[Theforum] another online community in trouble

Marlene Bruce marlene at members.evolt.org
Wed Jun 19 23:06:37 CDT 2002


Hi Paul,

>What about the idea of *combining* the text-ads with the sustained
>membership option? Not even making members pay for them, but making them
>a "value-add" for paid membership?

I like the idea. It'd be just another benefit of paid membership.

>If the text ads are a way for members to promote themselves, their
>design or coding services, or whatever, then (a) it increases the
>benefit of being an "evolt.org member", which can a recurring (budgetable!)
>fee, and (b) it helps eliminate the "selling out" by running text
>ads for heartless multinationals. It's much more of a "community" thing,
>which I think is a great thing about evolt.

Right. I imagine if I were familiar with the "by and for web
developers" mantra of evolt.org and regularly visited the site, I'd
be seriously dismayed to see corporate ads appear. I'd much rather
give out of my own pocket than see that.

>Obviously recurring monthly cash is the best way of raising $$$.

It could be a recurring 6 month or yearly thing, to pay some small
amount for contributing membership. I wouldn't want to ask for it
monthly.

>helping make m.e.o accounts [snip] a better BUSINESS
>prospect,

+1

>poor starving freelancers are more likely to get benefit
>out of it and make it worth their while, or people might be able to
>get their employers to pay for it.

Hey, this has already given me a great ad idea. But it's graphical,
so I couldn't use it here. <pout>

>Other benefits along this line would be great too. No idea what,
>maybe people on theforum might have something they could
>contribute.... like  "m.e.o contributors get 10% off hosting fees
>at Crazy Rudy's House of Co-Location" or whatever... be creative.

Here that, Rudy? You've been magically granted a co-location facility!

>I like the idea of ramping up the 'premium' m.e.o accounts, rather than
>introducing "fee for this, fee for that"... but that's just me.

+1. I'd always rather turn to the community for our support (in *all*
ways) than corporations. I understand where corporate support might
be invaluable, but I think if we give members a benefit for
supporting us financially, it'd be a win-win situation.

>What would I know?

Lots of good ideas, at least. Thanks for de-lurking (for the second time)!

Marlene

P.S. BTW, text ads are going to grow in popularity. They're more
appealing and much less obtrusive than banners, etc. They're like
"major funding provided for Fresh Air provided by X Corporation"
spots on National Public Radio. They're within a tolerable range of



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