Dump the dead accounts first, see what that does. Then, work on the look of the site a bit...add those extra categories, etc. THEN, see about adding an auction area.
I'll promote the heck out of it. I'll donate to the cost of the software, if you have to buy something specialized for that (though I don't think you'd have to, seems like there's some open source stuff that could be used). =)
(Edit: I've peeped at 262 accounts so far, and 139 of them were 'dead'...no uploads this year, whatsoever.)
http://www.artwanted.com/mb/topic.cfm?Topic=315273
Basic housekeeping appears to be a given (get rid of the obsolete accounts to release bandwith, etc).
Now, they need to re-structure their membership options to reflect the use of their clientele. Free trial period for everyone, Basic Membership (nominal fee for those that just want to play on the forums/amateur works/casual uploads), and Premium (sales based).
The Premium Membership should have considerably higher benefits for those that want to sell & the services/categories etc should cater to those needs...separating those works clearly from the non-selling artists.
This is a TRANSITION period - until Andy decides what he actually wants AW to be, no business plan can be put into place. I'd be interested to know how HE sees the site now. If he just wants it to remain as simply an "artist's community", with sales as a mere by-product, then...we can't expect anyone to accept more than what he's offered (as it's been offered).
But the reaction of some on this thread has changed my opinion, at leat on the feeling of community. I thought this site was about about bringing artists together, to share our work. I feel like free users like myself are being attacked because we don't or can't spend money to keep this site going. It's like, if you don't have the money, get the ~bleep~ out, who cares how much you've uploaded or how active you are in the forums, you aren't worth keeping around.
I know I'm in the minority, but like I said before, if this site would go paid members only, I'd have to leave. I like this website, but just out of college and looking for a full time job, $39 for a year of premium memembership is not something I can spend freely. Even if I had the money to spend, would I spend it here? The perks of a premium memebership do not compare to what other sites offer, who have much less restrictions uploading for free accounts and who's paid memeberships offer far more perks.
Perhaps that's why those sites are doing better than AW - you get more for your dollar. It's not like I'm against AW or want to see it go down in proveribal flames - it would be a business decision in the end, where would my money better be spent?
In the end I have to agree with Karen - AW has to figure out what it wants to be - a commuity for artists to come together or a sales/money focused site. And if the focus is going to be on making a profit, well, that's something I didn't sign up for.
I do feel that if payment was required, censorship should be lifted. I do love the site; I have only experienced a few problems as far as downtime, and an apology was never expected -- it was a pleasant surprise. I refer people to AW as much as I can, to become members or to look for artwork to buy. But, I have found other sites that are free to join and do not have a limit of images per month, and have had some luck with exposure there as well. AW is, however, more "human" than these sites, which is why I tend to spend more time on it.
AW: Please consider the options and information put before you in this discussion, there are many great suggestions.
Just food for thought.
I sincerely hope no one feels that I think our active free members are freeloaders, because I don't. I think all those portfolios belonging to free members who haven't been here in 1-6 years are free loaders, lol. =)
Everybody here has chosen from the options offered to them by this site. I think everyone contributes in their own way & for their own reasons.
Don't let the LOUD voices throw you...
=}
I think that incentive is a good way to get people too pay. This way even the non paying members can still post their work and be active members of the boards.
First off, we don't want to create a separation between free and paying members. It's our decision to have free and paying accounts and we don't want fights or angry feelings toward the members of our site over the type of account they have. If we offer free accounts, you can't get upset at someone for taking what we offer. :-)
We do plan to make some changes to the account type structure we have now, but we have not decided the exact changes we will make or when they will go live on the site.
Feel free to continue to post your feedback, but lay off the attacks on other members, based off their account type. This is an art community to build friendships of other artists, not make enemies.
That, in my opinion, makes AW the best site of its type online, at least for me, which is a good reason I keep paying, and am eager to support this site. It does, and has, been working for me.
I appreciate the fact that Andy and Co. are willing to listen to our suggestions and make some changes based on them. Thanks! =)
1. Concentration on what's good about the site. Stop knit-picking all the bad stuff apart and get off your butts and do some thing positive for a change.
2. More people offer assistance to AW to help with issues that many or all of us can help with; i.e. reporting images that break the rules, message board problems, email AW over the weekend when the site goes down, offer to moderate voluntarily. Some of you may regard this as snitching and being a tattle-tale. Too bad! Break the rules and what do you expect?? Rules are here for a reason. Look at the General Discussion board any day of the week and you'll see exactly why there have to be rules.
3. More art and participation in all areas about the art and other points of interest that are within the guidelines; not the fights, disagreements and all the negativity that lives and breeds more negativity. Keep it positive and be a good example.
What many would like to see less of:
1. Fights on the boards. The site is for everyone and shouldn't be a place to vent your frustrations on the world. Email your buddies on the message boards instead. See a professional, or whatever it takes. Freedom of speech does not encompass pissing off a majority of the membership by starting fights on the message boards that clearly break the rules. We are a versatile group here and many read but don't touch because of the demeanor of a few very opinionated and otherwise unpleasant contributions that many resent.
2. Controversial comments or threads. Add something positive or at least comment on topic or leave it alone. Don't hijack someone's thread simply because you disagree. Start your own if you have to but keep it clean. Everyone has a right to their own opinions but many opinions are what start verbal fights. Some things truly are best kept to yourselves. If you see a thread that breaks the rules, it's best to simply avoid it and report it or you too will more than likely also receive warnings from AW. If it continues, AW may just start throwing people off the message boards again or worse yet, close them down for good.
3. Ragging on AW. Until AW sees the positive moral support here, why would anyone expect more from them just because you pay a fee of $3-5 a month. Those who don't contribute?? Well, you are right that AW has offered their services for free but does that give you rights to complain? I can't say for many why they do anything. I support this site because I choose to and I do feel the differences between a free account and paid are worthwhile. I feel I should contribute. Some may not and that's fine. I understand that AW's original intentions were to provide a place for children to come and post their work, learn and view other art at all levels. I'm quite sure they still have valid reasons for the choices they make. It IS their site, right? Once again, we all have opinions about any or all of this. Paying or not paying here is kind of like not voting for politicians....... if you don't vote then what can you really say that holds any real value if you didn't financially support the site to start with?? And those who do pay, it's not your call to tell others they should until AW changes their policies. It's all been said before.
4. Belittling - enough is enough. I choose to ignore it and I plan on staying and will continue to ignore the few who do it but what must new members think when they read this garbage? It's nice to see a few new names here and there, but there are many, many who do not participate by choice. I personally have unsolicited emails from many about why they don't go to the message boards and even a few about the rude anonymous comments left by a few. Wonder who that could be?? I don't have to wonder. I've experienced it myself! Comments on the message boards speak volumes about people and character. It's not rocket science to read between the lines.
5. Less game-playing and more adult behavior. Perception is 9/10ths of reality to viewers, all ages, all walks of life.
Everyone is here for one reason or another. Many are for art, some are not. That's fine but learn to respect one another. Let's all work together to find a solution rather than creating more problems, OK?
Now, those of you who wish to attack me for having an opinion once again, please go do so and announce to the world who you are once again. :-)
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