01:10:20.160 to help support 1065 01:10:20.695 --> 01:10:23.835 that one need that you're filling that makes your website different 1066 01:10:24.215 --> 01:10:24.935 from the rest. 1067 01:10:24.935 --> 01:10:30.795 And when all of that is packaged together and when you make sure that when somebody signs up, they get that information 1068 01:10:31.574 --> 01:10:43.300 delivered to them in an efficient way, then at that point, you can come back and you can start at number one again and say, well, now I'm gonna fill the need for the dojos, and I'm gonna I'm gonna start this process again. 1069 01:10:44.000 --> 01:10:45.619 Well well said, Pat. 1070 01:10:46.400 --> 01:10:46.639 Yeah. 1071 01:10:46.639 --> 01:10:52.875 And and if you follow this process, you're, you know, you're doing things in order, and the and the work will complete itself, 1072 01:10:53.255 --> 01:10:57.195 just by cycling through these steps. So I wanted to come back to this slide. 1073 01:10:57.575 --> 01:11:00.395 Alright. Let's get back up to speed where we were. 1074 01:11:01.495 --> 01:11:01.995 Alright. 1075 01:11:02.980 --> 01:11:06.679 And the most important thing is what can you guys do today 1076 01:11:07.060 --> 01:11:14.579 to make sure that you're at least using some of the strategies here in welcoming welcoming new members with a welcome plan. 1077 01:11:14.579 --> 01:11:17.235 And like we mentioned, a little bit of effort will go 1078 01:11:17.795 --> 01:11:18.695 a long way. 1079 01:11:19.074 --> 01:11:21.554 So here are some things you guys can do today. 1080 01:11:21.554 --> 01:11:25.094 If you wanted to take notes on a slide, this would be the one. 1081 01:11:25.395 --> 01:11:27.415 The first one is to create content 1082 01:11:27.795 --> 01:11:29.975 on your site or curate resources 1083 01:11:30.594 --> 01:11:33.820 that have true value for your new members. 1084 01:11:33.820 --> 01:11:39.280 And you could surprise them with these resources after they sign up. I like to do, to do checklists, 1085 01:11:40.219 --> 01:11:45.280 whether it's like six steps to make you make sure your business is ready for 2019. 1086 01:11:46.015 --> 01:11:51.135 And, you know, just provide them with these with these fun things that that, have some high value for them. 1087 01:11:52.335 --> 01:11:58.355 What you should do today is update your welcome email template after new members sign up. 1088 01:11:59.580 --> 01:12:02.160 I should go in the admin and show where that is. Right, Pat? 1089 01:12:05.100 --> 01:12:05.600 Alright. 1090 01:12:06.380 --> 01:12:07.840 Take that as a yes. So 1091 01:12:08.300 --> 01:12:08.800 for 1092 01:12:09.180 --> 01:12:13.200 each each of your membership levels, I'll just go to manage products here, 1093 01:12:13.905 --> 01:12:15.684 and let's just edit one of these, 1094 01:12:16.625 --> 01:12:17.925 premium member Rick. 1095 01:12:19.985 --> 01:12:21.204 So you can choose 1096 01:12:21.985 --> 01:12:28.620 the sign up email that's sent, and you can create your own or you can choose from one of the the premade ones. 1097 01:12:28.780 --> 01:12:31.680 In this case, it's using the welcome basic template, 1098 01:12:33.180 --> 01:12:37.340 but you can choose you can create your own custom email and then select it here. 1099 01:12:37.340 --> 01:12:40.080 So anyone who signs up to this membership level 1100 01:12:40.380 --> 01:12:41.120 will receive 1101 01:12:41.500 --> 01:12:42.880 this email template. 1102 01:12:43.835 --> 01:12:47.534 So where do you edit that? Well, let's go on over to emails 1103 01:12:48.155 --> 01:12:49.375 and email templates. 1104 01:12:51.835 --> 01:12:54.015 I'll do a quick search just for the word basic, 1105 01:12:55.700 --> 01:12:59.720 and it looks like we have this one customized already. We'll just click on edit. 1106 01:13:03.460 --> 01:13:03.960 And 1107 01:13:04.260 --> 01:13:09.800 so this is the stock email template that comes, you know, just has some basic messages, welcome to the community. 1108 01:13:10.175 --> 01:13:14.195 But you could take some time, put some put some title text here like this, like, 1109 01:13:14.655 --> 01:13:18.995 you know, it says thank you for joining the fastest community, and then I'll just give you an example. 1110 01:13:19.455 --> 01:13:24.035 You can just copy that and then say, you know, oops, you can do something like, 1111 01:13:25.369 --> 01:13:26.429 what to do 1112 01:13:31.530 --> 01:13:33.869 next. You know, and you just create different sections 1113 01:13:34.170 --> 01:13:38.030 even if it's just this email, and have maybe three sections welcoming 1114 01:13:38.570 --> 01:13:41.105 them, what to do next, and additional resources 1115 01:13:41.485 --> 01:13:45.585 that you'll love. Join our Facebook group and things like that. It's easy to create 1116 01:13:45.965 --> 01:13:46.525 link text. 1117 01:13:46.525 --> 01:13:54.140 You could just type what you want and then select the link here, and you can you can send them to the Facebook page that you want right here. 1118 01:13:54.840 --> 01:13:57.740 And now you have link text here. Why not make it bold? 1119 01:13:58.600 --> 01:13:59.100 So 1120 01:13:59.400 --> 01:14:01.100 there's a lot that you can do. 1121 01:14:01.160 --> 01:14:10.185 There's a lot you can accomplish just by curating and crafting a nice welcome email per membership level that's that's for that specific person. 1122 01:14:11.925 --> 01:14:13.845 And and that ties into number three. 1123 01:14:13.845 --> 01:14:22.025 In the in the welcome email, explain what the membership benefits are and what to do next, and also provide them with some additional 1124 01:14:22.610 --> 01:14:29.030 resources that they can further explore your entire community, the additional channels that Pat has mentioned a few times. 1125 01:14:31.170 --> 01:14:34.630 Also, what you can do is share your best content. 1126 01:14:34.690 --> 01:14:39.325 Perhaps give them access to to a section of your site that is only for members. 1127 01:14:39.785 --> 01:14:47.625 And, like like Jeff was talking, he wanted to have premium resources just for a certain type of membership level and hidden from everyone else. 1128 01:14:47.625 --> 01:14:50.210 So give them access to that premium content. 1129 01:14:50.210 --> 01:14:54.150 It could be a library of checklists and ebooks that you've put together. 1130 01:14:54.290 --> 01:14:56.770 Again, they could be simple things. They could be 10 step guides. 1131 01:14:56.770 --> 01:14:59.410 They don't have to be hundred page ebooks or or checklist. 1132 01:14:59.410 --> 01:15:04.425 So just create a a nice cluster of resources that they now have access to. 1133 01:15:04.905 --> 01:15:06.125 That will make them happy. 1134 01:15:06.585 --> 01:15:11.244 And then, again, invite the members to other channels. So that's a way for them to explore, 1135 01:15:12.665 --> 01:15:19.170 other avenues to stay connected to your community beyond just the the directory website that they've just joined. 1136 01:15:19.470 --> 01:15:23.890 And then lastly, keep the conversation going with a nice pulse in those additional channels, 1137 01:15:24.590 --> 01:15:27.810 you know, post post updates from time to time. 1138 01:15:27.950 --> 01:15:30.690 What's really awesome about the Brilliant Directories platform 1139 01:15:30.990 --> 01:15:34.245 is that it literally has a million and one features built into it. 1140 01:15:34.325 --> 01:15:39.065 Now here's a strategy for everyone. You don't have to release all the features to your members 1141 01:15:39.525 --> 01:15:43.785 at the same time. As far as your members are concerned, you guys have developers 1142 01:15:44.165 --> 01:15:47.940 constantly creating new features and updating the website. So, 1143 01:15:48.500 --> 01:15:50.120 you know, you might not have 1144 01:15:50.500 --> 01:15:51.000 coupons 1145 01:15:51.620 --> 01:15:56.920 from day one, but maybe six months after launching your site, you now allow your members to publish coupons 1146 01:15:57.300 --> 01:15:58.020 on the website. 1147 01:15:58.020 --> 01:16:06.135 And that could be a huge newsletter and announcement on the website, or whatever the the feature is that you want to unlock and release with your Brilliant Directories website. 1148 01:16:06.135 --> 01:16:13.995 So when you're starting out, keep things basic and simple, and you can release and unlock some of your BD features over time, and make them big announcements. 1149 01:16:14.450 --> 01:16:23.270 Say that your development team has been working around the clock to create x, y, and z and make that positive news for your community, and they'll feel like this is a this is a, 1150 01:16:24.050 --> 01:16:24.790 an organization 1151 01:16:25.090 --> 01:16:27.510 that is growing and that has a pulse. 1152 01:16:28.065 --> 01:16:38.565 And you can keep them updated with newsletters or again in those additional channels, or you can have your company blog and post it in your blog, share the blog article on your social media channels. 1153 01:16:38.785 --> 01:16:46.840 Just keep the pulse of your website going so people know that you're you have your lights on for your business, for your organization, and that it's okay for them to participate 1154 01:16:47.460 --> 01:16:48.120 with you. 1155 01:16:48.740 --> 01:16:54.195 That was a mouthful, but I I really think everyone in this webinar from this one slide can actually 1156 01:16:54.514 --> 01:16:58.454 find some actionals actionable steps to improve the welcome plan, 1157 01:16:59.155 --> 01:17:01.815 when new members sign up to your website. 1158 01:17:03.474 --> 01:17:05.795 And I'd like to open it up to the attendees now. 1159 01:17:05.795 --> 01:17:08.935 I'd like to know, if you wanna raise your hand, who here 1160 01:17:09.540 --> 01:17:14.360 has let's say simply I just just very simply modified the welcome email 1161 01:17:14.660 --> 01:17:15.620 that new members, 1162 01:17:16.180 --> 01:17:28.205 receive when they sign up, or who has a welcome plan in place when new members sign up, whether it's a phone call or you have, an additional channel that you're directing them to to participate on. 1163 01:17:28.665 --> 01:17:30.365 So we have, Colette here. 1164 01:17:31.065 --> 01:17:33.165 It looks there we go. How are you today, Colette? 1165 01:17:33.705 --> 01:17:37.325 Good. And you? Excellent. Excellent. How'd you like the tip of the week today? 1166 01:17:38.670 --> 01:17:42.690 Yeah. Very good. Makes me realize I need to do a bit more work on that 1167 01:17:43.070 --> 01:17:44.050 section, but, 1168 01:17:44.989 --> 01:17:46.530 I think I have a good welcome 1169 01:17:48.510 --> 01:17:51.435 thing in in place at the moment. So what what, 1170 01:17:51.835 --> 01:17:56.975 what's kind of the strategy you're utilizing them? What, what do you welcome them with essentially? 1171 01:17:58.795 --> 01:18:02.095 I make a personal phone call just that also, 1172 01:18:02.795 --> 01:18:05.935 allows me to verify them as a member, 1173 01:18:07.449 --> 01:18:08.590 and welcome them. 1174 01:18:09.530 --> 01:18:13.150 They do get the welcome email, which I have modified as well. 1175 01:18:14.409 --> 01:18:17.389 But something that I really do need to do is some 1176 01:18:17.690 --> 01:18:21.150 some more videos or some videos in terms of 1177 01:18:22.425 --> 01:18:24.845 getting them to utilize the features better. 1178 01:18:26.025 --> 01:18:27.005 Got you. Yeah. 1179 01:18:27.545 --> 01:18:29.165 Videos are are very helpful. 1180 01:18:29.465 --> 01:18:36.750 Also, videos can be a huge roadblock because on the one side, you want to produce the videos very quickly, and then the other side, you want them to be 1181 01:18:37.230 --> 01:18:38.130 super professional. 1182 01:18:39.550 --> 01:18:43.170 So and and also whether you some people don't like their own voice. 1183 01:18:44.030 --> 01:18:44.930 So Yeah. 1184 01:18:45.470 --> 01:18:47.310 I mean, it's I've I've seen it many times. 1185 01:18:47.310 --> 01:18:50.590 They're not people aren't comfortable speaking, and that's that's a very common thing. 1186 01:18:50.590 --> 01:18:55.225 So you have to find someone who can, you know, create the tutorial or video for you. But, 1187 01:18:56.085 --> 01:18:58.344 if you can simplify it and perhaps 1188 01:18:58.965 --> 01:19:03.225 slightly lower your expectations of what a finished product should be for the video, 1189 01:19:03.764 --> 01:19:04.425 that might 1190 01:19:05.205 --> 01:19:08.840 remove some of the roadblocks to getting those videos produced and published. 1191 01:19:08.840 --> 01:19:13.180 And your members will still be thankful even if the videos are not, you know, a % 1192 01:19:13.400 --> 01:19:14.460 production, you know, 1193 01:19:15.560 --> 01:19:16.440 movie quality. 1194 01:19:16.760 --> 01:19:17.800 They'll forgive you for that. 1195 01:19:17.800 --> 01:19:20.940 They they like the content of the video more than the production value. 1196 01:19:21.875 --> 01:19:25.815 Well, I like your idea of the member articles too. I might actually 1197 01:19:26.594 --> 01:19:28.215 utilize that for, 1198 01:19:29.074 --> 01:19:33.975 my page members and just do some articles with the how to 1199 01:19:34.355 --> 01:19:35.415 for each feature. 1200 01:19:36.740 --> 01:19:37.780 That's a great yep. 1201 01:19:37.780 --> 01:19:42.520 That you can use that as a channel, specifically for the new members that sign up. Absolutely. 1202 01:19:43.620 --> 01:19:43.940 Alright. 1203 01:19:43.940 --> 01:19:51.480 Do you have any tips for anyone in the audience, Colette, who who might be a little shy or or worried about getting their welcome plan set up? 1204 01:19:53.014 --> 01:19:57.435 For me, because I work in a small community, I do find that the personal 1205 01:19:57.895 --> 01:20:00.074 contact is incredibly beneficial. 1206 01:20:01.574 --> 01:20:05.195 So for me, making the phone calls or meeting the people has been 1207 01:20:06.050 --> 01:20:08.150 the way to go in my community. 1208 01:20:08.770 --> 01:20:11.750 Oh, fantastic. Thank you so much, for sharing with us, Colette. 1209 01:20:12.610 --> 01:20:13.350 No worries. 1210 01:20:13.730 --> 01:20:13.970 Yeah. 1211 01:20:13.970 --> 01:20:19.650 I think I think when we when we launch a new business, you have to think, what is my competitor not doing? 1212 01:20:19.650 --> 01:20:31.815 And something I can pretty much assure you is not happening with Yelp is you're not getting a personal phone call from the owner of the of Yelp welcoming you to the directory and seeing how how he or she can be of service. 1213 01:20:31.815 --> 01:20:32.875 And I think that 1214 01:20:34.659 --> 01:20:39.159 in today, more than more than ever, we wanna make that personal human connection. 1215 01:20:39.539 --> 01:20:43.960 And and it's great that Colette is doing that. She's she's understood the value of that. 1216 01:20:44.179 --> 01:20:49.000 And people, regardless of how big or how small you are, the fact that they could do business 1217 01:20:49.425 --> 01:20:57.665 with somebody that's taking the time to get to know who they are, and they've identified and they've connected in a human way, goes a really, really long way. 1218 01:20:57.665 --> 01:20:59.925 And that's something that everybody on this webinar, 1219 01:21:00.545 --> 01:21:04.480 can definitely be doing. And and you brought up a good point. That's the one thing. 1220 01:21:04.480 --> 01:21:06.580 If if you have two identical products, 1221 01:21:07.520 --> 01:21:10.240 you need a competitive advantage. Why will a customer choose you? 1222 01:21:10.240 --> 01:21:12.100 If the products are exactly identical, 1223 01:21:12.800 --> 01:21:18.114 the one thing you can do is give that personal touch, and that's something that no one can take away, from you. 1224 01:21:18.114 --> 01:21:22.935 And if you could optimize and execute the format in which you deliver that personal touch, 1225 01:21:23.555 --> 01:21:26.275 you're gonna have a superior advantage over competitors. 1226 01:21:26.275 --> 01:21:29.680 And, again, you're gonna sway people towards following your company, 1227 01:21:30.220 --> 01:21:31.520 as opposed to a competitor. 1228 01:21:32.860 --> 01:21:36.640 So we have, Eric, also our good friend, Eric here. I'm gonna unmute your microphone. 1229 01:21:37.100 --> 01:21:40.080 Yeah. Eric, how are you doing today? How'd you like the tip of the week today? 1230 01:21:40.700 --> 01:21:41.600 Oh, yeah. It's, 1231 01:21:42.045 --> 01:21:45.265 you know, something I've been trying to work on. I keep having, 1232 01:21:47.245 --> 01:21:47.745 both 1233 01:21:48.125 --> 01:21:49.425 unsolicited businesses 1234 01:21:49.885 --> 01:21:50.705 that are relevant, 1235 01:21:51.565 --> 01:21:52.545 and consumers, 1236 01:21:53.885 --> 01:21:54.864 joining the site. 1237 01:21:55.700 --> 01:21:57.720 And every time a consumer joins, especially 1238 01:21:58.660 --> 01:22:01.780 I get the, alert email and then realize that, 1239 01:22:02.500 --> 01:22:05.080 the email they received is pretty poor. So, 1240 01:22:06.580 --> 01:22:09.080 something I've been working on because I do have, 1241 01:22:09.925 --> 01:22:14.505 like you were saying earlier, that because of my member levels, I have, 1242 01:22:16.565 --> 01:22:20.905 you know, sort of like, I think about five different welcome emails to create, 1243 01:22:22.310 --> 01:22:27.050 which is not a problem. But, I just been it takes a lot of time to figure out, 1244 01:22:27.350 --> 01:22:28.810 okay, what's the best 1245 01:22:29.270 --> 01:22:31.530 links to put in there to send them to, 1246 01:22:32.950 --> 01:22:38.385 features to to talk about, stuff like that. So You know, you bring up a good point. 1247 01:22:38.385 --> 01:22:48.805 So to help simplify things for everyone here, I think the three things that you should include in your in your initial welcome email that the that the new member or the new sign up receives 1248 01:22:49.590 --> 01:22:50.090 is, 1249 01:22:50.550 --> 01:22:53.050 welcome them. Obviously, hello. Welcome to the community. 1250 01:22:54.230 --> 01:22:55.510 Create a list of, 1251 01:22:56.070 --> 01:23:00.970 three to seven benefits, just a bullet list of what their new membership provides them with, 1252 01:23:01.350 --> 01:23:04.250 you know, access to the community, this, that, and the other. 1253 01:23:05.395 --> 01:23:06.215 And then, 1254 01:23:07.315 --> 01:23:10.614 what to do next. So these are the benefits of your membership. 1255 01:23:11.155 --> 01:23:17.014 What to do next, and just give them one or one to three things to do next. And then also explain 1256 01:23:17.315 --> 01:23:20.760 the again, this goes back to explaining and incentivizing them. 1257 01:23:21.000 --> 01:23:26.460 Explain to them in one sentence what will what the benefit is of completing those three actions. 1258 01:23:27.480 --> 01:23:34.725 And then I think the third thing that you should tell them is, stay connected with us or also, like, have an additional channel. 1259 01:23:34.725 --> 01:23:36.325 It could just be one additional channel. 1260 01:23:36.325 --> 01:23:40.165 Like, for for brilliant directors, we're doing a strong focus on the Facebook group right now. 1261 01:23:40.165 --> 01:23:42.745 It's first of all, it's a lot of fun for me, but it's been highly effective. 1262 01:23:43.365 --> 01:23:46.645 So find one other channel. It could be your YouTube channel. 1263 01:23:46.645 --> 01:23:48.630 Just get them to subscribe to your YouTube 1264 01:23:50.070 --> 01:23:50.310 channel. 1265 01:23:50.310 --> 01:23:55.429 It could be one of many things, but just have one thing for them to additional channel for them to subscribe to. 1266 01:23:55.429 --> 01:23:56.650 So explain, 1267 01:23:58.389 --> 01:23:59.449 up to five benefits 1268 01:23:59.750 --> 01:24:08.195 of what they receive now they join now that they join, three things they should do next, and one way they should one additional channel they should stay connected to with you. 1269 01:24:08.195 --> 01:24:13.095 And I think that at least would be the beginning stages of a of a quality welcome email. 1270 01:24:14.275 --> 01:24:15.815 Yeah. No. I I'd agree. 1271 01:24:17.820 --> 01:24:21.040 I was like I said, I was messing with one 1272 01:24:21.660 --> 01:24:26.300 a few weeks ago and, you know, ended up spending, like, you know, five hours. 1273 01:24:26.300 --> 01:24:30.000 You just get lost in trying to develop what to put in there. 1274 01:24:31.035 --> 01:24:37.135 One of the issues I just sort of ran into was just getting the social media icons displayed because the 1275 01:24:37.595 --> 01:24:39.535 the I the social media widget 1276 01:24:39.995 --> 01:24:40.895 won't show 1277 01:24:41.515 --> 01:24:43.695 when an email is sent apparently. 1278 01:24:45.219 --> 01:24:45.460 Yeah. 1279 01:24:45.460 --> 01:24:50.580 You you wanna use, images for images for those if you want your social social media links there. 1280 01:24:50.580 --> 01:24:57.159 But also, while it looks good in the email for your social media links, it might, you know, those are just there for decoration. 1281 01:24:57.219 --> 01:25:01.945 So rather than doing that, again you might want to choose one channel and put a stronger 1282 01:25:02.325 --> 01:25:06.025 focus for them to join that channel. So rather than icons, and 1283 01:25:06.485 --> 01:25:09.145 I'm just going to go to the Brilliant Directories site for a second, 1284 01:25:09.685 --> 01:25:14.700 what we've put in the footer of our site is is this banner here to join our Facebook group. 1285 01:25:14.700 --> 01:25:18.640 You know, it just took a few moments to create, this this is just an image, basically. 1286 01:25:19.180 --> 01:25:21.660 And we just created this banner and put it in our footer. 1287 01:25:21.660 --> 01:25:27.735 And that would be something good to put in your email as well rather than just, you know, Facebook and Twitter icon. 1288 01:25:27.735 --> 01:25:31.994 It really doesn't create an emotional connection. With a banner like this, you have people smiling. 1289 01:25:32.295 --> 01:25:33.675 You can mention a benefit. 1290 01:25:34.054 --> 01:25:37.994 Here it says join a thousand BD users building their membership websites together. 1291 01:25:39.094 --> 01:25:43.820 So I think one banner like this would be more powerful than having three or four, 1292 01:25:44.520 --> 01:25:47.340 icons to your different social media networks. 1293 01:25:48.280 --> 01:25:50.699 Yeah. No. That's a good idea. Is that, 1294 01:25:51.480 --> 01:25:56.940 again, you just call that as an icon like, you have to upload the image and then call that in the email? 1295 01:25:57.079 --> 01:25:59.325 Yeah. So so and I'll just it should work here. 1296 01:25:59.325 --> 01:26:04.465 So you you'd, upload the image to your media library, and, it should be available here. 1297 01:26:04.525 --> 01:26:07.345 I'll just choose any image right now, this this verified one. 1298 01:26:08.125 --> 01:26:11.185 And then what and then what you can do is just link the image, 1299 01:26:11.485 --> 01:26:12.945 to where you want it to go. 1300 01:26:13.420 --> 01:26:16.159 I just click on the image, click on the insert link, 1301 01:26:16.460 --> 01:26:17.519 and and now 1302 01:26:18.059 --> 01:26:21.199 we're done. Now there's an image in the email, and it's linked. 1303 01:26:21.260 --> 01:26:25.920 So that would probably be something to appropriately put towards the end of at the bottom of the email. 1304 01:26:27.665 --> 01:26:31.285 Yeah. No. That looks good. Definitely great tips. I think, 1305 01:26:32.625 --> 01:26:34.405 emails are a big part because 1306 01:26:35.025 --> 01:26:35.685 I meet 1307 01:26:36.145 --> 01:26:38.965 pretty much all the people I'm trying to get to join, 1308 01:26:40.385 --> 01:26:42.485 and I've been pretty poor at, 1309 01:26:43.739 --> 01:26:49.659 you know, following up with some type of like, hey, you know, we met and here's some features and here's this and here's that. 1310 01:26:49.659 --> 01:26:50.639 So Gotcha. 1311 01:26:51.579 --> 01:26:54.079 Well, let me just go back a couple slides. 1312 01:26:56.255 --> 01:26:57.695 The goals of the quality, 1313 01:26:58.094 --> 01:27:10.620 of a quality welcome plan, just keep in mind you that's why it's good to talk to them, figure out the buzzwords that your potential members or new members are using, and you wanna repeat that same terminology once you nail exactly what the key terms are. 1314 01:27:11.260 --> 01:27:13.660 Again, it's they do it a lot in political campaigns. 1315 01:27:13.660 --> 01:27:16.400 They do focus groups, and what we end up hearing on TV 1316 01:27:16.700 --> 01:27:22.480 has been has gone through several filters as the best terminology or phrases to use that will have the biggest impact. 1317 01:27:22.700 --> 01:27:27.324 And the same that's just marketing one on one. So if you can if you can really, 1318 01:27:27.725 --> 01:27:32.945 dial in to what that terminology is, it's gonna be easier for you to connect with your potential members. 1319 01:27:33.565 --> 01:27:37.324 Thank you so much for your questions, Eric. We did cover some good things right now. Yeah. 1320 01:27:37.324 --> 01:27:40.705 Thanks a lot, guys. Have a good Thanksgiving. You too. You gobble gobble. 1321 01:27:42.380 --> 01:27:45.680 Alright. Good good questions. They're always from our friend, Eric. 1322 01:27:46.780 --> 01:27:52.000 Alright. Let's see if we got anyone else's hands raised here. We got Vijay here again. Vijay, 1323 01:27:52.940 --> 01:27:55.200 you have any questions about the welcome plan here? 1324 01:27:55.775 --> 01:27:58.335 Yeah. Hey, Jason. And thanks, but firstly, for a great webinar. 1325 01:27:59.055 --> 01:28:03.395 Perfect timing because I'm actually just getting started with Brilliant Directories and, 1326 01:28:04.175 --> 01:28:07.235 importing claim listings into my website and all that. And 1327 01:28:08.060 --> 01:28:12.540 the part that I was actually trying to figure out was what do I write in terms of, 1328 01:28:13.100 --> 01:28:14.560 sending an email to 1329 01:28:15.020 --> 01:28:18.400 all the listings that I've actually added as claim listings. So 1330 01:28:18.700 --> 01:28:24.835 I really like that, new blog post that you guys put up about email marketing in the and the blog on Brilliant Directories? 1331 01:28:26.175 --> 01:28:28.975 That's right. Yeah. I'll just I'll just navigate there right now. 1332 01:28:28.975 --> 01:28:33.315 If you guys, didn't know, we do have a blog at Brilliant Directories. And, 1333 01:28:34.335 --> 01:28:36.175 this is a great I'll share the link here. 1334 01:28:36.255 --> 01:28:44.969 We do write some not only can you find all the webinars here, but we do write some good strategy articles here, like how to invite new members to your online, directory with email marketing. 1335 01:28:44.969 --> 01:28:47.370 There's a good template in there, that you can modify. 1336 01:28:47.370 --> 01:28:52.270 But, yeah, let me post this link here in the chat. Everyone should get this right now. 1337 01:28:52.965 --> 01:28:53.784 There you go. 1338 01:28:55.364 --> 01:28:58.264 Yeah. We'd like to follow-up with you on on future webinars, 1339 01:28:58.725 --> 01:28:59.225 PJ, 1340 01:29:00.165 --> 01:29:02.105 about the progress with that email campaign. 1341 01:29:02.645 --> 01:29:04.905 Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. So my question was, 1342 01:29:05.510 --> 01:29:09.990 are there any more resources inside, like, the Brilliant Directories support area where there's, 1343 01:29:10.550 --> 01:29:12.010 more templates in terms 1344 01:29:12.550 --> 01:29:17.130 of basically what this webinar was about about bringing new members on board and stuff like that? 1345 01:29:17.605 --> 01:29:20.665 If there's anything, it would be in the blog section, 1346 01:29:21.525 --> 01:29:22.025 here. 1347 01:29:22.485 --> 01:29:27.385 The support center, we try to stay more towards technical documentation rather than marketing strategies. 1348 01:29:28.405 --> 01:29:31.784 But let me just search email email here as a keyword. 1349 01:29:33.440 --> 01:29:37.460 So we have some articles here for ways to make sure your email list doesn't end up dead. 1350 01:29:37.840 --> 01:29:41.300 So there are there are some articles here. You could search by keyword, 1351 01:29:41.760 --> 01:29:42.420 for different, 1352 01:29:43.199 --> 01:29:45.040 for different potential types of articles here. 1353 01:29:45.040 --> 01:29:49.335 But more marketing based strategy articles would be in the Brilliant Directories blog here. 1354 01:29:50.455 --> 01:29:53.515 Cool. Okay. Sounds good. Alright. Thank you so much, Vijay. 1355 01:29:54.055 --> 01:29:56.614 We could, we could end it there. It's almost two hours here. 1356 01:29:56.614 --> 01:30:01.114 We wanna thank everyone for joining us for another episode of webinar 1357 01:30:01.670 --> 01:30:04.250 Wednesday. We will have another webinar 1358 01:30:04.710 --> 01:30:05.210 next, 1359 01:30:05.590 --> 01:30:08.950 Wednesday at the end of the month. So please, everyone, join us then. 1360 01:30:08.950 --> 01:30:12.230 Rick, also, thank you so much for your segment on Rick's Corner. 1361 01:30:12.230 --> 01:30:15.210 It really became the theme of this, entire webinar here. 1362 01:30:15.545 --> 01:30:16.445 It really did. 1363 01:30:17.145 --> 01:30:20.264 It was awesome. Yes. Great. Thank you very much. And, 1364 01:30:20.665 --> 01:30:23.864 yeah. Don't forget. Don't get stuck on the hamster wheel, guys. 1365 01:30:23.864 --> 01:30:29.165 Continue to cycle through, these different steps of managing your community. 1366 01:30:29.680 --> 01:30:33.940 And then lastly, if you haven't already done so, please go ahead and take a moment to join 1367 01:30:34.240 --> 01:30:38.640 our Facebook group. You can go to brilliantdirectories.com/Facebook. 1368 01:30:38.640 --> 01:30:43.220 And if we didn't get to your question here today, we'll be more than happy to continue the conversation 1369 01:30:43.735 --> 01:30:49.095 in the Facebook group. So on behalf of myself, Rick, and Patrick, thank you so much for joining us. 1370 01:30:49.095 --> 01:30:51.995 We'll catch you next week, and have a great Thanksgiving. 1371 01:30:52.295 --> 01:30:53.355 Take care, guys.