Well, since the 'Follow Author' has been opened up to non-paying members 15 days ago, 33,000+ connections have been added to the system.
I can say that I'm happy with the progress made.
ETA: I just checked my stats and since the new function has been deployed, story access stats have gone up by about 8%
Good news, now let's hope it leads to a good increase in Premier Membership subscriptions.
Good news, now let's hope it leads to a good increase in Premier Membership subscriptions.
Well, considering that it's a premier feature opened to free members, I would be happy if it simply does NOT lead to a drop in memberships.
But you know, from your mouth to god's ear.
But you know, from your mouth to god's ear.
Hey..!! Some of us are still enjoying Valentine's day after-effects...
Give up with the Halloween stuff...!! Please..!!
Somehow reading that I got this image of Mr Bywater castigating his creator for bad grammar... Sorry, just too early and too little or too much coffee.
Somehow reading that I got this image of Mr Bywater castigating his creator for bad grammar... Sorry, just too early and too little or too much coffee.
Castigating his parents? Nah, he wouldn't.
Well, considering that it's a premier feature opened to free members, I would be happy if it simply does NOT lead to a drop in memberships.
I think you're playing with fire there. Hope I'm wrong.
Well, considering that it's a premier feature opened to free members, I would be happy if it simply does NOT lead to a drop in memberships.
Maybe you should open up premium features to free members only for limited periods of time so they can get a taste of what a premium membership offers. One month one feature and the next another. And of course avoid offering features that could limit subscriptions like giving a free month of archive access.
Maybe you should open up premium features to free members only for limited periods of time so they can get a taste of what a premium membership offers.
I thought about doing trial periods, but then again we have finestories.com and scifistories.com that offers everything for free and readers can use them as trial.
The reason I opened this particular feature (in a limited way, premier still offers more when you follow an author) is to hopefully drive engagement between readers and authors and it worked in boosting reads. Now it's easy to keep track of authors you like and their stories.
I thought about doing trial periods, but then again we have finestories.com and scifistories.com that offers everything for free and readers can use them as trial.
Agreed, but how many readers on SOL are even aware of Finestories and Scfistories? There should be a way for you to see if free members also access those other two sites so you can make an informed plan, if you haven't done so already of course :)
Maybe you should open up premium features to free members only for limited periods of time so they can get a taste of what a premium membership offers.
This site has a strict policy of "no teasers". Isn't what you suggest skating very close to being an example of what is forbidden..??
A free trail might attract members to go the premium route. It might well annoy others enough to go elsewhere.
This site has a strict policy of "no teasers". Isn't what you suggest skating very close to being an example of what is forbidden..??
A free trail might attract members to go the premium route. It might well annoy others enough to go elsewhere.
I doubt it would annoy anyone. It's not a teaser, you get something extra for a restricted period of time, for free, to evaluate. That has nothing to do with the teaser police. It's legitimate marketing.
I doubt it would annoy anyone. It's not a teaser, you get something extra for a restricted period of time, for free, to evaluate. That has nothing to do with the teaser police. It's legitimate marketing.
I was thinking more of the person setting up their options, enjoying the site, then *poof* settings gone, restrictions back in place. Result, annoyance.
Of course a month would allow a member to download 3,000 premium stories before they lose access... Might be enough they never bother to pay for access..??
Of course a month would allow
I think the idea is to give access to specific premium member capabilities on a rotating basis. If Lazeez does that, I doubt he would include unlimited download of premium-only stories.
A free-trial offer here is essentially the same as the free-trial offers that other businesses offer. From what Lazeez said when the offer's period ends so do the services. If the free member wants to continue as a premium member, they can.
That's a whole lot better than being charged for services because you forgot to cancel the service when the free-trial period ended.
I think the idea is to give access to specific premium member capabilities on a rotating basis. If Lazeez does that, I doubt he would include unlimited download of premium-only stories.
A free-trial offer here is essentially the same as the free-trial offers that other businesses offer. From what Lazeez said when the offer's period ends so do the services. If the free member wants to continue as a premium member, they can.
That's a whole lot better than being charged for services because you forgot to cancel the service when the free-trial period ended.
This is exactly what I meant but better described :)
This site has a strict policy of "no teasers".
The "no teasers" policy only applies to authors and their stories. Rule 6 of the author agreement says:
6. Teasers and blackmail are absolutely prohibited. (Teasers are any story parts that require or entice readers to read preceding or following parts on other sites or purchase those parts or sending money for further postings.)
Still, making premier facilities available on a free-trial basis does sound like a lot of hard work for potentially small gains - it's not as though those tempted will be shelling out eg hundreds of dollars for a software package.
AJ
The "no teasers" policy only applies to authors and their stories. Rule 6 of the author agreement says:
Thanks, obviously I can't read and comprehend the rules myself.
Still, making premier facilities available on a free-trial basis does sound like a lot of hard work for potentially small gains - it's not as though those tempted will be shelling out eg hundreds of dollars for a software package.
Agreed.