Taking InstantCert to the Big Time

[sgloer]

Just thought I'd throw this out there--I know we have a lot of bright, accomplished members with great ideas...

Any ideas for how to get more sales? Ideas like businesses, industries, websites to partner with, places to advertise, pricing/packaging strategy....anything!

Right now we rely on search engines and word of mouth, which has been very successful, but limited.

[ShotoJuku]

Just thought I'd throw this out there--I know we have a lot of bright, accomplished members with great ideas...

Any ideas for how to get more sales? Ideas like businesses, industries, websites to partner with, places to advertise, pricing/packaging strategy....anything!

Right now we rely on search engines and word of mouth, which has been very successful, but limited.

[SIZE="3"]How about an ad in Excelsior's "Live and Learn" magazine?[/SIZE]

[Cold_navy]

Steve,

As for word of mouth, I pass to everyone I know who is truly interested in taking exams to use this site. I have also posted a small flyer in our Navy College Office here in Pensacola.

As for attracting new members, how about opening up part of one of the flash cards to non-members so they can get a feel of what this site has to offer. I would recommend Intro to Sociology because of the high pass rate.

[beckysharp]

Just thought I'd throw this out there--I know we have a lot of bright, accomplished members with great ideas...

Any ideas for how to get more sales? Ideas like businesses, industries, websites to partner with, places to advertise, pricing/packaging strategy....anything!

Right now we rely on search engines and word of mouth, which has been very successful, but limited.

I'd recommend partnering with Global Learning Strategies. Brad Voeller wrote the book that started my quest for a distance BA. Their motto is "Developing Leaders Through Distance Learning."
http://www.globallearningstrategies.org/...tement.php

[Kiwi Lover]

Steve,

I know this is still a form of "word of mouth", but what about promoting the posting of your flyer at testing centers through existing members?

Maybe you already do this (?), but you could offer $5 off a month's membership if members post the flyer at their testing center and you get new business as a result (isn't there some way for you to find out how the new member found out about you)?

When I told my CLEP test proctor about you, she was VERY interested and told me I could post your flyer there, which I plan to do the next time I go in. Also...do you have a similar flyer for DANTES? I could post that one when I take my next exams on 07/31.

Anyway, just my 2 cents worth! You have a great website, and I would love to help you get more business in any way I can. Keep up the great work - we all really appreciate what you've done here!
hilarious hilarious

[sgloer]

How about an ad in Excelsior's "Live and Learn" magazine?

That's an excellent idea, and one I actually explored a couple of months ago......but I couldn't find any advertising in the magazine--at least the online version. Did I miss something?

[sgloer]

I'd recommend partnering with Global Learning Strategies. Brad Voeller wrote the book that started my quest for a distance BA. Their motto is "Developing Leaders Through Distance Learning."
http://www.globallearningstrategies.org/...tement.php

Very cool idea. Actually, someone I had spoken to a couple of years ago had once worked for Global Learning Strategies... I'm going to look further into that idea. Thanks!

[sgloer]

Steve,

As for word of mouth, I pass to everyone I know who is truly interested in taking exams to use this site. I have also posted a small flyer in our Navy College Office here in Pensacola.

As for attracting new members, how about opening up part of one of the flash cards to non-members so they can get a feel of what this site has to offer. I would recommend Intro to Sociology because of the high pass rate.

First of all, thanks for posting the flyer for us!

As for your idea about opening up a section, we're probably not going to do that since we tried something similar a year or two ago, but the results were not convincing... Lengthening the decision-making process seemed to reduce overall sales.

[sgloer]

Steve,

I know this is still a form of "word of mouth", but what about promoting the posting of your flyer at testing centers through existing members?

Maybe you already do this (?), but you could offer $5 off a month's membership if members post the flyer at their testing center and you get new business as a result (isn't there some way for you to find out how the new member found out about you)?

When I told my CLEP test proctor about you, she was VERY interested and told me I could post your flyer there, which I plan to do the next time I go in. Also...do you have a similar flyer for DANTES? I could post that one when I take my next exams on 07/31.

Anyway, just my 2 cents worth! You have a great website, and I would love to help you get more business in any way I can. Keep up the great work - we all really appreciate what you've done here!
hilarious hilarious

Nice idea! Actually, we already have a member referral program. You sign up to be an affiliate, and you put your custom discount code on the flyer. When someone signs up on InstantCert using that code, you get referral credit for it. Check it out on the main members page (http://www.instantcertonline.com/members2/members.php4)

And oh yeah, thanks for telling your testing proctor about us!

[ShotoJuku]

That's an excellent idea, and one I actually explored a couple of months ago......but I couldn't find any advertising in the magazine--at least the online version. Did I miss something?

I'll check it for you tomorrow morning.