HELP! The reality is that the e-group needs your help

[Ian]

Many of you may already know that this site was originally set up with the encouragement and funding support of Olympus UK over ten years ago. This is why logged-in e-group members don't see ads.

Arrangements like this are not infinite and our funding from Olympus came to a natural end quite some time ago and I have since shouldered the cost of hosting and running the site myself.

However, this can't continue indefinitely. Therefore, I'm following the examples set by a lot of other ad-free websites and offering you the opportunity to help fund our operation. This way the site can be further improved and maintained, without the need to resort to advertising banners.

It's a source of great pride that the e-group is used regularly by hundreds of members and is clearly a favourite place to hang-out and discuss Olympus photography and to make new friends. Therefore I hope that your personal generosity can help sustain what all of us have achieved here.

I have provided a PayPal donation button on the top left of the front page. Payments can be made using funds from your own PayPal account, if you have one, or by using a debit or credit card. You don't need to have, or to open, a PayPal account to donate via PayPal. If you can donate, there is no set minimum or maximum - anything you can manage will be very welcome and please don't feel there is any obligation. Donors' identities will be kept confidential.

The e-group is owned and run by The Write Technology Ltd, which is my company, and a business receipt can be provided if requested.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to PM me or to add a question to this thread.

Many thanks,

Ian

[Ian]

I'd just like to say that this initiative has already produced the first donation - that person knows who they are and I would like to send my congratulations and deeply-held thanks

Ian

[MJ224]

Very happy to help (not me that has already donated),

But I think it would helpful to give an idea of running costs.

The forum is valuable to me, and I enjoy moaning, exhibiting and praising. And I have to say (very quickly) we have a nice crowd here...………...

I know its how a piece of string is but what order of funding is wanted? £10,20,30,40,50...……………

MArk j

[Ian]

Inevitably, I have been asked this already

My first response is to say, if you feel like donating, simply choose an amount that you feel is good for you. Not everyone can necessarily afford or justify the same as someone else.

I am supposed to be running a business, so in a utopian world I'd be earning a useful income but that's not likely at all with the e-group on its own. Instead, I estimate the site is costing ME a couple of hundred pounds a month and that's not including much value in terms if my time spent, so mainly just hosting, software licences, etc. I'd like to treat my trusty (and free!) moderator team every now and again!

Fundamentally, if you would like to, simply donate what you are comfortable with.

Ian

[Ian]

By the way, you don't need to use the button on the front page; if you have a PayPal account you can use our paypal (at) e-group.uk.net email address to send your donation.

If you are thinking of making a camera, lens or accessory purchase via Amazon, I will also be providing details soon concerning how you can help fund us through your purchases as well.

Ian

[stevewestern]

Is this a monthly commitment or can it be on an as-I-can-afford it basis?
I only work every now and then (I am a stay-at-home dad most of the time) so can't commit to anything regular but would like to help a little when I can..

[pdk42]

Ian - I'm happy to donate and will do so. Might be worth thinking about a donation for anything sold via the For Sale forum.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by stevewestern

Is this a monthly commitment or can it be on an as-I-can-afford it basis?
I only work every now and then (I am a stay-at-home dad most of the time) so can't commit to anything regular but would like to help a little when I can..

Hi Steve - I am not suggesting we start a subscription service. However, if you would like to donate less but on a regular or time to time basis that's just as welcome as any other donation

Fundamentally, please feel free to donate what you feel you think is worthwhile for yourself and at whatever frequency you prefer.

Ian

[drmarkf]

Originally Posted by pdk42

Ian - I'm happy to donate and will do so. Might be worth thinking about a donation for anything sold via the For Sale forum.

Excellent idea.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by drmarkf

Excellent idea.

Indeed - this has been suggested by several. I will certainly look at this. I certainly need to work out a way generating a routine flow of income rather than a single 'event'. There are some other initiatives I'll be introducing to help achieve this.

Ian

[Gate Keeper]

I pay £12 per year to an internet uk Car club and £10 per year to another Photography site. Not a fortune, but both clubs survive. For the membership in the car club, I am allowed 150 private messages, 10 thanks per day and allowed to advertise in the for sale section. I get a windscreen sticker. Non subs get less

How about a similar? Would it help with voluntary subscriptions and donations?

[Ian]

As I mentioned earlier, we are an Amazon affiliate so if you purchase anything on Amazon you could earn us a small commission (but of course they add up!).

But to do this, specially tailored links to Amazon or the product or service you are purchasing need to be followed.

On Monday there was a special offer on the E-M1 Mark II with grip and 12-40 for £1749. Unfortunately it has expired and the price is back up to £2199. This is just a demonstration, but the link that, if you followed and bought the deal, is:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...926422cf9850c5

I will be keeping an eye on Amazon for more deals and post them on the site more punctually

I'm also building an Amazon shopping section that will be separate to the forum.

If you are considering an Amazon purchase and would like the commission-enabled link so that you can help the site, please let me know!

Ian

[Gate Keeper]

Donation sent, best wishes

[griffljg]

Donation sent. Yell when more is required. ;-)

[Ian]

That's great guys!

I am now able to plan ahead to spend more time on making improvements to the site

I can report that we have now had over a dozen donations.

Ian