Forum

Replies

• PRO

  Phil Voice September 13, 2009 at 8:55pm

  Thanks for starting the ball rolling Graeme - it's never an easy subject (money) to tackle. This is another USP for LJN, discussing as many aspects of the site as possible and letting members decide in a true democracy.
  
  Can I ask, if a trade supplier, say a turf or heavy landscape material company, offered a substantial sponsorship, would members be happy to support those companies?
• 

  Kieran Ray September 13, 2009 at 9:15pm

  I havent actualy been a member for long I beleve about 2 weeks but I am on the site every night! Sad maybe but I find there are so many usefull posts on the forum that it is worth it. I would happily pay for the service especialy as Graeme has sugested having 'private' forum for paid up (more likely to be profesional) members of the site. If supplyers sponserd the site, run competitions etc. especialy tool supplyers then yes I beleve that would be a realy good idea, but Im with Pro Gard on sticking with my own supplyers for materials etc as I have been with them for a good while and feel that it gets me a better service from them.
• 

  Kieran Ray September 13, 2009 at 9:52pm

  That sounds like a good Idea to almost vet people. I know many a qualified horticulturalist that wouldnt know where to start with certain aspects of horticulture but are exelent at others. I dont know if I read what you said right but to make a section of LJN into a directory of qualified, skilled (in the appropreate areas) profesional companys/people. As unless you pay imo an extortionate fee BALI for example there is not a service as such just for horticulture. Also I am sure that there are many companys that belong to such orginisations that dont produce the quality you would expect.
  
  I know from my own experiance being a member of the guild of master crafts man, that one of the conditions you are ment to adhere to is the return of customer questioairs. well I decided that I would do these for all of the jobs a got directly from there sources, Trust a traider etc. Never got 1 from them so they never got a questionair but this was never challanged when they wanted me to renew this year. Admitidly I didnt as it didnot forward my company atall. How did they know the quality of my work was still up to scratch. It is by the way !!!
  
  Karl Harrison said:

  Great site, is Phil earning any money? should he be? could he be earning more?
  
  possibly, definitely, yes
  
  Would I pay to be a member, in short yes. please consider this -
  
  I studied as an aviation apprentice electronic/electrical engineer. I then practiced this training and studied (in my own time) at college and uni' for 7 years. I also studied H&S and Management. Gained many qualifications and after only 12 years - a graduate of the City an Guilds Institute. I then became a full member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology. Probably took over 50 exams and wrote over 100k words in projects etc
  
  Please consider that if we are to pay to be members should there be a selection process or do we let anyone join just because they pay?
  
  Is a qualified horticulturist a garden designer?
  
  Is a landscape Gardener a Horticulturist?
  
  Is a gardener a landscaper?
  
  Is a landscaper a Garden Designer?
  
  What about maintenance?
  
  Perhaps we need to consider the ratification of what we all do in legal terms and then as part of a member of landscape juice become members of thus as -
  
  Landscapers, gardeners, designers etc etc
  
  Perhaps this would then be directed to the public as to who does what and where get the appropriate professional service.
  
  Me thinks…….
  
  
  
  Ian's Garden Services said:

  yes totally agree with above I have found this site and members so helpful and informative would have no problem paying a fee annually, monthly ,whatever great site ,cheers Phil and everyone.
• 

  Sustainable Land Management September 13, 2009 at 11:43pm

  Agree with all LJN is brilliant for us and the industry as a whole. It is at present the only forum where all backgrounds and disicplines can get together.
  
  Personally though, it must not alienate the small firms / students / peripherals and non professionals. Surely the two tier site Philip Voice mentioned is the only option. Pay to be in the landscaping leads and policy groups as well as the blogs. Or a sliding scale based on the size of the business.
  
  Whatever happens the LJN is surely the only group / organisation that is actually moving forward at the moment.
  
  I know the clients and potential clients are referring more and more to LJN and thus proving that the site is fast becoming the dominant web based source out there.
• 

  Classic Gardens September 14, 2009 at 12:25am

  I have learned a great deal since becoming a member and myself am on the site everyday.
  I have no problem paying an annual fee (depending on price) my only concern would be new members would be put off joining thus losing a lot of what ljn is great for, it varity of questions and answers.
• 

  Graeme @ BGS September 14, 2009 at 7:23am

  You are right Pip we mustn't somehow alienate groups of people from the using the site.
  
  If the core features remain free what would we want to see in the "paid members" section? I can foresee this section containing downloaded templates, business advise and guidance, trade price deals and a little bit more.
• 

  Lawncare-4u.co.uk September 14, 2009 at 3:03pm

  2009-09-13 19:06:42 ET
  Does the Advertising and donations not cover the costs ? - to allow users to swop valuable information ? - would contributer's be paid towards helping other members?
  i think advertising is the way forward or links to other sites to gain revenue.
  robin ainsworth
  
  
  - maybe the hobby or amateurs could pay a small fee to benefit from our experience?
  
  seems like its 50/50
  
  i must stress i am not against 'paying ' a small reasonable fee say £15.00 per year. x 500 members !
• 

  Neil Petrie BSc Landscape Mgt September 14, 2009 at 11:34pm

  Paying a fee I believe would give the advantage of helping out fellow professionals. I don't like to think any of our posts would encourage a cowboy to feed his horse anything more apetising, and therefore give him too much benefit. But then by nature of an online forum how do you gauge someone's intent? The original purpose of LJN was to allow knowledge to flow freely for the benefit of all - and the fact that someone was enquiring or eager to learn from others on this network showed good motive, or intent. That was the idea anyway.
  
  As for some kind of vetting, sliding scale, categorising, etc.? Not easily done. ''Landscape'' is a very broad field. Not everyone limits themselves to one avenue. And ditto what Pal said re. admin. What a lot of work for someone (Phil!?!).
  
  Certainly would be interested to see which suppliers would be offering their services....
• PRO

  Phil Voice September 15, 2009 at 3:29pm

  Jonathan
  
  It has never been my desire to make LJN a closed shop. The point of this site was and remains to help every level of business; from start-up's to long established firms, who want to offer something to others in return for snippets of information and advice that helps themselves.
  
  I have a desire to grow the site, not entirely for my own ends but with a genuine ambition to establish something that is a benefit to my/our industry, without demanding a high price from members.
  
  The aim of the poll and the discussions of this week has been to establish a consensus of opinion on how this site should be funded as it grows. The Lime Orchard model isn't something that interests me for LJN - I think it would create exactly the kind of scenario that I find uncomfortable.
  
  If ever we did create a premium tier, no business would be excluded from participation and I would encourage every member to rise to a level that sets themselves above the rest - a free and useful section would remain in place for everyone to use.
  
  My hope is that we can find more than one sponsor who can enjoy wide exposure in return for their financial support. It is not a quick and easy process.
  
  I am pleased that members have been able to discuss the issues and hopefully (eventually) there will be a direction that suits the majority.
  
  All the best
  
  
  Phil
• 

  The Perfumed Garden September 15, 2009 at 5:34pm

  Phil
  
  How does Tony McCormack finance the Paving Expert site?