Member page would be pretty cool. BigBluegill.com saves all the photos and stuff you post on the site automatically onto your members page. Donations is a very good idea. Also think that photo contests and other ways to get people involved in stuff like gaining new members with chances to win certain prizes like LL2 fishing trips, or a vertex aeration system or a sweeney or texas hunter fish feeder for various things would generate quite a bit of interest and subscriptions and participation
What are your opinions of paying a nominal annual fee to be a member of the forum? I would be very willing to pay a fee to have the ability to ask pond questions to the nations leading pond experts. That is invaluable for a guy like me who actively manages 1000's of acres of water and is likewise very valuable to Joe down the road who just manages his own 1/4 acre fishing and swimming hole
Would you rather have a copy of the magazine in the mail, or an e-magazine? Both: I like getting the mag, but also would love access to some of the many articles online for various reasons. Also I would be willing to pay for access to many of the articles of the past as well
If you got the e-magazine, would you stop subscribing to the printed copy? Nope. You could simply have the e-mag available as an accessory or feature or upgrade along with your print subscription, or make it so it is the same if not more profitable than the print and not worry about losing print subscribers.
How to you feel about having a free membership that has limited access to content? This may be a "read only" version of the forum. It may mean being able to access some articles, podcasts, videos, but having to pay for selected e-information. Great Idea!
Then, a "small" membership fee that has access to all the content, some of which is 'pay as you go', such as some of the e-information? This includes all privileges of the forum, including posting. Another great idea!
Or, a "gold" membership, where you can have access to all the website, along with a "members only" forum where you get specific advice to specific problems from the top pros in the industry? This membership also includes a subscription to the magazine. Yet another great idea!
Finally, how much is this stuff worth? What should someone pay for a "medium" membership and what would you expect to receive. And, same question for the "gold" membership. I dont think many forum members even realize how valuable it is to have access to so many knowledgable pond freaks from all walks of life. Consultation fees for personalized service like what is given away for free on this website typically run about $100 per hour or more. That being said, the information is what initially brought me personally to pond boss, but the entertainment and friendships is what keeps me coming back. If it was all down to business with question/answer and no thread hijacks I wouldnt read nearly as many threads as I currently do. Entertainment keeps me coming back everyday, information maybe once a week or maybe even once a month.
