Just a Quick Note:
Growth is great, I appriciate it as much as everyone. But unnoticed by many, we have voice,video and text chat where many members spend HOURS a DAY and if you miss any of these, you miss the most active and LIVE interaction.
As far as Fund Raisers, we don't need them, to stay commercial free is well handled by the contributions from the members WITHOUT having a set months aside for people to contribute.
Beemaster has been around about 10 years, has been No.1 beekeeping Forum for 4 years UNTIL Others allowed Gooooogle ads on their site and MAGICALLY they rise above us.
I don't like getting gimmicky with contests, but I surely would love all members here to mention or print up a set of cards (I have a pdf template) and hand them out at clubs and groups or you honey stand.
Bjorne, we are doing fine, we aren't looking for 10 thousand members JUST so we have endless material to work on. Our pace is nice, it is growing, everything in it's time I believe.
We think differently here, Quanity means nothing without quality - I've always said I'd rather have 1000 great members than 10 thousand crappy ones. For those who migrate from other forums to here, they are very welcome - new beekeepers and anyone with questions too make it our way often.
Remember too, our numbers reflect REAL MEMBERS who have been active, not just registered, or those who never post - many just read and never post - sadly, but true.
With TV, Audio and Texting, PMs and Forums and Emails - I think our members already have plenty of ways (more than any other forum I know of) and if someone isn't using the great special features, they are seriously missing out on friendships.
Just last night, I cooked a complete dinner with the cam and audio on, I'll be announcing in the calendar the next cooking shows and we'll see how many viewers. I have had up to 16 people watching my cam and over 14 people hacve online cams now and dozens come into Ventrilo voice chat.
Please, anyone come up with member drives, that is cool - simply writing the forum address down for someone will get them here :)
I'm proud of what we have done, any dropping of placement in major search engines is because we stay PRIVATE and COMMERCIAL FREE - not to forget family friendly. Find another forum out there like that, and I'll show you an imitator :)
Thanks :)