I came up with a seed of any idea, and am typing it here to see if it's one that will fly...and maybe get some input. Of course, at the end of the day it will be up to the Mayor and Mayorette to decide.
I'm sure everyone remembers the membership drive that offered a $100 clip art CD to all new members that signed up & paid during a certain timeframe. There was alot of interest generated and it resulted in a wave of new memberships.
My idea is this. What if one of the larger monthly draw prizes was reserved for a drawing of only the folks that either signed up during the previous month and people who renewed during that same time? The number of names in the hat would be much smaller, maybe as few as one (making that person an automatic winner) or a couple dozen...but the gyst of it would be that the odds would be very good of winning a big prize in that draw. Once the "new folks" drawing was done, which would be the first prize given during the monthly draw, all those new names would be thrown into the hat with the other names. This would give the new people and renewers two chances at a prize that month. Think of it as once a year you get into the small draw.
Since the draw is meant to help bring in new residents, seems to me this would be a little extra perk of jumping in, as well as give the faithful an extra benefit for reupping for the following year.
There's always some special "big" prizes in the draws, and one of these could be a nice little enticement.
Just a thought. Anybody like it or have anything to add?
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
I like the idea!
Posted by Alfred Toy (Member # 3844) on :
Instead of tip toeing around this issue, I think it really comes down to the issue of the cost of running this site. There are financial costs as well as the time, effort and worry for Steve and Barb, so I think you really have to bite the bullet and say that this is no money maker, so someone has to help carry the load. Its like any town or city you have to pay for the utilities, or overhead so run it like a city or business.
One suggestion is to have levels of paid membership, deluxe and loaded. Deluxe you get to register and post. Loaded you get to download from the clipart section as well as participate in the draws. Or have a general area where all registered members can post. Tech queries, how to's, the gallery in a paid access section. If you are using the info and tips to help in your business, its only reasonable for you to support this site so that you can continue to have a resource to help you run your business.
Someday there may be no choice but to have paid membership, initially most magazine sites allowed access to all content, but more and more you see sites that give you the first two lines of a post and if you want to see more, well you join, to support the costs of running the site.
Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
Alfred, this post is about a twist to the monthly draws. The post on the member/resident is a few posts down from here.
The free access here is written in stone anyway. Steve will never change that for any reason. Thinking of ways to entice people to pitch in is the only option.
One thing that will never work is to try shaming them into helping. It doesn't work and likely does more harm than good.
[ August 31, 2003, 10:42 PM: Message edited by: Don Coplen ]
Posted by Terry Whynott (Member # 1622) on :
Sounds like a great idea to me.
There's no extra cost to Steve and Barb and the Tramp CD giveaway is proof that people are enticed by getting something "more" for their money.
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
I know, I know, my picture isn't up! It's been a tough year for us but I'll be talking to Steve and Barb real soon to renew.
Don, your idea is a great one.
One other thing I have always thought would be good is to take the names of the winners the previous month and leave them out of the pot for the next month. I guess that may not be fair though. Anyway, just my dumb idea to add to yours.
Posted by Mike Pulskamp (Member # 3475) on :
Great idea! but only do it once or twice a year. I don't want to re-up twelve years in advance this year! Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
Mike...there's a twist on it I hadn't thought of. Suppose there was a real, real, real nice prize for the special drawing one month. What would keep ya from paying up for next year's dues in order to get in on the drawing? Betcha Steve and Barb would take your money! Wouldn't that be a turnaround?....from not having many paid up residents to having a gang of people who are paid two or three years ahead.
I don't know about you guys, but I'm curious/anxious to hear what Steve and Barb think of my idea.
[ September 01, 2003, 03:40 PM: Message edited by: Don Coplen ]
Posted by dave parr (Member # 3868) on :
Might have something here Don, could it hurt to try it? The proof is in the pudding they say. Posted by Danny Busselle (Member # 3746) on :
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Wouldn't that be a turnaround?....from not having many paid up residents to having a gang of people who are paid two or three years ahead.![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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