Picture this: you’re browsing online and come across two membership offers. One is entirely free, and the other costs $495.00 a month.
What’s your first thought? Does the higher price suggest it’s a premium solution that will finally help you achieve your goal? Or do you hesitate to pay for anything when so many free options are available? Some free resources are excellent, while others are little more than a sales pitch for something pricier.
If you’ve known me for a while, you might remember the free webinars I offered for many years, focusing on tech tools to help people overcome challenges and boost productivity. These were part of my TheyMayNotKnow series. It all started because many families and colleagues who sought my help were frustrated that their therapists, teachers, tutors or senior care providers hadn’t introduced them to the tech I successfully matched to their needs. Families felt life didn’t have to be so hard—if only they’d known sooner about free or affordable tools that could have eased their struggles.
My goal has always been to keep up with tech and share it with others to speed up and maximize progress, but I know most people don’t have the time or inclination to do the same. It’s extremely time consuming and can be frustrating. It’s getting harder to stay on top of tech trends, which is why I offered these free webinars for over six years. My email list grew to 10,000+ people, and I never spammed anyone or shared the personal information of others. Hundreds of people regularly attended, and we learned from each other. It was fun, valuable, and helped spread the word about my business.
Later, I introduced Spotlight Sessions, longer meetings with guest experts on specific topics. These were more interactive than webinars, and attendees loved them. But fewer people signed up, likely because I had provided so much content for free.
Then COVID hit.
We all became more familiar with Zoom and virtual events, and I was invited to speak at various summits and conferences. But after a while, Zoom fatigue set in, and attendance dropped, even for free webinars.
I found myself missing personal connections and shifted my focus to individual sessions. Those who work with me know the value and are willing to invest in personalized support. It’s incredible what we can accomplish with just a few virtual visits!
But not everyone can afford 1:1 sessions, and I want to help more people.
My four books have reached thousands of people, but the last one was published in 2018. It’s still selling well and offers quite a bit of value. Most of the content remains relevant, however AI is changing things fast. I’ve offered a free Facebook group for years (IST Tech Savvy Solutions) that has over 1200 members. Although I encourage everyone to share their successes or ask questions, the engagement of others is intermittent. I visit the group every day and post often about resources, new tech I’m excited about, and upcoming events. It’s not as interactive as I’d like it to be. Facebook’s algorithms don’t help.
I also provide free 15-minute phone consultations, and those who take me up on this offer are always appreciative. I never push anyone to sign up for individual sessions.
I’ve created courses, which are fun, but keeping them updated is challenging as technology constantly evolves. Still, I appreciate the connections I’ve formed through them and the feedback from participants has been encouraging.
So, why am I sharing all this?
To get you thinking about my latest project so you can help me create something amazing!
Since connection and engagement are what so many of us are searching for, I’m planning a new, value-packed membership called the Tech Life Inner Circle.
Figuring out how much to charge has been difficult. How can I make it affordable yet sustainable?
Inspired by a friend can collegue, Dr. Dan Shapiro and his successful parent and training support programs, I’ve decided to experiment with his “pay what you can” model for the first few months. There will be a range of pricing options. This way, those who can afford to contribute more can help support those who can’t. I think it’s worth trying!
The doors to this new membership will open the first week of October.
Interested?
Click here to join the waiting list and get more information.