Every now and then, I receive specific questions from JMMO readers who are seeking real advice about making money online. Here’s one email* that I received recently about the social networking service called Ning, which I wrote about last year -
Hello, I have created my own art studio network on ning and want to feature workshop videos. I have spent the last two days trying to find out how to charge a membership fee using paypal for the payment processor on Ning, to no avail. I have been looking for add ons, etc. I see others doing it but I can not figure it out. Can you help me?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you, Karen (cottonpickinranch.com)
Thanks for your email, Karen. As far as I’m aware of, there is no built-in solution yet at Ning for charging membership fees. From what I learned from other Ning creators/social media group managers who are charging membership fees, this is what they do:
1. Create a private social media group on Ning.
2. Set up a subscription payment scheme on Paypal. Grab the code.
3. You can either use that code directly – or find a widget that you can use.
4. Set up another site, blog, or another public Ning group (free membership), which can be your “launching pad” for your paid membership group. (For example, see this page.)
5. Add your code or widget to that site/blog/public Ning group.
6. Every time someone pays for a membership to your private paid membership Ning group, you can add them manually by sending them an invite to your paid group.
7. Of course, every time someone doesn’t pay their membership fees, you’ll have to remove them manually too.
As you can see, it is a bit of work. And, while I know there are people doing it, it’s not the most ideal solution from what I can see. That’s the bad news.
The good news is: I heard that Ning developers are trying to come up with some monetizing scripts that will enable easier integration of Paypal, etc with Ning. I’m not sure when this is going to happen, and if it’s going to be a free or a premium service (like their Adsense module). But, if it does come through, it will be a more attractive solution for folks who wish to run their own membership sites on Ning.
In any case, good luck with your membership site, Karen. I hope it works out for you. Do let us know how it goes!
And, to other readers who may be running their own membership sites, we’d love to hear about your experiences too.
* Email slightly edited for presentation.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I set up a Ning network a few months ago and haven’t really done much with it. Good advice about the paid subscriptions though. I was wanting to charge for Premium membership on my site to enable certain features to paid members (for advertising etc) and although this isn’t the exact answer I was looking for it’s set me on the right track. Thanks.
When you delete them manually it erases everything the person ever contributed to the community ~ which for my situation could leave huge gaps in conversations. Is there a workaround you are aware of?
Jackie