Mods/Admins Compensation

[UserM]

Hey,

I'd like to start putting ads on my forum and offering some sort of premium membership. The problem is that my fellow admins (Mods promoted to admins) don't want the ads and premium memberships. I need the money.

What would you do? Should I should be sharing revenue with the admins, even though they've made no financial investment in the forum?

Thanks!

[Tyler]

I personally wouldn't share it with them, as most likely, they aren't paying the bills. Granted they may be helping you with your forum, but almost all administrators on forums do it because they think they can make a difference, not for money.

Did you try to explain the need for it? I hate to say it, but you may even want to go as far as to threaten that it would be shut down if something isn't done. Maybe try the donation route first, or other alternatives before going "paid"?

[Scott]

I agree, make sure they know how much you need the money. If you give them the option of either ads and not premium membership or premium membership and ads, I don't really think they can complain too much (providing the ads aren't over the top, which is a thin line) - this goes for all members, not just staff.

Whether or not you share revenue with staff depends on how much they've contributed and if you feel you owe them it or not. Unless you've offered them money for their efforts they probably won't be expecting it.

[SoftWareRevue]

As Tyler and Scott suggested, it really depends on your community's dynamics.

If you're in it for the money and the staff help you earn an income, it may be wise to give them 'some'thing. But, if you're just trying to recoup your expenses, they shouldn't even expect anything. I'm not suggesting that, if you earn money, you need to share it with your staff. In fact, I know several income producing communities that are managed by a volunteer staff. It's more the norm to have non-paid moderators and admins.


What would you do?
I'd introduce ads and Premium Membership.

If your staff no longer share your vision and direction, you need to re-evaluate their positions.