Important Poll

[rotax]

The moderators have been discussing this in depth, but it may not make it all the way to Harris publishing.
The problem is that it costs much more than you think to operate a forum of this size. It began as somewhat of a toy for the company, but is now a very real entity. Cost of magazine print etc is getting higher and there are fewer subscribers.
The kicker is more and more vendors want to advertise on the forum as it nets better results. Hence they would want to see those advertising dollars being spent on the forum not the mag. Are you starting to see the problem? They have reached a crossroad with Harris publishing and there is no longer enough money being generated by the mag.
It won't be long and I think more and more forums will be charging a fee of some kind.
I had proposed a level type of membership as was mentioned. Basic access for new users or non frequent users.
Charge a minimal fee for full access and $2 would be donated to Saws or something.
The next level would be full access a $2 donation a digital copy of the mag access to past digital copies and tech articles. I even thought there could be weekly private web chats with top riders, manufactures, etc.
Just some thoughts I felt were fair. Most people waste money on far worse. So you don't have a couple beers this week, but you get full access to snowest all year.

If more than 1/2 of the "sub" is a dontation, I'd support it...along with the digital subscription for a month or 2? That'd be pretty cool way to get a bunch of people to "donate" in a backwards sorta way...
BUT
The problem is, Snowest's huge user base WILL definately, no doubt about it...go down w/ a subscription..in any form. Thus, advertisement exposure goes down...thus your speculated cash crop...turns to dust.

Sure, you'll still have some followers..but it will not be what it was, nor what its become..I think it will hurt the community more than it 'could potentially help' Harris Publishing..in the long run.


If server/hosting costs are too high, think about removing the ability to host images...I see a LOT of bandwidth saved by that simple implimentation.
Or, thats where you could get your subs..if people want to host images on SW, they need a paid account. If they want to save over 1,000 PMs, they need a paid account..
This way the user knows exactly what their paying for.
I also think the donating a certain % of that to SAWS is still a very good idea. That'd get some to pay a sub. alone, knowing the $ is going for a "posative cause, to support the snowmobilers".

 

[Burr]

I would have no problem paying a fee every year. I dont even like being on the site at night as much any more because of it being slow.You could try the donation way allso.You could have different levels 10 -20 and 30. Then give the member stars by his name showing that he did donate.Like was said before have 2 or 3 less beers one night and send that money in and we would have a better site.You allso could let people have one year free so they could get a feel for the site and get to like it. Then pay the next year.These are just thoughts for every one to think about.

 

[HUNDO]

or give all the paying members moderator power. Could be interesting.

And make the level of power dependant on amount donated...some people would go broke though



At this point, I'd be up for a yearly subscription fee. I have saved a lot of money and time using knowledge and advice gained from the great people on this site. Who knows, maybe a fee would be just enough to keep the chit stirrers out of here too...

On a totally and completely different note, sorry to hear about your neighbor's dog's fleas JBB

 

[snowmobiler]

" Who knows, maybe a fee would be just enough to keep the chit stirrers out of here too..."


the problem with that is..chit stirrers buy parts too.

 

[ace44]

I honestly believe that charging for the forum will have a negative effect. Many people will just go to alternate forums and as you have less people contributing, you have less users and it will just compound. I pay for my subscription every year and I would gladly just take a digital copy instead of the paper copy. That may save some money if that was an option for subscribers to the mag. It was mentioned there are fewer subscribers; there may be part of the problem. Why would an advertiser want to advertise in a magazine with fewer subscribers when the advertising can get seen by more people on the forum? Keep the forum free but for a 20 dollars fee you get access to a digital copy of the magazine. The only way to keep the advertisers is, to keep the forum free.

Just my .02 cents

 

[shortstop20]

It should be volunteer donations or "Premium Member" based. With still the option for people to post for free. Many sites operate quite sucessfully this way. I would gladly donate $10 every year to the best snowmobiling website on the net. I've donated money to another snowmobiling forum and been a Premium member at another before. SnoWest should've had this a LONG time ago.

Activity on the site will plummet if all users are required to pay in order to view and post on the forum, mark my words.

 

[phatty]

If you charge, they will leave.

Advertising dollars from the forums should go directly back to the forums.
Using those funds from the profitable area of business to support the sinking part of business (magazine prints) is like keeping the life support going. In the end you just die a slow miserable death.

Separate out the digital forums and printable media into two entities. Funded by their own advertising dollars...

Who ever suggested getting into bed with backcountry.com and other sites needs to understand those companies make large donations to groups that shut down our riding areas. Its a complete shame, but it is what it is. Sleeping with the enemy is never a good thing... (unless she is smokin hot )

 

[KFD070]

Didn't vote because I don't like the options provided. One of the options should be "Would pay $10 to $20 a month". $30 I feel is too much. I honestly don't think voluntary contribution will work. This is a great site with a ton of great people, however...not the only snowmobile forum on the net.

 

[m_beeson]

backcountry.com and other sites make large donations to groups that shut down our riding areas.

I did not know that.

Maybe we should have a running list of known companies who make such donations so that snowmobilers won't do business with them. (sounds like a good topic for it's own thread)

 

[bakininthesun]

I would pay a small fee like 5 bucks a year just to help and stay in touch with everyone in Utah. There is good info on the Utah forum.

 

[JustinB]

Who ever suggested getting into bed with backcountry.com and other sites needs to understand those companies make large donations to groups that shut down our riding areas. Its a complete shame, but it is what it is. Sleeping with the enemy is never a good thing... (unless she is smokin hot )

Did not know that phatty They have just been X'ed. What if she has a hot body and will let you turn the lights off?

 

[Himark]

If you charge, they will leave.

Advertising dollars from the forums should go directly back to the forums.
Using those funds from the profitable area of business to support the sinking part of business (magazine prints) is like keeping the life support going. In the end you just die a slow miserable death.

Separate out the digital forums and printable media into two entities. Funded by their own advertising dollars...

Who ever suggested getting into bed with backcountry.com and other sites needs to understand those companies make large donations to groups that shut down our riding areas. Its a complete shame, but it is what it is. Sleeping with the enemy is never a good thing... (unless she is smokin hot )

I agree with Phatty on this.

1. Advertising on site..The reason advertisers are coming here is because purely of traffic. If this site didnt have the momentum it wouldnt have the advertisers. You charge for access and members will leave IMO and when they leave so will your advertisers.
2. Content ...this is simple, ALL of the answers and information here is provided by its members. If you charge for something give something. I have yet to see SW put up something of value to charge for**maybe pic of week**. This could be any number of things, ie..members get discounts at vendors like previous listed, or members get access to some sort of information that is not provided by members, members pay xx.00$ for subscritions to magazine which may be 2.00 cheaper..whatever it is it has to show some value or like others stated they will move elsewhere.

I dont know this for sure and I could be wrong but if SW wanted to build this forum constructively wouldnt there be a poster by the name of "Lane Lindstrom" or "Steve Janes" hovering around posting positive info or riding tips once in a while or commenting on articles or just some plain participation? Maybe they are I do not know. But If I am building something like this and are contemplating charging for it..I would want my hand on the controls somewhat and not just from a far.

 

[JedInUtah]

If you charge, they will leave.

Advertising dollars from the forums should go directly back to the forums.
Using those funds from the profitable area of business to support the sinking part of business (magazine prints) is like keeping the life support going. In the end you just die a slow miserable death.

Separate out the digital forums and printable media into two entities. Funded by their own advertising dollars...

Who ever suggested getting into bed with backcountry.com and other sites needs to understand those companies make large donations to groups that shut down our riding areas. Its a complete shame, but it is what it is. Sleeping with the enemy is never a good thing... (unless she is smokin hot )

I am with Phatty on this one. These really should be 2 seperate entities. Magazine dollars should pay for magazine. If it can't stand on its own, then obviously there is not enough interest in it. SO......either up the content and quality such that interest increases or scrap it.
I also work in the online advertising community and know the types of funds that are both paid and generated through this medium. There should be more than enough money from paid advertisements whether on a flat rate basis or a CPA/CPS. If they are charging a flat rate, don't know how much that is, but they could increase those revenues by switching to a CPS model.
I love the forum and the friends and knowledge that is gained from forums. But if they are going to charge I would be out and turn to other methods, forums, texting, to stay in touch. I am also a frequent user of DOOtalk and think they have an extremely good thing going. It is a volunteer based paid system. You get access to the forum, posting, pics, pm's for free. PM's and storage space are limited but not to a point where it is a burden or makes you feel like you have to pay to have a good experience. If you want to sign up and become a member of the DOOcrew then you pay $25 for the year and you get a t-shirt, stickers, logo under your name stating you joined the doocrew. Increased storage limits. If you want to pay more then you can go up 2 or 3 more tiers. Also sponsors get links under their name showing they are a paid sponsor as well as a portal for sponsors that people can go through to shop. It has been a very successful model for them and spend a little time over there and I think you could learn a thing or two. Posting quality is also very good and very few pissing matches. At least in the mountain forums.

My .06-

 

[graveler]

KTMTALK, Thumpertalk, sledjunkie, mud and snow are all free sites that have been around for a while and don't charge to be a member of, I'm sure they will enjoy the increased traffic... Once the pay to play sign goes up......

 

[graveler]

BTW KTMTalk has over 100,000 members and they don't charge so if you can't figure this out on your own try learning by example!!!!!

 

[POLZIN]

I did not vote but I would be in favor of a fee for those of us selling goods on the site. From what I have seen in the new swapmeet that mat be the way its headed and thats fine with me. I do think it will be hard to regulate and will depend on honesty from the sellers. In my case most of my sales come by word of mouth and PMs completely bypassing the swapmeet entirely.

I think it would be a disaster to try and charge a fee for all users !

 

[Bubba700]

Hmmm charging say 10$ to put an ad in the swapmeet? Maybe only 5$. Good Idea hadn't thought of that.

 

[offroadmatt]

Wouldn't matter to me, can't believe we don't have to pay as it is. I would make it like Pirate4x4 where you don't have to pay but red star members can have avatars and signatures and be entered into special giveaways.

 

[Lt Rascal]

I like the ideas of:
Free basic access.
Pay to upgrade w/ a discount at some of the sponsors sites.

 

[xrated]

my wife is gonna think snowest is code for dirty site if I have to start paying.