any timeline for the launch of the premium content?
One is just starting to shape up now.
I could actually launch it right away -- There's enough content that I think many people would be willing to pay for, but it's just not quite enough that I feel totally comfortable taking money for it.
What we have: Narrated video demos of all figures through full bronze in 22 dances. 60 to 70% of written material is completed. We also have full instruction videos for all 40 of the weekly variations.
What's left: The last 30 to 40% of the written material. There are also a few hundred more narrated demo clips "in the can" (meaning they were filmed but haven't yet been edited or uploaded), primarily consisting of beginning through full bronze combos, alternative interpretations, variations, camera angles, etc.
More video footage can always be added over time, even after premium membership has launched. But the written material must be finished. Without it, the website appears incomplete and somewhat unprofessional. So I feel strongly that I can't launch until this is done.
In addition to the footage in the can, we now have a new filming date scheduled for mid-June. We will be filming some silver level material, but the real focus of the film shoot will be bronze full instruction, like you would see on a DVD. Having this material up on the website will *really* make membership worth the cost, but it will probably take us many months to edit and upload. So in light of this, the plan has become:
(1) Finish the written material on the website while preparing for the June film shoot.
(2) Launch a preliminary version of premium membership, hopefully as early as June 1. This first version include all of the full bronze material now on the website (see the clips that say "Coming Soon"), plus the variations, and be available at a discounted rate. We're still working out the pricing for this "early bird" membership.
(3) Continue adding video content, first from the current queue of additional bronze narrated combinations, and then from the bronze full instruction and silver narrated clips from the next film shoot.
(4) After 1-3 months, the early bird pricing will be taken down, and membership will go up to the full $99 per year.
(5) Material will continue to be added on a weekly basis, and by the end of the first year, all of the premium content will be available to everybody.
How quickly we can afford to schedule another film shoot will depend on how quickly we can recover financially from this upcoming June film shoot through the sales of premium memberships. So please spread the word... The more people that sign up, the faster we can start producing more content!
Regards,
Jonathan Atkinson
www.ballroomdancers.com
