How do you support your forum ($$$)?

[Frankenstein]

In the case of community boards (non-commercial rec or hobby forums), how do you support the high cost of hosting? Do most of you charge for 'premium' memberships? I know that ads are taboo on a community board, but what about 'sponsorships' from closely related and reputable vendors?

I am looking to start a few boards, but don't want them to get popular, then I can't afford to support them, and wham-o everyone is left in the cold...

[drumsy]

Purehonda has two fronts at the moment to support our boards. One being attracting sponsers that cater to our members needs. As we are an aftermarket support board for anything Honda or Acura, there are a lot of companies out there.

Secondly, we are in the process of implementing an "Elite Membership Program." For approximately 20 dollars a year, or 3 dollars a month, Elite Members get full access to all forums, indepth how-to's and walkthroughs, discounts at major vendors, free products, etc. Since our site is non-profite, all revenue will be turned around towards our members in the form of sponserships at car shows and racing, both drag and autocross.

[George L]

for me affiliate programs like amazon.com, animenation.com, rightstuf.com, cj.com and then i just started getting some anime related sponsors hopefully i'll attract more attention to my sites/forum

Also i'm getting to into the web hosting biz catering to my visitors/members ...

[Thomas P]

Re: How do you support your forum ($$$)?

Originally posted by Frankenstein
how do you support the high cost of hosting?

We are a bunch of 30 people (board staff), so I divide the price by 30,
cu,
-Tom

[mjames]

We sell advertising and use ad networks to sell the rest of our inventory. I guess I'm like our site hasn't required us to move to a dedicated or semi-dedicated server yet. Then, I'll have a problem.

[Dave#]

Prostitution - I pimp myself out ...

[rockergrrl]

I'm a hobo... I go around asking for money....

[Martin]

I roll winos and street musicians

[freehtml]

Which banner ads program is the best??

I had join tons of afiliate program that include CJ, Linkshare,Amazon...etc

I had approach some ads company like BurstMedia, but seems like the no of targeted audience for Roamnce of three kingdoms related site i snot that great..

I had been using my own pocket money since Day 1..wonder how long can the site survive..

[klisis]

My site is being sponsored by the same one as Eva has.

[George L]

Originally posted by klisis
My site is being sponsored by the same one as Eva has.

yeah noticed that a few days back

[CoolMike]

I don't smoke and drink alcohol anymore, now I have enough money for my hobby...


Mike

[George L]

Originally posted by CoolMike
I don't smoke and drink alcohol anymore, now I have enough money for my hobby...


Mike

i don't drink alcohol or smoke period and never will.. but still doesn't mean i have any more money than before

[chrispadfield]

i am currently getting $300/month in subscriptions ($5/month) from my members.

[Steve Machol]

I have a main sponsor for the entire site, plus another sponsor for the monthly newsletter. I'm currently offering sponsored forums and some other enticements that I hope will generate more income.