Forum updates, info, costings and plans

What can the Admins do to help, any requests for changes, updates, etc.
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weeksy
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Re: Forum updates, info, costings and plans

Post by weeksy »

Skub wrote: Thu Jun 10, 2021 12:07 pm
weeksy wrote: Thu Jun 10, 2021 11:32 am Subscriptions have slowed massively lately to a standstill, I had to actually check it was all working still lol.

We've got a few upcoming renewals soon but at the moment it seems the membership is a little frozen, both in terms of posters and subscriptions.

However that doesn't mean I'm unhappy, I think the forum is doing brilliantly and the content is excellent.
There's a core of regulars here (as with any forum,I suppose) so there's bound to be a point where subs/new members reach a peak and the uptake slows. As you rightly say the place is pleasantly busy with enough variation to amuse most folk. It can be difficult to establish an entertaining and regular format without becoming samey and tedious and so far that series of balls are well juggled.

Provided the current income covers the outgoings,then all is good. :thumbup:
We're not on the breadline yet, but I was hoping to do a few more giveaways etc this year but currently that may not be until Xmas. Lol.
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Re: Forum updates, info, costings and plans

Post by Yorick »

How do we check?
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Re: Forum updates, info, costings and plans

Post by weeksy »

Yorick wrote: Thu Jun 10, 2021 7:40 pmHow do we check?
You'll get emails.
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Re: Forum updates, info, costings and plans

Post by Skub »

Yorick wrote: Thu Jun 10, 2021 7:40 pmHow do we check?
There is also a little box top left which gives a drop down menu. At the bottom of the list is 'subscriptions',it shows you options and when your subs expire.
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Re: Forum updates, info, costings and plans

Post by weeksy »

Potter wrote: Sat Jun 12, 2021 3:21 am
weeksy wrote: Thu Jun 10, 2021 11:32 am Subscriptions have slowed massively lately to a standstill, I had to actually check it was all working still lol.

We've got a few upcoming renewals soon but at the moment it seems the membership is a little frozen, both in terms of posters and subscriptions.

However that doesn't mean I'm unhappy, I think the forum is doing brilliantly and the content is excellent.
I reckon there is a ceiling to it in terms of numbers, there are only so many people into motorbikes and only so many motorbike enthusiasts who want to post on forums.

And over the years I've seen a few forums turn into clown shows when they get too popular, so you have to be careful what you wish for.

You needn't worry about the money side of things, we can bicker like kids but we all value this for what it is and there are enough people that will put their hand in their pocket to keep it running.
Thanks mate. I'm not worried, promise. We're all good. It's a good point though

I would like to see it grow in terms of things like builds, track reports and even touring, but that's just me, rather than it being a problem
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Re: Forum updates, info, costings and plans

Post by Trinity765 »

Potter wrote: Sat Jun 12, 2021 3:21 am
I reckon there is a ceiling to it in terms of numbers, there are only so many people into motorbikes and only so many motorbike enthusiasts who want to post on forums.

And over the years I've seen a few forums turn into clown shows when they get too popular, so you have to be careful what you wish for.

You needn't worry about the money side of things, we can bicker like kids but we all value this for what it is and there are enough people that will put their hand in their pocket to keep it running.
What he said although there is a consistently high number of new bikers around - I see it as never ending stream of new blood. I'm part of a club that has at least one new person join every day with them hearing about us via Google searches, Facebook or word of mouth and we have a cull once a year to get rid of inactive members. I think part of the problem is when you say "a forum" they say "a what?" but if you say "a Facebook group" they say "ok, what's it called?". We run events from the website Groups.Place which is similar to Meetup - it's like a forum but there is no banter, only ride outs.

FWIW - I like it here as it's easy and peaceful and sometimes it makes me laugh :D
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Re: Forum updates, info, costings and plans

Post by weeksy »

We have a FB group, but I don't know how active it is as I don't do Facebook
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Re: Forum updates, info, costings and plans

Post by Trinity765 »

The biggest groups on Facebook are bike specific, café (location) specific, biker camping, trackdays and meeting ups and riding. RTTL is none of these.
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Re: Forum updates, info, costings and plans

Post by Horse »

Trinity765 wrote: Sat Jun 12, 2021 10:16 am The biggest groups on Facebook are bike specific, café (location) specific, biker camping, trackdays and meeting ups and riding. RTTL is none of these.
Is that what Weeksy - perhaps without realising it - is intending, with the 'builds, track reports and even touring' list?

If so, then is the need SEO work to improve search results? Albeit to do that, you need to know whether the target audience will even be searching and, if so, what terms and keywords.
Even bland can be a type of character :wave:
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Re: Forum updates, info, costings and plans

Post by Rockburner »

weeksy wrote: Sat Jun 12, 2021 7:06 am
Potter wrote: Sat Jun 12, 2021 3:21 am
weeksy wrote: Thu Jun 10, 2021 11:32 am Subscriptions have slowed massively lately to a standstill, I had to actually check it was all working still lol.

We've got a few upcoming renewals soon but at the moment it seems the membership is a little frozen, both in terms of posters and subscriptions.

However that doesn't mean I'm unhappy, I think the forum is doing brilliantly and the content is excellent.
I reckon there is a ceiling to it in terms of numbers, there are only so many people into motorbikes and only so many motorbike enthusiasts who want to post on forums.

And over the years I've seen a few forums turn into clown shows when they get too popular, so you have to be careful what you wish for.

You needn't worry about the money side of things, we can bicker like kids but we all value this for what it is and there are enough people that will put their hand in their pocket to keep it running.
Thanks mate. I'm not worried, promise. We're all good. It's a good point though

I would like to see it grow in terms of things like builds, track reports and even touring, but that's just me, rather than it being a problem
I think things like that will come in time. Things like touring reports will happen when more people are doing things like that (post lockdown).
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Re: Forum updates, info, costings and plans

Post by Trinity765 »

When I said RTTL is none of these things, it would be more accurate to say that it's all of those things.
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Re: Forum updates, info, costings and plans

Post by Yorick »

Trinity765 wrote: Sat Jun 12, 2021 12:15 pm When I said RTTL is none of these things, it would be more accurate to say that it's all of those things.
Make your mind up woman.

How are us mere blokes supposed to keep up :(
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Re: Forum updates, info, costings and plans

Post by Jody »

Yorick wrote: Sat Jun 12, 2021 12:42 pm
Trinity765 wrote: Sat Jun 12, 2021 12:15 pm When I said RTTL is none of these things, it would be more accurate to say that it's all of those things.
Make your mind up woman.

How are us mere blokes supposed to keep up :(
We're not!! once you figure that out, life gets easier :lol: :lol:
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Re: Forum updates, info, costings and plans

Post by Yorick »

Jody wrote: Sat Jun 12, 2021 2:06 pm
Yorick wrote: Sat Jun 12, 2021 12:42 pm
Trinity765 wrote: Sat Jun 12, 2021 12:15 pm When I said RTTL is none of these things, it would be more accurate to say that it's all of those things.
Make your mind up woman.

How are us mere blokes supposed to keep up :(
We're not!! once you figure that out, life gets easier :lol: :lol:
We can't let them think they are winning.
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Re: Forum updates, info, costings and plans

Post by weeksy »

Now I'm not looking for anyone to get their wallets out, but please do remember to resubscribe when yours expires.
Due to funding the Pembrey extravaganza event for Trinity765, let's just say the cupboards are bare, I even had to put in some money of my own for it. Which I'm 100% fine with.

So do keep an eye out for when you're due to renew, we'll have enough in there for when our monies need paying don't worry.
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Re: Forum updates, info, costings and plans

Post by cheb »

Or take advantage of this offer: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=3123

weeksy gets money, you get pannier rails and I have less crap in my shed. Win win win.
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Re: Forum updates, info, costings and plans

Post by weeksy »

Wow.... just been reading on another forum
Totting up the numbers since I took on the forum nearly a year ago, the combination of merchandise sales, bit of sponsorship ******, kick back from ******** subscriptions and the affiliate deal with *******, the £1200/year rent has been met.

I'm going to do a deal with an insurance company for a similar kick back deal, but I guess there's no harm in having a crowd fund page too for folk who don't want a subscription to ****, or some merchandise, or want to shop at *******.
Either i'm doing something right in terms of forum costings, or i'm missing out somewhere... but £1200 a year is a chunk of change.

If our bills reach that figure, we'll be out of business for sure.

We're not exactly over-flowing with forum funds currently.... but the wolf is far from the door and locked in a cage with an Almax :)
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Re: Forum updates, info, costings and plans

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

Some people need to put some effort in, after Weeksy, Yorick has top post count, how many times does he post about sunshine and cheap beer?
KFB is 2nd, I'm a lowly 5th, anyone under 4000 posts needs to up their game :D
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Re: Forum updates, info, costings and plans

Post by Skub »

Yeah,some folk out there need to stop having so much of a life. :thumbup:
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Re: Forum updates, info, costings and plans

Post by Yorick »

Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Wed Dec 01, 2021 1:26 pm Some people need to put some effort in, after Weeksy, Yorick has top post count, how many times does he post about sunshine and cheap beer?
KFB is 2nd, I'm a lowly 5th, anyone under 4000 posts needs to up their game :D
I post about bike rides all year round. No bugger else does :)