Thoughts On S2Ki
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,446
Likes: 1
From: West Mids.
Following this note.
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/announcement.ph...p?s=&forumid=25
cthree:
I still have the greatest difficulty in believing that members are getting a free service here. This site is a source of information and help from other owners which is unsurpassed by any other readily available database in the world! The facilities offered by the site appear to be going to improve even further in the very near future. The arranging of meets and other social get togethers would be well nigh impossible without S2Ki.
Why on earth should we expect this service to be free? Based on the figures you published in the above thread, you're not running a business, you're running a charity! I can see no reason whatsoever why anyone who wants to avail themselves of the facilities of S2Ki shouldn't accept paying an annual fee for doing so. I do realise that this may well impose administrative difficulties which would be onerous in themselves.
Another service I would be very happy to pay for would be web space for storage of photos. We've all seen Photopoint and others go down the pan and I'm sure other members would be happy to pay for safe storage of photos with the security of S2Ki behind them, particularly if the photos could be linked/shown on other sites. I don't know how practical this idea is or what strains it would place on storage resources, but surely this must be worth considering. It would surely be more manageable on an administrative level though?
Just my 2 pennorth!
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/announcement.ph...p?s=&forumid=25
cthree:
I still have the greatest difficulty in believing that members are getting a free service here. This site is a source of information and help from other owners which is unsurpassed by any other readily available database in the world! The facilities offered by the site appear to be going to improve even further in the very near future. The arranging of meets and other social get togethers would be well nigh impossible without S2Ki.
Why on earth should we expect this service to be free? Based on the figures you published in the above thread, you're not running a business, you're running a charity! I can see no reason whatsoever why anyone who wants to avail themselves of the facilities of S2Ki shouldn't accept paying an annual fee for doing so. I do realise that this may well impose administrative difficulties which would be onerous in themselves.
Another service I would be very happy to pay for would be web space for storage of photos. We've all seen Photopoint and others go down the pan and I'm sure other members would be happy to pay for safe storage of photos with the security of S2Ki behind them, particularly if the photos could be linked/shown on other sites. I don't know how practical this idea is or what strains it would place on storage resources, but surely this must be worth considering. It would surely be more manageable on an administrative level though?
Just my 2 pennorth!
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,611
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne
c3: I was quite surprised to learn of the financial state of s2ki.com, as I wrongly assumed (probably like many others) that you were probably making a lot of $ via sponsorship and banner ads. If I'd have known the way it really was, I sure as hell wouldn't have complained during the site upgrade 
I would be happy to pay to use this website. I think you should establish different membership levels, that "cost" different amounts. Like:
Titanium member: $120 annual donation ($10 per month) 50MB Photo album, free t-shirt, free license plate frame
Platinum member: $60 annual donation ($5 per month) 30MB Photo album, free t-shirt
Gold member: $48 annual donation ($4 per month) 15MB photo album, free LP frame
Silver member: $36 annual donation ($3 per month) 10MB photo album
Bronze member: $24 annual donation ($2 per month) 5 MB photo album
member: $0 annual donation NO photo album
Since we don't have gears anymore, the perfect place to reward members would be in the avatar area. A small logo or even just text would be great. People love the recognition.
I don't think making the site a pay site is a good idea. I get really turned off by these sites. Making it a "donation friendly" site, and establishing staggered membership levels with benefits might be an idea though.
I agree with Cedric about the photo album idea. People go out and pay for photopoint just so they can post pics on s2ki.com to show total strangers their car.
I think you have an opportunity here. Maybe one of the benefits of the membership levels could be increased photo album sizes 
Oh, and if it is bandwidth that is costing lots of $, kill OT so the whores don't end up costing you $.
I now look at this site in a whole different light, and hope you do NOT continue as you are for too much longer.
I would be happy to pay to use this website. I think you should establish different membership levels, that "cost" different amounts. Like:
Titanium member: $120 annual donation ($10 per month) 50MB Photo album, free t-shirt, free license plate frame
Platinum member: $60 annual donation ($5 per month) 30MB Photo album, free t-shirt
Gold member: $48 annual donation ($4 per month) 15MB photo album, free LP frame
Silver member: $36 annual donation ($3 per month) 10MB photo album
Bronze member: $24 annual donation ($2 per month) 5 MB photo album
member: $0 annual donation NO photo album
Since we don't have gears anymore, the perfect place to reward members would be in the avatar area. A small logo or even just text would be great. People love the recognition.
I don't think making the site a pay site is a good idea. I get really turned off by these sites. Making it a "donation friendly" site, and establishing staggered membership levels with benefits might be an idea though.
I agree with Cedric about the photo album idea. People go out and pay for photopoint just so they can post pics on s2ki.com to show total strangers their car.
I think you have an opportunity here. Maybe one of the benefits of the membership levels could be increased photo album sizes Oh, and if it is bandwidth that is costing lots of $, kill OT so the whores don't end up costing you $.
I now look at this site in a whole different light, and hope you do NOT continue as you are for too much longer.
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,983
Likes: 0
From: Leyland, Lancs.
Amen to all the sentiments above. I too struggle to believe that all the resources and staisfaction S2ki provide me with don't cost me a cent. I try and do my bit through supporting sponsors etc. but would have no qualms in making a voluntary donation, perhaps like moonpie and Cedric sugest this could be recognised with additional photo storage space
Tif
Tif
Administrator
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 20,274
Likes: 4
From: Toronto, Canada
Thanks guys, excellent suggestions! No question that sponsorships have not kept up with the pace of growth and I'm not sure that they can long term.
The staggered membership levels is an excellent idea. The new photo album feature, if I can ever get the details worked out, will be a pay service of some sort. I'm going to keep thinking about what options are open to us.
I ultimately want S2KI to find itself in a cash rich position, living hand-to-mouth so to speak sucks and makes it very difficult to operate. If we could get to a point were we've got a few thousand in the bank to smooth out cash flow irregularities that would be a big plus both for the site and for me personally (I could give my smoking credit cards a rest)
I just dropped $800 to produce a media kit and rate card for generating new sponsorship leads and another $300 to produce another batch of decals (it will stall cost another $300 to send them out). Cash flow being what it is I have to absorb these expenses personally. The site should have the funds itself to cover these operating expenses but sponsorships just cover the basic month-to-month expenses (barely).
The response to the poll is a bit disappointing.
The staggered membership levels is an excellent idea. The new photo album feature, if I can ever get the details worked out, will be a pay service of some sort. I'm going to keep thinking about what options are open to us.
I ultimately want S2KI to find itself in a cash rich position, living hand-to-mouth so to speak sucks and makes it very difficult to operate. If we could get to a point were we've got a few thousand in the bank to smooth out cash flow irregularities that would be a big plus both for the site and for me personally (I could give my smoking credit cards a rest)
I just dropped $800 to produce a media kit and rate card for generating new sponsorship leads and another $300 to produce another batch of decals (it will stall cost another $300 to send them out). Cash flow being what it is I have to absorb these expenses personally. The site should have the funds itself to cover these operating expenses but sponsorships just cover the basic month-to-month expenses (barely).
The response to the poll is a bit disappointing.
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,004
Likes: 0
From: Bowie
Cthree
"ditto" to all of the above. When the board I was register with merged with your site, there were not many S2000 and this board was my only link to other owners and enthusiasts. In fact I just discovered someone else in my town with and S2000. I discovered this on the board. Anyway, It always amazed me that you put together a board with such depth with only a few sponsors made up mostly of owners turned entrepreneurs. Don't look badly on the poll (Last time I looked it was better than 50% willing to pay depending on the conditions). After all, not everyone can afford it and some feel that the internet should be completely free. I do think you need to provide a free level of service along with a subscription service with some perks. I think you will feel very satisfied if you can pull that off.
Thanks!
"ditto" to all of the above. When the board I was register with merged with your site, there were not many S2000 and this board was my only link to other owners and enthusiasts. In fact I just discovered someone else in my town with and S2000. I discovered this on the board. Anyway, It always amazed me that you put together a board with such depth with only a few sponsors made up mostly of owners turned entrepreneurs. Don't look badly on the poll (Last time I looked it was better than 50% willing to pay depending on the conditions). After all, not everyone can afford it and some feel that the internet should be completely free. I do think you need to provide a free level of service along with a subscription service with some perks. I think you will feel very satisfied if you can pull that off.
Thanks!
Former Sponsor
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 9,081
Likes: 0
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,637
Likes: 0
From: Denver
Indeed, there have been some great ideas thrown out, so please consider this as more of a supplement rather than a "new idea."
I was thinking you could use public radio or television as a model for membership. Although they are member and sponsor supported, we all still receive the full benefit regardless of our membership status. Much like public radio/TV there could be "rewards" for certain membership levels. In keeping with the car theme of this board, levels could be listed relevant build materials.
Titanium could be the premium membership level.
Maybe followed by carbon fiber, then aluminum. Forged steel could be the entry level.
Rather than give stuff away, you could have a quarterly membership drive where new or renewing members would get to participate in group buys with selected sponsors.
Anyway, you get the idea.
I was thinking you could use public radio or television as a model for membership. Although they are member and sponsor supported, we all still receive the full benefit regardless of our membership status. Much like public radio/TV there could be "rewards" for certain membership levels. In keeping with the car theme of this board, levels could be listed relevant build materials.
Titanium could be the premium membership level.
Maybe followed by carbon fiber, then aluminum. Forged steel could be the entry level.
Rather than give stuff away, you could have a quarterly membership drive where new or renewing members would get to participate in group buys with selected sponsors.
Anyway, you get the idea.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post