[BobP]

I'm not surprised there were only a few votes and comments during the poll. Like others, I suspect, I just stumbled on the poll the last day it was active. I usually surf straight to the Hardbait Forum and seldom check other parts of TU except to peruse the Gallery occasionally. So I wouldn't conclude that low response numbers is a sign of low interest in the lure making community. As far as I am aware, this is the largest and certainly the best luremaking site on the internet. As is obvious in the forums, there are plenty of guys who use the site quite heavily. Inlcuding me!

[KcDano]

There wouldn't need to be a publisher the information could be sold as an E-book. That idea might have legs,PB.

[psv]

Guys,
6$ per month - it's nothing. It's just ridiculous to have all this discussions. Pay or not. It's just 6$ per month. Less then a pack of cigarettes, 1/30 of my cable/internet bill.
It's funny. Many of us pay hundred's dollars for guide service, fishing seminars, books and DVD’s to learn and it's fine. We have an opportunity here at TU to learn & share and be with same kind of people (which is priceless). The price will be only 6$ per month.
Regards, PSV

[sagacious]

I'd love to see Jerry's plans work, exactly as he has outlined them.

However, I'm not convinced that enough people will pay a pro-rate monthly fee, or a $60 yearly fee. It really doesn't matter that you, I, or some other folks are willing to pay $60/year. It really doesn't matter how passionate you, I, or some other folks are about the planned expansion of TU. What matters is that a sufficient and continuing number of home-made tackle enthusiasts are willing to support the site maintenance costs and upgrades, and Jerry, so that he can quit his other passion and focus solely on TU.

I could stand up on a podium and say how terribly dissapointed I am in the insouciance displayed by a percentage of the membership, but that achieves nothing other than a certain short-lived and narcissistic self-satisfaction. That X number of members voted, or that X number of members volunteered to pay $X for site maintenance is a reflection of basic human nature. It's not a failing of society. It's not a failing of certain individuals. There are ways to appeal to basic human nature (humans are inherently helpful) that would offset or exceed site maintenance costs, but I don't believe that the strategy presented addresses those considerations.

I have forwarded a few suggestions to admin that have proved successful on the two other fishing sites where I am a mod, so I've seen that there is a strategy that works-- and that doesn't involve membership dues.

I would like to see TU progress as Jerry would like, and in a manner that reduces the stress and workload he must shoulder, in order that we all enjoy the benefits of his labor as we have. Whatever happens, I hope it works out for the best for Jerry, and for those others who put their heart, soul, and wallets into TU.

Best regards,
Eric

[hazmail]

It's getting dark here, and I missed the poll totals, last time I looked (this morning I think) it was 50/50 - what was the end result? pete

[LaPala]

The Poll Thread and Poll results are still there Pete, just go to this section. You must be the ones of those who bookmarked "new post" to get into TU.

The 1st thing I did when I got back from my trip was to check into TU and notice the post. However I differed offering an opinion as I have to find the time to read and understand what it is all about and weight the pros and cons. By the time I'm ready to vote, it's closed.

Anyway, thanks to Coley for opening this new thread.

Here's my 2 cents:
There will always be people who are willing to pay for a site access and those who don't; then some who are undecided. The most important criteria will be if the site content or community is something unique enough to warrant a paid subscription.

I support Jerry's plans for the expansion and enrichment of TU website. And I fullfheartedly feel there is a lot more that can be done for the site. However, at this present stage of TU; I do not feel a paid access to the whole site is a viable option and definitely not quitting a day job to go full time on the site just yet.

A win win situation could be -- maintain a free forum with paid access to what Jerry have in mind like more exclusive information, syndicated component buying, etc etc to the paying members. Other options include TU site hosting, paid gallery sapce, TU Store etc; with each having their own price structure so members will pay for what they need and not an all out payment to come to TU for bonding with other like minded hobbyist or like some senior members whom I notice are volunteering their time to help other enthusiast. Although Jerry did mention a discount structure for "valued" members, I have doubts on the enthusiasm continuing to "paying to share my idea". There are members who are generous enough with their ideas and "mentoring" which ppl will be willing to pay for but are now giving it out for free on their own time. It doesn't make sense to make them pay for the privilege of doing that. It does sound calous, but ppl pay for something tangible. I see a lot of yes for paying a subscription but as you read the reasoning, a lot are agreeable on goodwill, how long will the goodwill extend to make it a good business model? This will all be very subjective.

However if someone paid for a TU Store, Gallery Space or website then it is something tangible which will compel them to keep the subscription running as they have something to loose if it is discontinued. This will be a better business model. Extending the concept will be to say offer "mentoring workshop" subscription like how software are selling technical assistance where you have staff on hand to offer assistance in tackle making. Maybe a share profit structure with some existing members with the knowledge and experience to offer such mentoring.

There is also Ad revenue to think of in the free forum. I don't think there will be any objections at all for those surfing the forum for free to see strategically placed ads. There ae bloggers who are making a few K from ad revenue that rely on the fans that read the blogs. With the traffic of TU and targeted Ads, sponsors and pay-per-view ads, it is a viable income source.

So in short, what I am suggesting is to break the payment/subscription into components. Everyone pays for what they want and those who want the free content still get what they want (cost somehow offset with ad revenues). Win win for all and there is less concern of loosing members too if the site is locked into just a subscription model (not forgetting an extended subscription content that is available only to paying members - the free content acting as a dangling carrot to entice members to subscribe )

Lot's more options but I think I wrote enough for now as a general direction I feel that is more viable.

Best Wishes to you Jerry on whatever decision you make for TU site.

[rxfish]

I like that last post. Pay for the info you need. A partial subscription for access to the hard bait section, a partial subscription for soft plastics and a full subscription for access to everything and all its benefits. Those that click on to the site for the first time are given a general idea of whats on it and nothing more. At that point they have to decide whether to spend a couple bucks to get the info they need. I voted and I'm in whatever turn this takes. $60.00 divided by 365 days in a year is roughly 17 cents a day. What a bargain for a site as wonderful as this.

[cadman]

Originally Posted by rhahn427

Well ....... sorry you get mad at reality ......... the thread was started with Coley saying that it's ashame that only 76 out of 6000 voted ....... all I said was what do you think it's going to be with a $60 membership fee. Right now there are only 18 members on line ......... I pay membership fees to several sites even when I don't have to and I've bought a bunch of stuff here. And yes ...... there is good information .......but a $60 fee will kill this site ........ many many will drop out and few new people will spend the money to come aboard ........ so you'll be left with a few die hards and some professionals so there would be a lack of new ideas and fresh builders and people will go elsewhere ...........

Sorry guy but the world won't end if Jerry calls it quits ........ I'll just spend more time on other sites ............

This site is great and it works the way it is ........... don't break it by fixin' it

First of all I didn't select your name to start an arguement. I was just replying to your statement. So if you feel that I singled you out that was not my intention. I don't know if you voted, and it doesn't matter, but I stated the same thing you did on the voting thread. "That I like the site the way it is, and if less features would cost less then I would lean towards that". I am only expressing the fact that I would pay the $60 if that's what it came to, to maintain this site. It's no big deal to me. Money will probably not fix this, we will probably lose people, but I don't think that one man should burden the weight. It's not about the site itself, it's about the cost to maintain it. Lot of people want everything and give nothing in return. We all have to pay for what we want one way or another. I'm not directing this towards you, I'm just making a statement. I do apologize for the misunderstanding.

[cadman]

Originally Posted by rxfish

I like that last post. Pay for the info you need. A partial subscription for access to the hard bait section, a partial subscription for soft plastics and a full subscription for access to everything and all its benefits. Those that click on to the site for the first time are given a general idea of whats on it and nothing more. At that point they have to decide whether to spend a couple bucks to get the info they need. I voted and I'm in whatever turn this takes. $60.00 divided by 365 days in a year is roughly 17 cents a day. What a bargain for a site as wonderful as this.

I like your attitude towards this. I also like the concept of breaking the subscription into what categories suit you as a person.

LaPala: Excellent post. I think your idea could be a viable solution.

[Big-D]

Originally Posted by cadman

I like your attitude towards this. I also like the concept of breaking the subscription into what categories suit you as a person.

LaPala: Excellent post. I think your idea could be a viable solution.

I agree, I frequent this site- but, like many others, I am a "specialist" and only visit the wire baits forum and occasionaly the gallery. I am so exclusive to that forum, it's like the others don't exist to me.

Big-D