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Should I open my forum?

by michaelwilding
10 replies
Hi,

I have a membership site which has a forum. I have received a few emails about the possibility of opening the forum, for a discounted price, to people who want to get the assistance but don't need the extra features in the members area.

I can't decide if this is a good idea or not and would appreciate your thoughts on this?

Thanks

Michael
#forum #open
  • Profile picture of the author keyuria
    Why would you close the forum from a membership site to open a paid forum again?
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    • Profile picture of the author rallenk
      Where's the harm? If you have enough folks willing to share good information and they are willing to pay, do it.
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      • Profile picture of the author NicheMayhem
        Perhaps discuss it with your members? I have seen paid private forums lose lots of memberships due to the riff raff that waddled their way in for a cheap price.

        Sometimes it is better to consider your existing members before potential new members for a lower price. Besides, how would a passer by have any clue your forum holds any value in and of itself without the members area content? Sounds like it could just be a way for the members you have to pay less but still access what they feel is worth staying for which is the forum.

        I would say look into modifying existing memberships and access rights for those who ask. I know that might be a technical nightmare depending on your membership software but if it means more members will keep paying monthly then it may be worth the hassle. I wouldn't openly advertise it though as it may convey the members area content might not be quite as valuable as your copy states.

        Of course, I have no clue what your site is about or anything at all about what it is that makes it worth paying for. Just my .02 on varying membership options.
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  • Profile picture of the author HorseStall
    The only thing worse than not having a forum is having a dead forum ;-) Plan on spending time and effort to sustain it until you build up traffic and it becomes self-sustaining.
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  • Profile picture of the author imsas
    I think it's a great idea.. It will then be more like a freemium model (where some users who use the FREE forum might become paid members later on).. So this can actually help your membership site as the overall traffic of the site will increase (well given that the product/service you offer is valuable)..
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    • Profile picture of the author NicheMayhem
      Originally Posted by imsas View Post

      I think it's a great idea.. It will then be more like a freemium model (where some users who use the FREE forum might become paid members later on).. So this can actually help your membership site as the overall traffic of the site will increase (well given that the product/service you offer is valuable)..
      Absolutely do NOT allow free access to your forum if you don't have to. Free registration will literally add hours onto each day of you removing spam and fake profiles. Especially with the total crap software out there which can create thousands of fake profiles for backlinks. It sucks sitting there deleting profiles and penis enlargement posts all throughout your forum, believe me.

      Private discussion forums and paid memberships can be very good incentive for members continue paying those monthly payments. I wouldn't jeopardize that aspect of it thinking more forum members for less money will be a good thing. It may not be.
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  • Profile picture of the author Adam Svacina
    Have a look a this thread, there is also a lot of information you can use

    http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...ake-money.html

    Adam
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  • Profile picture of the author Mary Wilhite
    hi Michael,

    Will it affect your present membership and your income?

    If it will give you an additional income source without losing your present members then
    go for it.

    It's only logical to go after possible opportunities that present itself.
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  • Profile picture of the author madmmd
    Start an offer.. offer discounted membership for some time and then bring it back to original price..
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    • Profile picture of the author michaelwilding
      Thanks for all the replies guys it has certainly given me some food for thought. The main focus for the site is around the members area and the features there, the forum is so that members can chat and also used for support. The reason that some people are interested in joining just the forum is because they are experienced in what we are teaching in the members area but want to get access to the high quality discussions that are taking place in the forum rather than using the tools and teaching in the members area.

      I shall have to think about all the possibilities. I certainly would not be opening it as a free forum and at the moment I am erring on the side of keeping it closed without an additional membership.
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