Please sir, can we have some more?

Azure_sky

More avatars that is. I totally appreciate that having a customised avatar soley for donators is important, but I'm guessing that since the site started and when we got these avatars there were far less people on the website. It does get repetitive seeing the same old avatars every few minutes and it makes it hard to keep track of posters at times.

Tallon

There are 100's there, if people would be original, and scroll past the first page they would find a lot more

That_Guy

Terry and Dr. Bollocko avatars wouldn't go amiss.

AckwelFoley

i hate my avatar - but i could be bothered to change it - i must subscribe some day.


when the subscription plans are reviewed *cough*

Links234

a few more would be nice

dr.bollocko

That_Guy wrote: »

Terry and Dr. Bollocko avatars wouldn't go amiss.

What did I do now?!

alwaysadub

dr.bollocko wrote: »

What did I do now?!

I think he just want to have your nekkid pic as his avatar..

dr.bollocko

alwaysadub wrote: »

I think he just want to have your nekkid pic as his avatar..

Gay.








Not that there's anything wrong with that..

DMG_49

How do you get an actual picture as your avatar?

I see some mods have bigger and different ones.

Is it possible for us to get them?

dr.bollocko

DMG_49 wrote: »

How do you get an actual picture as your avatar?

I see some mods have bigger and different ones.

Is it possible for us to get them?

You have to be a subscriber I'm afraid.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=311348

DMG_49

dr.bollocko wrote: »

You have to be a subscriber I'm afraid.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=311348

Aw I see....So there is us and THEM:D

dr.bollocko

DMG_49 wrote: »

Aw I see....So there is us and THEM:D

Well yeah... But you can move to the axis of evil for a fiver a month.

AckwelFoley

dr.bollocko wrote: »

Well yeah... But you can move to the axis of evil for a fiver a month.

If i pay a fiver a month to boards, with the recession and balancing loaves and fishes - there will be a small village in africa going without clean drinking water every month.

Darragh

snyper wrote: »

i must subscribe some day.

when the subscription plans are reviewed *cough*

What would you suggest? What would be a fair price do you reckon?

AckwelFoley

Darragh wrote: »

What would you suggest? What would be a fair price do you reckon?

It is fair, but not what i would pay
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055829124

Azure_sky

In light of the current economic climate it might be prudent to reconsider subscription fees, imho. In times like these it's often necessary to make a short term loss to get a long term gain.

Darragh

Am open to that - but can I get a suggestion on what you think we should charge?

dr.bollocko

Darragh wrote: »

Am open to that - but can I get a suggestion on what you think we should charge?

You do realise you're leaving yourself open to somebody suggesting about tree fiddy right?

Tallon

Maybe €25

I don't think thats too much

dr.bollocko wrote: »

You do realise you're leaving yourself open to somebody suggesting about tree fiddy right?

"I gave him a dolla"

AckwelFoley

Darragh wrote: »

Am open to that - but can I get a suggestion on what you think we should charge?

If you plan on just keeping the one sub package as is - 30 for the year tops, and leave the 5 per single month as is.

seamus

While I was massively drunk at the Xmas party, a colleague suggested a change of subscription model to me.

More along the lines of somethingawful, you pay a "lifetime" subscription for the various subscriber benefits. That is, a one-off payment which gets you all the usual subscriber benefits.

The obvious rationale being that you may bring in a lot more cash if you have a one-off say €25 payment, rather than €50/year.

It would depend on looking at the figures though. As far as I can tell, there are about 400 subscribers, though a small chunk of them aren't actual subscribers, just happen to be in the usergroup.

If they all pay €50/year (they don't ), that's €20k. On the other hand, if you assume that you currently have 2,000 regulars (i.e. online all the time), all of whom would pay the €25 one-off fee, minus the current subscribers that's an instant drop of €40k into the kitty.

According to big-boards.com, boards.ie had around 100,000 new users last year (that can't be right?). If you have a 1% subscription rate from new sign-ups, that's €25k per year into the kitty.

Just throwing it out there, my figures are largely plucked out of the air.

AckwelFoley

seamus wrote: »

While I was massively drunk at the Xmas party, a colleague suggested a change of subscription model to me.

More along the lines of somethingawful, you pay a "lifetime" subscription for the various subscriber benefits. That is, a one-off payment which gets you all the usual subscriber benefits.

The obvious rationale being that you may bring in a lot more cash if you have a one-off say €25 payment, rather than €50/year.

It would depend on looking at the figures though. As far as I can tell, there are about 400 subscribers, though a small chunk of them aren't actual subscribers, just happen to be in the usergroup.

If they all pay €50/year (they don't ), that's €20k. On the other hand, if you assume that you currently have 2,000 regulars (i.e. online all the time), all of whom would pay the €25 one-off fee, minus the current subscribers that's an instant drop of €40k into the kitty.

According to big-boards.com, boards.ie had around 100,000 new users last year (that can't be right?). If you have a 1% subscription rate from new sign-ups, that's €25k per year into the kitty.

Just throwing it out there, my figures are largely plucked out of the air.

Only a small fraction would pay the once off fee, and there are currently only 400ish subscribers, so i would envisage perhaps 600 more "hardcore" members taking that offer up initally, and perhaps a fraction that again in subsequent years.

I still think my tiered system would increase revenue & increase subscriber numbers

D

Tallon wrote: »

"I gave him a dolla"

What!? You gave him a dolla?!

I read Snyper's linked thread, I think that the "bronze" is too cheap for what it gives. Especially the custom avatar, maybe the bronze should allow a greater selection of avatars not custom ones.

Wolfe Tone

Let us pay with laser, I was all geared up to do so a week or so ago.

Links234

If subscriptions are a one time 25 euro payment, would that come with the same benefits as the 50 euro per year subscription?

MitchKoobski

Going back to the topic....I'll give the leftover roast ham from dinner for some new avatars.

Tallon

What kind of ham?

MitchKoobski

Nice ham....I'll also trade ham for a subscription so I can upload my own avatar...

phasers

roast ham? Boiling's the only way to cook a ham!

As a not very frequent subscriber, I'd be more likely to pay say about 20-25 quid a year purely for the custom avatar.

4zn76tysfajdxp

Links234 wrote: »

If subscriptions are a one time 25 euro payment, would that come with the same benefits as the 50 euro per year subscription?

Probably too early to speculate.

RopeDrink wrote: »

Cue people claiming they never 'get' these cards, or that they stopped being funny 8 years ago (If at all).

It's all about the Boards.ie Crazy Bands these days. I have one shaped like a ban-hammer* around my wrist to remind me of what I once was.








*It's like a regular hammer but limp on one end and aflame on the other end.*





*Obviously a metaphor. To use such a hammer would be impractical and very dangerous in real life.*






*Presumably. I have never used a hammer in real life.

clln

Tallon wrote: »

There are 100's there, if people would be original, and scroll past the first page they would find a lot more

LoLth: personal insult snipped.

OPENROAD

Darragh wrote: »

Am open to that - but can I get a suggestion on what you think we should charge?

10 Euro per year or a one off fee that would allow you your own avatar And the option to pay via paypal.

seamus

Actually, the discussion with my collegue has come back to me in more clarity (it was a long night).

He'd actually said that there should be a one-off lifetime subscription which gives access to stuff like S & S, but then for things like name changes, custom avatars, custom taglines, etc, these can be "bought" for a fiver a go.

So every time you want a name change you stick a fiver in the pot. If you want to be able to use your own avatar, a fiver. And so forth.

Personally I don't think that's very boards' style and whether people are prepared to pay a fiver for something as whimsical as a name change - I don't think so. But maybe I'm wrong. I would imagine that existing subscribers would neeed to be given a special lifetime membership or summat.

Tallon

I like that idea, but I also like the ability to change my avatar for a few mins for a running joke or whatever.

Also, would a custom title change require the fiver etc?

seamus

Tallon wrote: »

I like that idea, but I also like the ability to change my avatar for a few mins for a running joke or whatever.

Also, would a custom title change require the fiver etc?

I think the idea that any "fiddling" would require a fiver. I think it's probably a bit of a pisstake asking someone for a fiver every time they want to change their avatar or tagline, but perhaps five changes for a fiver or something would be good? Take the iTunes/App Store approach and make every change cheap (like a euro) and people might be more willing to accept it.

The only problem is that to make it worthwhile using paypal, you'd have to have minimum spends of a fiver or so, perhaps allowing people to buy "credits" to make changes to their account?

Tallon

Sounds way too messy

Links234

sounds horrible, I've no idea why subscription is so expensive for the benefits you get

why not a one-time subscription that has all the benefits of the current subscription? and grant that life time subscription to all subscribers then?

Nevyn

Subscription is a misnomer it's always been more of a donation to the site.
This was back when there would be a jar for fundraising for new servers at beers or people would be sticking money in Dev's Pocket.

So a way for posters to donate to the site was set up and a few benefits given in exchange for donating to the site, it was never about value for money it was about keeping this place running and even with Daft ltd buying into to boards ltd this place is still running at a loss.

Wolfe Tone

Is the money actually needed?

Tallon

Thaedydal wrote: »

Subscription is a misnomer it's always been more of a donation to the site.
This was back when there would be a jar for fundraising for new servers at beers or people would be sticking money in Dev's Pocket.

So a way for posters to donate to the site was set up and a few benefits given in exchange for donating to the site, it was never about value for money it was about keeping this place running and even with Daft ltd buying into to boards ltd this place is still running at a loss.

Yes, and as the site has grown, and people want to become individuals, it has become much much more than just donating.

I'm pretty sure boards wont go down the tube if I stop subscribing, but if I should lose my user title and avatar, I shall be devestated.

I help the community as much as I can on this site, that is my donation, not a few Euro that is pocket change in comparison to the rest of the income of the site

Nevyn

I have no idea what the revenue is from subscriptions but I do know the site doesn't break even. There has been talk of overhuling subscriptions, it's something which is in the works but unfortunatly every time some muppet looses the head and threathens to sue that eats into the time the staff have which means stuff like this get pushed back.

Tallon

Thaedydal wrote: »

I have no idea what the revenue is from subscriptions but I do know the site doesn't break even.

I seriously doubt that, or are you officially stating that?

twinQuins

I doubt a mod like Thaedydal (no offense) would have access to that kind of information; what need would the mods have to access it? The admins (and Dav, Connor and Ross), yes but the rest? Nah

Tallon

Morkarleth wrote: »

I doubt a mod like Thaedydal (no offense) would have access to that kind of information; what need would the mods have to access it? The admins (and Dav, Connor and Ross), yes but the rest? Nah

Exactly, so why the comment?

Edit: Sorry, I missed this post...

MUSSOLINI wrote: »

Is the money actually needed?

This is exactly what I'm getting at. I have a strong feeling the site is not depending on subscriptions alone and doubt it will have to close down due to lack therof subs

A once off or reduced cost sub would be the best way forward to get high numbers of subscriber, that coupled with the ability to pay laser etc. as per the discusion at the start of this thread

I know a lof people who want to sub, but either think it's too expensive or they don't have paypal

Nevyn

Morkarleth wrote: »

I doubt a mod like Thaedydal (no offense) would have access to that kind of information; what need would the mods have to access it? The admins (and Dav, Connor and Ross), yes but the rest? Nah

Anyone can look at the profits and loss of a company they are public records and it was stated in the last 3 months that boards made a loss last year and it's value was marked down. It was reported in the Indo ffs.

http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/dafts-pretax-up-25pc-despite-writedowns-2358981.html

It was reported on September 30th and was posted about and linked to in AH on October 1st.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056048485&highlight=daft.ie+shares

And here is DeV's post clarifying.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=68297674&postcount=37

So wow look gee whiz I do have that info, so does anyone who can use the site search or google be they be a mod, a poster or someone who doesn't have an account. :P

Tallon wrote: »

A once off or reduced cost sub would be the best way forward to get high numbers of subscriber, that coupled with the ability to pay laser etc. as per the discusion at the start of this thread

I know a lot people who want to sub, but either think it's too expensive or they don't have paypal

Paypal is a pain, I am sure that it's on the list of things to be looked at and over hauled, cos it's been said that it is but every time some one gets their knickers in a knot or thinks that the site has money they start making legal threats or some other issue crops up that takes up the staffs time.

A site this big there is always going to be a fire to be fought some where,
and balls now I have a horrid image of Dav, Darragh, Devore, Connor and Ross
in fireman outfits, jayus come back fireman Sam all is forgiven.

OPENROAD

Any indication of a time frame of when changes if any to subscriptions might happen.

Zynks

Tallon thinks this fits here, so copying from my other post

Zynks wrote: »

Boards.ie, in my view, could bee much more successful in attracting paid subscriptions if a review was made of the current approach.

At the moment the fee is €50 per year and the vast majority of people are not even aware of this option or its 'benefits'.

Overall there is a lot of goodwill towards boards, and that could easily be monetized to ensure that boards is well funded and in a position to improve the services overtime.

My first issue is with the price. €50 is too high for most people, no matter how much they like boards. €20 would be in a range that people would find it easy to decide, and I suggest that additional sign ups would more than compensate for the lower price.

Promotion 1: There should be more visibility of this option, advertised either as a means to support boards (and advertised as such) or as a 'status' symbol, such as the avatar option.

Promotion 2: Why not have competitions where the prize is the subscription? It costs nothing and will create awareness and desirability.

Promotion 3: Why not have a 30 day promotion to test the theory of takeup on a lower price? Offer it for €20 for a limited period of time.

Of course, you could also adopt payment in kind for work done. For instance, I think I deserve a free paid subscription for this great advice

Darragh

I am looking at this, just so you know. Next week's task Thanks for the input!

Pacing Mule

Darragh wrote: »

I am looking at this, just so you know. Next week's task Thanks for the input!

Hi Darragh,

Just whilst you're looking at the subs and taking this thread even further off topic ....

Would it be worthwhile to offer other incentives to subscribers. I know that you have boards deals up and running now providing a revenue stream and group discounts etc but how about tying up with retailers to offer smaller discounts (as in not the massive one off promos on boards deals but regular 5% off type discounts) to subscribers. Be that 5% off at Gamesnash, Elara, Pizza Companies whomever - there are plenty of companies who would be happy to offer small discounts in exchange for a large group of potential customers.

If you had a list of 10 or 20 retailers or maybe more who would offer discounts to subscribers you may find that users here could pay for the subscription with the savings made which would surely lead to a big increase in subscribers. A win win for everyone

Wolfe Tone

Just make it so I can pay with laser, and Il be happy

Trojan

I think "Subscription" should be renamed "Donations" and shouldn't be linked to any benefits (at all). It should be completely voluntary.

=====

I think we should look at charging something like:

€20 administration charge for name change
€20 administration charge to unlock "upload your own avatar"
€10 administration charge to unlock "personalise your tagline"