Webinar Wednesday 199 – April 30, 2025

Brilliant Directories Mobile App (00:01:55)

• The Brilliant Directories mobile app is available for download from the app store, whether it’s Apple or Google, and it’s a great way to stay in touch with the pulse of a site, see recent members, and new transactions (00:02:01).
• The app is currently being updated, with the main goal of having real-time notifications by the end of the year, which will allow users to receive notifications when there is activity on their site, such as new member signups or new payments received (00:02:19).
• There is an iPad giveaway, where users can join the Facebook group and leave a comment on the iPad post to enter, and if 1000 unique commenters are reached, two iPads will be given away instead of one (00:02:50).
• Webinar Wednesdays are a weekly event where the BD team covers and reviews new updates and features, and provides actionable steps to help grow a community, including topics such as increasing traffic and converting visitors to members (00:04:11).
• The webinar also includes a Q&A session, where users can ask questions about their site strategy or technical issues, and can either type their questions in the comments or request to be unmuted to ask their question verbally (00:04:44).
• The Brilliant Directories community plays a significant role in suggesting and providing ideas for updates, which are then released by the BD team, and a big shout out is given to the community for their help in improving the platform (00:05:16).

POSTS: Geo-code imported posts to enable location-based search (00:05:30)

• A new update is available for posts, allowing users to import posts using a CSV file, similar to importing members, and this update enables the geocoding of imported posts to assign a longitude and latitude, which is necessary for location-based searches to work on the front end of a site (00:05:30).
• The geocoding of imported posts is particularly useful for posts that include location data, such as events, coupons, or real estate listings, as it enables these posts to be found via location-based searches (00:05:44).
• To import posts, users can go to the admin dashboard, click on “my content” and then “manage posts”, where they will find the option to import posts under the “list actions” section, and a link to an import guide that provides a template to use (00:06:19).
• After importing posts, users can sync them with Google Maps using a link on the import page, which allows the posts to be found via location-based searches on the front end of the site if they were imported with location information (00:06:40).
• The update provides a useful feature for users who import posts, especially those with location data, as it enhances the search functionality on their site and makes it easier for visitors to find relevant content (00:06:57).

PAGESPEED: Updated mobile preloader adds up to 10 points to PageSpeed score (00:06:59)

• Managing Google page speed scoring is crucial, especially when handling thousands of sites worldwide, and a small improvement has been made to the existing mobile preloader, which can add up to 10 points to the mobile page speed score (00:06:59).
• As a site grows and matures, it’s common to add features like YouTube videos, chatbots, and larger image sizes, which can slow down the page, but this update helps provide a maximum score possible and maintain it, giving an edge in SEO efforts (00:07:18).
• The update is automatically applied, and there’s no need for any action, with an example shown on the vacuum site, which has a mobile page speed performance score of 100, as tested on both Page Speed and GTMetrics, an alternative tool that requires a pro plan to test mobile devices (00:07:50).
• Testing on an iPhone 11 using GTMetrics resulted in a 100% score, and the update provides a higher starting point, with 9 or 10 more points than before, which is beneficial for Brilliant Directories users, especially when adding features to their site or as it matures (00:08:10).
• The improved mobile preloader helps achieve a high page speed score, with the vacuum site scoring 100% on mobile and 98+ on desktop, demonstrating the effectiveness of the update in providing a strong foundation for site performance and SEO (00:08:36).

SAVING: Web Page Builder now saves without refreshing page, allowing text editor Undos (00:08:56)

• The web page builder has been updated to save changes without refreshing the page, allowing users to undo changes in the text editor, a suggestion made by Johnny York in the Facebook group (00:08:56).
• Previously, the web page would reload every time changes were saved, causing the browser to lose memory of the changes made, and thus preventing users from undoing them in the text editor (00:09:07).
• The new update enables silent saving, which means that when changes are made and saved, the page no longer fully reloads, allowing users to utilize the undo feature (00:09:27).
• This update improves the quality of life for users of the web page builder, providing more convenience, such as being able to undo and redo changes without losing the ability to do so after the page reloads (00:09:39).
• The update was made possible thanks to the suggestion from Johnny York, who pointed out the issue with the previous version of the web page builder (00:09:02).

WIDGETS: Front-End Coding errors now show clear warnings so entire pages don’t break (00:10:01)

• The update for this week is related to widgets, specifically the ability to visually see any front-end errors with clear warning messages if there is broken code in any of the widgets, instead of breaking the entire web page (00:10:01).
• This feature is particularly useful for developers and designers, as it provides a warning message for the specific widget that has broken code, allowing for easier identification and correction of errors (00:10:15).
• To demonstrate this feature, a widget’s code is purposefully broken, and upon refreshing the page, a new message appears indicating the error, the widget affected, and the approximate line number where the error occurs (00:10:40).
• The error message provides guidance on where the error might be located in the code, making it easier for developers to identify and fix issues with customized widgets (00:11:44).
• This feature is expected to be extended to other areas, such as menus and forms, allowing developers to easily identify and correct errors in customized code on the front end of the site (00:12:15).
• The update is considered a quality of life feature, particularly for developers, as it streamlines the process of identifying and correcting errors in widgets and other customizable elements (00:12:21).

RESTORE: Restore code revisions in Post Settings (more areas coming soon) (00:12:42)

• A new feature has been added to post settings in the edit post settings area, allowing users to restore code revisions, with the ability to save up to 10 recent revisions, and this feature will be extended to other areas such as the web page builder, forms, menus, widgets, and other places in the admin area (00:12:42).
• The restore code revision option is particularly useful for developers who work with code, and it can be found in the edit post settings area, where users can view revision history and load previous revisions (00:13:15).
• To access the revision history, users can select a post type, click on the code view, and see the new revision history, where they can load previous revisions, revert back to a previous version, and compare different versions of the code (00:13:34).
• The revision bank will get longer as users continue to save changes, and they can load previous revisions even after leaving and coming back, making it a helpful feature for comparing and reverting changes (00:14:28).
• The ability to restore code revisions will be rolled out to other areas, including menus, forms, widgets, and other places in the admin, providing a huge convenience for users who may make mistakes and need to revert back to a previous version (00:15:00).

CREDITS: New members can enter a referrer’s ID to earn signup credits (00:15:16)

• The member credits add-on allows website owners to give their members credits that can be used on purchases on the directory website, such as membership plans, digital products, and leads, and this feature is related to creating a referral system that rewards both the referer and the new sign up (00:15:16).
• When a new member signs up and enters a valid existing member’s ID, they can get referral credits, and the member who referred the new member can also get credits, with the option to set the amount of credits to assign to the referring member (00:15:37).
• The new setting requires the person signing up to enter a real member’s ID in order to claim credits, and this can be done on the free or paid sign up form when the setting is enabled, with a field that asks “Did someone refer you” (00:16:22).
• In the membership plan settings, there is an option to reward credits to new users after sign up, and another option to assign referral credits to members who refer new signups, with the ability to set the amount of credits to assign to the referring member (00:17:09).
• The credit system can be used to emulate a simple affiliate program, where members can build credits through referrals and joining the site, and these credits can be manually paid out to members via PayPal, with the option to deduct the credits from the member’s account after payment (00:18:25).
• The credit system can be used as an alternative to a built-in affiliate program, which is not available in Brilliant Directories, but can be integrated with third-party tools such as Post Affiliate Pro (00:18:03).

WP EXPORT: Migrate WordPress blog posts to your BD site using the new plugin (00:19:31)

• A new WordPress plugin has been announced, which allows users to migrate their WordPress blog posts to their Brilliant Directory site with just one click, by installing the free add-on and connecting their Brilliant Directories API key (00:19:31).
• The plugin provides settings to choose the author of the posts on the Brilliant Directory site, the post type to sync, and what data to export, such as publish date, feature image, tags, and SEO metadata (00:20:17).
• The plugin also allows for a one-time manual sync and scheduled syncs, making it easy to keep the WordPress site and Brilliant Directory site up-to-date (00:21:07).
• Another WordPress plugin is currently being developed, which will allow users to sync their WordPress forms, such as Contact Form 7, Gravity Forms, and Ninja Forms, to create member records or leads on their Brilliant Directory site (00:21:22).
• The upcoming BD Forms Sync plugin will work with popular form plugins, covering about 90% of the form plugins used on WordPress, and will enable users to map form fields to their Brilliant Directory site and create records automatically (00:22:11).
• The new plugins are expected to enhance the functionality of Brilliant Directory sites, particularly for lead generation, and are being developed based on user feedback and suggestions (00:23:17).

BD Quick Tips – Intro (00:23:33)

• The discussion will now cover BD quick tips, which is a list of features that are part of the Brilliant Directories platform, and these features are really awesome (00:23:33).
• The features that will be covered are simple and can be found within the actions drop-down menu for individual members, which is located in the my members and search members section (00:23:50).

1) Member Listing Custom Footer Code (00:24:06)

• Member listing custom footer code allows adding custom content, such as paragraphs, images, and code, to the footer section of individual members’ profile or listing pages (00:24:06).
• To add custom footer code, go to the “My Members” section, find the individual member, and use the “Quickedit” option in the actions dropdown, then navigate to the “Advanced Options” tab, where the second option is the listing custom footer code (00:24:27).
• Some use cases for this feature include adding third-party tracking scripts or pixels to a specific member’s profile page, embedding custom content, such as a Google sheet with weekly events, and adding badges or credentials to premium or sponsored listings (00:24:48).
• The custom footer code only applies to the specific member’s profile page it is added to, and the opportunities for customization are endless, allowing for the addition of any code to the footer section (00:25:36).
• Developers have used this feature to allow members to add their own chatbot or live chat to their profile page, giving the listing an edge in connecting with visitors in real time (00:26:15).
• The “Quickedit” option provides access to various developer tools, including the ability to add custom CSS for an individual member’s profile page, and the custom footer code can include JavaScripts, embed code, CSS, and direct content (00:26:46).
• The custom footer code is located in the “Advanced Options” tab, under the second option, and can be used to add a wealth of customizations to an individual member’s profile page (00:27:02).

2) Member Internal Admin Notes (00:27:26)

• The internal admin notes feature allows website admins to add private notes to individual members, which are only visible on the back end, enabling them to keep track of special requests, application processes, and other relevant information for each member (00:27:26).
• These notes can be added in the quickedit section by scrolling down to the internal admin notes field and pasting in any plain text, and they can be updated and edited as needed (00:27:53).
• The internal notes are not permanent and are only visible to admins with access to the my members section, making it a useful tool for streamlining internal team communication and keeping track of member information (00:28:19).
• Some benefits and use cases of internal admin notes include keeping track of special requests, application or review processes, and customer interactions, such as refunds, cancellations, or freebies handed out to members (00:28:32).
• The feature is particularly useful for websites that are heavy on customer service and support, as it allows admins to keep notes on members without having to maintain a separate spreadsheet or document (00:31:12).
• Admins can also include dates and other relevant information in the notes, and multiple admins can access and update the notes, making it a helpful tool for collaborative member management (00:30:09).
• For example, an admin named Jason can leave an internal note for a customer who wanted to cancel, including a date and a note about offering a 2-month free extension, and another staff member can later edit or add to the note (00:30:21).

3) Manually Update Member Credit Card (00:31:25)

• Manually updating a member’s credit card information from the admin area can be a beneficial customer service feature, allowing site owners to help members update expired or failed payment methods, and can be done by clicking the “update credit card” link in the actions drop-down menu for individual members (00:31:25).
• This feature enables site owners to update the name on the card, card number, expiration date, and security code, and can be used to contact members who have failed payments and update their credit card information over the phone, providing a premium level of support (00:31:58).
• Members can also update their own billing information from within their member account, but site owners can take care of this for them to avoid interruptions in their membership and ensure on-time payments (00:32:52).
• For directory models, actively calling free members to welcome them to the site and offer an upsell to a premium listing can be an effective way to increase retention and revenue, and can be done by taking the member’s credit card information over the phone (00:33:39).
• Site owners can update a member’s credit card information in two places in the admin area: on the member’s individual page in the admin, or on the search members page, by clicking the “CC info” link and adding or updating the credit card information (00:34:18).
• This feature can be used to upgrade free members to a premium listing, and can be done by explaining the benefits of the premium listing and taking the member’s credit card information over the phone, as demonstrated in the example with Mr. Johnson (00:34:44).
• The quick edit feature allows updating the card on file and signing up for a subscription or payment, and it also enables adding or deducting member credits to an individual member’s account in the transactions tab in the admin area (00:34:56).
• Member credits can be added or deducted for various reasons, such as retention, where a member had a bad experience and is given a credit, or for affiliate program purposes, where members accumulate credits through referrals (00:35:37).
• The affiliate program is not a formal system, but it can be managed by tracking referrals, paying, and rewarding members for signups to the site, and internal notes can be left to record transactions, such as PayPal payouts (00:36:15).
• The credits link for a specific member can be used to view and manage their credits, including adding or deducting credits, and leaving internal notes for transactions, such as affiliate payouts via PayPal (00:36:50).
• After reviewing the quick tips and features of the platform, there is time for Q&A, and attendees can ask questions by joining a stream on brilliantdirectories.com/stream and typing the word “question” in all caps to have their microphone unmuted (00:37:16).

Member Profile Badges (00:37:45)

• Member profile badges can be assigned to members based on their membership plan, and there is a member badge add-on available that can be used to display a badge on their page, which can be an icon or text (00:38:08).
• The badge can display various information, such as “verified pro”, and can be customized to include an icon with text, allowing for flexibility in design and content (00:38:42).
• To achieve this, it is recommended to start with the member listing badges add-on, and if any issues arise, support is available through the Facebook group or the support team to guide through the process (00:38:55).
• There are also alternative methods to add badges to listings that have been covered in previous webinars, providing additional options for customization and implementation (00:38:49).
• Donnell’s question about assigning badges to members based on their branch of service or military status can be addressed using the member badge add-on, which can help to categorize and recognize members based on their specific characteristics (00:37:45).

How to approve new members before listings go live (00:39:11)

• To approve new members before their listings go live, the website owner can moderate listing signups by going to the membership plan and editing the settings, specifically by setting the account status to “onhold” and requiring admin approval (00:39:17).
• The website owner can update the welcome email that gets sent when new members sign up, educating them on the moderation process and encouraging them to add as much information to their listing as possible before it’s made public (00:40:00).
• New members will still be able to sign up and register, but their listings will not be searchable on the site because they will be on an “onhold” status, and the admin can then change their account status to “active” after they meet all the requirements (00:40:19).
• There is a support article available on moderating new member signups, which can be accessed through the BD chatbot, although it may not always provide the exact information needed (00:40:56).
• After setting up the moderation process, the admin can review new member listings and change their account status to “active” once they meet the requirements, and the website owner can also use the welcome email to communicate with new members and provide guidance on the moderation process (00:40:33).

Premium member referrals (00:41:54)

• To implement a referral system, a $20 credit can be offered to members who refer new premium members, and this credit is only given when a new premium member signs up, not for free sign-ups (00:41:54).
• The credits given for member signups are per membership plan, allowing for customization of rewards for different plans, such as editing the premium plan to assign reward credits after signup (00:42:12).
• To give the $20 credit to the referring member instead of the new member, the “assign reward credits to” option can be set to zero, and the “to the member who refers the new sign up” option can be set to yes, with the credit amount set to $20 (00:42:53).
• When a new member signs up, they need to enter the referring member’s ID number, and if it’s a valid member and a premium signup, the $20 credit will be given to the referring member (00:43:10).
• The referral system can be set up to work only for premium members, but referring members with any membership plan, including basic or free members, can still receive the $20 credit for referring a new premium member (00:43:50).
• The system allows for customization to ensure that the credit is only given when a new premium member signs up, and not for free sign-ups, and it can be edited for the premium plan to achieve this (00:43:40).

How to cancel a member’s ongoing annual subscription (00:44:10)

• To cancel a member’s ongoing annual subscription, the best method is to log in to their profile, go to their dashboard, and click the cancel button on their behalf, choosing the option to cancel at the end of the paid subscription period, which is the date they’ve paid through (00:44:30).
• When canceling a paid subscription, it is essential to allow the member to stay until the end of the period they have already paid for (00:44:24).
• Colette has a blog article slider on her homepage and wants to add a heading above it, similar to the “upcoming events” heading, but there isn’t a direct option to do so, requiring a workaround (00:44:51).
• A custom piece of content can be added above the blog article slider to serve as a heading, and adjustments can be made to match the font and remove extra spacing (00:45:31).
• To remove extra space, the bottom spacing of the custom content can be set to zero, and any hidden empty paragraphs can be removed (00:46:52).
• Further adjustments can be made to equalize the spacing and remove any extra margins to achieve the desired layout (00:47:50).
• Having the ability to add a header directly above the blog article slider would be a useful feature, eliminating the need for workarounds (00:48:13).

What happens if free members upgrade later – will they get credits? (00:48:39)

• When a member signs up for a free plan and later upgrades to a premium plan, the question arises as to whether they will receive member credits, and if the referring member will receive credits for that upgrade (00:48:39).
• The membership plan settings have an option to assign credits to a member’s account after they change to a new plan, which can be set by entering a value greater than zero for reward credits after a successful membership plan change (00:49:13).
• If a member upgrades to a new plan, they can receive credits, but it is unclear if the referral works for plan changes or upgrades, and it appears that the referring member is not an input field when members are changing their plan (00:49:28).
• The current system seems to only allow referral credits for new signups, but the suggestion to allow referral credits for member upgrades has been noted and will be passed along to the team for consideration (00:49:51).
• Rich’s question about member credits and referrals during plan upgrades has been acknowledged as a fair and useful suggestion, and notes have been taken to potentially address this in the future, including a heading for a blog article on referral credits during member upgrades (00:50:04).

How to link and populate referral code ID using member ID (00:50:32)

• To link and populate the referral code ID for a member ID, a support article is available that provides instructions on how to build a link with a member’s ref ID in the URL, which can be shared with members so their referral link will be automatically populated into the ID field (00:50:32).
• The support article includes an example of how to build the link and provides a snippet of code that can be dropped into the members’ dashboard on the site, or potentially made into a widget to be included in emails (00:51:33).
• The code snippet adds the referral ID into the URL, automatically filling out the ID field, and the instructions for implementing this are provided in the support article (00:51:50).
• The article recommends using the code snippet to create a link that members can share, allowing their referral ID to be automatically populated, and this can be used in various ways, such as in emails or on the website (00:51:58).
• The process of linking and populating the referral code ID is useful for members, as it allows them to easily share their referral link and have it automatically populated, and Jeremiah’s question prompted the search for the support article that provides these instructions (00:52:03).

Can the BD app notify us of new leads? (00:52:08)

• The Brilliant Directories app is expected to have a new feature that notifies users of new leads, with the development of this feature currently in progress and scheduled to be released in several months (00:52:08).
• The next update of the Brilliant Directories app will provide real-time notifications, allowing users to choose which types of notifications they want to receive based on the activity on their website (00:52:19).
• Users will have the option to pick and choose the types of notifications they want to receive, including notifications for new leads created on their site, and this feature is being developed in response to demand from users like Lisa (00:52:25).

Updates on GHL integration (00:52:40)

• The question about Go High Level (GHL) integrations was raised, and it was mentioned that the focus for Q1 and Q2 of the year was on WordPress plugins, including Woo Commerce customer sync, export or migrate WordPress post to BD, form sync, and hosting a Brilliant Directory site on a subfolder on an existing WordPress site (00:52:40).
• After completing the four WordPress plugins, the next platform to create integrations for will be High Level, and feedback is requested on what type of High Level integration would be most valuable (00:53:21).
• In the meantime, third-party tools like Zapier, Lead Connector, and Pably can be used for integrations, with Lead Connector being the High Level integration on Zapier (00:53:42).
• A direct sync integration is planned for High Level, similar to the ones being developed for WordPress, and ideas for native integration are being solicited from users (00:54:05).
• The goal is to have a High Level integration available soon, hopefully this year, and users are encouraged to share their thoughts on what would be most helpful (00:53:33).

Does the iframe whitelist setting still exist? (00:54:38)

• The iframe whitelist setting has undergone an update, allowing users to choose between all, none, or specific domains to whitelist, with the option to enter a comma-separated list of root domains (00:54:50).
• There are two advanced settings for whitelisting: one for whitelisting the iframe of a domain, and another for allowed iframe sources that can be embedded within the Frella text editor on the site (00:55:06).
• The allowed iframe sources setting includes default options such as YouTube, Vimeo, and Facebook, but users can also add other iframe sources by entering them in a comma-separated list to keep their site safe (00:55:46).
• If a user is unable to find one of these settings, they are advised to contact the support team, who will ensure that they have visibility on both settings (00:56:14).
• The update to the iframe whitelist setting is relevant to users who have recently received an upgrade, and they can now access these settings to manage their iframe whitelisting options (00:54:44).

Sell Digital Products and Services (00:56:31)

• The consideration of including ads with membership packages or offering them as separate purchases, such as through a shopping cart, is a key decision for membership sites, with the option to test offering premium plan members special perks like a week on the homepage to motivate signups (00:56:31).
• Offering ad space as a digital product can open up a new revenue channel, and using a digital products add-on can facilitate the sale of intangible services like ebooks or ad space on the site (00:58:10).
• Creating a menu of digital products, such as sponsored placements or boosts, can be presented to members in their member dashboard, allowing for upsells and custom offers, with resources available to learn more about creating and selling digital products (00:58:53).
• Utilizing videos and tutorials, such as those on selling digital products and engaging users, can provide valuable information on how to create and sell digital products, including upsell ideas like spotlighting members or featuring them on the homepage (00:59:05).
• The member dashboard can be used to present members with boosts or upsells, such as custom buttons and offers, and learning about different upsell ideas can help membership sites increase revenue and engagement (00:59:26).
• Additional resources, such as videos on upsell ideas and engaging users, can provide membership sites with the tools and knowledge needed to successfully sell digital products and increase member engagement (01:00:03).
• There are 15 upsell ideas that members will buy, and it is possible to put boosts in the dashboard area, with three ways to engage users inside their dashboard, allowing for the sale of digital products (01:00:22).
• Creating a page with different membership levels, such as free and premium, can be an effective way to offer various packages and sellable digital products to members (01:01:14).
• When starting out, it is a good idea to roll out the red carpet and see who is interested in the offers, and then put the best offer out first and call the early adopters “early bird members” or “founding members” to give them a special status (01:01:53).
• A membership site can have different tiers, such as a free plan, pro, and premium, with varying prices and features, including the ability to display a web link, upgraded listing, and priority placement in search results (01:02:38).
• It is essential to clearly explain the benefits of each feature to potential members, using simple language and avoiding technical jargon, such as renaming “video integration” to “share videos of your business” to help connect the dots and make the offers more appealing (01:03:40).
• Role-playing can be a useful exercise to test the sales pitch and identify areas for improvement, by acting out a sales conversation and having someone play the role of a potential customer to provide feedback and suggestions (01:04:06).
• The goal is to sell the benefits of the membership, rather than just listing features, and to make the offers as clear and concise as possible, such as explaining that “priority placement” means showing ahead of other members in search results (01:04:41).
• To create an effective membership signup page, it is essential to have a clear understanding of what the membership offers and why someone would want to sign up, and to represent these answers on the signup page, by having someone play devil’s advocate and writing down the answers (01:04:58).
• Digital products, such as banner ad placements and newsletter ads, can be used as separate products or as part of a package, and can be listed on the pricing page under a subheading like “additional sponsorship opportunities” (01:05:21).
• To reduce confusion and increase conversions, it is recommended to start with only two options and link to another page for additional services, as too many options can lead to decision paralysis and lower conversions (01:06:16).
• Simplifying the options and reducing the number of decisions presented to the user can lead to higher conversions, as it is naturally easier for humans to make a decision with fewer options (01:06:44).
• Having all the pricing options on one page can be confusing, especially for a directory site where conversions are important, and it may be better to have a separate page for additional services or to offer a free registration with upsells and upgrades later (01:07:24).
• The primary objective as a directory owner should be to get email address conversions, and to keep the initial signup process simple, focusing on getting people in the door, and then offering higher upsells later (01:08:19).
• Creating different levels of membership can be confusing, and it’s suggested to handle upsells and add-ons on a separate page, and when creating a new level, some options like ads and newsletters may not be available, requiring manual follow-up (01:09:04).
• Incorporating features like newsletters into membership plans can be done by mentioning them as part of the plan, but it will require coordination with the members, such as requesting their logo or other assets (01:09:46).
• When including features like newsletters or website ads in membership plans, it’s possible to assign a value to them, such as a $200 value for a newsletter mention, and mention it as part of the plan (01:10:10).
• To simplify the process, it’s recommended to keep the membership plans simple and consider renaming the plans to something more tangible, like “basic business listing” or “premium visibility business listing” (01:11:26).
• Naming membership plans should be done in a way that makes them feel tangible to the members, allowing them to understand what they’re getting, such as a “free business listing” on a specific website (01:11:51).
• Sites that cater to a niche local area can do well by creating a connection with the businesses and offering free listings, which can help build support for the site and the community (01:12:35).
• Renaming the join page or button to something more descriptive, such as “get listed” or “join the directory,” can also help with conversions and make the process more straightforward (01:10:57).
• Establishing relationships is crucial for upsells and upgrades, and it is recommended to focus on building those relationships first, rather than counting the dollars up front, and then finding ways to monetize afterwards (01:13:00).
• Having a foot in the community or industry is essential, and once attention is gained, various methods of monetization can be explored, as seen in the example of a newsletter that has been working for years (01:13:13).
• Creating community spotlights, such as business spotlights, can be an effective way to engage with the community, and it can be done in the form of a community article or a regular blog post, as long as it is publicly accessible on the site (01:13:30).
• Making content publicly accessible on the site allows it to be picked up by Google, shared with others, and more, which can be beneficial for increasing visibility and reach (01:13:50).
• It is suggested that Don is on the right direction with his progress, but may need to simplify things a little bit, and it is encouraged to share progress and decisions made in future webinars (01:14:06).

How to preview and get notifications for member message board (01:14:23)

• Melissa has created a message board for members only and has tested it by sending messages as a logged-in member and as an admin, but she is unsure how members will see the messages and is seeking suggestions on how they can receive message board notifications (01:14:23).
• There are two types of message boards, a private one-to-one chat for members and comments left under blog posts, and the guidance provided will depend on which type Melissa is referring to (01:14:43).
• Currently, members will only receive email or SMS notifications if they are not actively looking at the chat, and there are no on-site notifications, but dynamic on-site notifications are being worked on and will be available in a few months (01:15:02).
• The upcoming on-site notifications will appear as bubbles on the site, alerting members to new activity, such as a new message, and will be a helpful feature when released (01:15:16).
• In the meantime, members can receive notifications through email, by checking their dashboard, or through SMS notifications if set up, which can be helpful alternatives (01:15:39).

How to add more feeds to a premium member profile (01:15:57)

• To add more feeds to a premium member profile, such as TikTok, it is necessary to explore available widgets, as Facebook is already added, and only premium member profiles have this capability (01:15:57).
• The process involves searching for suitable widgets, like the Tik Tok embed widget, which may not be currently available, but can be found by searching online for options like adding Tik Tok video and gallery widgets to a website (01:16:11).
• Twitter previously had a working widget, but it stopped working due to changes made by Elon, resulting in its deprecation and sunsetting, and currently, there is no available widget for showing a library stream of Tik Tok videos (01:16:36).
• The idea of adding a Tik Tok feed to premium member profiles is considered a good suggestion, as people often like to share their social media timelines, including Facebook, and having a Tik Tok library stream would be a valuable addition (01:17:03).
• The discussion also mentions that the webinar is running over time, and some pending messages and questions will be addressed in the Facebook group, where the community can continue to ask questions and engage with each other (01:17:17).
• The webinar concludes with reminders about the free iPad giveaway, which will be closed at midnight, and an invitation to join the BD Facebook group to leave a comment on the iPad post, with the next webinar scheduled to take place in two weeks (01:17:37).