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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Regular MN users who don't pay subs...

136 replies

CountessDracula · 02/11/2005 11:22

Just wondering why?

Have you forgotten, can you not afford it, do you just think it's not necessary?

Not trying to force anyone to pay, just curious

OP posts:
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Mog · 11/11/2005 20:46

How much do book authors get? Was surprised at the only £300 figure from the mumsnet book.

logs · 03/11/2005 15:07

no prblem il get the relevant number for you asoon as i can

hunkermunker · 03/11/2005 14:19

Wasn't there a thread a while back about different ideas for the MN funding issue?

Did anything come of MNers offering their services?

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 03/11/2005 14:17

Thank you logs - would love a contact number - we have tried Asda in the past and got nowhere.

logs · 03/11/2005 13:40

hi justine have you ever contacted Asda to advertise?
i work in our local asda as team trainer for checkouts and they do several baby week promos during a year of which i cant see there being a problem with mn advertising with. also you and asda could put together advertising slide shots down the baby food aisle.
if you could get the advertising i think itl be fantastic.
i can get a hold of contact numbers if you wish

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 03/11/2005 13:27

Sadly they only pay once!

munz · 03/11/2005 13:24
MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 03/11/2005 13:22

Fraid so - it's not so much that our running costs are high, more that our revenue isn't what you might think it is.
Books revenue this year for eg about £300
TV revenue - nil

Other large sites usually are backed or owned by someone with deep pockets or are a lot more obviously commercial - think pop ups, overlays, and formula ads. Small sites are 1 or 2 man bands and suspect it's mostly a labour of love for them too.

Anyway we don't want to harp on about our impecunity (violins back in cases) as no one's holding a gun to our head to do this. Plus, as we've said, it's entirely up to you as to whether you choose to subscribe and there are plenty of other ways to contribute. When we are commercially viable, in that we can pay something approaching market-related salaries to the people who work on mumsnet then we will not have a subs scheme. Hopefully that day's on the not too distant horizon.

peckarollover · 03/11/2005 12:11

Are the running costs really so high that the book sales, advertising revenue, TV appearances and affiliate deals don't cover it?

not being contentious at all just wonder how other sites that dont have books in major bookshops etc cope without subs? Do they normally have a rich person backing them?

MNHQ
carriemumsnet · 03/11/2005 11:51

Can't do bank transfers at the moment, but we are looking into alternative ways to pay, so will bear the suggestion in mind.
Thanks

zippitippitoes · 03/11/2005 08:42

Just to raise my head again on this thread rather cautiously

for those who would like to pay subs but want to do so monthly or at some alternative interval of their own choosing as it is a voluntary donation could just send small amounts from a pound or two upwards

whenever they felt like it..

as well as clicking on adverts and making their wise posts regularly

NotQuiteChristmasSkribble · 02/11/2005 23:21

Never even knew there was a request for contributions. I just go straight into the forum, don't bother with home page. As there is advertising I don't feel the need to contribute.

If anyone wants to contribute to by business you can do so on my website .

Sorry thats a bit cheeky, I appreciate that it is voluntary.

Norton · 02/11/2005 22:56

Can we do a regular bank transfer (if we can't do DD or SO's)?

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 02/11/2005 22:48

Got quite enough DDs (and DHs for that matter) around here already sadly .

milward · 02/11/2005 22:47

I click on the adverts.

munz · 02/11/2005 22:46

could I pay in DHs then if u're accepting DD's!

Miaou · 02/11/2005 22:45

Thanks for that Justine. I have just thought - I always enter ebay and amazon by clicking through mumsnet, and if I'm looking for baby things I look on your ads page to see if I can click through it - so I guess I have contributed financially in some small way. Makes me feel better anyway!

Fauve · 02/11/2005 22:28

You can have dd instead of money if you like, Justine. She's difficult, though.

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 02/11/2005 22:17

Yes maybe a spring subs week would be better - when everyone's feeling full of the joys.
thanks Flamesparrow.
ps if anyone would like to send us some money they can do so here

flamesparrow · 02/11/2005 22:04

A quick point Justine... possibly not new year - everyone is skint after Christmas

xxxx

Flum · 02/11/2005 22:02

ahh, thats nice Justine. Always so sensible and level headed.

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 02/11/2005 22:00

Hello all,

Thought we'd clear up a few queries re subs. We do send out a couple of mails - one 3 months after you've joined and then an annual reminder. However if you specify you never want to receive mail from us I suspect (will check with Tech but he's out on the town tonight) we don't bother you.

We intend to have an annual subscription week too (just to make sure everyone knows about subs) but haven't got around to it yet - new year maybe... We are also looking into other payment methods - paypal, dd - to make things easier and will get back to you before year end hopefully on that.

Those who pay subs by credit card get automatically listed on the subscribers list (with the nickname that they currently have in use) if they choose to do so. If you've sent a cheque you'll be listed if you include the info we ask you to include on the "how to subscribe page" on the back of your cheque. There's sometimes a few weeks between you sending us a cheque and us collecting cheques from PO box and processing it, so there may be a delay in you being listed as a subscriber - if you have chosen to be should be on the list and are not, please do contact us ([email protected]) and we'll look into it and sort it out.

We have a subs scheme in place because at the moment we don't earn enough commercially to pay the wages of those who work on the site. As and when that situation changes (sooner rather than later hopefully) we will drop the scheme. It is voluntary though - as we've always said we don't want to exclude anyone who can't afford to pay. What's more, as some have mentioned there are plenty of other ways to contribute without sending any money. Send a review, use our shopping partners, click on an advert or answer someone's query and you're helping mumsnet stay in business.

Having said that, many thanks to all who've subscribed - it is a truly generous act as you get no extra benefits for your money and it is much appreciated. That said we really don't keep an eye on who's paid and who's not so please don't feel pressured - the choice is entirely yours and there are some valid arguments, as voiced here, not to subscribe.

Cheers,
MNHQ

hoxtonchick · 02/11/2005 20:32

i have paid in the past & am now uptodate. agree that reminders would be helpful.

Gobblediguy · 02/11/2005 20:29

I don't pay - basically for all the reasons Hunker outlines. Also agree with Hattie and Custy.

Dear me, really must try to form some thoughts of my own

WigWamBam · 02/11/2005 20:14

I know, cod, I know ... I was being a bit flippant

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