1) I prefer a hard copy of the magazine. I still get hard copies of Grainger, McMaster Carr, Newark, Allied Electronics, etc. even though it's on the web. Sure, I'm killing more trees but it keeps tree farmers fed.
2) Increase search engine hits. Let's make sure this site is the hub for the pond world and everyone finds it.
3) Keep the forum free for many of the reasons mentioned. However, I don't think it is unfair to allow one to become a member, post and ask questions unless they are a PB subscriber. Given the breadth of knowledge and invaluable advice that is on this forum, I would think that anyone with integrity would be happy to splll $35 for a subscription/forum membership. If they aren't at least willing to do that, then do we really want them? Heck, most state agencies have free .pdf files on a variety of pond topics. Let a non-payer go there and/or browse the PB forum for free....but to be able to ask as many questions as you want on the forum and get a magazine subscription for $35 is the deal of the century. Lurkers can still lurk and learn but a magazine subscription should have it's privileges. In summary- the forum is free for everyone in the world to read and learn but you only become a member with the ability to post if you subscribe to the magazine.
4) I would be willing to pay EXTRA (above my magazine subscription fee) for access to a searchable database of all of the PB Mag articles. This is a huge set of information that has a lot of value. Very few would probably subscribe to this- but I can see the very serious pondmeister and other industry professionals paying the piper. As a member of the American Fisheries Society, I have full access to all 4 of their scientific journals on-line and it's a great tool for me. With some marketting, I bet you can get a lot of professional biologists in both the private and public sectors to join.
5) I don't like seeing other professionals pimping their services/products within the text of the forum either (I think you called it mining). This is just my opinion, but I think it is poor etiquette. I'm not saying this because I am upset because I'm not making a sell. I'm not on here to make a sell nor have I ever tried. I just think the business side should be left under the advertising section. The content of the forum itself should be about dissemination of topical knowldege (more on this later), not trying to sell a gadget. Let the consumer browse the advertising section and let the vendor advertise. For example, how many times has the topic of aeration been covered? Let each advertiser write a one page review of why their's is the best, put it in a .pdf format under an aeration tab and let the consumer decide by calling them directly, finding their local dealer, and heck, maybe put a product review section as a stand alone link & resource? As this site evolves, I like the idea of having a searchable products page and a geographic pond consultant page. The possibilities about the appproach to take are endless. I think this will increase your revenue.
6) Lot's of hi-jacking occurs as well as non pond related topics. What to do? Well, I have mixed feelings. The hi-jacking does tend to give the site character. I've had lots of laughs along the way. Recently, we learned about the well-being of Nate's little baby and learned that Deaner passed away. These things are important to know. I also like hearing about Brettski's projects and JHAP's misadventures. It's part of what keeps me coming back. My only gripe is that it's tough to wade through some of the hi-jacking when I'm searching or trying to follow an informative thread. But I can live with it. This is another reason why I would like to see a searchable database on the articles with access to .pdf files of each article/individual mag. For those not interested in the non-pond related stuff on the forum, then they can pay a little extra and go straight for the article database.
7) I think it's time for a facelift, so Bob I thank you for soliciting our opinions and keeping us involved. I think with the right approach, you can be profitable/more profitable with this site. You should be. You deserve it. Your magazine is one of a kind. I tell all of my customers about it and I know some have subscribed. A friend of mine made the comment that it was stupid for me to have a customer subscribe because it would push my services out of the equation. I think the opposite is true. They (my clients) see ideas and we discuss them as a team. If anything, it increases their interest and drives more business to me. The magazine is great for the entire industry and we all benefit as it grows.
8) From someone who makes their living in this industry, please allow me to throw this out there: have you ever thought about pulling all of us industry professionals together as part of some organization or stand alone forum? This could have a lot of merit and we can learn a great deal from one another. I'm just thinking out loud but as you develop a new approach to the mag and forum, I think somehow rallying the professionals in the industry could also prove useful.
----------------- "Imagination is more important than knowledge" Albert Einstein
