Administrator Batard 2,516 Posted December 29, 2017 Administrator Share Posted December 29, 2017 As you can see from our homepage, we have a donate button that we are eternally grateful for any contributions towards the forums running costs. We're due to renew our hosting in February and unfortunately our ads aren't performing quite as well as hoped. They're mostly based on activity and clicks, however due to our size and lack of clicks we've yet to truly benefit from it. In time as we grow, what we make from ads will hopefully lead us towards being self sustaining. Currently to cover costs, the staff are dipping into their own pockets. I myself donated £50.00 towards hosting today, because this site is an important part of my life, I made the journey here from TotalFootballForums like the vast majority of you but we find ourselves in a quandary regarding our future. Something that has worked well on PESGaming and the larger PESfan forums is paid membership. Now I appreciate how divisive this may sound but I'd like to reassure you that at this juncture, it's quite simply something to put on the table and ask the wider community about. If we were able to collect 5.00 £$€ from even ten members over the course of a year on a rolling annual subscription, it would make a dent in our hosting fees. I've looked at the viability of emulating PESfan's Supporter member group, basically flagging you as a supporter. Something else they offer that has caused debate amongst the staff is the use of a secret paid only access forum sub-section. Given our size I don't believe it's viable but I wanted to be transparent with what has been discussed. What we'd really like is some feedback for what you would like for being a talkfootball365 annual subscriber or donee because long-term, for this forum to stay alive its dependent on income. Let us know your thoughts Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber Viva la FCB+ 2,505 Posted December 29, 2017 Subscriber Share Posted December 29, 2017 This is not an easy task by any means, honestly im not sure what the solution is but ill offer my two cents on a couple points. The big issue I would see with paid subscriptions or access is drumming up new members. I havent notice a ton of new members as it is but i think what little there is will stop entirely if thats a requirement. Maybe you could get around this by giving even say 3 months free trials first? im just not sure thats even viable. Then theres the issue of chasing away some fringe posters or occasional users if we go down that road. One thing i have seen on other forums who shall not be named is some sort of badge or title saying subscriber or donater. Just a little thing but that might encourage more people to donate. I think the sub forum is a good idea but as you mention there just isnt enough people as it is to really benefit from that at this point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Batard 2,516 Posted December 29, 2017 Author Administrator Share Posted December 29, 2017 1 minute ago, Viva la FCB said: This is not an easy task by any means, honestly im not sure what the solution is but ill offer my two cents on a couple points. The big issue I would see with paid subscriptions or access is drumming up new members. I havent notice a ton of new members as it is but i think what little there is will stop entirely if thats a requirement. Maybe you could get around this by giving even say 3 months free trials first? im just not sure thats even viable. Then theres the issue of chasing away some fringe posters or occasional users if we go down that road. One thing i have seen on other forums who shall not be named is some sort of badge or title saying subscriber or donater. Just a little thing but that might encourage more people to donate. I think the sub forum is a good idea but as you mention there just isnt enough people as it is to really benefit from that at this point. Firstly, paid subscription would not be mandatory because we absolutely do not want to drive away fringe posters or even new members. Secondly, I like your thinking with the badge and title Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirBalon 2,692 Posted December 29, 2017 Share Posted December 29, 2017 The Donation Badge does sound like a good idea actually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber RandoEFC+ 7,511 Posted December 29, 2017 Subscriber Share Posted December 29, 2017 £10 over the course of a year is 20p a week. All for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Batard 2,516 Posted December 29, 2017 Author Administrator Share Posted December 29, 2017 1 minute ago, RandoEFC said: £10 over the course of a year is 20p a week. All for it. Thanks mate, appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eco 3,008 Posted December 29, 2017 Share Posted December 29, 2017 We can have levels depending on how much said user donates. Each level has a unique badge and maybe the option for a larger avatar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pep Talk 39 Posted December 29, 2017 Share Posted December 29, 2017 I would be happy to donate maybe have a badge near to your name to show who does so maybe that can spread the word better than just one thread and have an option to click that badge to donate. just an idea? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Batard 2,516 Posted December 29, 2017 Author Administrator Share Posted December 29, 2017 Just now, Pep Talk said: I would be happy to donate maybe have a badge near to your name to show who does so maybe that can spread the word better than just one thread and have an option to click that badge to donate. just an idea? That's a great shout mate. @Rab is that doable through a PNG on the member group? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 29, 2017 Share Posted December 29, 2017 I'll donate $50 plus $50 more if you make my name sparkly in green as well as replacing Stan as admin with Cannabis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Stan 18,102 Posted December 29, 2017 Administrator Share Posted December 29, 2017 Just now, Blue said: I'll donate $50 plus $50 more if you make my name sparkly in green as well as replacing Stan as admin with Cannabis meant to be a serious topic mate. at least try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cicero 5,248 Posted December 29, 2017 Share Posted December 29, 2017 42 minutes ago, RandoEFC said: £10 over the course of a year is 20p a week. All for it. Is that really all to it? Hell I'm in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 29, 2017 Share Posted December 29, 2017 Just now, Stan said: meant to be a serious topic mate. at least try. I wasn't being serious about the sparkly name but I was being 100% serious about Cannabis replacing you as admin In all seriousness though I would love to donate but I'm already committed to a few things. My website being the main thing. If I have a spare few it'll go into your bank. Won't be 50 pounds though like I did with AFF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Batard 2,516 Posted December 29, 2017 Author Administrator Share Posted December 29, 2017 Just now, Cicero said: Is that really all to it? Hell I'm in. Legend. Thanks mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Batard 2,516 Posted December 29, 2017 Author Administrator Share Posted December 29, 2017 Just now, Blue said: I wasn't being serious about the sparkly name but I was being 100% serious about Cannabis replacing you as admin In all seriousness though I would love to donate but I'm already committed to a few things. My website being the main thing. If I have a spare few it'll go into your bank. Won't be 50 pounds though like I did with AFF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 29, 2017 Share Posted December 29, 2017 I will give one bit of criticism and it's really only being said to help with future donations. It's fair to say not everyone of the highest posting members will always be here. ive been meaning to say this a while back but the SEO is still crap. If you search football forums on google this doesn't come up. TFF was the first thing that came up. It takes time I'm aware but with the lack of new members at all, it needs to be said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cicero 5,248 Posted December 29, 2017 Share Posted December 29, 2017 5 minutes ago, Batard said: Legend. Thanks mate. When do you need it by? I can make it an annual thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Stan 18,102 Posted December 29, 2017 Administrator Share Posted December 29, 2017 for anyone that does want to donate now, by all means you can do! You don't have to wait til a decision is made following the outcome of this thread There's a link on the front page to donate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Stan 18,102 Posted December 29, 2017 Administrator Share Posted December 29, 2017 Just now, Cicero said: When do you need it by? I can make it an annual thing. February at the moment but see the above post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Batard 2,516 Posted December 29, 2017 Author Administrator Share Posted December 29, 2017 Just now, Cicero said: When do you need it by? I can make it an annual thing. You're an absolute ledge, and to be honest, whenever you want. I'd like to add, so we can track donations, as it is @Rab's account it fires to. Let us know when you've donated and we'll get the necessary adjustments made to your profile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Batard 2,516 Posted December 29, 2017 Author Administrator Share Posted December 29, 2017 5 minutes ago, Blue said: I will give one bit of criticism and it's really only being said to help with future donations. It's fair to say not everyone of the highest posting members will always be here. ive been meaning to say this a while back but the SEO is still crap. If you search football forums on google this doesn't come up. TFF was the first thing that came up. It takes time I'm aware but with the lack of new members at all, it needs to be said. We're aware of this and working on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 29, 2017 Share Posted December 29, 2017 Just now, Batard said: We're aware of this and working on it. Awesome, it's something I wanted to get out a while ago. Best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burning Gold 599 Posted December 29, 2017 Share Posted December 29, 2017 How about a Patreon style system where each level of donation gives you certain privileges. For example £5 a year for a profile badge, £10 for a badge and the ability to vote in certain polls, £15 to unlock a TL;DR summary for @SirBalon's posts, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Batard 2,516 Posted December 29, 2017 Author Administrator Share Posted December 29, 2017 Just now, Burning Gold said: How about a Patreon style system where each level of donation gives you certain privileges. For example £5 a year for a profile badge, £10 for a badge and the ability to vote in certain polls, £15 to unlock a TL;DR summary for @SirBalon's posts, etc. Patreon is an interesting shout. I'm not overly familiar with it, I know a lot of Podcasts use it for generating income. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick 2,229 Posted December 29, 2017 Share Posted December 29, 2017 Donated a tenner, for now. Fully intend to add more to the pot once i get paid. Like a lot of you, this forum is very important to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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