Sean
Admin
As discussed in the previous migration threads. it wasn't an easy decision, and the reality was no decision would please everyone. The final decision came down to my best possible prediction of future outcomes, based on the data I had available over the last decade of site stats and subscription levels. My fear was a niche site entering into a continuous downward trend and a userbase that dwindled to a very small handful AND no funding model. Regarding funding, had only 10-15% of active APUG members contributed the $2 a month subscription fees, I doubt we would have needed to alter things. Keep in mind, many small forums are struggling, trying to compete with social media platforms (social, chat, image) is challenging if not depressing. Has our pivot to a more encompassing venue been a success? We may not know for a few years. From a systems admin standpoint definitely, financially we're the same or just slightly better, however, the real work on building the new areas hasn't begun yet. This was initially about survival and getting a framework in place to carry the community into the future. Ideally, I would hire some staff, throw 250k at marketing and we'd be on our way, but keeping the lights on is hard enough. I am caught up in moving house right now but have plans after this (mid-Dec.) to begin more work on growing the site. For example, I know some other owners running managed social media giveaways that have a reach of 25-50k photographers per contest. Instead of letting social media kill us, we can leverage it to boost our visibility and draw in new members. Ideas for giveaways include fine prints, unique analog equipment or materials, digital equipment and materials, etc. I'd like to run two promotions per month, 1 analog focused and one digital-focused. I'm already reaching out to several manufacturers and will think about contacting some photographers as well.
Sean
Sean