Webinar Wednesday 119 – August 11, 2021

Previous 3 Tips of the Week Now Available (00:00:47)

• The previous three tips of the week are now available, including “10 commonly overlooked tools for managing website transactions”, “7 realities of running a membership website”, and “how to make your entire website a members only website” (00:00:48).
• A link to the webinar, including the full webinars and tips of the week, can be found in the sidebar, and the tips of the week are usually categorized as membership website tips (00:01:21).
• The Facebook group is a great place to keep conversations going between Webinar Wednesdays, with lots of good questions and helpful tips from fellow members and users who are building their membership communities (00:01:54).
• The purpose of Webinar Wednesday is to communicate with the community, show newer features built into the platform, and cover topics such as increasing website traffic, converting visitors to members, and improving website navigation (00:02:26).
• There are some new features and updates, including the ability to filter by Coupon code, as well as some items that are coming soon and are expected to be released in August (00:03:40).
• The Webinar Wednesday platform is used to cover various topics, including technical features and non-technical topics, and attendees are encouraged to save their questions to be answered during the webinar (00:02:51).

Update: Filter by Coupon Code Used + Quick Links (00:03:43)

• The coupon code used in the transaction history section can be filtered, and there are also quick links available to make things easier, with the coupon codes section found in the admin sidebar for those with the easy coupon codes add-on (00:03:45).
• The coupon codes section provides information on how many times a coupon code has been used, and prior to a recent update, the link was not clickable, but now it can be clicked to pre-filter for that coupon code used in the transaction history search filters (00:04:21).
• The pre-filtering feature allows users to see how many total payments were received from members who applied a specific coupon code, and the list of available Coupon on the site will be displayed, making it a great way to see how coupon codes are helping the site generate revenue (00:04:57).
• The additional filter for searching transactions by coupon code used is a useful tool for those who use coupon codes as part of their marketing strategy, allowing them to see how those coupon codes are working for their marketing mix (00:05:24).
• The easy coupon codes add-on provides a sample coupon code with information on usage, and the update has improved the functionality of the coupon codes section, making it easier to track and analyze coupon code usage (00:04:01).
• The transaction history search filters now include the coupon code used, allowing users to easily find transactions where a specific coupon code was applied, and the quick links provide a convenient way to access this information (00:04:36).

Update: Select Affiliate Transaction Types to Track (00:05:39)

• Affiliate Tracking number can be added to a website, and it will render the conversion tracking code on successful payment pages automatically, allowing for the selection of specific transaction types to track (00:05:39).
• The affiliate tracking code can be used in conjunction with other tools, such as Facebook event pixels or Google conversion pixels, to track successful events and provide affiliate commissions (00:05:55).
• The general settings for affiliate tracking can be accessed by searching for “affiliate” in the filter or by going to the integrations tab, where users can input their Shareasale affiliate ID or Post Affiliate Pro URL for automatic tracking (00:06:32).
• Other affiliate tools are supported, and custom code can be dropped into the conversion tracking tool for tracking, providing an alternative to using widgets (00:07:04).
• A new update allows users to select the types of transactions where they want the tracking code to fire off, including member sign-ups, member upgrades, and member lead purchases, with additional options available for users with the download digital products or pay-per-post add-ons (00:07:28).
• The selected transaction types determine when affiliates will receive commissions for referring traffic to the site, providing more granular control over affiliate tracking (00:08:01).
• Users can choose to give affiliates commissions for specific types of transactions, such as new member sign-ups, or for all transactions, depending on their needs (00:08:16).

Update: Easily Clone Individual Form Fields (00:08:43)

• The update allows users to easily clone individual form fields, which is a quality of life improvement, especially for power users who frequently edit custom forms with various fields and settings (00:08:44).
• Cloning an existing form field can be done with one click, eliminating the need to create a new form field and manually configure its settings, which can now be done through the actions drop down (00:08:46).
• This feature is related to Form Manager settings, and an example of how it works can be seen by creating a sample test form, editing it, and cloning a field such as the “enter message” field, which can be cloned using the actions drop down (00:09:12).
• When a field is cloned, a quick alert appears, and after confirming, the cloned field is created with all the advanced settings from the original field copied over, including validation options (00:09:40).
• The cloned field can be further edited by clicking on the cog icon, where all the original field’s settings are available, and after saving the changes, the cloned field appears alongside the original field (00:09:48).
• This feature can be useful when creating surveys or forms that require multiple fields with similar settings, as it allows users to clone fields quickly and make adjustments as needed (00:10:19).
• The update provides a quicker way to clone form fields, making it easier to create and edit custom forms with multiple fields, and this feature can be used to create duplicate fields such as “what you liked most” and “what you liked least” (00:10:45).

Update: Fixes to Prevent URL Conflicts with Web Pages, Profiles & Posts (00:10:52)

• Several URL conflicts have been fixed when saving web pages, member custom profile pages, custom post URLs, and category pages to prevent redirect conflict logic issues and ensure that no two pages have the same URL (00:10:53).
• The fixes were made in response to support tickets and are intended to prevent errors and conflicts that occur when a web page has the same URL as a member’s profile page or other types of pages (00:10:58).
• The updates should now be working smoothly and have resolved the logic issues that were causing problems with URL conflicts (00:11:22).
• Additional items are in the pipeline and will be coming soon, although the specifics of these updates have not been detailed yet (00:11:30).

Coming Soon: Members-Only Settings Moving to → Membership Plans (00:11:34)

• The members-only settings for member listings are being moved into the membership plans section, which is currently in its final stage of QA and is expected to be pushed this month, in August (00:11:34).
• This change will allow for more granular control over member listings, enabling the setting of member profile pages or writer review pages to be members-only on a per membership plan basis (00:11:46).
• Previously, members-only settings would apply to all membership plans, but with this update, it will be possible to have certain member profile pages as members-only while others are not, giving more flexibility in terms of access control (00:11:52).
• The new setup will enable the specification of whether public visitors can see member listings or if they need to be logged in, providing more control over who can view member profile pages and writer review pages (00:12:09).

Coming Soon: Set Custom Top & Bottom Spacing for Homepage Sections (00:12:16)

• The ability to set custom top and bottom spacing for homepage sections is coming soon and is currently going through its final QA, which will allow for pixel perfect spacing between different sections (00:12:16).
• This new feature will enable users to have more control over the spacing on their homepage, as the current default margins can make it difficult to achieve equal or desired spacing between sections (00:12:19).
• The upcoming feature will provide users with the ability to customize the top and bottom spacing of their homepage sections, allowing for a more precise and tailored layout (00:12:22).
• The current default margins built into the system can cause issues with spacing, but the new feature will give users the freedom to set their own custom spacing, resulting in a more polished and professional-looking homepage (00:12:37).
• This update will be particularly useful for users who want to have a high degree of control over the layout and design of their homepage, allowing them to create a more visually appealing and well-organized page (00:12:44).

Coming Soon: Add-On: 25+ New Pre-Made Elements for Web Page Builder (00:12:51)

• A new add-on is being released to unlock 25 new pre-made elements for the web page builder, which will include various blocks such as call to action blocks, feature list blocks, team page blocks, and general content blocks (00:12:52).
• The add-on will feature seven call to action blocks with text, buttons, and different arrangements, as well as seven feature list blocks to showcase features on a site (00:13:04).
• There will be five team page blocks available to show images or create a teams page, which can also be repurposed for other uses (00:13:22).
• Additionally, nine general content blocks will be included, providing pre-made blocks of arranged text, images, titles, buttons, and other elements (00:13:34).
• The release of the new add-on is expected to be at the end of August or at the beginning of September, with ongoing updates to follow (00:13:46).

Coming Soon: Ongoing Updates to Make Things More Awesome :) (00:13:53)

• Updates to make things more awesome are ongoing, with previous webinars mentioning that speed optimization updates are underway, which are still being worked on (00:13:54).
• Additional updates are being pushed this month and next month, including lazy loading images, which will really improve every BD website’s Google page speed scores and other third-party testing tools (00:13:58).
• Further improvements for server response time are also on the timeline, with plans to inform users of their availability in future webinars (00:14:03).
• The mentioned updates, including lazy loading images and server response time improvements, are expected to enhance the overall performance of BD websites (00:14:06).
• The goal of these updates is to improve the Google page speed scores and other third-party testing tools for every BD website, with more information to be shared in future webinars (00:14:08).
• The timeline for these updates includes immediate improvements, with the exact release dates to be announced in future webinars (00:14:23).

Tip of the Week: 5 Things You Can Do Right Now to Make Your New Community More Credible (00:14:34)

• Many individuals are starting new websites and projects in markets with existing players, and as solopreneurs, they can benefit from tips to make their new community more credible, with a “fake it till you make it” mentality, but with actionable steps (00:14:39).
• The goal is to provide five things that can be done right now to increase credibility, which can be applied to both new and established online communities, regardless of their current level of success (00:15:07).
• The tips covered are intended to be applicable whether someone has a brand new website or community, or if they have been around for a while and are looking to improve or increase the level of trust, credibility, or legitimacy they convey on their website (00:15:25).
• These tips are meant to be helpful for anyone looking to establish or enhance their online presence, and they will cover these points in the video (00:15:20).
• The discussion aims to help individuals, including solopreneurs, establish a more credible online community by implementing these tips, which can be used to improve the level of trust or credibility that their website gives off (00:15:36).

Your New Website Is Ready to Go But… (00:15:41)

• A brand new website and membership community is ready to go, with a identified problem and solution, a niche target audience, a great domain name, clear messaging, and a clean homepage design, but it still needs to establish trust and legitimacy with potential members (00:15:43).
• The website has all the basics down, including established membership plans and a sign-up page, but it lacks social proof and trust from potential members due to being the new kid on the block (00:16:27).
• The goal is to build trust, legitimacy, and social proof for the website and community, which will be covered in the upcoming discussion, starting with the first tip (00:16:57).
• The website’s owner has already acquired a great, easy to remember, and short domain name, and has clear and concise messaging throughout the website, which is an important step in establishing a strong online presence (00:16:02).
• The homepage design is clean and simple, with only the most important information upfront, which helps to create a good first impression for potential members (00:16:13).
• The membership plans and sign-up page are already set up, which means that the website is technically ready to start taking on members, but it still needs to overcome the hurdle of establishing trust and legitimacy (00:16:25).

1) Set Up Social Media Accounts (00:16:59)

• Setting up social media accounts is a crucial step for new websites and businesses, and it should be done immediately, as it can be a major help in establishing a brand presence online (00:17:00).
• It is not necessary to set up social media accounts on every single platform, but rather focus on the ones where the target audience is most active, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube (00:17:15).
• Once social media accounts are set up, relevant content from the website can be shared to demonstrate knowledge and authority within the target niche and demographic, boosting brand awareness and loyalty (00:17:45).
• Having a social media presence can increase web traffic and SEO value, especially if the shared content is engaging and shared by others, providing social proof and credibility (00:18:06).
• Social media accounts can also be used to establish a sense of community among followers, and even if it’s just a few platforms, it’s essential to start building a presence to look more established (00:19:26).
• Regularly posting on social media, even if it’s just a simple update, can help to show that the company is active and has a pulse, disarming any fears that the company may be outdated or inactive (00:20:01).
• Automated posting tools can be helpful, but the goal is to ensure that people see recent social media posts, giving them a sense of the company’s activity and presence (00:20:46).

Be Active on Social Media (00:21:06)

• Creating a sample post that demonstrates authority in an industry by sharing useful information is important, and it does not have to be overtly promotional, as long as the content is relevant and can be shared on social networks (00:21:08).
• The post should provide valuable information to potential customers, and having a few likes on the post can serve as social proof, making the company appear more credible (00:21:24).
• Sharing relevant content from a company’s website on social media is key to appearing more credible, and it is a separate task from cultivating a community, with the goal of making the company seem like a recent and active poster (00:21:41).
• Jason mentioned that creating social media posts should not be overthought, as long as the content is relevant and useful to the target audience (00:21:31).

Schedule your social media posts with Hootsuite (00:21:50)

• Hootsuite is a tool that allows users to schedule social media posts, which can help manage time more efficiently by taking a few hours to set up posts in advance, eliminating the need to think about it for the next couple of weeks (00:21:51).
• Scheduling posts can be done directly on Facebook, and Hootsuite offers an alternative option, with a free plan available, although the details of the free plan are not certain (00:21:53).
• Utilizing tools like Hootsuite, or the scheduling features offered by social networking platforms, can help streamline the process of creating and publishing social media posts, making it easier to maintain a consistent online presence (00:22:01).
• When starting out, it can be challenging to come up with posts, but sharing related industry news, such as linking to an article about a company like The Walt Disney Company, can be an effective way to create engaging content (00:22:40).
• The primary goal of scheduling social media posts is to ensure that potential members see recent posts when visiting the site, which can be achieved by focusing on the user experience and using tools like Hootsuite to simplify the process (00:22:57).

2) Strong About / Mission Page (00:23:04)

• Building credibility and trust is crucial, and one way to achieve this is by creating a strong about page that includes a mission statement, team members, or a picture and background information of the founder, such as Jason, to help prospective members understand the purpose and goal of the website and community (00:23:04).
• Having a strong about page helps prospective members see the meaning and purpose of the website and community, and it gives them a clear understanding of what the website’s goal is, allowing them to hold the website accountable and understand what they’re getting out of it (00:23:45).
• The about page should include personal experience and background information to help prospective members connect with the founder and build trust, and it should demonstrate that the founder is seasoned, mission-oriented, and confident in their solution (00:24:30).
• The about page is an opportunity to tell the brand’s story, which people love, and it should explain why the community was created, what it stands for, and what problem it’s solving, to get people excited and emotionally involved in the cause (00:25:15).
• The about page is not just about functionality, but about storytelling and seducing prospective members to get them emotionally entangled and rally around the community, which can help create a connection with people who are on the fence and don’t understand why the website exists (00:26:13).
• The about page and story page of a website can humanize the organization and make it more personable, creating a trusting relationship with potential users, by including elements such as basic stats, mission statements, and promises to users (00:26:46).
• The Brilliant Directories website has an about page with concise paragraphs on its mission and promise, as well as a link to a longer story page with images that tells the story of how the company was founded (00:27:18).
• The story page includes elements such as the history of the company, the people behind it, and its goals, which can help create an emotional connection with users and make them more likely to fall in love with the brand and mission (00:27:56).
• Including personal touches, such as pictures of the founders, can also help to create a sense of romance and excitement around the brand, making it easier to onboard potential members (00:28:37).
• The story of how Brilliant Directories was founded, including obstacles overcome and key team members, can be used to inspire and engage potential users, and can be presented in a concise and visually appealing way (00:28:52).
• The use of storytelling on the about and story pages can be an effective way to build a relationship with potential users, by touching their emotions and creating a sense of connection with the brand and its mission (00:29:10).

3) Your First 100 Members (00:29:28)

• Getting the first 100 members can seem like a daunting task when starting out, but it is crucial for building credibility, especially if the website is centered around a community or directory, and some best practices can be utilized to get them signed up (00:29:30).
• Forming a relationship with the initial members is important as they can provide valuable feedback on the membership plans, such as identifying additional things that are not being offered or things that are not useful to them, which can help craft better offerings (00:30:07).
• The initial members can be offered an early bird or founding member discount, such as 50% off their premium membership for life, and they can be prominently featured around the website, which is important for establishing credibility when people first visit the website (00:30:31).
• Featured members or content by members on the homepage can immediately convey that the website has a community of users, and testimonials from the founding members can be used to establish social proof and credibility, which can be sprinkled throughout the website or added to a testimonials page (00:30:45).
• Utilizing the initial members to build credibility and display it can help capitalize on it and gain more members, and tactics for getting the initial members have been covered in previous webinars, but forming a good relationship with them is key (00:31:12).
• The focus is on showing some level of credibility, and having a certain number of members on the website is necessary to achieve this, especially if the website is built around a community or directory, and getting that first number of members is really important (00:29:50).

Start by adding some initial content (00:31:35)

• When starting out, it is essential to add some content to the site, with 800 being an ambitious number depending on the industry, and it is crucial to populate the site with content to make it look established and seasoned (00:31:35).
• To make the site more manageable, it is recommended to shrink down the main menu to maybe just two post types, such as events and coupons, or the member directory and coupons, to reduce the amount of data that needs to be pre-filled (00:32:02).
• Member categories should also be slimmed down, with a suggested start of 10 or 20 broader categories, to make it easier to populate those categories with members and pass the click test (00:32:52).
• The click test involves clicking internally to some internal links four or five times and finding valid content, such as from the home page to the about page to a member search results page, to ensure that the site has good content flow (00:33:23).
• The goal is to populate the site with enough content to make it look like it has been around, with just enough content to make it useful, and this can be achieved by adding the first 100 members and spending time populating the site with initial content (00:33:52).
• Having fewer categories and being less granular makes it easier to fill those areas of the site with meaningful content, resulting in a more helpful resource (00:34:20).

Examples of How You Can Feature Members (00:34:33)

• The additional information provided is from a previous tip of the week, which discussed various ways to implement revenue streams into a website, including selling ad space and promotions, and was mentioned at (00:34:33).
• The tip of the week covered how to implement a featured blog article slider, pin featured posts, highlight members, feature members on the home page, and add profile badges to members, all of which are ways to feature members and content on a website (00:34:36).
• Featuring members on a website can help ease the concerns of potential users, as they are more likely to sign up if they see that there are already other users on the site, which can be achieved by highlighting members in member results and adding profile badges (00:34:40).
• By showcasing existing members and content, a website can make itself more appealing to new users, who often do not want to be the first to try something out, and this can be done in various ways, including featuring members on the home page (00:34:50).
• The discussion highlights the importance of making a website appear active and populated, in order to attract new users and encourage them to sign up, which can be achieved by implementing features such as a featured blog article slider and highlighting members (00:35:00).
• The various methods for featuring members and content on a website, such as pinning featured posts and adding profile badges, can help to create a sense of community and make the website more engaging for users (00:35:04).
• Overall, featuring members and content on a website is crucial for attracting and retaining users, and can be done in a variety of ways, including those mentioned in the previous tip of the week (00:35:22).

4) Get A Professional Logo Made (00:35:27)

• Creating a professional logo is a relatively easy and affordable task, and it can be done by hiring a professional graphic designer on freelance websites like Fiverr or Freelancer, or by using online tools, (00:35:28).
• A custom-made logo promotes a great first impression and projects a professional image, as it is designed with a concept in mind to fit the brand, unlike generic logos created using free online tools, (00:35:41).
• Having a custom logo adds credibility to a business, gives it a unique sense of identity, and makes it easier to build the brand, as it provides a custom individual identity, (00:36:45).
• A professional graphic designer can provide various formats and variations of the logo, including light and dark versions, and different file formats, making it easier to utilize the logo in various areas, (00:37:25).
• Hiring a professional graphic designer to create a custom logo is relatively affordable, with prices starting from around $20, and the average cost being around $150, (00:37:59).
• To get a custom logo designed, it is possible to hire multiple designers, such as two or three, with prices ranging from $1 to $50, and have them send over their designs, (00:38:37).
• Creating a logo for a brand is essential, especially when setting up social media accounts, as it helps to establish a cohesive brand look and feel, and using a text logo maker is a great placeholder while designing the website, but it is recommended to get a basic logo created for the company (00:38:48).
• A logo should be clean and simple, with a flat design and two or three colors, avoiding shadow effects, and it should fit the brand’s mood and market, such as using more colorful logos for travel websites or a more sophisticated design for other types of websites (00:39:23).
• Once a logo is created, it is possible to coordinate the colors with the design settings, choosing button colors and other elements to create a uniform brand look and feel across different platforms, which can help to establish the company and make it look more established (00:40:03).
• Having a logo and a cohesive brand look can trigger someone to want to sign up with the community, and it is a small but important detail that can make a big difference in the company’s image, and using a logo consistently across social media accounts can create continuity and make the company look more established (00:40:28).
• Using a platform like Fiverr can be an easy way to get a logo created, and it is recommended to choose a design that fits the brand’s mood and market, and to use the logo consistently across all social media accounts to create a uniform brand look and feel (00:39:26).
• Having a consistent brand look and feel can help to establish the company and make it look more professional, and it is an important detail that can help to trigger someone to want to sign up with the community, and it is recommended to get a basic logo created for the company as soon as possible (00:40:46).

Great Logo Examples (00:41:11)

• Some sample logos found online are custom-made, with imagery related to the name, such as the Canada Care logo featuring a Canadian maple leaf with a person in the middle, making it easy to build a brand identity (00:41:12).
• These logos often have a flat color look with two or three different colors, modern, clean, and legible text, which makes it easy to design a website around them without overthinking the logo (00:41:42).
• Having a simple logo makes it easy to create a cohesive environment on a website by choosing simple colors that complement the logo, and this continuity can be transitioned to social profiles as well (00:42:16).
• Logos can be made for as little as $10 to $20, and it’s not necessary to be totally locked into a logo design, as rebranding and changing things can be done later (00:42:12).
• A custom-made logo helps to build a brand around it, making it easier for people to identify with the brand, website, and community, and it’s possible to get the main direction and move on with the rest of the project (00:41:36).

5) Pay For Press (00:42:40)

• Pay for press is an old school method where businesses can submit press releases for immediate online exposure, which can be done through companies like PR Web, a popular choice that has been around for approximately 25 years (00:42:40).
• Submitting a press release shares a business’s story with targeted media, websites, industry publications, blogs, social networks, and search engines, adding quick credibility to the business, especially when people search for the business on Google (00:43:00).
• Press releases can be classified as news on Google and other search engines, which can increase credibility when people see news articles about the business, and they are relatively affordable, with prices varying depending on the distribution package (00:43:14).
• The process of submitting a press release involves writing a press release, which can be about how a business’s website is different or shaking things up in the industry, and then submitting it to a site like PR Web, which offers different pricing packages with varying levels of exposure (00:44:11).
• When a press release is published on a site like PR Web, it can be aggregated to local news organization websites, such as American Broadcasting Company and NBC, allowing businesses to claim that they have been featured on these websites, which can help build credibility and establish a professional image (00:45:05).
• The real value of press releases lies in the ability to make claims like “as seen on” and to showcase the press release on social media accounts, which can help build established credibility within an industry, and can be recycled to create more content (00:46:02).
• A sample press release is typically simple, consisting of text that tells a quick story, such as a business accepting members or shaking things up in the industry, and can include images depending on the package chosen (00:47:11).
• The goal of creating a press release is to create news about a business and then share it on social media, making it seem like the news was written about the business, which can help build credibility and establish a professional image (00:46:51).

Summary (00:47:36)

• To create a professional presence, it is recommended to pay for press releases, such as those from PR Web, and get a professional logo made, which is worth the investment of around $10 or a bit more (00:47:40).
• Adding content to the site is crucial, and it is suggested to populate the site by passing the four to five click test, which involves clicking on random links on the site to ensure there is meaningful content (00:47:54).
• Reducing the number of categories and searchable post types on the site can help when starting out, as it will reduce the number of sections and areas that need to be filled (00:48:05).
• Having a strong about page that tells a story can help people understand the purpose and goal, and can emotionally invest them, which adds to trust and loyalty (00:48:15).
• Being active on social media is important, as it shows credibility and passing the “sniff test”, and it is more important to have recent posts rather than a large number of followers (00:48:36).
• The last tip is to ensure that the site is updated regularly, as people may lose interest if the last post was too long ago, and it is better to have a recent post than a large number of followers (00:48:57).

How to block certain email address domains from registering as a member? (00:49:36)

• To restrict people from signing up with certain email address domains, such as Gmail or Outlook.com, go to the form manager and customize the sign-up form, specifically the “enter email address” field, where validation options and regular expressions can be used to block certain strings of text (00:49:54).
• The goal is to prevent people from using personal email addresses and instead require them to use their business email addresses when registering as a member, while still allowing them to submit leads with personal email accounts (00:49:58).
• To achieve this, go to the form manager, search for the “member free sign up form” and customize it, as well as the paid sign up form, and look for the “enter email address” field where validation options can be added, such as regular expressions that will not allow certain domains (00:50:12).
• It is recommended to work with a developer in the marketplace to help with the customization and implementation of the regular expressions, as the exact input required may not be immediately clear (00:51:00).
• The solution involves adding a regular expression to the “enter email address” field that will block certain domains, such as Gmail or Hotmail, and this can be done by scrolling down in the field settings and adding the desired regular expression (00:51:12).
• The Brilliant Directories team and community can provide further assistance and support in the Facebook group, where users can share their experiences and solutions with others (00:51:28).