Attn New Media Hub Members: 389 Real-Life Site Owners Reveal
Secret Data to Profit From Membership & Subscription Sites

New from Anne Holland's SubscriptionSiteInsider.com, the first research data report for membership site owners and entrepreneurs considering launching a membership site:
  • 389 site owners & marketers reveal their own stats!
  • Dating, dieting, news, hobby, games, video, & financial sites
  • Pricing, conversions & renewals data
  • What's working in marketing (and what's not)
  • Hybrid business model info, including ad sales
  • Profits, time-to-profit, and specific ways to lift profits
  • Read the Reviews -- What Experts Are Saying:

    "Anne was the founder of MarketingSherpa.com, a multimillion dollar membership site, so she knows her stuff. To get the insider data for this report, Anne's research team convinced 389 membership site owners to reveal their own business stats. These are the real-life secret numbers nobody talks about -- the numbers you need to profit from memberships."
    Brad Fallon, CEO
    StomperNet

    "THE REPORT IS FANTASTIC!!!!!!!! It has the most comprehensive, detailed research-driven metrics and insights I've ever seen for this industry. And, it's stuff my clients can ACT on! The breakdowns by site topic category, including what social media and marketing tactics are working, makes it super-relevant. Plus, the hybrid revenue models chapter makes it progressive. Great stuff."
    Bill Baird
    President, Baird Direct

    "As a consultant working in the online dating industry, I am frequently asked questions about online subscription trends, best practices, pricing models, conversion rates, opportunities and challenges. The 2009 Subscription & Membership Site Benchmark Report is now required reading for all of my clients and blog readers, a welcome replacement for the guesstimates and conjecture previously surrounding the paid content subscription marketplace."
    David Evans
    OnlineDatingPost.com Digicraft.com

    "If you run a membership site, or are looking to start one, you MUST get this report - it has all of the statistics and analysis that you could ever need, to get an insight into this multi-billion dollar industry!"
    Miles Galliford
    SubHub Co-Founder

    Top 10 Subscription & Membership Site Questions Answered:

    You'll get 185 tables and charts of *practical* research answering your most pressing business questions, such as:

    #1. What percent of total site visitors should convert to buying a subscription? And, if I offer both annual and monthly subscriptions, what percent of buyers normally take each?

    #2. How many months do average month-to-month subscribers last for?

    #3. What sort of renewal rate is normal for annual subscriptions? What about group subscriptions? How about B2B vs consumer sites?

    #4. What's normal for pricing in each major topical niche? What's normal for trial offers -- how long are trials and should they require a credit card?

    #5. Which are the most effective Internet marketing tactics for subscription sites right now? How about social marketing tactics? How about offline marketing such as TV, telemarketing, and direct postal mail? What's NOT working?

    #6. How profitable are typical subscription sites, and how long does it take the average site to reach profitability after launching?

    #7. Should I be publishing as a "hybrid model" with several revenue streams aside from subscriptions? What specific types of non-subscription products and offerings -- such as advertising -- are worth our time and effort, and which are not?

    #8. Is my site's search marketing up to par compared with other sites in my topical niche? Should I invest more in PPC and/or SEO?

    #9. Are double-digit credit card decline rates normal for subscription site transactions these days? How do B2B subscription site card declines compare to B2C offer declines?

    #10. What are the brand names of 550 typical subscription sites -- and what sorts of challenges do their own executives say they're battling to succeed?

    Who Will Benefit Most From This Practical Research

    • Owners of membership sites, subscription sites and continuity programs that sell content online.
    • eBook publishers who are considering trying a membership site
    • Online publishers who want additional revenue sources in addition to advertising
    • Subject matter experts who are considering launching a membership site

    How This Exclusive, Practical Research Was Gathered:

    389 real-life subscription site executives took extensive surveys for this Report (thank you!) and revealed everything from what's working in marketing, how profitable their sites are, and their sales conversion rates.

    Plus, SubscriptionSiteInsider.com's research team conducted an observational study of 550 subscription sites -- including B2B and consumer sites of all sizes -- examining everything from their search marketing results to their site design, traffic, and pricing structures.

    Lastly, more than 100 industry vendors, consultants, financiers, and third party researchers agreed to share their data -- often exclusively -- with us to help make this Benchmark Report the most comprehensive resource possible.

    All in all, you'll find 185 charts, tables and illustrations. (See below for a detailed Table of Contents!)

    Table of Contents: 185 Charts, Tables & Illustrations on Subscription Sites

    You'll find more exclusive, NEW data on subscription sites here than in any other source on the planet. If the data's not here, it probably doesn't exist (yet.) Here's what your copy includes:

    CHAPTER ONE: Subscription & Membership Site Industry -- Profits & Challenges
    Part I. Show Me the Money
    -> Current Financial Data
    TABLE 1.01: Subscription Revenues of Named Sites and Service Providers
    TABLE 1.02: US Consumer Spending on Paid Internet Content: 2009 VSS Estimate
    CHART 1.02: Typical Annual Profits Reported by Profitable Subscription Site Execs
    CHART 1.03: Typical Annual Profits Reported by Profitable Subscription Site Execs: B2B vs B2C
    CHART 1.04: Typical Annual Profits Reported by Profitable Membergate Sites
    CHART 1.05: Launch-to-Profitability Timeframe for Profitable Subscription Sites
    CHART 1.06: Launch-to-Profitability Timeframe: B2B vs B2C Profitable Subscription Sites
    CHART 1.07: Non-Sub Site Publishers Estimate Sub Site Build Costs
    CHART 1.08: Non-Sub Site Publishers Estimate New Sub Site Breakeven Timing
    -> Historic Financial Data
    CHART 1.09: US Consumer Spending on Online Content 2001-2005 By Quarter
    CHART 1.10: US Online Content Spending by Category of Content, 2004-2005
    CHART 1.11: US Ratio of Single Purchases to Subscription Sales by Content Category, 2005
    CHART 1.12: US Paid Content Consumer Growth by Average Annual Spend, 2005
    CHART 1.13: US Paid Content Consumer Growth by Market Penetration, 2005
    TABLE 1.03: US Adults Online Content Purchasing Habits: September 2007
    TABLE 1.04: Internet Publishing & Broadcasting --Estimated Revenue & Expenses 2004-2006
    TABLE 1.05: US Electronic Shopping & Mail-Order Houses - Total & Ecommerce Sales by Merchandise: 2006-2007
    Part II. Types of Sites & Content Offered
    CHART 1.14: Internet Pureplay vs. Mixed Offline & Online Offerings
    CHART 1.15: Content Features Offered on Typical Advisory/Guru/Coaching Subscription Sites
    CHART 1.16: Content Features Offered on Typical Connecting People/Dating Subscription Sites
    CHART 1.17: Content Features Offered on Typical Entertainment Subscription Sites
    CHART 1.18: Content Features Offered on Typical Instructional/Training/Course Subscription Sites
    CHART 1.19: Content Features Offered on Typical Directory/Database Subscription Sites
    CHART 1.20: Content Features Offered on Typical News/Specialized Journalism Subscription Sites
    CHART 1.21: Subscription Sites Offering Email and/or Mobile Editions
    CHART 1.22: User-Generated Content on a Typical Advisory/Guru/Coaching Subscription Site
    CHART 1.23: User-Generated Content on a Typical Dating/Networking Subscription Site
    CHART 1.24: User-Generated Content on a Typical Entertainment Subscription Site
    CHART 1.25: User-Generated Content on a Typical Instructional/Training Subscription Site
    CHART 1.26: User-Generated Content on a Typical Directory/Database Subscription Site
    CHART 1.27: User-Generated Content on a Typical News/Specialized Journalism Subscription Site
    Part III. Biggest Challenges for Subscription Sites Currently
    CHART 1.28: Subscription Executives Name Their Site's Biggest Barriers to Success
    CHART 1.29: Subscription Executives Name Their Site's Biggest Barriers to Success: B2B vs. B2C
    CHART 1.30: Weakness Most Subscription Sites Need To Fix: Vendors Speak Out
    CHART 1.31: Top Business Challenges Reported by SIPA Members Publishing Subscription Sites

    CHAPTER TWO: Subscription Site Audience & Traffic
    -> Consumers and Online Content
    CHART 2.01: If Facebook Charged $1.99 per Month, Would You Pay?
    CHART 2.02: If Facebook Charged $4.99 per Month, Would You Pay?
    CHART 2.03: Apple "i" Users Upgrade Pattern: Free Upgrade vs. $10 Upgrade
    TABLE 2.01: US Content Subscription Adoption by Consumer Age Group, 2007
    CHART 2.04: Is Online Content You Paid for Higher Quality Than Free Content?
    Chart 2.05: Likeliness to Buy an Online Video Subscription: Business Professionals Ages 45-63
    CHART 2.06: Subscription Services Business Professionals Ages 45-63 Are Most Likely To Cancel
    CHART 2.07: US Consumers Time Spent With Online Content vs Other Online Activities, 2008-2009
    CHART 2.08: US Consumer Page Views of Online Content vs Other Types of Sites, 2008-2009
    CHART 2.09: Unique US Visitors Per Month to Content Sites vs Other Sites, 2008-2009
    CHART 2.10: US Consumers' Sources for Personal Financial Information
    -> Consumers and the News Media
    CHART 2.11: Time Spent Per Week Reading Internet Newspapers, 2007-2008
    CHART 2.12: If Your Print Newspaper Went Online, Would You Visit More?
    CHART 2.13: Loyalists as a % of Typical Newspaper Site Unique Visitors
    CHART 2.14: Loyalists as a % of Typical Newspaper Site Page Views Per Month
    TABLE 2.02: Favored Local News Sources by US Age-Group, 2009
    CHART 2.15: Consumer Preferences, Offline vs Online Media: Fall 2009
    CHART 2.16: Online News Consumption by Household Income, 2008
    TABLE 2.03: Increasing Consumer Criticism of Press Accuracy
    -> Real-life 2009 Subscription Site Traffic
    CHART 2.17: Total Traffic of 550 Observed Subscription Sites, 2009
    CHART 2.18: Unique Visitors of 550 Observed Subscription Sites: Percent B2B vs B2C
    CHART 2.19: Golden Oldies: Traffic Stats of Classic Sub Sites Still Going Strong
    CHART 2.20: Dating Sites Unique Monthly Traffic
    CHART 2.21: Dieting Sites Unique Monthly Traffic
    CHART 2.22: Subscription Sites Connecting Friends/Colleagues: Unique Monthly Traffic
    CHART 2.23: Music Subscription Sites: Unique Monthly Traffic
    CHART 2.24: Movie Subscription Sites: Unique Monthly Traffic
    CHART 2.25: Top Online Game Subscriptions: Unique Monthly Traffic
    CHART 2.26: Fantasy Sports Fan Subscription Offers : Unique Monthly Traffic
    CHART 2.27: Greeting Card Sites: Unique Monthly Traffic
    CHART 2.28: Real Estate Info Sites: Unique Monthly Traffic
    CHART 2.29: Consumer Credit Rating Sites Unique Monthly Traffic
    CHART 2.30: Reference Sites: Unique Monthly Traffic
    CHART 2.31: General B2B Interest Sub Sites: Hoovers vs Payscale
    CHART 2.32: Get Rich on the Internet Sites: Unique Monthly Traffic
    TABLE 2.04: Traffic to a Typo (Rhapsody vs. Rhaposdy)

    CHAPTER THREE: Marketing Subscriptions
    ILLUSTRATION 3.01: The Online Content Subscription Conversion Funnel
    ILLUSTRATION 3.02: Subscription Brand Awareness Impact: The Ease of Conversion Ladder
    TABLE 3.01: Example of Multiyear Profitability: 5 Years from Initial Campaign
    CHART 3.01: Common Marketing Tactics Used by 550 Observed Subscription Sites
    CHART 3.02: SIPA-Member Subscription Sites Rate Marketing Tactics by Results
    TABLE 3.02: Upcoming Marketing Budget Changes Projected by SIPA-Member Subscription Sites
    CHART: 3.04 How Membergate Site Publishers Differ From Other Publishers: Marketing Tactics
    -> Online Tactics to Market Online Subscriptions
    CHART 3.05: Subscription Site Execs Rate Effectiveness of Online Marketing Tactics
    CHART 3.06: Percent of Subscription Sites Using Common Online Marketing Tactics
    CHART 3.07: Online Marketing Tactics Used by Dating Subscription Sites
    CHART 3.08: Online Marketing Tactics Used by Personal Investment Subscription Sites
    CHART 3.09: Online Marketing Tactics Used by Personal Investment Subscription Sites
    CHART 3.10: Online Marketing Tactics Used by Personal-Business Subscription Sites
    CHART 3.11: Online Marketing Tactics Used by Dieting Subscription Sites
    CHART 3.12: Online Marketing Tactics Used by Fan Club Subscription Sites
    CHART 3.13: Online Marketing Tactics Used by Entertainment Subscription Sites
    CHART 3.14: Online Marketing Tactics Used by Hobby-Topic Subscription Sites
    CHART 3.15: Online Marketing Tactics Used by Get Rich Online Subscription Sites
    CHART 3.16: Online Marketing Tactics Used by Health-related Subscription Sites
    CHART 3.17: Online Marketing Tactics Used by B2B Trade Subscription Sites
    CHART 3.18: Percent of Subscription Sites with Aggressive Search Marketing
    CHART 3.19: High SEO Sites Offering Free Content without Registration
    CHART 3.20: Percent of Observed Subscription Sites With High SEO Rankings
    CHART 3.21: Subscription Sites With SEO Success -- by Topic
    CHART 3.22: Subscription Sites Actively Using Google AdWords-- by Content Topic
    CHART 3.23: Surveyed SIPA Subscription Site Execs 'Unsure' of SEM-Driven Revenues
    TABLE 3.03: Top Referring Sites & Unique Traffic for High-profile Subscription Sites, Sept 2009
    CHART 3.24: Sub Site Execs Rate Social Media Marketing Effectiveness
    CHART 3.25: Percent of Sub Sites Using Common Social Media Marketing Tactics
    CHART 3.26: Social Media Marketing Tactics Used: B2B vs. Consumer Sub Sites
    CHART 3.27: Sub Site Execs rate Effectiveness of Email Rentals & Co-Reg
    CHART 3.28: Percent of Sub Sites Using Email List Rentals & Co-Reg
    CHART 3.29: Email List/Co-Reg Outreach Used: B2B vs. Consumer Sub Sites
    -> Offline Tactics to Market Online Subscriptions
    CHART 3.30: Sub Site Execs Rate Effectiveness of Offline Marketing Tactics
    CHART 3.31: Percent of Sub Sites Using Offline Marketing
    CHART 3.32: Offline Marketing Tactics Used: B2B vs. Consumer Sub Sites
    CHART 3.33: Broadcast TV & Cable Advertising Expenditures: US Dating Sites Jan-Sept. 2008
    CHART 3.34: Upcoming Offline Tests Planned By SIPA-Member Subscription Sites
    -> Site Design & Marketing
    ILLUSTRATION 3.03: Content-Focused "Editorial" Subscription Site Homepage Style
    ILLUSTRATION 3.04: Longform Letter-style Subscription Site Homepage Style (left)
    ILLUSTRATION 3.05: Promotional Conversion-Focused Subscription Site Homepage Style
    CHART 3.35: Homepage Style By Site Topic: Consumer Sites
    CHART 3.36: Homepage Style By Site Topic: Business Sites
    CHART 3.37: Homepage Style for Subscription Sites with Very Low Traffic
    CHART 3.38: Homepage Style for Subscription Sites with Very High Traffic
    CHART 3.39: Homepage Style by High vs. Low Inbound Links
    TABLE 3.04: Percent of Total Site Traffic to Subscription Info: Forbes, Fool, Yahoo
    ILLUSTRATION 3.06: Fool.com Homepage With Subscription-Driving Tab
    CHART 3.40: Impact of Landing Page Tests on Conversion Rates: General Web Marketers
    CHART 3.41: Online Test Effectiveness Rated by SIPA-Member Subscription Sites
    CHART 3.42: Online Tests Used by SIPA-Member Subscription Sites
    CHART 3.43: Tests Used by Subscription Sites to Maximize Profits
    CHART 3.44: Tests Used by Membergate Site Publishers vs Others

    CHAPTER FOUR: Offers, Pricing, Terms & Conversions
    -> Conversions
    CHART 4.01: Reported Subscription Site Conversion Rates: As a Percent of Monthly Unique Traffic
    CHART 4.02: Subscription Site Conversion Rates as a Percent of Unique Traffic: Membergate Publishers vs Others
    CHART 4.03: Conversion Trends Reported by SIPA-Member Sites 2008-09
    TABLE 4.01: Named-Subscription Site Conversion Metrics as Reported in the Media
    -> Lead Generation Marketing & Trials
    CHART 4.04: Registration Required for Free Content Access by Site Topic
    ILLUSTRATION 4.01: Suggested Method of Getting Email Opt-ins With Fewer Errors
    CHART 4.05: Percent of Observed Subscription Sites Offering Online Trials
    CHART 4.06: Types of Trials Offered Online by Observed Subscription Sites
    CHART 4.07: Most Popular Copywriting for Various Trial Lengths (3 charts)
    TABLE 4.02: Most Popular Trial Term Lengths
    ILLUSTRATION 4.02: Price Increases & Demand Fall-Off: The Humps of Reality
    TABLE 4.03: US Subscription Site Pricing By Topic & Subscription Term
    TABLE 4.04: US Subscription Site Pricing By Service Type & Subscription Term
    CHART 4.08: Price Testing Tactics Used (Or Not) by Subscription Sites
    CHART 4.09: Price Tests Used by Subscription Sites: B2B vs B2C
    CHART 4.10: Price Testing: Membergate Site Publishers vs Others
    -> Subscription Terms & Renewals
    CHART 4.11: Most Frequently Offered Online Subscription Terms
    CHART 4.12: Percent of Sites Offering More Than One Term Length-Option, B2B v. B2C
    CHART 4.13: If Monthly vs. Annual Terms Are Offered: What Percent of Subscribers Choose Each?
    CHART 4.14: Monthly Online Subscription Account Average Lifetime
    ILLUSTRATION 4.03: Monthly Subscription Account Lifetime as "Leaky Buckets"
    CHART 4.15: Annual Online Subscription Account Average Renewal Rate
    CHART 4.16: Renewal Rate Trends Reported by SIPA-Member Sites 2008-09
    CHART 4.17: Typical Subscription Billing Credit Card Declines in 2009: Monthly vs Annual
    CHART 4.18 B2B Sites Offering Groups/Site Licenses
    CHART 4.19: Group Online Subscription Average Renewal Rate
    ILLUSTRATION 4.04: How Renewal Rates May Rise Over Account Lifetime

    CHAPTER FIVE: Hybrid Models & Ancillary Sales
    CHART 5.01: Non-Subscription Revenues of Hybrid Sites: Typical Percent of Total Sales
    CHART 5.02: Types of Non-Subscription Revenue Sources for Hybrid Model Sites
    CHART 5.03: Hybrid Model Sites Observed: Visible Ancillary Offerings by Site Topic
    CHART 5.04: Hybrid Publishers Rate Revenues From Specific Non-Subscription Sources
    ILLUSTRATION 5.01: Example AdSense-Supported Niche Topic Site: MyFederalRetirement.com
    CHART 5.05: Additional Revenue Sources Reported by SIPA-Member Subscription Sites
    TABLE 5.01: Sales Changes for SIPA-Member Subscription Site Publishers' Revenue Streams 2008-9
    TABLE 5.02: A Sampling of Subscription Email Newsletter Lists Currently on the Rental Market
    ILLUSTRATION 5.02: Co-Registration Offers Appearing During Registration Process: Away.com
    CHART 5.06: B2B Trade Subscription Sites Selling Event Tickets: Real-World vs. Virtual
    ILLUSTRATION 5.03: Webinar Sponsorship Media Kit Sample
    ILLUSTRATION 5.04: Example Virtual Trade Show Homepage -- Forbes iConferences
    CHART 5.07: Non-Sub Site Publishers' Attitudes Toward Selling Ads on Paid Sub Sites
    ILLUSTRATION 5.05: Advertising Media Kit for a Subscription Site - Ancestry
    ILLUSTRATION 5.06: US Advertising vs Marketing Spending: 2006-2009

    CHAPTER SIX: M&As, Launches & Other Investments
    TABLE 6.01: Selected Past M&As of Note
    CHART 6.01: M&A and Expansion Investments Under Consideration by Subscription Sites
    CHART 6.02: M&A and Expansion Investments Under Consideration by Subscription Sites: B2B vs. B2C
    CHART 6.03: M&A and Expansion Investments Under Consideration by Membergate Sites
    CHART 6.04: Non-Sub Site Media Executives Considering M&As/Investing in Sub Sites
    CHART 6.05: Launches Per Year: Observed Subscription Sites 1990 Through Mid-2009
    CHART 6.06: Non-Sub Site Publishers' Interest in Launching a Paid Subscription Site
    CHART 6.07: Minimum Profits Non-Sub Site Publishers Require to Consider Launching One
    CHART 6.08: Publishers' Reasons for Not Launching a Subscription Site
    CHART 6.09: Non-Sub Site Executives' View of Potential Sub Site Exit Strategies
    CHART 6.10: Subscription Sites Considering Going on the Block
    CHART 6.11: Subscription Sites Considering Going on the Block: B2B vs. B2C
    CHART 6.12: Membergate Sites Considering Selling Out
    CHART 6.13: Truth Beyond 2009's Hype on Subscription Sites: Vendors Speak Out

    OBSERVATIONAL RESEARCH DETAILS
    LIST 7.01 Brand Names of 550 Subscription Sites Examined by SubscriptionSiteInsider.com
    TABLE 7.01 Topics of 550 Subscription Services Examined by SubscriptionSiteInsider.com
    TABLE 7.02 Types of 550 Subscription Services Examined by SubscriptionSiteInsider.com

    Get your instant download now + Printed copy ships in 48 hours
    $297

    100% Money-back Guarantee

    Your order is risk-free. If you are not completely satisfied with the Subscription & Membership Site Benchmark Report, featuring 185 new charts, tables, and illustrations, simply return your copy for a fast 100% refund.

    Questions?
    Call Customer Service at (401)374-4256 or email RonP@AnneHollandVentures.com

    We are headquartered at:
    Anne Holland Ventures Inc
    45 Molleur Rd
    Portsmouth RI 02871
    USA

     

    Get your instant download now + Printed copy ships in 48 hours
    $297

    100% Money-back Guarantee

    Your order is risk-free. If you are not completely satisfied with Anne Holland's Subscription & Membership Site Benchmark Report, featuring 185 new charts, tables, and illustrations, simply return your copy for a fast 100% refund.

    Questions?
    Call Customer Service at (401)374-4256 or email RonP@AnneHollandVentures.com

    We are headquartered at:
    Anne Holland Ventures Inc
    45 Molleur Rd
    Portsmouth RI 02871
    USA

     

    Get your instant download now + Printed copy ships in 48 hours
    $297

    100% Money-back Guarantee

    Your order is risk-free. If you are not completely satisfied with the Subscription & Membership Site Benchmark Report, featuring 185 new charts, tables, and illustrations, simply return your copy within 30 days for a fast 100% refund.

    Questions?
    Call Customer Service at (401)374-4256 or email RonP@AnneHollandVentures.com

    We are headquartered at:
    Anne Holland Ventures Inc
    45 Molleur Rd
    Portsmouth RI 02871
    USA