Is it worth $10?

I've noticed some paying members are concerned with the fairness of free members getting so much. I find my supporting membership well worth the price. The major benefit to me: access to so many free members.

John, you are right on. What would LinkedIn be without the free members? Nothing; a puny little ineffective network that no one has ever heard of. What Biznik provides for free makes the network bigger and richer and stronger for everyone.

I was actually logging on to say "Great Job" with the new member enhancements and chart! I didn't see one of my favorite benefits listed (though maybe I missed it in my scan, and I don't even know which levels it applies to)... having my last several blog posts integrated into my profile! It's awesome!

Thanks Lara for attaching the link to the chart. Things jst keep getting better!

I just went up to one of the paid levels of membership when you came out with the badge campaign, and not because of the badge. Bob Dunn, at an event, had mentioned that one big benefit was the ability to see who viewed his profile. Whether that is useful to someone or not will depend on how active they are in biznik and how they choose to network and follow up on leads. Maybe, then, it would increase the value of the membership if we offer education, even in the form of biztalk or artices, on features and how to make the most of them.

Also, as an active member who lives outside the 25 mile radius, it would increase the value for me if we could change the default on searches for members to 50 or 100 miles - people are having trouble finding me on searches because I'm not within the short radius...

Okay, now for a quick intermission from the initial topic to say something that is still relevant...Since becoming a paid member, my level of commitment has increased considerably. I am playing a MUCH bigger game, doing things I have never done before - getting involved in biztalk (which I had previously never even checked out) writing an article, making comments, sending invitations to other friends who may benefit from biznik, and giving more referrals to people. And that level of commitment isn't just to biznik - it is also to my own company and myself. Greater sense of self-worth and belonging is an unadvertised benefit that is, in part, thanks to Biznik and the people whom I have met thu biznik (and you know who you are!)

So that brings me to the question of how we can support people who aren't able to pay yet? Can people earn credits somehow? Can we set up a scholarship fund (and donors could get a little back on taxes)? Just trying to think out of the box...That whole "pay it forward" thing, you know?

Joyce,

I really commend you for your commitment to your own growth and your support of Biznik.

While education on how to realize value from membership -- especially with all the new benefits that paid membership levels provide -- is always good, it's what you said about your "MUCH bigger game" that truly intrigues me.

Like the chicken and the egg, I don't know which comes first . . . the commitment to oneself or the commitment to Biznik. But they ARE related, regardless as you've attested.

I am outside the 25 mile area, too . . . by a few thousand miles so I appreciate the issue you raised there, too. '-)

But mostly, I am delighted for you and how you've experienced a significant benefit on a personal and professional level in your own life and business by your decision to support yourself and the Biznik community. I know you'll add more to everyone on Biznik as a result and the value will be returned to you many times over.

I believe that value received -- in anything -- reflects the commitment made to it.

While not all members may find a premium Biznik membership level affordable, I would like to see a nominal membership fee to show me who's real . . . really committed to being a part of this wonderful community.

I am finding a growing number of non-paying Biznik members don't have any activity on Biznik in weeks or even months! They're taking up resources but adding nothing to this community.

Like freedom, the value of a Biznik membership reflects, at some level, the 'price' we pay for the privileges it affords.

Personally, I feel a good way to know who's 'real' around here would be to charge a $5 / month membership fee for what is now given away for free.

I own an online service and there is no such thing as a 'free' membership. At some point, someone -- the other members or Biznik management -- will end up paying for their bandwidth and storage.

Somehow, I feel a nominal investment is not only fair but reasonable to expect of any member. If you can afford more, great. If you can help fund those who want to participate but can't afford to do so, even better.

Like any community, value enjoyed reflects value invested in it . . . by our time, commitment and energies. I'm onboard and supportive of what Dan and Lara et al have created for us here.

Again, I commend you for becoming a committed Bizniker, too!

Bob,

Just to speak for myself, as a Basic Member, I have been busy for a few months, but I have posted Events that I sponsor with Dave Kuhns last month with excellent reactions and another planned for this month. I also attend Events when I can - as I will September 17th.

As my picture shows, this is not a hobby and my offers/promotions to the community have been very low, but untapped. I will continue to post Events (if you check out my past Events, they are built to give anyone who attend something they can use tomorrow) and attend when I can.

David,

You're definitely NOT the kind of member I was referencing in my earlier post. Quite the opposite!

The term -- 'money or moneysworth' is used in financial services and refers to SOME kind of value, be it currency or 'the equivalent'.

Participation is a legitimate form of currency that adds value to the community -- a value that many, myself included, are happy to pay Biznik to access and enjoy.

My point is simple -- to remain viable as a for-profit business, both money AND participation are required to create value and sustain the incredibly high quality community that Biznik offers every member at every membership level.

There definitely are different ways in which we can contribute to the community. In a number of seminars I have attended, the point has been made that how you do anything is how you do everything. I'm now finding, for example, that my commitment to Biznik also shows my commitment to myself and my company. And I'm having a lot of fun doing it. Kate Phillips and I both agree that we are having more fun with Biznik than Facebook and other social media. (Kudos, Everyone!) That actually brings me to another thought on the topic Lara raised.

I'm not sure people not paying is an indication that there is something else that needs to come from the community in order to make it valuable. I'm actually not sure it is a statement regarding value at all. But even if it is, who's job is it to get value out of something? I mean if I buy a product that is designed to teach me about financials (which I probably should, but that's a whole other topic) am I going to get value out of it just for having bought it, or do I have to actually take the step of setting aside time, going through the product, and applying what it has taught? Maybe an article, topic on biztalk, or event on leveraging resources would be beneficial. (Okay, I'll do it...Stay tuned to biztalk, Everyone! I know it won't reach people that don't check out biztalk, but it is still a valuable topic, right?)

In a word, because at the moment I am too busy with business (3 clients who found me on biznik today!): YES. It is worth putting a portion of one's resources into something one values. and I value Biznik.

I LOVE the NEW TAGLINE!!! It reflects the special nature of this website, so I added my own tag to the tagline: "I don't feel alone anymore. "

best to you all as you suss out what will work for this wonderful community.

Elke

I just joined as a basic member this week and have already attended a Walk & Talk and signed up for a couple of other offerings in the coming weeks. I've added my allowed 3 contacts per day. I'm checking Biznik out before committing limited financial resources. I know to get the most value I need to commit time resources and I'm not sure if I will really do so.

I started my business 20 years ago as a print designer and dragged my feet into the digital age. Now I do mostly web design. I joined Linked-In, Twitter, Facebook and Biznik to learn how they work and what their value might offer my clients. I dropped off Twitter immediately, never participated in Linked In and only use Facebook for friends/family. But I clearly see enormous value in the Biznik model. And I've already referred 4 of my clients to Biznik.

I think it's important to keep the free option so folks can explore. There's a ton of value w/o paying AND there's great incentives to pay when one is ready and able to do so. The rates are quite reasonable.

I do agree with the idea that the "deadwood" needs to be culled. I've noticed some of my friends are listed as members but have no contacts and no activity in a year or more. Maybe you could simply remove folks who are inactive for more then X months.

Thanks for this fabulous community and continuing to explore and improve. I imagine I'll be upping my ante and you'll be seeing more of me!

Sheila

Thanks for the personal welcome Lara. And also a BIG thanks to Rachael Whalley who read my post here and sponsored me! Now I know you'll be seeing more of me!

I imagine this idea has been put forth and I'd like to second/third/fourth it: Perhaps offering regular orientation-type gatherings similar to what you, Lara, have done in the past -- with perhaps a dual emphasis on talking about how to get the most out of Biznik, and an in-depth computer tutorial that walks people through all the features on a big screen, and let's them know how to take best advantage.

Also, you could have a few active Bizniks come to these meetings and talk about specific benefits and strategies they've used to get the most out of Biznik, and they'd be available for questions, in addition to the main facilitator. Having a large amount of time allotted for Q&A could help get people motivated and over any hurdles they're encountering.

You could also offer going-to-the-next-level parties (meaning paid Biznik membership), where people bring their own laptops and get hands-on help in a group format to build out their profiles, upload videos, strategize their first event, etc. You could offer fun incentives to come to the party and/or sign up for the next level. This could also be a chance for sponsorships, or active Biznikers to share their experiences and get in front of more people.

Laila
http://www.CareerCounselingwithaTwist.com

Well said, Laila! Anything new -- technology, spouses, pets, etc. comes with a learning curve and your suggestions make sense. I'm sure the powers that be at Biznik will give your thoughts their thoughtful consideration. Thank you for caring to share them.

Lara,

You ask a very interesting question. I know that e-mailing someone you have already met in person or over the phone has real value. I do not see, in and of itself, unlimited e-mails as a specific value. That LinkedIN charges $10 is another reason that, although I am a member. I have not gotten real value in return. $10 is way of of line.

I'm new here and I would love to be a paying member, but I chose to remain basic until I had the time to explore what the difference is - I work full time, plus I have my business, plus several other things going on and I just haven't taken the time to look more into getting a membership.

I don't think $10/m is a bad price, but I've learned quickly to be careful of where I direct my funds. So you may have another paying member soon.

Like the responses

Laila, I taught a hands-on event like that in Austin, TX and people loved it. From that event Austin grew by the hundreds in a few short months as the group who attended that event became more fluent in using biznik themselves as well as sharing it with others.

I'd love to host more events like that, although because of my time and expertise, this would not be a free event. I've had many requests to teach more events like this locally and via the web.

Part of what I taught in Austin were the features and functions of biznik and part of what I taught was based on my expertise as a consultant to small business, so my version of this would be more than just what can you do with biznik, but how you can do it better and smarter and with far greater impact which might even be the crux of the matter on this thread:

Some people are not seeing the value of the higher levels of membership because they are not understanding how to cause their membership here to BE valuable, and honestly a lot of people have profiles that are not at all effective and that's not biznik's fault--it's not about just about posting a profile and viola, you're done!

Free members who are waiting to see the value are really just waiting in vain, in my opinion, because the value comes when you actively learn how to utilize what's here on deeper level and that includes utilizing the highest level of membership where the most value and visibility are offered.

I would love to share more about how to reap greater rewards from your biznik membership while doing it with authenticity and proficiency. But it's more than I can fit into a comment on a thread or a brief article. It's a full-blown hands-on workshop. I can let you know when I get one on the calendar if you are interested.

I have been meaning to say this for while. When I first arrived in Seattle, I joined/tried almost every group I could. Chamber, Entrepreneur groups, Women's biz groups, etc. After 4 years of being here and seeing what worked best for me, Biznik is the only membership still worth paying for. It continues to be valuable to this day. And while I haven't had enough time to really participate much lately, the valuable connections I have made (and even simply being listed as a supporting member on the site) continue to be profitable for me. Thanks, Biznik, for being the fuel in my rocket bosters. ;)

Ah, I mean to say rocket "boosters". My fingers work more slowly than my brain. Carry on!

I joined just over a month ago on advice from a colleague.

I am using Biznik (for free) to see how I might fit it in to my overall marketing plan and activities. It promises to be very useful. Whether it is more useful and cost effective (whether fee or no fee) than other options available remains to be seen.

One suggestion I have is to allow all members to charge and take a bigger cuts from free vs. pro vs. VIP members on a sliding scale. Seems like there is a little pot of $$ you are missing out on....

My business involves retail product and I often have out-of-pocket expenses that don't exist for service businesses...which abound on networks like Biznik and others. So, a paid membership is yet another cost hurdle. I consider each additional cost very carefully.

Currently, I am exploring the breadth of online social-networking tools. Usefulness and ability to manage the tool (i.e. take the time to use it to advantage) outweighs the fee/cost. If the tool requires a fee, then it had better be both useful and manageable and if I am to pay additionally for it, it needs to be stellar.

Maybe some people do feel sending more than 4 messages a day isn't worth $10. Maybe those same people feel the opportunity to attend an unlimited amount of time at networking, educational and social events is worth $50 a month.