Comments on: Fixed Term or Forever Profits?

By: Jack Keifer

Jack Keifer — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:13:44 +0000

Enjoyed the post Terry… Wonderful & inspiring! I agree, the fixed term would be the most appealing model to me as well. Another advantage to this model is that it could easily apply to audio CDs or videos of some sort as well.

One could then expand on the fixed continuity concept by using the individual components of their membership content as separate products in themselves. These could then be used to upsell one’s clients to the fixed-term membership site.

As a result, you have multiple product sites producing cash flow & funneling traffic back to the membership site at the same time. Now I’m going to get busy and put your inspiration to work!

-Jack

By: Sarah Cook

Sarah Cook — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:33:41 +0000

For content, consider hiring a stay-at-home mom. You can probably pay them, say $20-30 to write create content each week or month for you. It gives them spare change, and frees you up.

By: Article Spinning

Article Spinning — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:40:38 +0000

One thing I noticed with membership sites is that it does take a TON of time to keep updating what you promise. And when I say a TON of time, I mean that. Like you advised, one has to be very passionate about a particular subject or service to get into the membership model. Many feel it’s just better (and less stressful) to write an ebook/course that sells one-off, rather than a membership service. Anyway, thanks for sharing, Terry. It’s a wonderful article, as usual,

By: Terry

Terry — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:43:12 +0000

Hi Kevin:

Thanks so much for your input. I was thinking about adding in the idea of services as well so I’m glad you did so. For example, I don’t really do any one session consulting anymore (at times I will take an all day one). My coaching is a continuity program. You’ve done the same with your email copywriting service it sounds.

Other services could have a similar subscription service (designers, affiliate managers, article writers, etc.). By getting people committed to a subscription they get rid of those ups and downs of income.

Terry

By: Kevin Dawson

Kevin Dawson — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 05:45:09 +0000

Terry,
I really like option #3. Especially in this economy, with people tightening their spending, I truly believe a fixed-term IF it’s short enough seems less intimidating than an open-ended commitment.

I incorporate that to a small degree in my email copywriting service. I offer a two-month trial – and if it goes good, we continue month-to-month afterward. But at the end of those first two months, it does not continue unless the client specifically wants to do so. The default option would be to discontinue.

I’ve also found provisions in payment providers and gateways for fixed-term “subscriptions,” too. This automates it, so I don’t have to chase clients for payments – a HUGE hassle.

Thanks for this post. I don’t often conceptualize my services as a “continuity” program. But once I do, it opens many new strategies to me.