Icethetics Wants You!
Now, here's the thing. I've put together a 10-question survey asking for your thoughts about Icethetics and its future direction. One of the things I ask about in the survey is the possibility of introducing a paid membership that, for a small fee, would offer users access to exclusive content and news coverage. I want to know what you guys think about this idea and others.
SURVEY NOW CLOSED. THANKS FOR PARTICIPATING!
Big things are on the horizon. A new web site is coming that will make Icethetics more than just a blog. A ton of new features will be introduced without losing the ones you've come to know and love. All in time. But for now, let me know what you think by taking the survey. Thanks guys!
UPDATE (10/20 6:04 PM): Just wanted to clarify some things. I do not actually plan to require payment for anything related to Icethetics ever. I simply wanted to gauge interest. In other words, how much do people like this site? Enough that they'd pay for it? Not to worry though, that won't happen so you don't have to get preemptively angry with me.
At best, I'll offer a donation option simply to cover the costs of the new site. The ads on Icethetics have finally started to warrant putting some money back into it and I believe it will be for the better.
The good news is that part of the new site will be a FREE membership option. However, I currently have no plans to introduce a message board or anything like that, as some have asked. Discussions will remain a part of the comments area of blog posts.
Anyway, I'm still putting ideas together but I should be ready to make an announcement about the new site in a few weeks.
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Reader Comments (15)
done :)
done:)
Done and done... been around for what seems like ages now - back whe the old NHLToL blog was still pretty young actually. It's been great watching the place grow.
If it becomes a paid site, doesn't the whoever he is that helped rename it to Icethetics get a cut or at least free lifetime membership?
WHAT? the polls already closed??? wow... so much for wanting people's opinion if it's only there for a few hours.
He said he only was able to take 100 entries..
i didnt get a chance to take it but could we maybe get a copy of the questions just to see what was asked?
Until Sportslogos.net becomes a pay site (it's now suggested donation only), there is really no way you can charge for content that can be found there as well with some looking around.
I think people would be willing to donate here, but you have no tangible expenses (other than the blood, sweat, and tears of your time) Until you pay for your own namespace and web design, keep it cost free.
But overall, you have done a ridiculously good job growing your site and its content.
I concure with Charlie. As a sportslogos member, I enjoy the plethora of topics within the forum and also it being free whoever has an interest in sports, sports logos, fantasy, etc. Chris Creamer and the board moderators do a fine job of running the forum. I'm sure if you established a Paypal account, a lot of the regulars who visit Icethetics would help chip in with the site maintenance and such (I know I would). We commend you for putting forth a tremendous effort to keep this blog going and hope to see the evolution and growth of it in the coming days, weeks, months, and years. Thank you Chris.
I talked about this in the comments, and I hope that something like this is created here, if a membership is created at all.
I'm a card-carrying member of Uniwatchblog.com. the membership was created because Paul Lukas wanted to try and make a living through his writing, and that if we really enjoyed the site, we were encouraged to get a membership for a minimum of $20 per year. There is no exclusive content, no advantage of being a member, except that you're a part of the community who want to keep the website going and were willing to put a bit of money that way. The $20 guys got a membership card and a magnet, and there were perks for upper level members such as t-shirts and interviews and such, but there wasn't even the slightest forcing of one's hand to sign up.
I think Chris should talk to Paul (he's a great guy) about how he did with the memberships, and that if we had a voluntary yearly membership that simply gave us a card saying that we were members, i'm sure a lot of us would do it. I know I would.
what do you guys think?
If I'm able to get an Icethetics t-shirt or other apparel, I'm in.
Man, whatever happened to the old neighbourhood blog? I miss NHLToL to be honest. It had a community feel. Paying and such will definitely put that away, not to mention stomp on it. Sorry, not that I could vote, but I say that you should keep it less complicated. Only three months ago you moved the blog to a new name and page, and now you want to do more? Too much too quick.
For someone as young as I am, I would totally be against paying. As soon as I see a site that requires pay, I turn away and look for another reliable source. I really hope I won't have to do that to this place.
If I have to pay a fee to read news on here, I'll probably stop coming here, to be honest with you. I stopped frequenting newspaper sites that required that you pay to read their articles. Why? Because I could read news on several free sites elsewhere.
Someone will probably just post your third jersey leaks on HF boards anyway, so what's the point of paying to see it?
The most popular things on the internet are free.
I agree with Hockey Week. A Uni Watch-type membership program would be pretty cool, and I, for one, would definitely be willing to enroll in it. I think charging for content would kind of ruin the appeal of the site, but I understand why Chris would consider it. If he's spending a ton of time on something like this, he may as well be getting some sort of monetary benefit. I think that the Uni Watch idea may serve that purpose.
Charging for information about uniforms that everyone is going to see for free anyway, it's all so wonderfully (United States of) American. I don't think it's a good idea, but perhaps that's just because I'd never pay for something I could get for free elsewhere.