[jamx551]

Hi All,

Im planning to run a Graphic Designers Forum.

I would like to solicit your ideas how I could earn $$$ from the members aside from the banner advertisers.

Ofcourse it will be free to join on the forum.

What are your ideas?

[jeter4982]

text link advertising
run contests that need an entry fee (a 50/50 raffle for example)
sell stuff

[jamx551]

Thanks jeter..

Followup question:

Is there a way where I can charge fees for special members?

I mean do you also have ideas on what special members' privilege will be?

THanks

[jeter4982]

i am sure there is a script out there? is the forum going to be in phpbb? if so, i know a script for what you want. also, this script can allow you to give paying members exclusive rights, such as:

post in paying members forums (which do not show up to regular members)

you could also give them access to exlusive contests for them, and access to something like an arcade

[Qwert]

Best way would be donations...

[jamx551]

Thanks guyz, both your sugegstions are cool.

I think donations would best!

Another thought.. How much do you pay Moderators for a Forum? Or do we have people who can moderate for free?

[Rob]

For example have Bronze, Silver and Gold membership. Each group has different priviledages, such as the size or quantity of uploads to your server. There could be a currency much like NP, where memebers can purchase services or graphics from others.

To upload to your server, im sure many people wouldnt mind paying a small fee, even if its only $10 per year. If you have 100 members pay it 100 * 10 = $100.

If your forum ends up with 1000 + members, well Im sure that the money would roll in QUICKLY.

Hope that helps a little?

[jamx551]

THanks Rob

That sure will help! I have noted all these things!

[Nunim]

Depends on the forum software used I can help you make subscriptions.

[P10n33R]

Originally Posted by Rob

To upload to your server, im sure many people wouldnt mind paying a small fee, even if its only $10 per year. If you have 100 members pay it 100 * 10 = $100. ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/the-break-room/59183-ideas-to-earn-from-a-forum.html If your forum ends up with 1000 + members, well Im sure that the money would roll in QUICKLY. Hope that helps a little?

Might want to fix that math.

[jamx551]

Is VBulletin v 3.0.3 ok?

Is it userfriendly and provides lots of features?

Or do you have other script that is much better?

[P10n33R]

I would say Vbull. is the best forum script.

[jeter4982]

Originally Posted by jamx551

Thanks guyz, both your sugegstions are cool. I think donations would best! Another thought.. How much do you pay Moderators for a Forum? Or do we have people who can moderate for free?

Most moderators will work for free. Some forums pay them in the forum currency, like NP $, but most just work for free.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=59183

by the way, vbulletin is definitely the best, but also the most expensive. if you have the cash, go for it though

[yz0rx]

I must admit, vBulletin is probably the best for members. Couldn't tell you about installation or maintaining, never had a chance to admin or moderate a vBulletin forum. I did mess around with phpBB a few times. It was extremely easy to install and setup.

I was actually thinking about making a simple mod for forums that will help generate some extra support money from the forum's advocates. It would be easy to create and apply but I never actually followed through on it since I don't even operate any serious forum.... lol, but anyways. The modification consists of editing the the left panel of posts (where your name, amount of posts, etc are displayed) and adding whether the member donated or not. ie. Donator: No or Donator: Yes ($4.00). This'll give members more of a motive to donate since it gives them a chance to let their fellow community know they pitched in without even having to give the best advice . And if you use StormPay or Paypal you can create a automatic way of accepting and updating the database using data transfer. This mod will work like a charm if your members are happy with what you got going for them. I know I've parted with some of my money to help a few forums I found to be really helpful to me.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=59183

Who knows, somebody might have already created a similar. Try googling it. (donate mods, donation mods, donate +forum mods, etc)