If Literotica Was A Pay Site, How Much Would You Pay?
- Thread starter Marxist
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Shy Tall Guy
Literotica Guru
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I would do like I do for other orgs I like - I would contribute a set amount once a year, something like under $50. There is a mailing list server that hosts mailings I belong to that does that; once a year the owner asks for contributions, strictly voluntary, to help defray the cost of the server time, etc. - and people send him checks.
I would say that if a few hundred people here did that for Lit. then it might help - but I don't know how well Lit is doing as a commercial enterprise, so maybe it wouldn't amount to a hill of beans compared to sponsor income. But I don't think it would be a bad idea.
I would say that if a few hundred people here did that for Lit. then it might help - but I don't know how well Lit is doing as a commercial enterprise, so maybe it wouldn't amount to a hill of beans compared to sponsor income. But I don't think it would be a bad idea.
modest mouse
Meating People is Easy
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As much as I like the site and am addicted to the board, I have a strong aversion to paying for anything. I am a cheapskate.
My willingness to pay would depend entirely on the return in my investment. If I were to pay , say $15-$25 a year to be a member then I would expect some services. A large, readily available email account...a more customizable board layout...improved search functions in both the BB and the story index. Perhaps a small section for mpegs that people may want to contribute. Not that I am complaining about the current site, just that once I pay I have greater expectations because so much is available for free.
The effect of a pay service is more far reaching than most people think. It does virtually eliminate any trolling overnight. What it also does is close the doors on the development of the community, with far fewer new members and less casual users. I would suspect that it would induce a mass migration of people who would not be on enough to justify the expense.
I think that Laurel(and Manu with his recent posting spree) get a kick out of the 'community' feel that exists here at Lit. We are like one big disfunctional family. Once a site turns into a pay venture it's horizons are limited, it tends to stagnate.
(Sidenote to Marxist....if this thing turns pay and I trace it at all back to this thread, I'm flying to Atlanta to kick your ass.)
My willingness to pay would depend entirely on the return in my investment. If I were to pay , say $15-$25 a year to be a member then I would expect some services. A large, readily available email account...a more customizable board layout...improved search functions in both the BB and the story index. Perhaps a small section for mpegs that people may want to contribute. Not that I am complaining about the current site, just that once I pay I have greater expectations because so much is available for free.
The effect of a pay service is more far reaching than most people think. It does virtually eliminate any trolling overnight. What it also does is close the doors on the development of the community, with far fewer new members and less casual users. I would suspect that it would induce a mass migration of people who would not be on enough to justify the expense.
I think that Laurel(and Manu with his recent posting spree) get a kick out of the 'community' feel that exists here at Lit. We are like one big disfunctional family. Once a site turns into a pay venture it's horizons are limited, it tends to stagnate.
(Sidenote to Marxist....if this thing turns pay and I trace it at all back to this thread, I'm flying to Atlanta to kick your ass.)
Marxist
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modest mouse said:
PJ HARVEY versus CARROT TOP? Maybe we could do it as a charity sponsored event with all proceeds going to Lit. Laurel could be the ring announcer (her freakin' wet dream I'm sure) and Manu could be your cut man when my scruffy orange hair scratches a trail of creases in your forehead.
No, it just came to me. I'm not saying anything that I'm sure hasn't been discussed behind the scenes. Some of my favorite sites (those of a political and entertainment nature) have gone pay, I just wondered what the level of entertainment value everyone perceived.
I'll admit, I've paid for porn in the past (Redclouds.com) but it was so small compared to the amount of entertainment value AND a good bit of the site was still free. I love that place. A lot of adult porn palaces could learn from them in the Entertainment to Pay ratio. And it's all as real as Internet porn gets. In fact, I believe Literotica has a link to the free portion of the site (Voyeurweb.com) on the front page.
If Literotica turned into a site like Redclouds and Voyeurweb I'd pay. $30 a year maybe?
My only concern is that the number of folks that post would be limited or scared off from giving some sort of credit card number.
In a completely unrelated story there's a boxer who's changing his name to GOOFY. Legally. Can Carrot Top and Harvey be far behind as a match up?
AskACumSlut
Really Experienced
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If this thing goes pay, I want to be paid for my column.
You can always ask right?
You can always ask right?
Summery
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Rubyfruit said:I'd pay. I pay for other things I enjoy, why not lit? I'm actually amazed I get all this entertainment for free. It keeps me off the video poker machines here in town.
Ruby
I'm with Ruby on this one. Why not pay for what I enjoy, like I do for other things I enjoy.
Though, I'm not certain the amount I would pay for Lit. But I certainly wouldn't mind contributing something!
Moridin187
I'm back, bitches!
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I think the site would lose some of what it has right now if it went paysite... As it is, Literotica is like a community, open to all who are interested and attracting many like and different minds.. If you turn it into a paysite, it will lose the spirit, it will go from a community to a commercial venture.. It just wouldn't be the same.
But if Laurel and Manu ever need some cash assistance, I'd certainly be willing to donate a few bucks, as I'm sure most of the others on here would.
But if Laurel and Manu ever need some cash assistance, I'd certainly be willing to donate a few bucks, as I'm sure most of the others on here would.
MissVictoria
Falling Farther In
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I have more of a tendancy to donate toward keeping something free for the masses, than for paying for a service for myself.
I wouldn't pay for access to literotica.
But I would donate to keep it free for others.
I wouldn't pay for access to literotica.
But I would donate to keep it free for others.
modest mouse
Meating People is Easy
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Now I have to fight a Clit?
I agree Marxist, I am sure Laurel and Manu have considered many options, including some form of pay access. With the recent growth I would think that server and bandwith are becoming an issue moreso than in the past.
One option to consider would be a 'gold' member arrangement that other sites have. Most of the site is free but you can pay a small fee for a membership for a year. Perhaps giving access to more stories, the audio section, the mpeg thing I mentioned before. Maintaining the BB as a free portion, with Gold members getting advantages such as avatars, possible their own forum, etc.
I think a straight up paysite would not be very successful. Whereas Redclouds provides numerous movies and pics, Lit is providing Great stories, but lets face it...less people are going to pay for the written word.
I hope the book proves a success, this is a potential revenue stream for Laurel and Manu. If a new edition came out every 2 years or so, it could prove lucrative.
I dont know how much income is generated by the advertising. It remains low-key and not as pervasive as on many sites. I made an attempt to make people aware of clicking on the sponsors but it didnt get much response. I know that in some other forums I visit it has become common courtesy to click some ads occasionally.
The bottom line is that our hosts, Laurel and Manu, need to pay for their expenses and their time. And for toys for those damn cats.
{PJ Harvey takes out CarrotTop in 7 rounds, against the clit...well who cares, it would be the best Pay-Per-View ever.}
Marxist said:
I agree Marxist, I am sure Laurel and Manu have considered many options, including some form of pay access. With the recent growth I would think that server and bandwith are becoming an issue moreso than in the past.
One option to consider would be a 'gold' member arrangement that other sites have. Most of the site is free but you can pay a small fee for a membership for a year. Perhaps giving access to more stories, the audio section, the mpeg thing I mentioned before. Maintaining the BB as a free portion, with Gold members getting advantages such as avatars, possible their own forum, etc.
I think a straight up paysite would not be very successful. Whereas Redclouds provides numerous movies and pics, Lit is providing Great stories, but lets face it...less people are going to pay for the written word.
I hope the book proves a success, this is a potential revenue stream for Laurel and Manu. If a new edition came out every 2 years or so, it could prove lucrative.
I dont know how much income is generated by the advertising. It remains low-key and not as pervasive as on many sites. I made an attempt to make people aware of clicking on the sponsors but it didnt get much response. I know that in some other forums I visit it has become common courtesy to click some ads occasionally.
The bottom line is that our hosts, Laurel and Manu, need to pay for their expenses and their time. And for toys for those damn cats.
{PJ Harvey takes out CarrotTop in 7 rounds, against the clit...well who cares, it would be the best Pay-Per-View ever.}
AskACumSlut
Really Experienced
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cool thread. bump.
InnesLane
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I wouldn't pay a dime...
and not because it's not worth a dime (because it's worth a hell of a lot more than that) but because I fear that if it became a paysite, it'd become a clique hangout, and I've never been much for cliques.
New blood keeps this place cool, and without folks (like me) who come in and lurk quietly as unregistered, doings LOTS of reading before jumping in to post, the backslapping and insider jokes would keep newbies at bay.
A huge reason this place is so good is because it's free. Take that away and it'll dull down really fast.
and not because it's not worth a dime (because it's worth a hell of a lot more than that) but because I fear that if it became a paysite, it'd become a clique hangout, and I've never been much for cliques.
New blood keeps this place cool, and without folks (like me) who come in and lurk quietly as unregistered, doings LOTS of reading before jumping in to post, the backslapping and insider jokes would keep newbies at bay.
A huge reason this place is so good is because it's free. Take that away and it'll dull down really fast.
tigerjen
The Married Tigress
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Laurel, where can I find out more info on this?
Laurel...
Where can I find more info in regards to what you mentioned above?
I haven't heard a thing about the COPA Law......can it be explained
in laymans' terms? (no pun intended!
)
I think to get the ball rolling perhaps to keep the site getting shut
down is to start a petition! What do you think, would love to hear your
thoughts on this. If they shut free sites such as Lit down it would be
damaging the purpose of the 1st Amendment.
Thank you!
TJ
Laurel...
Where can I find more info in regards to what you mentioned above?
I haven't heard a thing about the COPA Law......can it be explained
in laymans' terms? (no pun intended!
) I think to get the ball rolling perhaps to keep the site getting shut
down is to start a petition! What do you think, would love to hear your
thoughts on this. If they shut free sites such as Lit down it would be
damaging the purpose of the 1st Amendment.
Thank you!
TJ
GuyJD
"Simply.....the best"
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Much as with White Shadows, I would have to say that I wouldn't pay to surf Literotica because I, like many other Literoticans here, have contributed to this website. Therefore, we would be paying to see our own work. Oh yeah!!! That makes sense.
G
Guest
Guest
What about a combination of contribute and you get a free buffet. Don't contribute and you have to pay to eat. That could happen behind an AVS couldn't it?
tigerjen
The Married Tigress
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Forget the buffet....let's get back to the topic at hand....
esp. since Literotica may be at stake with the pending
Supreme Court case/decision (see the Lit. newsletter
in regards to it)....and I think in the end we may end up
having to pay a small fee; however, I still feel that we
shouldn't have to pay to access this site.
esp. since Literotica may be at stake with the pending
Supreme Court case/decision (see the Lit. newsletter
in regards to it)....and I think in the end we may end up
having to pay a small fee; however, I still feel that we
shouldn't have to pay to access this site.
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