Do your members...

[bahawolf]

Do your members donate? I didn't think mine would... But since I needed money for the designer, I tried it. Its been 2 days, and we have recieved about 20 dollars in donations.

[phenom]

I've gotten probably over $100 since I went live in January. I try to return the favor to those members that own sites as well.

[bahawolf]

I've gotten probably over $100 since I went live in January. I try to return the favor to those members that own sites as well.

Sounds good... I didn't think members would try it. But, they see it as an oppertunity to improve what they have. So, its an investment.

[vB3Dev.Com]

Mine don't

But I never asked for donations...

[filburt1]

Mine do...I've made a significant amount to fully cover operating expenses (how much I'd rather not say).

[qxh]

I haven't really asked, but if someone wants to donate to me, PM me for my paypal. .

[0ptima]

I asked my members to donate for VB, which they did. On top of that, I have enough for 2 more years of support.

Now if I could cover my hosting fees.....

[Mark Hewitt]

I've never asked. But things get complicated with money.. If I start getting some, no matter how small, then people will start saying they deserve a share too, then the members who donated want to know where the money is being spent when the server gets overloaded etc..

[Chris M]

If you are spending the money on wavering costs related to the site then thats all you have to say

Satan

[Kathy]

Yes. There are quite a few threads (here in chit chat) that are discussions about ways to involve your community in helping with financial costs.

I do it and find that increased member benefits is successful for our niche.

I would caution that for some communities this wouldn't work....and could run off the members.

If the site is new or very small, the money issue could get into the way of building the community.

But for larger sites that are already busy places, donations/subscriptions can be handled properly.

I stopped calling them "donations" on my site as a member was warned about breaking TOS wanted her donation back.

At that point I changed the wording to be "subsciption for upgraded membership" and added info regarding TOS for subscribers: TOS is required and if they lose their membership because breaking TOS, refunds of subscriptions are not given.

More complicated than you were asking...but donations can be used...but just be aware of the pitfalls.

[0ptima]

Yes. There are quite a few threads (here in chit chat) that are discussions about ways to involve your community in helping with financial costs.

I do it and find that increased member benefits is successful for our niche.

I would caution that for some communities this wouldn't work....and could run off the members.

If the site is new or very small, the money issue could get into the way of building the community.

But for larger sites that are already busy places, donations/subscriptions can be handled properly.

I stopped calling them "donations" on my site as a member was warned about breaking TOS wanted her donation back.

At that point I changed the wording to be "subsciption for upgraded membership" and added info regarding TOS for subscribers: TOS is required and if they lose their membership because breaking TOS, refunds of subscriptions are not given.

More complicated than you were asking...but donations can be used...but just be aware of the pitfalls.

BE carefull, there is one thread on how someone made their site pay only and everyone stopped visiting

[Chris M]

What you do in that case is make there be certain advantages to being a paying member - Ability to have a larger avatar, ability to use the PM system, ability to have an email like *username*@yourdomain.net if your site is yourdomain.com (assuming you can buy .net and .com), ability to use attachments and things like that

Satan

[bahawolf]

What you do in that case is make there be certain advantages to being a paying member - Ability to have a larger avatar, ability to use the PM system, ability to have an email like *username*@yourdomain.net if your site is yourdomain.com (assuming you can buy .net and .com), ability to use attachments and things like that

Satan

I wouldn't reccomend things like attachments and such... because if you do that, people won't stay.

[Chris M]

I know, but the point is maybe allow larger and/or more attachments to be posted

Satan

[bahawolf]

I know, but the point is maybe allow larger and/or more attachments to be posted

Satan

How would you handle the size or ability to post attachments?