Re: Suggestion for a new way to support HTF while also offering added value
Excellent points and observations. I agree that added services that are easily available for free through alternative methods is rather pointless.
As for the effect on advertising revenue, is it possible to distinguish hits from premium members who choose to deactivate all advertising from all the other hits from members and visitors? If so, or even a reasonable estimate should be enough to validate to advertisers on the value of advertising on HTF.
However, if the fees for premium memberships when added to the advertising revenue do not generate MORE income than when there were no premium memberships (in other words if you lose more money from lost advertising then you raise from premium membership fees) then obviously it would be a bad idea.
Without actually knowing and thus running the numbers, I still feel this premium membership option could really benefit HTF.
I suspect there are many members here who absolutely feel HTF is a real value to them, but also never use advertising banners to shop, thus aren't really helping HTF out in regards in advising revenue.
I know that in the past you occasionally hold fund raisers, asking members to voluntarily send HTF a donation which I also think is a great idea, but the message isn't always easily received, and while many wont want to admit it, people in general want to be recognized for lending a hand.
I've been involved in many charitable events, and as an organizer I've always found that we were able to generate far more charitable revenue when we offered special services and an opportunity to identify each donor.
I suspect that even if you didn't offer ANY additional services or perks to "premium members", there would still be many members who would still sign up because they want to help, and would want others to know they helped so that it encourages others to also help. It isn’t an ego thing as much as it is a way of letting others know that the option to help is there, and that others have chosen to do so.
After all, what you, Parker, and the HTF family have done to make HTF into the site, resource, and community that it is today is absolutely amazing. Yet we all know this comes at a great cost in both time and money, and while advertising money may be keeping your heads above water now, one can't help but wonder for how long.
As more and more advertising revenue becomes necessary; or when advertising budgets and options change such that advertisers are no longer willing to pay for just banner ads; or pay as much for their current advertising; or worse yet – put pressure on HTF to allow them to use the forums to promote their products, and to censure those that say anything negative about their products – you’ll be left with some very difficult decisions to make.
I have a great deal of confidence in the loyalty of your members, and that if given the chance to participate in some kind of premium membership that will help HTF generate more income and be less dependent on advertising, many members will want to help.
This would obviously be a big decision, as there would be a good deal of work involved in putting it together and working out all the logistics, but my gut instinct is that this could be a really beneficial thing for the future financial stability for HTF. This in turn would assure that HTF for years to come would continue to be a safe haven for HT enthusiasts to discus technology, products, ideas, and opinions without ever worrying about advertisers effecting the flow of information on the forums as has occurred in so many other forums at other sites.
I consider HTF one of the best run, most valuable resource on the net, with a community that for the most part is free to discuss most topics without fear of being unfairly censored or attacked. If this were to ever change I personally would moron the loss, and I feel many others share a similar sentiment.
We are here to help any way we can. Just give us the opportunity.
