I don't post much, but you can count on me signing up when you roll this out. The no ads and faster load time sold it for me.

You might also want to think of a Premium Member Newsletter, maybe once a week or month send a email to all premium member with any forum updates, and advanced notice on DVDtalk deals.

I'll be signing up when this comes 'round.

But, I agree: "Premium member" needs a little work.

One more thought on custom titles: if I see that someone is a "Legend" or a "Hall of Fame" member, I am pretty impressed -- this is someone who has been around the forum for a while, who knows where all the bodies are buried, and whose opinions may actually matter.

No offense, but if David_M and das Monkey both had the title of "Premium Member" that would be sukekekeke. Maybe a paid member could choose to either have the title of
"Premium Member" OR their standard DVDTalk title?

Also: yeah, "Premium Member" does need a lot of work. How about something like... "Tender Member"? Or "Huge Member"?

It's interesting to see how much people are hung up on the title...Geoff, I think you could charge $50/year just for granting the ability to change a person's title at will (their own preferably)...

I am not bent out of shape with the whole subscription concept, however, I will urge you to keep one thing in mind (which I believe you are) the people make the forum what it is, from posting deals, discussing movies/music/etc. to ragging on TopBunk...we don't want to lose any of them....

I think you have done a great job so far and I am confident you will make the right decisions!! This is far and away one of my favorite sites to visit...

Member envy?

I think this is a great idea, and will gladly pay up.

I agree that custom titles for subscribers would be a definite plus, as would avatars.

As you said, the key is to offer enough benefits to get people to subscribe while trying not to isolate the non-subscribers.

Another forum with a paid subscription option is www.ars-technica.com. Although, I guess they are twice as expensive at $15/3 months.

Not really...I like having a cool title as much as the next guy or gal but didn't you notice that the five or more people who posted prior to myself all commented about the titles...

I may not be a legend or a hero or an orange but I have been around since 1999 which is something I am proud of..four years in a couple months....amazing how time flies...

I think you have raised a good point. Perhaps a ADDITIONAL thing to indicate status of premium? Like "DVDtalk Legend *premium*"?

This is the best suggestion on the titles I've heard yet!!!

- G

So I guess Founder is out of the question

Maybe this:

Dvd Talk Legend
*Premium*

adding a new line( if this is even possible)

I agree with Randy on the titles. Lots of people would freak if they lost them.

What about a one time higher entry free. It could be based on what you can afford. Say it starts at $25 but give some other recognition to higher initial fee like color of title

And then a lower annual of $9.99.

For some of us $50 is no big deal but for others there would be no way. So this way you could get support form those that wanted/could give more and then still had a ongoing income source closer to what other sites are charging.

What about monthly raffles for Premium Members? It could be dvd's and/or donations from members. Some of us might be able to help with this !

I just want to be able to edit Randyc's title just once

The force is strong with this one...

orange is already taken

For the titles, how about either adding a $$$ before the title ie - "$$$ DVDtalk Legend" or just make them a different color and bolded. Half the fun of titles are the custom ones that mods have (incredulously at times) given members. Taking that away would be a step back.

As far as disallowing the search function, I have seen other paid forums that do that, and I have no problem with it. You can still search via Google, it's just more convenient to have it as a feature of the board. $$=convenience, just like no ads. You should at least let premium members search for three letter words.

Perhaps another forum for preferred members would be something like a "flame-pit" where regular forum rules for decorum are abandoned and anyone can post what they like uncensored.

Another idea is an option for members to allow their email/IM info to be available for view by none(save admins), all premium members, or all members.

$30/year is cheap compared to the amount of money I've saved on deals (dvdbargains & otherbargains) and therapy (other). You mentioned special deals. You can always go the route of giving premium members an extra discount. For instance let's say 10% off xxxxxxx store for regular forum members, but 20% off for premium members.

This is exactlly what I had in mind as I was reading through posts, but you had already posted it. Great idea.

just a suggestion.. but how about if premium members get *twikoff* after their title?

if that doesnt encourage everyone to sign up.. I dont know what would!

It would work for me

Just tell me where to signup.

Well, I don't care for avatars or neat titles, but I would still pay. I would like to see a lifetime membership option, that way I don't to hassle with it. I do think that $30 is a bit pricey, I would pay for it, but it seems kinda high.

the price of this service seems so hiiiigh, doesn't it seem hiiigh? it just seems so hiiiiigh.

I can assure you that whatever price we set it at, there will DEFINATELY be specials and discounts. Already planning a super hot membership sale for people who sign up right at launch. So I'm sure there will be a number of opportunities for people to get a good deal on membership

I will sign up as well. DVDTalk keeps me off the streets.