James Cameron's Avatar Community Fan Forums

Daniel Levy wrote:

Hello avatarthemovieforum community members!

This has been an important issue that I have been pondering for the past couple of months, and I'm not sure I feel right bringing it up.

Other forums and websites have no problem creating premier or "subscriber" features for their members, if they pay a fee.

I think that restricting a website based on money is absolutely ridiculous and degrades a community (even a small one like ours).

I would absolutely love to pay for more advertising and contests for this website! And it would tear me apart to see what has already been created here die out.

I am a college student, not a member of a large media group that buys niche websites. And, you all know how active I am in both helping you get what you want out of the forum, and participating myself. I have a vested interested in this community.

There are, however, the facts of economy. The advertising (top banner and post bot) are hardly ever clicked. From the advertising, the website pulls in roughly 40 cents a week, which is hardly enough to keep this website running. I pay $20 a week for advertising, $10 a month for server fees, spend most of my time programming to fix problems with the website, and have attempted to promote the website, spending loads of money on contests (the payment for the items has come out of my pocket), and SEO optimization. We actually had a contest sponsor bail out on paying for a prize.

Yet, the popularity of Avatar has temporarily waned, and to get this community to where it deserves to be requires more contests, advertising, programming time, and ultimately more money.

The advertising on our website isn't enough to sustain the website, and I am eating into my personal funds.

So, I ask of you, the community, if it would be fair for me to ask for donations.

Sounds reasonable enough!
I'll see what I can do
But for now.. My gratitude shall have to suffice!
Paypal?

Thanks for all the work you have done, and continue to do!

I think it is totally fair to have voluntary donations

yeah, I kinda hate that the other Ava forum gives subscriber benefits

if you like the site, support it

While I definitely do agree that giving special features is an atrocious idea. What if you gave donators a special rank title, like "One of the People," or something?

I'll see what I can do