Contributing members idea

Do you like the idea of a "Contributing member"?

  • Yes, do it!

    Votes: 13 26.5%
  • Maybe, if done right

    Votes: 31 63.3%
  • No, I hate it!

    Votes: 5 10.2%

  • Total voters
    49

jdeg

^ broke something
Staff member
The staff and I have been throwing around the idea of having a "Contributing Member" system in place to help cover costs of the site, and make it better. Specifically server costs, the programming of new features (like the EXIF on images one that has been mentioned in the past), and general upkeep (paying for peanuts to send to the moderators).

The basic outline is this - a "Contributing member" would pay a low yearly fee and in return would receive features on the site like:
  • Larger PM storage
  • Larger gallery storage
  • No ads at all
  • Ability to buy forum features with points, like a colored username
  • Exclusive contributing member chat and forum
  • Images in signatures
  • Contributing member designation under username
  • More that is yet to be determined

I certainly don't want this to seem like we're turning into a different site that provides only certain content to paying members. That is not the intention at all. I do, however, want something that could potentially take this site to the next level.

Vote above on whether you think this is a good idea or not and feel free to comment!
 

Krs_2007

Senior Member
I'll add that I dont mind paying a little bit to help support this site. I know it can be expensive. I have a couple of other types of forums that I do this for because I really enjoy the sites.

But all this depends on the actual price as well. 25.00 a less is doable but more than 25.00 might be a different story.
 

Pretzel

Senior Member
I think the idea has merit, but you've gotta remember that we're all hoarding our spare pennies for NAS!!! I've gained a lot from this site, so why not invest a little back into it?
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
I suggest a three tier.

1. A simple $5 dollar charge and that gives you text posting and that's about all.

2. Then maybe a $10 charge that gives you what we have currently.

3. Finally, $15-20 for the new upgrades you mentioned.

My thinking is similar to the Laffer Curve. If you put it silly low you have a higher volume of participation. Then, for those that want more, you scale it up.
 

Deezey

Senior Member
I seriously couldn't believe you did NOT have a pay option for this site. Even the Paintball Forum I visit I am a paying member.

I would be more than happy to become a contributing member.

For the Paintball forum I pay roughly $30 a year just to give you an idea. To me the cost is worth it, not for the added benefits. But because of the community. And the community we have here is really second to none out of most of the forums I am a part of.



Sent from my RM-860_nam_usa_100 using Tapatalk
 

Michael J.

Senior Member
Don't forget if you have to pay for a site were you put your stuff, ideas, etc. inside that people turn back and looking for sites were is no fine to pay. Especially people to this for a hobby and not earning money with it what they do.

And what about people who come across the site and see there is a fine to pay. Will they register?

Maybe think about a donation button and who wants support the site can do so.
 

Pretzel

Senior Member
I suggest a three tier.

1. A simple $5 dollar charge and that gives you text posting and that's about all.

2. Then maybe a $10 charge that gives you what we have currently.

3. Finally, $15-20 for the new upgrades you mentioned.

My thinking is similar to the Laffer Curve. If you put it silly low you have a higher volume of participation. Then, for those that want more, you scale it up.

I'm of a slightly differing opinion. Keep what we have (maybe less gallery storage or somesuch) for free, then add some features for the contributors. This site seems to do fairly well under it's current mode of operation, and we wouldn't want to hurt that success, but rather ADD to what you can gain from the forums with a bit of a kick-back. I think if you reined in too much on what people are currently getting, folks might wander off to other "free" forums. Keep the current greatness, though, and add a few knick knacks for the supporters... With the quality of folks I've seen here, I don't think there would be much problem in finding a few willing to contribute to the "staying power" and growth of Nikonites.

TBH, I'd probably donate a little bit each year just to keep it running and help make sure the site hangs around, but everybody loves a few extra spiffs to show off the fact that they're part of the reason the "freebies" get to enjoy the forums, right? ;)
 
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wev

Senior Member
Contributor
Though I can ill afford it, I would contribute to the upkeep, though I don't have any real use for the offered enticements. This is a pleasant and sometimes enlightening place to play. If you put up with my pictures, the least I can do is give up a sandwich or two to help pay the freight.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
If you keep it as an option to pay (and thus receive perks), I can see where it would work. As others mentioned, the cost will be a factor. I've been on forums where the annual cost varies between $15-$25. One forum allows paying members to sell items for free. If a non-paying member wants to sell something, there is either a $5 or $10 fee for a one-month selling privilege (can't remember the exact price), and I believe the member needs to have a minimum post count which allows other members to determine whether the seller seems credible.

Since you are the owner of the site, I can see where you need to offset the cost of the forum. There are a lot of behind-the-scenes work necessary to keep everything updated plus lots of other things to which we are not privy.

However, I would hope that before anything like this gets implemented, the kinks of the forum switch get worked out first. The email notification is delayed by many hours at best (when it works which still seems to be spotty), and I thought part of the switch was to make the forum faster. I haven't noticed the pages loading more quickly than they did before the switch BUT perhaps that is just my computer.

Overall, it's a yes from me providing the forum gets back to running at least as well as it did before the switch. ;)
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
I'll contribute to this, if it's reasonable. Please do allow participants to join for free during a trial session, and possibly for a certain level of activity and storage space.
 

Mfrankfort

Senior Member
Does the fee include free sensor cleanings for D600 owners? haha. I have this page as my homepage, lol, so I wouldn't mind. I'm here a lot.
 

RON_RIP

Senior Member
I would certainly contribute although I also doubt I would use the inducements. There are no other sites that I know of that has such a knowledgable group of like-minded members. It seems that everyday I learn something new. Sign me up.
 

carguy

Senior Member
I'm all for it. We've implemented this on other forums I moderate with great success if done right.

Do any vendors sponsor the site? Maybe a % discount only available to 'contributing members'?
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
I can go along with what Pretzel said. I think it's similar to what I was saying but maybe slide the scale a bit so the first level of my scale is free.
 

weebee

Senior Member
Honestly, I pay on a few sites and the only reward they offer is a different colored screen name and title under your name stating you are a contributing member. Images with your sig, and the ability to have a slightly larger avatar would be great. Has it ever been tried to get sponsors to donate photo related equipment for raffles. Thier reward would be the cheap/free adverstising from mentioning what company donated.
 
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