LJN - what is it worth ? - Forum - Landscape Juice Network

I started a post last week over our Hort Week subscriptions. Well, we got talking internally and decided we would not renew this year (http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/hort-week-subscriptions). This was followed by an idea to contribute a regular amount to LJN. A subject raised previously on LJN,,,,,

When I look at the cost of printed magazines, Sunday papers etc, Latte coffees etc, I reckon LJN has to be worth something. Problem is, I don't know how much ?

LJN is growing fast, but surely it must be under some financial burden to provide the time, infrastructure, hosting charges etc to enable us all to have unlimited access?

I've got used to having LJN as a valuable resource on my laptop to air views, rant a bit, ask for help, offer some experience or just go researching areas that cause my guys and business problems.

I would be happier to know it has funding from its members to survive, grow and remain an independent, professional voice (excuse the pun),

What's your view - what should we contribute ?

Comments?

martin said:

I would be more than happy to pay let's get the ball rolling and say £50 per year!
With that I would want a members area which should include access to all archive posts, templets for invoices, h+s etc etc and a few other benifits.

As you know Martin, we keep re-visiting this topic and only the "regulars" appear happy to see a paid up members section, the majority are against it and whilst I appreciate their views, most in my book only want the site as a source for free information.

Phil is getting more paid sponsors which I guess helps in some small way to off set his time and cost but I am sure it doesn't cover the real expenses or reflect the number of hours he puts in. So until then donations will be the only way to keep Phil from going without all that Fench wine and cheese.

In answer to Gary's question I think £50 per year as a small token donation or from £150 - £350 per year if we had an exclusive area.

Replies

Classic Gardens February 5, 2010 at 4:50pm

I would be more than happy to pay let's get the ball rolling and say £50 per year!

With that I would want a members area which should include access to all archive posts, templets for invoices, h+s etc etc and a few other benifits.
Graeme @ BGS February 5, 2010 at 5:16pm

martin said:
I would be more than happy to pay let's get the ball rolling and say £50 per year!
With that I would want a members area which should include access to all archive posts, templets for invoices, h+s etc etc and a few other benifits.

As you know Martin, we keep re-visiting this topic and only the "regulars" appear happy to see a paid up members section, the majority are against it and whilst I appreciate their views, most in my book only want the site as a source for free information.

Phil is getting more paid sponsors which I guess helps in some small way to off set his time and cost but I am sure it doesn't cover the real expenses or reflect the number of hours he puts in. So until then donations will be the only way to keep Phil from going without all that Fench wine and cheese.

In answer to Gary's question I think £50 per year as a small token donation or from £150 - £350 per year if we had an exclusive area.
PRO

Gary RK February 5, 2010 at 5:40pm

My initial comments relate to helping support the LJN until it is funded by either some form of membership and/or advertising and/or sponsorship.

I have not specifically mentioned memberships / exclusive areas as I do not know what LJN's value proposition would/could be with this direction. Phil has outlined some possibilities in previous posts.

As an individual and as a landscape business owner, I would be happy to donate (which I have and will do again....) and also consider any membership value proposition that may originate from Phil and/or intersted parties.

I just feel I have found a valuable resource (ie LJN and all its contributors) and want to ensure it has a future when our industry is not fully represented by other bodies.
Anthony Toop February 5, 2010 at 5:45pm

I would be happy to pay an annual fee for membership with certain benefits, the trouble is this normally means that only paid up members have the ability to post to the forum and those 'free' members can view but not participate in any discussions or ask questions without paying said membership fee. I think the whole ethos of the LJN forum is the ability to find info and ask for help and a fee to do just that would not benefit LJN as a whole.
PRO

Craig McGinty February 5, 2010 at 6:41pm

Pro Gard said:
To date I have Donated £100 to the site In 2009 and will donate a similar amount if not more this year.

I would prefer if we did have membership then a receipt could be given and the donation would be tax alowable and I could justify giving more.

Hi Paul,
Doesn't the PayPal buton in the right hand column enable you to donate some money and receive a receipt for your own records?
That's most probably the simplest way to support what is being offered through the network.
Craig
PRO

Phil Voice February 5, 2010 at 7:20pm

Craig is correct...an invoice is issued directly if you pay via Paypal. I am also happy to email an invoice to anyone who requests one after making a donation.
PRO

Nick @ NM Garden Services Ltd February 5, 2010 at 9:13pm

I think I would be happy for £50 per year. I have never asked and would never ask other members what they donate but it is always useful to know :)

I don't think it should be compulsory to donate otherwise it might put people off from contributing altogether and that would be a shame.

The LJ network has so far been beneficial for my business and has probably saved me money and has definitely answered some of my questions or reinforced my own opinions!
Debbie Carroll February 5, 2010 at 9:57pm

As a very new member I didn't realise this issue. I am loving the wide range of topics discussed & that those contributing are from such a diverse range of landscape related areas, I've never done any social network sites so don't know how this usually all works.

I have found the site very useful already but if a fee were charged I'm not sure I'd have joined unless there was a grace period to truely gain a feel of how valuable this could be as a resource. Maybe a 3 month free period then the £5o or some of the services on the site could have a nominal fee so allowing flexability to suit budget & still keep the wide range of views coming into the site.
PRO

Gary RK February 6, 2010 at 11:31am

I think it important to reiterate that the original post spoke about supporting the site via voluntary donations UNTIL such time any proposition is put forward regarding possible paid membership options.

We all seem happy to spend a 50p to a £1 a day on a newspaper etc to get information, news etc. So why not adopt the same here ?

Surely life is full of give and take, the trouble I see is that if we all 'take', where is the 'give' ?

I want this site to continue and remain a credible and independent group. We have good dialogue, interesting issues posed and a huge variety of responses. People gain a lot from this site, but it is in itself is a 'business' that has to at least break even....

So for the future, I can see 'donations', 'membership', 'advertising' or 'sponsorship' as a means of funding.

Which is the best method is down to us all to decide....?
Graeme @ BGS February 6, 2010 at 1:50pm

Ace Garden Services - John said:
Another way of looking at it would be to use the analogy of a party, - would you turn up at a party without wine or beer , and then start drinking everyones booze.

A few people on the site are donating to it, while everyone else is getting drunk on the knowledge provided, free of charge.

Works for me LOL
Try this trick next time you are down the pub.