Ad Network Beta Test

OK, right now logged in members should not see the links. We'll try that for a few weeks. I may change it to only supporters that do not see them depending on what happens.

Part of the solution, aside from the tech issues, is to turn more GUESTS into MEMBERS, thereby increasing revenues from those who will want to buy and sell.

As I said three weeks ago, I am still ready to help bring more members on board through some sort of outreach or support program. There must be a reason why long-time guests are not becoming MEMBERS, and we're in the dark as to that reason...

This has some merit, but I think it would be better to let lurkers be. I have never joined a forum prior to getting a feel for the content and people.

Along those same lines, what if you added script that forces non-supporters to view an ad before posting to the forum? I don't know what percentage of new members post more than 50 posts, but look at how many people join just to ask a couple of questions (often about a 'found' or ' inherited' collection), and never to return. Requiring them to watch an ad is a small price to pay for the advice we give.

Brian

I personally dislike ads (pop-up or otherwise) and usually don't click on a hyperlink unless I'm fairly certain that it will take me to a legitimate site.

Rather than making prospective members view an ad, why not just charge them a small, one-time fee for the privilege of membership?

The so-called "lurkers" are able to view almost all of the forum posts without having to join so they can make a value judgement relative to the cost of admission. Also, if they have paid a price for their membership they are more likely to continue to participate.

APS charges members $5 for stamp identification and non-members pay $10. I think a $2 or $3 SCF sign-up fee is more than reasonable for the benefits that forum membership provides. It may also eliminate the need to overly commercialize the site.

Just my thoughts...fire at will.

Steve

EDIT: Or you could fine posters for not spell-checking their posts before submitting them.

Here are some unsolicited, newbie thoughts:




I use an ad blocker. Would it be possible for me to unblock ads for this site only? If not, I suppose I could always use a different browser to visit.




I think this is a good idea but would suggest removing that requirement after a certain number of posts.

ETA: Ooh, I gots my new avatar! I feel all official now! Hey, maybe charge 99c to have a custom avatar? In fact, think I'll make a small donation today. =)

Then why join?

If you can't view the content as a lurker, you have no idea what you have to gain by paying to be a member. If you require membership to post (which we do), and that membership costs even one penny, we will drive away potential members. No one wants to pay for the unknown.

Brian

If you will go back and reread my post, you'll see that lurkers are and still will be able to view the forum posts without having to pay the price of membership. That is what enables them to determine whether or not they want to pay for the ability to post and reply to posts, etc.

The problem with this is the fact that I believe there are lots of
people out there that will not use a credit card or do any financial transaction online.

And that includes me.

Since I have enjoyed being part of this forum for a number of years
I would have no problem with donating/supporting this site with a few bucks
but there is no way I would use my credit, debit or whatever card.
Also I don't have paypal.

There is perhaps one way to get more guests to register here.
Make images available only to members logged on.
Lots of sites do this.
A guest/lurker could read the text but couldn't view images, therefore after reading a few threads of interest to him/her
they would be curious as to what they are missing and would finally register; hopefully.

I agree, these are the reasons I (new collector) joined:
1. Needed help with series.
2. Saw the auctions and wanted to potentially be able to buy.

What if we had a section in the forum for detailed write ups about a country, series by series. It could be as simple as a table with links to forum posts about a specific stamp series. Or some other layout that doesn't over burden the admin. Which is only accessibly to member.

Possibly add sections for new collectors watermarking, tongs....

Layout something like this:

Beginner:
Watermark
Tongs
Perfs

Country:
Germany:
Imperial Eagle (Large/Small):
Germania:
Inflation Era:
USA:
and so on.

After looking at the layout maybe just more categories/subcategories where lurkers can only view the last 5-10 posts....

Just my few cents. FYI I became a supporter as I felt that SCF was mush more useful/deserving than a membership to APS even though I have not bought or sold.

Right concept, wrong motives. Out there in Internet-land, you don't see ANY online groups with a big banner saying, "We don't want any more members."

Prospective members' motivations don't matter. Bigger = more versatile, more knowledge, more useful interaction, more revenue.

Here's a thought - instead of charging money to belong at the basic level (even a few bucks a year), charge a certain amount of discount postage - everybody's got some they're dying to get rid of. Quarterly, sell it on ebay and put the proceeds in SCF's treasury, or wherever.

And a side issue, with our dear country at risk of hyperinflation, every time the REAL inflation rate goes up, your discount postage becomes worth less, except perhaps for "Forever" stamps. Bottom line, members will get rid of what they want to get rid of most -- and SCF will benefit, in ONE clean easily-understood transaction. And I'd exempt members outside the U.S. from the postage (or any other membership) requirement -- we are privileged to have them, and benefit greatly from their insights.

You all are quite interesting with your ideas..
However, this website is NOT a democracy...

Admin and webmasters have done everything to date to build a great resourceful site . I don't believe this issue should be a matter of throwing a few pennies in the basket but rather an acceptance that advertising is a smart business decision and if it can generate revenues and possibly even a profit (yes I said that out loud) then who are we to arque that. So what if a couple words turn blue on your post- don't click them if you don't want. I have a website that cost me a whole $9 a year for no pop up ads but I'm not hosting 100's of 1000's if not millions of megabytes of images and references for the world to see at there leisure either. If I had 1000 people a day visit my site I would be foolish not to host advertising to benefit anyway I could from that. I'm all for helping any way possible as well but also fully support any business decisions the powers that be deem useful. Wow Thats the most suckin up I've done for someone I don't know or have never met but also respect for their accomplishments.

So we shouldn't offer any opinions or alternative ideas? Interesting, indeed!

I never said that.. Rileysan... don't read between the lines, when there isn't anything to read. :)

I think we would all appreciate knowing if the site is in any way threatened financially. From what I have seen of other sites, this is arguably the best of the bunch and I'm sure a lot of supporters wouldn't mind paying a little more if it is needed.