It's always going to be difficult to generate new revenue streams from an existing site that works well and is, as far as I can see, successful. Charging for existing functionality is likely to drive a lot of people from the site. However, I think you've got exactly the right idea in offering new and enhanced functionality for a premium. The question is what that functionality should be.
Greater flexibility over our postings (such as deletion) may be popular. The ability to see other's replies to our own comments (rather than just our posts) would be really popular, I think, and would allow the lifetime of postings to naturally extend beyond the day or so they're in the first page or two of recent posts. The option to post something only the OP can see (or to send them an email) may also be popular, even though I think it would detract from the purpose of the site. Perhaps an "express" moderation for a premium would be popular also.
It's difficult to know how others feel but I think a monthly subscription in return for premium features would be more popular than a cost per usage. A number of tokens for each type of service could be included in monthly packages, allowing a few tiers of service (i.e. silver and bronze account).
What seems most important to me (and perhaps others) is that the ability to post a certain number of stories/polls per month and the flexibility to answer any or all of them remains as it currently is. The stories, polls, and the comments they generate are more than just the lifeblood of the site - they "are" the site.
Thanks for the thoughts! I've been thinking more about offering a premium package like you're describing (inspired by TotalFark, http://www.fark.com/farq/about.shtml#What_is_TotalFark.3F).
The rough idea at the moment is a $5 per month subscription to "IIN Premium". This subscription gets you:
- Stories & Polls are fast-tracked for moderation.
- Cool "Premium" badge next to your username on comments.
- Ability to PM other IIN users.
- View and comment on upcoming stories & polls before they're moderated.
- Email notifications for replies to your comments. And, a place on your profile to view these as well.
- Access to "IIN Premium" member only chatroom.
Is this something you'd be interested in (everyone please reply with your thoughts)? Can you think of any other features that should be a part of the package?
That's the kind of thing I was imagining (except those are better ideas than I came up with). I think you've got something for everyone there.
This place already has a kind of "community" feel and lots of those ideas above seem about communication, which generally strengthens a community. I think a chatroom could get "lively" to say the least but that's probably a good thing. Moderation seems to be undertaken with a light touch in posts and plenty of contentious posts remain, which is great - I've never been a fan of censorship, even where it can be justified.
Either way, good luck in whatever model you go with. I really like the site and hope it can retain its character while still being a viable concern.
Would you consider paying $ to have your IIN questions featured?
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It's always going to be difficult to generate new revenue streams from an existing site that works well and is, as far as I can see, successful. Charging for existing functionality is likely to drive a lot of people from the site. However, I think you've got exactly the right idea in offering new and enhanced functionality for a premium. The question is what that functionality should be.
Greater flexibility over our postings (such as deletion) may be popular. The ability to see other's replies to our own comments (rather than just our posts) would be really popular, I think, and would allow the lifetime of postings to naturally extend beyond the day or so they're in the first page or two of recent posts. The option to post something only the OP can see (or to send them an email) may also be popular, even though I think it would detract from the purpose of the site. Perhaps an "express" moderation for a premium would be popular also.
It's difficult to know how others feel but I think a monthly subscription in return for premium features would be more popular than a cost per usage. A number of tokens for each type of service could be included in monthly packages, allowing a few tiers of service (i.e. silver and bronze account).
What seems most important to me (and perhaps others) is that the ability to post a certain number of stories/polls per month and the flexibility to answer any or all of them remains as it currently is. The stories, polls, and the comments they generate are more than just the lifeblood of the site - they "are" the site.
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TheManagement
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Thanks for the thoughts! I've been thinking more about offering a premium package like you're describing (inspired by TotalFark, http://www.fark.com/farq/about.shtml#What_is_TotalFark.3F).
The rough idea at the moment is a $5 per month subscription to "IIN Premium". This subscription gets you:
- Stories & Polls are fast-tracked for moderation.
- Cool "Premium" badge next to your username on comments.
- Ability to PM other IIN users.
- View and comment on upcoming stories & polls before they're moderated.
- Email notifications for replies to your comments. And, a place on your profile to view these as well.
- Access to "IIN Premium" member only chatroom.
Is this something you'd be interested in (everyone please reply with your thoughts)? Can you think of any other features that should be a part of the package?
Thanks!
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dappled
12 years ago
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That's the kind of thing I was imagining (except those are better ideas than I came up with). I think you've got something for everyone there.
This place already has a kind of "community" feel and lots of those ideas above seem about communication, which generally strengthens a community. I think a chatroom could get "lively" to say the least but that's probably a good thing. Moderation seems to be undertaken with a light touch in posts and plenty of contentious posts remain, which is great - I've never been a fan of censorship, even where it can be justified.
Either way, good luck in whatever model you go with. I really like the site and hope it can retain its character while still being a viable concern.