Membership areas - what to include?

We have been running a paysite for 7 years, asianguys.com, and have tried to build a "community" niche site, adding content from the entire spectrum of gay asian porn. As there is no live gay asian content to speak of, and hardly any feeds, we operated under the theory that more content = more retention....more for people to keep coming back for, both in photographic, and reference type content, i.e. links to asian boy personal sites, etc...

my question is this. I have looked at many gay member areas, from very well known, i.e. sean cXXX to bxxfexxxxx, randxxxxx, etc, and i see everything from very simple members areas to very elaborate ones.

i wonder if i could get any input on what is felt to be the "required" content that customers are lookng for.. yes, each site is different, yes niches are different, but there is a certain mix that makes retention work.. what do you think it is?

Well as of late the members areas i have been working on include the following (in no specific order)...

Images (Watermarked + Downloadable)
Movies (Watermarked + Downloadable)
PPV Theatres
Stories
Chat Board
Polls
News Feeds
Wallpapers / Screensavers
Live Chat / Web Shows

Youll notice the lack of leased 'plug-ins' in that list ;)

Regards,

Lee

So you think plug-ins are not very good to have in a members area?

I think the answer is content, content and more content, but not all content is created equal. I think having content that is nice specific is very important. I think the days of the huge mega members area are numbered. The main reason is that people dont get what they signed on for, or at least not in a very easy to find manner.

I give my members exclusive and original content, frequent updates and what they came here for and they hang around.

Nothing pisses me off more than to sign up for something and think i am getting one thing, to find out it is totally different when i get in. I figure other surfers are there same.

I have played around with the community site aspects of things, sometimes they help and sometimes they dont. Some of them are pretty easy and automated, so I leave them running, but I cant say that they have made a mateial difference in my sales.

i think when used well, some plugins can be an asset to a paysite.

in my opinion, what you should have in a member area is partly dictated by the claims and samples on your tour. there is no one right answer.

i've promoted reality sites that had nothing but their videos and vidcaps - no high rez pics, no plugins, no games or boards. and some of those retained well because that was what the members wanted and expected.

i've promoted sites that had everything they could get their hands on in the member area. a lot of those didn't retain well - because it made it hard to find the content for the niche the site actually was.

i promote 3 amateur tv sites that retain really great, and have TONS of exclusive content within their niches as well as plugins. honestly 2/3s of the main member page spotlights the exclusive content, but there are plugins as well.

you can always try a poll in your member area to find out what the members would like - or to see if they like a new plugin or feed.

I think that the key is being good in your specific niche. There is no reason for someone to have a membership in a megasite that covers all niches but all of them very "watered down" when you have the choice of sites that cover the niche that the surfer wants and covers in very well. There are simply too choices now for the surfer.

As for plugins, I think that they can be great as "added content" but should not be relied on as the main content. Once again, the plugin should be very specific to the site's niche to make it an addition to the site and to be perceived as a value by the site's members.

Lee

i know a couple people who use only plugins for their videos, and their retention is good - but they are plugins that allow you to link to each video separately, with your header on the top and your background and footer. and then it works because the plugin has plenty of movies in the niches of the sites.

I don't think there's anything more important than feedback from members. You may * think * you know that they want, but you won't ever know unless you ask. I either use a form or email the members. It is invaluable information.

amen!!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Huskyhunks

I don't think there's anything more important than feedback from members. You may * think * you know that they want, but you won't ever know unless you ask. I either use a form or email the members. It is invaluable information.

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If your looking for some free plugins hit me on ICQ i will be able to help you.

:cheese:

What about a diary from some Asian stud, his adventures (keep it realistic or even real!)... so peeps keep coming back?

Actually the diary idea is something we are working on...we have been giving serious consideration to going toward a reality site type concept, with a cute asian boy travelling around having sex with cute asian guys and filming it..... sort of a combo of exclusive niche photography, exclusive video, reality, personality of the site...and sticky content, (both on the videos and in the members area :) )

we think that this would be a great evolution for our next generation offering for this website.

Hey Tom,

Long time since I've seen you around or heard from you, how have you been? There is a site similar to your idea that already exists, located at: http://www.hotasianboy.com/

Of course there are room for more sites like this, and if done right it could be great. :groovy:

Cheers

hotasianboy.com is no longer updated. the thai boy that runs it with his ex boyfriend, and confidant, does not want to be associated with the adult industry anymore and has chosen to stop updating the site...

and it's not really a reality site where a guy goes around fucking other asianguys...it's really a part time cam site, and a photo site of the site owner.. with some philipino twinkish stuff thrown in as well as some licensed photography for filler..

it's a reality site if it either pretends to be situations that are real - or are situations that are real.

it's a reality tour if it shows the episodes on the tour.