Full Version: Thoughts and Decisions
From: Mick [#3]
23 May 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#1] 23 May 2006
From: Shaddy [#4]
23 May 2006
To: Mick [#3] 23 May 2006
I guess technically the more people know about this place, the more people will come and participate, therefore the wider base of ideas and responses to questions we ask. And in another way, if we were pay, the more people the more money, and in a perfect world, the more money being generated the more features and benefits available to us.
We could, for instance, pay someone to receive bulk orders and then separate and send to us, to take advantage of large order pricing. Large enough so the addition shipping would be swollowed up by the savings.
Those are just some things that crossed my mind.
Shaddy
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#5]
23 May 2006
To: Mick [#3] 23 May 2006
If you've checked the advertising rates of EJ and A&E, collectively, our magazine ads are worth thousands of dollars per year.
We're clearly on the "good end of the stick" considering our magazine ads are widely-circulated, whereas, the EJ and A&E ads, here, aren't widely-circulated at all.
In terms of actual outlay, the Preferred Suppliers "take a hit" only when a forum member takes them up on their exclusive offer.
The magazines take a sizeable hit, every month, of every year.
Shaddy offered a good explanation of the other benefits we'll see, as the result of our symbiotic realtionship with the magazines.
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#6]
23 May 2006
To: Shaddy [#4] 23 May 2006
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#7]
24 May 2006
To: ALL
1) Usernames will be actual names.
2) All banner ads will be shown on a separate page, with paid advertiser's ads, appearing at the top of the forum page.
Here's my next thought:
Since some people prefer the forum in its current state, without a desire for the "Premium Features" (PF) i.e. Articles, PicTutorials, TeleSeminars, Downloadable Artwork/Templates, Videotaped How-To Segments, Video Field Trips, (to mention features that immediately come to mind) I'm suggesting a low-cost, basic membership.
By low-cost, I mean, somewhere in the $3 per month range, if paid annually.
Similar to "basic cable" those members would be able to order the PF, on an ala carte basis.
There could be another membership level (or two) where PF (to be determined) would be included.
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#8]
25 May 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#7] 25 May 2006
David,
I'm kind of torn on this one. There is one side of me that thinks the annual charge collected should be equal to the projected hard costs of the forum itself. The other side wants the website to develop into something greater, and that takes resources. It won't happen without some additional revenues generated from the forum subscription.
I personally think the proposal you are putting out there is good for many reasons.
1). It will cover the hard costs of the forum, as well as your past out-of-pocket expenses.
2). It will provide some, but likely not all resources needed to advance the website further. The balance can be garnered from the Level 2 subscribers.
3). It allows the forum to become more private, which in return will open up the discussions on some subjects. (This continues to be my favorite immediate benefit.)
4). It will make the Level 2 subscription and its features optional for those who see the value.
5). It allows the members of this forum to remain as one, rather than being split into two Engraving Etc. venues.
6). It provides a more affordable option to those who would have been more challenged with the $99 subscription. It is a newbie-friendly subscription rate.
EDITED: 25 May 2006 by DATAKES
From: Button (LASERCHICK) [#9]
25 May 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#7] 25 May 2006
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#10]
25 May 2006
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#8] 25 May 2006
At this point, we really don't know what some of the hard costs will be. I'm just trying to establish a starting point.
When we get into video production/post-production and Engraving Etc. Live! events (which will be videotaped and offered to those who couldn't attend) there will be substantial expenses.
We'll also be paying authors for articles/tutorials and instructors for online education. Those costs, at this point, are also unknown.
I'm attempting to make the site appealing to everyone, with full knowledge, not everyone will be pleased.
Like you, I feel a more private forum will open up the discussions, in some areas and promote a more professional atmosphere.
I didn't like the idea of separate forums and felt that would create an "us against them" (elitism) format, that could only spell trouble.
Obviously, in the early stages, our Premium Features will be a building process. Over time, the accumulation of those features, will be enough to boggle minds. :-)
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#11]
25 May 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#10] 25 May 2006
My only worry is that there will not be enough premium members to allow the fast growth of the premium features.
But otherwise it seems like a better plan. The private list of features we have, a large bit of them from forum member suggestions seems overwhelming in some respects from a time and money perspective. If the income is reduced, they will just take a bit longer to implement.
I think that this idea may be the best of both worlds, just a little slower to get everything done.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#12]
25 May 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#11] 25 May 2006
I'm hoping the "entry level" membership will be attractive enough an offer, to inspire many people to join.
That would give us a better ($) footing, initially.
Some of the Premium Features can be generated more quickly than others; the TeleSeminars, PicTutorials, brief How-To Videos and Flash Tutorials, for example, can be generated fairly quickly.
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#13]
25 May 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#12] 25 May 2006
Unless you have some equipment hidden somewhere that I do not know about, that one might not be that fast. I do not have any of that equipment available.
From: PenMan [#14]
25 May 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#13] 25 May 2006
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#15]
25 May 2006
To: PenMan [#14] 26 May 2006
Try the old 16mm film cameras that took 400' of film. You were lucky.
(Prior life, engineer in CBS News Camera Engineering department.)
From: sprinter [#16]
25 May 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#15] 25 May 2006
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#17]
25 May 2006
To: sprinter [#16] 25 May 2006
Walk in our shoes for a mile and you will understand.
The land was flat by me, but burrowing through the ten foot snow drifts was a bummer.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#18]
25 May 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#11] 25 May 2006
Harvey,
Fast is not always equal to good. As recent history shows it would, in MY OPINION, be better to proceed slowly and methodically as is being done now. As you yourself have stated Rome was not built in a day, nor is any great endeavor.
Just my two cents. Want change?
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#19]
25 May 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#17] 25 May 2006
The land was flat by me, but burrowing through the ten foot snow drifts was a bummer.
Harvey,
While I am not a moderator or anything, I think THIS is one thread that should not be taken off topic. ( insert loud wrist slap sound here)
From: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#20]
25 May 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#18] 25 May 2006
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#21]
25 May 2006
To: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#20] 25 May 2006
I was hoping to have something in most of the categories, rather than in the works. I wanted the people in premium to at least see that things were being done rather than just underway.
The things that require outlay for equipment/programs would have to wait, but I did not want that to take too long. After all, when premium is paid, we want to see premium delivered, not just that it is coming.
I wanted the accusations of smoke and mirrors to be ended instantly. If it takes a while, it will still be viewed as smoke and mirrors, with good reason. By the way, I do not feel that the smoke and mirror accusations were totally wrong, we have nothing to show at the moment. If we show what we have at the moment, there goes the premium to the free site, (our free site). Then what do we have to offer?
As sprinter said, between a rock and a hard place. It is very true.
EDITED: 25 May 2006 by HARVEY-ONLY
From: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#22]
25 May 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#21] 25 May 2006
If only there were a soft bed between the two.
Speaking of which, I have an early morning tomorrow...
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