
Key Topics:
- 2:36 – DATA: CSV Exports & Create Smart Lists for Transactions
- 3:30 – DATA: Continuous Smart List Syncing: Hourly, Daily, Weekly, Monthly
- 4:37 – EMAILS: New Email Newsletter UI and Sending Stats
- 5:22 – POSTS: Bulk Google Maps Geocoding for Imported Posts
- 6:11 – BILLING: Better Workflow When Members Purchase Addl. Products
- 6:54 – And many more speed, security and stability updates on the way!
- 7:19 – Member Credits System Add-On (Proration Update) – More Info
- 7:48 – NEW: Prorated Upgrades & Downgrades
- 10:17 – How Member Plan Changes Work
- 11:26 – Example Scenarios
- 13:35 – Benefits of Prorating Plan Changes
- 17:45 – Let’s See How Proration Adjustments Work
- 29:56 – Use Exit Surveys To Prevent Member Cancellations
- 30:40 – Proration Summary
- 32:19 – Suggestion for specific proration adjustments when downgrading membership plans
- 35:06 – How to add hover text / title tags to text?
- 38:21 – Does the system deduct first day usage from proration multiple times when switching between membership plans?
Coming Soon
Tip of the Week
Questions & Answers
DATA: CSV Exports & Create Smart Lists for Transactions (00:02:36)
- Exporting Comma-separated values files and creating smart lists from the transaction history page will be possible, allowing for more organized data management (00:02:36).
- The transaction history page will feature list actions, including the ability to export current results, apply preset filters, and create smart lists based on specific membership plans (00:02:40).
- Smart lists can be utilized for targeted segmenting when sending newsletters or saving lists for later export, providing more flexibility in data handling (00:02:55).
- Each tab, such as payments received, upcoming payments, and past due payments, will have the same list actions available, streamlining data organization (00:03:22).
- The ability to export CSV files and create smart lists is part of the continuous data management efforts, aiming to enhance overall data handling capabilities (00:03:29).
DATA: Continuous Smart List Syncing: Hourly, Daily, Weekly, Monthly (00:03:30)
- Smart list syncing is a feature that allows users to create segmented lists of members and contacts, and if web hooks are also being used, emails can be sent to third-party platforms such as Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or another CRM, with the smart list being dynamic so members will either fall in or out of it based on whether they match the filters (00:03:32).
- The smart list feature can be used to send batches of emails to members who are in those segmented smart lists out to third-party platforms, and with the new update, users will be able to continuously sync their smart list with web hooks, checking the smart list hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly (00:03:40).
- This continuous syncing will enable users to keep their data in external Customer relationship management or emailing platforms updated in a timely manner, with any new records that have been added to the smart list, allowing for more efficient management of member contacts and emails (00:04:11).
- The update will provide options for users to choose how frequently they want to sync their smart list, whether it’s hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly, giving them more control over how they manage their member data and integrate it with other platforms (00:04:18).
- The smart list syncing feature is particularly useful for users who need to keep their member data up-to-date across multiple platforms, and the new update will enhance this functionality, making it easier to manage and maintain accurate and current member information (00:04:35).
EMAILS: New Email Newsletter UI and Sending Stats (00:04:37)
- A new email newsletter UI is almost ready for release, featuring a new design for scheduling and sending newsletters, and will provide better stats after a newsletter is sent (00:04:37).
- The new email newsletter UI will allow users to see open rates, click rates, and other statistics, including delivered, failed, opened, and clicked emails, after a newsletter is sent (00:04:42).
- Users will be able to create smart lists from these statistics, enabling them to segment their audience and remarket to specific groups with targeted newsletter campaigns (00:04:52).
- The smart lists can be used to target people who did or did not open an email, allowing users to create a segmented list and send them another newsletter campaign (00:04:59).
- The new email newsletter UI will provide more detailed statistics, including the ability to see which emails were delivered, failed, opened, and clicked, and will be related to post campaigns (00:05:05).
POSTS: Bulk Google Maps Geocoding for Imported Posts (00:05:22)
- A bulk import feature for posts via a Comma-separated values file has been created, allowing users to import various types of content, such as blog articles, events, and coupons, similar to importing members to a site (00:05:24).
- The current bulk import feature for posts does not include a way to bulk geocode them using Google Maps, which is necessary for pinning a longitude and latitude location and making them searchable by location on the site (00:05:37).
- A bulk geocoding tool is soon to be released, which will enable users to geocode their imported posts, as well as existing posts on the site that may not have a location or Google Maps codes yet (00:05:49).
- The upcoming bulk geocoding tool will allow users to keep their location data for posts organized, updated, and searchable by location on the front end of their site (00:06:00).
BILLING: Better Workflow When Members Purchase Addl. Products (00:06:11)
- The billing system has been improved to provide a better workflow when members purchase additional products, mainly for use cases where the purchase price is 0, such as purchasing digital products or leads with coupon codes or member credits (00:06:11).
- When the purchase price is 0, the system does not require members to enter their credit card information, which can occur when they are applying coupon codes or using member credits towards the purchase (00:06:18).
- The system will only prompt members to enter their credit card information when it is necessary, such as when the purchase price is not 0, which should help streamline purchases through the site (00:06:45).
- This improvement aims to enhance the overall purchasing experience for members by minimizing unnecessary steps, such as entering credit card information when not required (00:06:49).
And many more speed, security and stability updates on the way! (00:06:54)
- Multiple updates are being implemented to improve speed, security, and stability, with a focus on enhancing the overall user experience (00:06:54).
- Updates are also being made to the text editor to make it easier to use, as it can sometimes be finicky, with the goal of creating a smoother experience for users (00:06:58).
- The text editor updates aim to allow users to work more quickly when creating landing pages or other types of content on their site (00:07:07).
- The updates are expected to have a positive impact, and once they are implemented, it will be possible to move forward with other aspects, such as the tip of the week (00:07:13).
Member Credits System Add-On (Proration Update) (00:07:19)
- The Member Credits System has been updated with an add-on that allows members to be given credits that can be applied towards purchases on a website, with this add-on being released about a year ago (00:07:19).
- This update is an exciting one, as it has been highly requested, and it involves pro-rated member upgrades and downgrades (00:07:42).
- The update to the Member Credits System is specifically focused on pro-rated member upgrades and downgrades, which is a feature that has been requested a lot (00:07:45).
NEW: Prorated Upgrades & Downgrades (00:07:48)
- The Member Credit system add-ons are required to enable the new functionality of prorated upgrades and downgrades, which can be used by those with the individual or VIP add-ons Club (00:07:51).
- The Member Credit system add-on allows for manual addition and deduction of credits to individual members’ accounts, and credits can also be automatically added after members sign up or upgrade to a specific membership plan (00:08:19).
- Credits can be automatically earned by members through referrals, similar to an affiliate program, and can be used for membership plan renewals, upgrades, and other purchases on the website (00:08:51).
- The update includes the ability to prorate membership plan changes, adding credits if necessary, which is a useful feature for providing incentives or benefits to members, especially for higher-tiered membership plans (00:09:35).
- The proration is tied to the credit system, allowing for a seamless integration of the two, and can be used to provide discounts or perks to members, such as giving them credits after sign-up that can be used towards future transactions (00:10:08).
How Member Plan Changes Work (00:10:17)
- When a member upgrades or downgrades their account, the process differs from the normal default process, taking into account the time and value left on the member’s current plan (00:10:17).
- If a member downgrades to a lower-priced plan, the website would previously charge the listed price of the new plan without considering the member’s previous payments or the time used up on their current plan (00:10:41).
- With the new proration system, the website considers the time and value left on the member’s current plan and applies a pro-rated credit if there is time remaining on the plan, which can be used when changing plans (00:10:59).
- For example, if a member paid for a month and it’s only been five days since they paid, the additional time would be applied as a pro-rated credit, allowing them to use it when changing their plan (00:11:11).
- The proration system aims to provide a more accurate and fair pricing system for members who change their plans, considering the time and value left on their current plan (00:11:24).
Example Scenarios (00:11:26)
- When a member downgrades their plan, they will receive credits for the difference in price, which can be used for future renewal payments or other purchases on the website, such as buying leads or publishing posts, and this credit is added to their account immediately (00:11:47).
- If a member upgrades their plan on the same day they signed up, they will only need to pay the difference in price between the two plans, rather than the full price of the new plan, taking into account what they have already paid for (00:12:26).
- The proration of credits gets smaller and smaller as each day goes by, so if a member downgrades after using up half of their plan, they will not receive any credits because they have already used up half of their plan’s value (00:13:11).
- When a member downgrades after using up part of their plan, the amount of credits they receive will be based on the remaining value of their plan, and if they have used up half of their plan, their payment for downgrading to a lower-priced plan would be zero and they would not receive any credits (00:13:19).
- The website takes into account the member’s current plan and the plan they want to change to, and calculates the difference in price to determine the amount of credits they will receive or the amount they need to pay for the new plan (00:12:40).
Benefits of Prorating Plan Changes (00:13:35)
- The benefits of prorating membership plan changes include an enhanced member experience, as it allows members to adjust their plans without feeling penalized or burdened by having to pay the full price for the new plan (00:13:35).
- Prorating can demonstrate that a website values its members’ needs and is willing to accommodate their changing preferences, potentially increasing customer satisfaction and long-term loyalty (00:14:00).
- By prorating, members may be more willing to upgrade or downgrade their plans, as they will only be required to pay the difference, alleviating financial barriers and making it easier for them to make plan changes (00:14:23).
- Prorating can encourage members to explore different membership plans, potentially upgrading to higher-priced plans, and can contribute to member retention by allowing them to change their plans rather than cancelling their membership altogether (00:14:54).
- Prorating can lead to increased revenue through higher-priced memberships, as well as through membership plan downgrades, which may seem like a loss of revenue in the short term but can lead to higher revenue in the long term if members are retained (00:15:36).
- Prorating can also create upselling opportunities, as members may be more inclined to upgrade to a higher-tier plan if they only need to pay the difference, and downgrading members may present opportunities for upselling other services or features (00:16:04).
- Overall, prorating expands the possibilities for both members and the website, allowing members to make changes to their plans more easily and the website to retain more revenue and increase the lifetime value of its members (00:16:41).
Let’s See How Proration Adjustments Work (00:17:45)
- The Member Credit system add-on requires enabling the advanced setting for pro-rated plan changes to offer proration, which can be found in the advanced settings, and this setting must be turned on to utilize proration (00:17:49).
- A demo has been set up to show how the proration adjustment works, including signing up as a paid member on a site with the proration setting turned off, then turning it on to compare the differences (00:18:11).
- The demo site has three membership plans: premium paid plan, basic paid plan, and a free General user account, and the premium paid plan costs $200 per year (00:18:51).
- When the proration is turned off, downgrading from the premium paid plan to the basic paid plan requires paying an additional $100, resulting in a total of $300 paid on the same day (00:19:50).
- With proration enabled, downgrading from the premium paid plan to the basic paid plan results in a pro-rated discount of $100, and the order summary shows the pro-rated time left on the current plan (00:20:31).
- The pro-rated discount is calculated based on the number of days used on the current plan, and the remaining value can be applied to the new plan, with the option to deduct the first day’s usage (00:20:52).
- The text labels for the order summary can be translated into another language if the site has been translated, allowing for flexibility in language support (00:20:44).
- The deduct first day usage setting can come in handy in certain situations, and its explanation will be provided later in the discussion (00:20:22).
- The member has a pro-rated discount of $100, resulting in no payment due today, and the extra $100 will be added to their account as credit for future payments (00:21:22).
- The member’s new recurring annual payment is displayed, and they can change their membership plan, with $100 being used for the current payment and $100 being applied as credit (00:21:38).
- The member can view their credits in the billing information area, and it is recommended to turn on the credits display for members to see their available credits (00:22:07).
- The credits system allows members to accumulate credits when downgrading their plan, which can be used for future purchases or upgrades, instead of receiving a refund (00:22:58).
- The member downgrades to the basic paid plan and then to the free General user account, resulting in a total of $200 in credits available for use on the site (00:24:32).
- The credits system enables membership fluidity, allowing members to easily change their plans without losing money, and it helps the website keep the cash in its pocketbook (00:24:49).
- Members can sign up for a premium plan, access premium content, and then downgrade to a free plan on the same day without paying for that day, which can be considered a loophole, allowing them to access content without incurring costs (00:24:54).
- To account for this, a setting can be enabled to deduct the first day of usage from the prorated calculation, so members start paying for their membership from day one and do not get the first day for free (00:25:50).
- When a member signs up for a premium plan and then downgrades to a free plan, they can get a refund for the prorated amount, but with the advanced setting enabled, they will be charged for the first day of usage (00:26:12).
- The advanced setting can be enabled by clicking on the “Pro” option and typing in “PR rate” to access the additional setting, which deducts the first day of usage from the prorated calculation (00:27:32).
- The prorated calculation is based on the plan’s cost divided by the number of days in the plan period, and the first day’s cost is deducted from the total cost to calculate the remaining prorated time (00:28:23).
- By enabling this setting, members are incentivized to pay for their membership from the start, and the website owner can prevent members from accessing premium content without paying for it (00:27:50).
- The Member Credits System has an Advanced setting that allows deducting the first day’s usage from proration calculations, which can be enabled if members are not supposed to get a free day on their first day of membership (00:28:40).
- If this setting is enabled, members who absorb all the premium content on their first day will technically be paying for the value of having access for that one day, and will not get a super free day (00:28:51).
- Leaving this setting off allows members to explore the first day without incurring any first-day subtraction from the prorated calculation, giving them a chance to try out premium content without immediate charges (00:29:11).
- The pro-rated support in the Member Credit system works hand-in-hand with membership plan fluidity, allowing members to upgrade or downgrade plans while receiving credits, which can encourage them to stay on a paid plan (00:29:30).
- This membership plan fluidity can help members explore different plans and stay on some type of paid plan, reducing the likelihood of cancellation (00:29:41).
- The Member Credit system’s functionality is related to a previous webinar, which also discussed how the system works with membership plans (00:29:51).
Use Exit Surveys To Prevent Member Cancellations (00:29:56)
- Membership plan changes can be addressed through exit surveys, which are administered when members want to cancel their accounts, and this strategy was discussed on (00:29:56).
- Exit surveys can inform members about available downgrade options, allowing them to switch to a lower plan for a prorated amount, which can be a useful approach to mitigate cancellations (00:30:09).
- By offering downgrade options through exit surveys, members can be retained on a downgraded plan rather than losing them entirely, and this approach is discussed in an article linked to the topic of mitigating cancellations (00:30:21).
- The goal of using exit surveys is to persuade members to remain on the site, even if it’s on a downgraded plan, as this is considered a better outcome than having them leave the site altogether (00:30:32).
- Exit surveys can serve as a final opportunity to retain members, and getting them to switch to a downgraded plan is often the best possible outcome when they are considering cancellation (00:30:34).
Proration Summary (00:30:40)
- The proration system is relatively simple and similar to what is used in other services, allowing members to easily upgrade or downgrade their plans without losing the value of their membership (00:30:41).
- The major benefit of the proration system is that it keeps revenue within the website by avoiding full or partial refunds to members when they change their plans, and it also makes it easier for members to upgrade their plans (00:30:50).
- The proration system allows members to apply what they have already paid for a lower plan when they upgrade to a more expensive plan, making it easier for them to try out different plans without feeling like they are losing out on anything (00:31:03).
- The system can be beneficial for members as it allows them to explore different plans, including downgrades and upgrades, without the risk of losing value, and this is something that can be communicated to members to address any fears or concerns they may have (00:31:29).
- The proration system provides flexibility for members, allowing them to change their plans as needed, and it can be highlighted as a benefit of the membership, letting members know that they can change their plans without losing any value (00:31:42).
- The discussion on the proration system is followed by a Q&A session, where questions from members, including Ryan, are addressed (00:31:55).
Suggestion for specific proration adjustments when downgrading membership plans (00:32:19)
- A suggestion has been made to implement specific proration adjustments when downgrading membership plans to prevent users from accessing a large amount of content and then downgrading for a low fee, such as 50 cents, (00:32:26)
- One possible solution is to have a minimal credit deduction setting, where a certain number of credits are deducted if a user downgrades within a week, assuming they have accessed a certain amount of content, (00:33:00)
- Another idea is to have membership level pricing on digital downloads, where accessing certain content would deduct a specific number of credits, and this could be taken into account when downgrading, (00:33:23)
- The current system can be seen as a “free-for-all” for content access, and implementing a credit system for content consumption could help to address this issue, (00:34:04)
- Alternative solutions for heavily premium content sites could include charging a flat fee or offering higher-tiered downgrade options, rather than the regular signup options, (00:34:26)
- The discussion highlights the need for further exploration and feedback on this issue as people start using the system, (00:34:43)
How to add hover text / title tags to text? (00:35:06)
- To add hover text, also known as title tags, to text, the goal is to have a small snippet of text appear when the cursor is placed over a link, explaining what the link is or where it goes, without opening a new page (00:35:06).
- The process of adding hover text involves creating a title tag text, which is different from the link text, and this can be accomplished in a few ways, including using the text editor to add a title text input field (00:35:41).
- Currently, the text editor does not have a built-in feature to add title tags, but it can be done by going to the code view and adding a title equals command, followed by the desired hover text, such as “title=Barbara” (00:37:00).
- The addition of a title tag input field in the text editor is a suggested feature, and a note has been made to implement this for future updates, thanks to a suggestion from Barbara (00:36:23).
- Adding hover text can be beneficial for SEO purposes, and users can currently achieve this by manually adding the title tag in the code view, as demonstrated with an example of a link with the hover text “Barber” (00:36:50).
- The discussion highlights the importance of having a user-friendly way to add hover text, and the current workaround involves using the code view to add the title tag, which may not be ideal for all users (00:37:11).
Does the system deduct first day usage from proration multiple times when switching between membership plans? (00:38:21)
- The member credits system deducts the first day’s usage from proration multiple times when switching between membership plans if the proration setting is enabled, which means that members will be charged for the day’s access to each plan they switch to (00:38:21).
- When a member downgrades or upgrades their plan, the system will calculate the prorated amount based on the new plan, and the member will be charged for the day’s usage of the new plan (00:38:49).
- The system will continue to deduct the day’s usage from the member’s credits each time they switch plans, even if they switch back to a previous plan (00:39:59).
- This setting allows members to sign up risk-free and upgrade or downgrade without fear of losing credits, as they will receive credits for the unused portion of their previous plan (00:41:04).
- The webinar recommends enabling proration and educating members about the benefits of switching plans without penalty, as it can lead to a surplus of revenue for the website (00:41:18).
- A replay of the webinar will be available in the Facebook group for those who missed it or want to review the material (00:40:55).