Groups :: Resource Guides

On this page you'll find access to resources specifically for entrepreneurs who have group work in their business model.

Including:

  • Tech Tools
  • Marketing resources
  • Tips on leveraging the work you've already done (including re-purposing content)
  • Events/Workshops you may want to participate in to help you achieve your goals faster

Overview of group programs

When you're creating group programs in your business the tools & resources you need are just a little different than than if you were selling digital products or strictly offering your services for sale. You will want tools to keep your group engaged, focused & seeing results. Often we look to “Membership sites" for this type of thing, but it doesn't have to be. Plenty of great group programs exist with a weekly lesson delivered by email and a Facebook group. Or a group phone call / google hangout and a Google Plus Community. It doesn't need to be complicated. Like with anything, keep in mind your ideal client & how he/she would best benefit. The simpler, the better.

Ultimately you want to achieve this:

Group meeting => Easy way to communicate & engage => Results (for rave reviews & repeat customers)

Creating

Tech Tools

  1. Get Started ebook (for free and low cost tools I used to run my business on less than $30/month)
  2. Membership Plugins for WordPress: s2Member.com (free/paid), Wishlist (paid), emember, Paid Membership Pro (free)
  3. Membership platforms, non WordPress: Ning, WildApricot, Facebook groups, Google Plus Groups
  4. Group Calls: Google Hangouts (private, maximum 10 people), Skype Group (private, maximum 10 people), GoToMeetings (paid, max 10), FreeConferenceCallHD.com (100+ attendees, free)
  5. Email Management: Mailchimp, Aweber, GetResponse, Benchmark
  6. Online file storage (cloud storage): Copy.com, Dropbox.com, Box.net
  7. Sharing worksheets & handouts (PDF): see my post on lifehack “20+ tools to create a simple ebook“, and my tutorial “how to write an ebook for free“, creating fillable PDF's
  8. Video Training: Keynote & Screenflow on Mac, Powerpoint & Screencast-o-matic.com (PC or Mac), or Snagit (PC or Mac), Prezi.com (for unique presenetations) and this Resource Guide for background music
  9. Learning Management Systems (LMS): WordPress Plugins like, Namaste LMS, Sensei, WP Coursemanagement. Or online like Udemy, Simplero, Ruzuko

Ideas

  1. Brainstorm Ideas: Use post it notes or recipe cards to brainstorm ideas (see my post here)
  2. Tools: Use a mindmapping tool like Mindmeister or TheBrain.com
  3. Content Creation starter packages: Consider using “white label", PLR (private label rights) or starter templates as a framework to build your programs/course content. You don't need to reinvent the wheel every time. It's similar a teachers lesson plan, in many ways. Learn more about my PLR resources here

Selling

Tech Tools

Membership plugins/tools will accept payments for you (they sync with paypal and other merchant accounts). And if you're group can run just as easily on a simpler model, using a simple shopping cart, or paypal button that delivers information to the group member, is equally good. You'll want them all to connect to an email list, so you can stay in touch with the entire group.

  1. Membership Plugins for WordPress: s2Member.com (free/paid), Wishlist (paid), emember, Paid Membership Pro (free)
  2. Membership platforms, non WordPress: Ning, WildApricot, Facebook groups, Google Plus Groups
  3. Non-Membership WordPress Plugins: Simple Paypal Shopping Cart, Plain paypal button (see tutorial)
  4. Email Management: Mailchimp, Aweber, GetResponse, Benchmark
  5. Sales Pages: See my “Sales Pages" post from the 14 Day Product Challenge
  6. Extras: Launchrock.co

Promoting / Marketing

Promoting a group program is not much different than promoting your one-to-one offerings, or a digital product. Except that you usually have a specific start date, and a specific number of people you can possibly work with. You will ultimately have a date where you will need to close sales (either because you have a max number of participants, or because the course is starting soon). Because of this, you'll want to plan out your marketing carefully. If at all possible, give yourself 3 months before the start of the program, to get everything in place with the least amount of stress. Or, consider doing a beta program that's impromptu, (free in exchange for feedback, or usually with some kind of discount) the group knows it, and you create the content as you go along.

You'll also want great images to convey your message, on social media and on your sales page. Consider outsourcing to Fiverr.com, but you can create your own too. Just keep it simple.

Tech Tools

  1. Social Media: Hootsuite, Social Oomph, BufferApp
  2. Planning Tools: Asana, Teambox.com, Basecamp, Do.com, Google Docs
  3. Graphics: See graphics resource page

Marketing

  1. Resources for paper planning your marketing: EthicalLaunch.com
  2. Guest Posting: Where to submit guest blog posts Resource Guide