2017 Site Feedback Chat: Recap - PLEASE READ!

Dear Julia,  To be brief, I am against a fee based access to the site.  It just ruins the ambience.  Hopefully there will be another way.  Thank you.

Hi Julia- thank you for all that you do. Sorry I was unable to participate in the chat.  I am not at all opposed to a fee based component or structure.  I think all businesses and areas of interest are still trying to balance  the perks of online presence/reach with the realities of life (including resources).  This site is amazing in its quality and scope.  Even if I find it priceless, I am still willing to pay!

First, Julia, your willingness to date to pay for this wonderful site is incredibly generous.  I can't thank you enough.  I'd also like to say that my experience is that all "cookiers" are extremely generous with their free tutorials on the latest techniques.

As for volunteering, as a retiree, I am a possible candidate.  I was a technology financial services project manager in a former life and also a strategic consultant in financial services.  It is likely that there are many talented non-professionals on this site who could contribute.  Volunteers would need to be managed, which adds another task to your list, but hopefully in the end you would be relieved of your overload.

Finally, paying to use the site is an understandable consideration.  It is a well-run site, but I am not sure that there is enough dollar-value content to support a subscription fee.  When I consider other free sources available on the web, I think it would be difficult to attract sufficient subscribers to cover expenses.  Of course, this is only my opinion.

Cookies4You posted:

First, Julia, your willingness to date to pay for this wonderful site is incredibly generous.  I can't thank you enough.  I'd also like to say that my experience is that all "cookiers" are extremely generous with their free tutorials on the latest techniques.

As for volunteering, as a retiree, I am a possible candidate.  I was a technology financial services project manager in a former life and also a strategic consultant in financial services.  It is likely that there are many talented non-professionals on this site who could contribute.  Volunteers would need to be managed, which adds another task to your list, but hopefully in the end you would be relieved of your overload.

Finally, paying to use the site is an understandable consideration.  It is a well-run site, but I am not sure that there is enough dollar-value content to support a subscription fee.  When I consider other free sources available on the web, I think it would be difficult to attract sufficient subscribers to cover expenses.  Of course, this is only my opinion.

Thanks for the candid feedback. I wanted to explore your comment that you don't think there is enough dollar-value content here on the site to justify a fee. Just curious as to what you consider "dollar-value" content (written tutorials, video tutorials, other??) And how much more would be needed to justify a fee?

It's a bit sad to hear this opinion because there is SO much time that goes into creating our tutorials, challenges and chats - and these resources are as high quality as any out there, in my opinion. Except perhaps for Craftsy and Paul Bradford videos, both of which are very well-funded. Money begets the highest quality content, in my opinion. So I'm stuck in a bit of a Catch-22. When members ask for more content here (as they always do when I ask for feedback), I can't supply it, because I can't ask me or any one of our contributors to work for less money than we already do (which is zero). 

So, either we all chip in to create more content, I charge to create more content, or we stay the way we are. But I truly don't see an alternative of me managing more volunteers to create more value that isn't returned to those creating it.

Just to follow up on what I posted earlier...I think what you provide without a fee is amazing. Truthfully.  A fee based structure is a very logical next step.  This happens across the board.  People always raise a fit at the concept - when you are used to getting something for free and a charge is put in place, resistance happens.  The charge is viewed as a take away rather than a necessity for sustainability.    As they say where I work - "Do what you gotta do girl." Enough of us will follow.

I  continue to be amazed that some ask for more from those who provide for nothing?

Teri Pringle Wood posted:

I  continue to be amazed that some ask for more from those who provide for nothing?

Oh, I'm not - I think it's pretty natural to ask for new things when someone asks for feedback. Some of the suggestions, like the ones above (translation, photo skills content, etc.) are GREAT, and probably sound easy enough for me to do (perhaps with help from volunteers). But, with any new idea, there's always a lot more work than appears on the surface, and when resources are maxed out, it becomes difficult even to manage another volunteer.

Honestly, though, there's not much I haven't implemented that's been requested to date except for the few things mentioned above. This year, we need a new model, though, for how new things get done - for all the reasons noted above.

My husband works in the computer security industry and belongs to several groups that require participation to maintain membership (generally meaning you have to make a presentation or some other information sharing to the group in order to retain your membership.  I realize this site operates on a much larger scale, and monitoring participation might be too daunting a task to make it worthwhile, but it's an idea.  I bet you'd see a lot more tutorials and chats if membership depended on it.  I know I'd conquer my nerves long enough to make a tutorial if it was the only way to have visibility of the info on this site. 

Aproned Artist posted:

My husband works in the computer security industry and belongs to several groups that require participation to maintain membership (generally meaning you have to make a presentation or some other information sharing to the group in order to retain your membership.  I realize this site operates on a much larger scale, and monitoring participation might be too daunting a task to make it worthwhile, but it's an idea.  I bet you'd see a lot more tutorials and chats if membership depended on it.  I know I'd conquer my nerves long enough to make a tutorial if it was the only way to have visibility of the info on this site. 

Interesting idea with definite merit, but there would be no way for me to easily track this with the current site set-up.

I think it's a great idea to write more about our posts in a comment. It sounds quite easy and helpful! I will try next time.

Translating FAQ and site rules into other languages is a great idea too. There are thousands cookiers here in Japan, but a lot of them hesitate to join this site because it is all in English. I read the chat script and I know probably @Ryoko ~Cookie Ave. would do this, but I'm glad to volunteer if needed.

I'm not sure about site fee... Basically I think this site is brilliant enough already.

mintlemonade (cookie crumbs) posted:

I think it's a great idea to write more about our posts in a comment. It sounds quite easy and helpful! I will try next time.

Translating FAQ and site rules into other languages is a great idea too. There are thousands cookiers here in Japan, but a lot of them hesitate to join this site because it is all in English. I read the chat script and I know probably @Ryoko ~Cookie Ave. would do this, but I'm glad to volunteer if needed.

I'm not sure about site fee... Basically I think this site is brilliant enough already.

I wish I could, Noriko-san, but my language ability is not enough.   Once I helped my friend post her clips and it was really hard and we wish there was instructions in Japanese and rules written in Japanese.   I know there are a lot of cookie artists in Japan and I hope they will join Cookie Connection and they would interact in a proactive way.   I am writing this in English so others can understand.  

Ryoko ~Cookie Ave. posted:

mintlemonade (cookie crumbs) posted:

I think it's a great idea to write more about our posts in a comment. It sounds quite easy and helpful! I will try next time.

Translating FAQ and site rules into other languages is a great idea too. There are thousands cookiers here in Japan, but a lot of them hesitate to join this site because it is all in English. I read the chat script and I know probably @Ryoko ~Cookie Ave. would do this, but I'm glad to volunteer if needed.

I'm not sure about site fee... Basically I think this site is brilliant enough already.

I wish I could, Noriko-san, but my language ability is not enough.   Once I helped my friend post her clips and it was really hard and we wish there was instructions in Japanese and rules written in Japanese.   I know there are a lot of cookie artists in Japan and I hope they will join Cookie Connection and they would interact in a proactive way.   I am writing this in English so others can understand.  

Hi Ryoko-san! I read your cookier close-up interview and I don't believe your English ability isn't enough! I'm not good at writing English (it takes forever!!), but anyway translating is kind of my job and I'm willing to do it.

mintlemonade (cookie crumbs) posted:

Ryoko ~Cookie Ave. posted:

mintlemonade (cookie crumbs) posted:

I think it's a great idea to write more about our posts in a comment. It sounds quite easy and helpful! I will try next time.

Translating FAQ and site rules into other languages is a great idea too. There are thousands cookiers here in Japan, but a lot of them hesitate to join this site because it is all in English. I read the chat script and I know probably @Ryoko ~Cookie Ave. would do this, but I'm glad to volunteer if needed.

I'm not sure about site fee... Basically I think this site is brilliant enough already.

I wish I could, Noriko-san, but my language ability is not enough.   Once I helped my friend post her clips and it was really hard and we wish there was instructions in Japanese and rules written in Japanese.   I know there are a lot of cookie artists in Japan and I hope they will join Cookie Connection and they would interact in a proactive way.   I am writing this in English so others can understand.  

Hi Ryoko-san! I read your cookier close-up interview and I don't believe your English ability isn't enough! I'm not good at writing English (it takes forever!!), but anyway translating is kind of my job and I'm willing to do it.

Thank you, I am going to write you in person.

I  agree with Noriko, "the site is brilliant enough already" well said!

@mintlemonade (cookie crumbs) Please contact me via email about translation. I'd like to take you up on your offer. sweetlife@juliausher.com

Julia, It's really a delicate balance; once one hires someone and pays them from fees collected to join the site, the need exists to keep generating income to cover that person's paycheck and additional paychecks that kind of spring up over time as the website grows.  That promotes a certain type of behavior from the site owner(s).  

Other sites I belong to where I find significant value have employed other options to generate income and to continue to "staff" the website growth.  They use volunteers to manage various aspects of the site, the volunteers are rewarded through the exposure they gain.  They use advertising in tasteful and limited ways that promote value to the members as well as generate income.  They also sponsor fee-based content that members find valuable.  

I also know that once you start admitting others into the management of the website one starts to lose some control and this can be a difficult decision.

I value sites like this because they provide me so much knowledge, open my eyes to possibilities, teach me new skills, etc. but I'm also willing to pay a fee so that I can continue to receive the quality and value.

Ok, that's my perspective, hope you found some value... kind of like giving back a little bit.  Laura

LauraD posted:

Julia, It's really a delicate balance; once one hires someone and pays them from fees collected to join the site, the need exists to keep generating income to cover that person's paycheck and additional paychecks that kind of spring up over time as the website grows.  That promotes a certain type of behavior from the site owner(s).  

Other sites I belong to where I find significant value have employed other options to generate income and to continue to "staff" the website growth.  They use volunteers to manage various aspects of the site, the volunteers are rewarded through the exposure they gain.  They use advertising in tasteful and limited ways that promote value to the members as well as generate income.  They also sponsor fee-based content that members find valuable.  

I also know that once you start admitting others into the management of the website one starts to lose some control and this can be a difficult decision.

I value sites like this because they provide me so much knowledge, open my eyes to possibilities, teach me new skills, etc. but I'm also willing to pay a fee so that I can continue to receive the quality and value.

Ok, that's my perspective, hope you found some value... kind of like giving back a little bit.  Laura

I don't agree that charging promotes a certain type of behavior from owners, other than to charge to make sure they can sustain their businesses. I can't speak for the whole business world, but I consider myself a very ethical and honest person, who wouldn't collect fees without returning value to those who paid. I think what's more typical is that users of free content have little idea what it costs to maintain such sites and generate that free content, and, as such, that site and content gets taken for granted over time. I already "employ" five volunteers (I am one myself) and all of the company widgets on the side of the site are ads of one form or another. The only thing which I don't do is sponsored blog posts, which is on purpose - most are too advertorial or unrelated to our very specific content here, and I don't want to dilute our blog with it. So, believe me, I have explored many options already; the ads we have cover most of the site hard costs each month but not all. I personally subsidIze the difference. But no one gets paid for the work they contribute, including myself. The issue isn't so much one of covering the current hard costs though; it's finding someone to relieve me of the many hours I spend on this site each week that compete with my paying work. My belief is that if I find the right person, and can pay him/her, through site fees or some other unidentified revenue source (maybe a commission based on ad revenue generated), that person will be more committed to the Job. I do believe you usually get what you pay for; though I also don't think anyone ever cares about someone else's business as much as the founder.

I just saw a post by Manu  on one of the feeds who reveals that she exchanges cookie's with a few members of CC in their birthdays . 

I know there is a birthday list somewhere but is it possible to post something more readily  so we can wish our buddies a happy birthday etc.?

i know from my favorite FB group that the people that I've swapped cookies with have been my best cookie buddies.  Developing friendship is a great way of keeping the community rocking.  Any interest in CC for that ? 

And what about a cookie cutter exchange?  Recently a member of CC sent me cutters.  I was so touched. I passed the doubles on to gals in Albania and Romania.  They were thrilled.  Could that be set up? I could photo cutters I don't want and others can claim them.  It would get people another reason to log in to the site.  And others would follow! People can state free shipping or paid shipping.  Or I'll take those and send you these.  

Just some idea.   Xoxo

I love this site and can't begin to know the labor of love and time it has taken you to make this available to us.  It's beyond special.  It's like cookie heaven.  

If I can help behind the scenes I'm always available.  

As for paying for content the people that understand the site's value will pay for it! 

Tina at Sugar Wishes posted:

I just saw a post by Manu  on one of the feeds who reveals that she exchanges cookie's with a few members of CC in their birthdays . 

I know there is a birthday list somewhere but is it possible to post something more readily  so we can wish our buddies a happy birthday etc.?

i know from my favorite FB group that the people that I've swapped cookies with have been my best cookie buddies.  Developing friendship is a great way of keeping the community rocking.  Any interest in CC for that ? 

And what about a cookie cutter exchange?  Recently a member of CC sent me cutters.  I was so touched. I passed the doubles on to gals in Albania and Romania.  They were thrilled.  Could that be set up? I could photo cutters I don't want and others can claim them.  It would get people another reason to log in to the site.  And others would follow! People can state free shipping or paid shipping.  Or I'll take those and send you these.  

Just some idea.   Xoxo

I love this site and can't begin to know the labor of love and time it has taken you to make this available to us.  It's beyond special.  It's like cookie heaven.  

If I can help behind the scenes I'm always available.  

As for paying for content the people that understand the site's value will pay for it! 

@Tina at Sugar Wishes All 11,000-plus members' birthdays are listed on the site's main calendar; just click on "Calendar" in the main navigation line, and you will be taken here (https://cookieconnection.juliausher.com/calendar), where you'll see birthdays in blue print. There are MANY birthdays listed for every day of the year. You can also isolate just the birthdays by selecting "birthday calendar" in the dropdown menu to the upper right of the main calendar. (See screen shot below.) I don't think I can post birthdays any more visibly than this, and I don't want to send auto-alerts to people about birthdays, as I would surely get complaints for inundating people's emails with birthday alerts. I hope this calendar will suffice, but let me know if you had something else in mind.

As for the cookie cutter swap, I think it could be a lovely idea, but we'd need someone to organize it, as I have no surplus time for the foreseeable future. Organizing it could be done simply by posting a plan to the forums or the blog, with clear instructions about how the swap would work, and then managing the logistics of the swap. If you are interested in organizing this, let me know. I would be happy to read your proposal (I would also edit it if it were posted to the blog, as I edit everything that posts there), but I can't get more involved in it at this time. Though I bet some other members might want to help out! Best way to ask is to post a new topic to the forums about this.

Julia M. Usher posted:

Tina at Sugar Wishes posted:

I just saw a post by Manu  on one of the feeds who reveals that she exchanges cookie's with a few members of CC in their birthdays . 

I know there is a birthday list somewhere but is it possible to post something more readily  so we can wish our buddies a happy birthday etc.?

i know from my favorite FB group that the people that I've swapped cookies with have been my best cookie buddies.  Developing friendship is a great way of keeping the community rocking.  Any interest in CC for that ? 

And what about a cookie cutter exchange?  Recently a member of CC sent me cutters.  I was so touched. I passed the doubles on to gals in Albania and Romania.  They were thrilled.  Could that be set up? I could photo cutters I don't want and others can claim them.  It would get people another reason to log in to the site.  And others would follow! People can state free shipping or paid shipping.  Or I'll take those and send you these.  

Just some idea.   Xoxo

I love this site and can't begin to know the labor of love and time it has taken you to make this available to us.  It's beyond special.  It's like cookie heaven.  

If I can help behind the scenes I'm always available.  

As for paying for content the people that understand the site's value will pay for it! 

@Tina at Sugar Wishes All 11,000-plus members' birthdays are listed on the site's main calendar; just click on "Calendar" in the main navigation line, and you will be taken here (https://cookieconnection.juliausher.com/calendar), where you'll see birthdays in blue print. There are MANY birthdays listed for every day of the year. You can also isolate just the birthdays by selecting "birthday calendar" in the dropdown menu to the upper right of the main calendar. (See screen shot below.) I don't think I can post birthdays any more visibly than this, and I don't want to send auto-alerts to people about birthdays, as I would surely get complaints for inundating people's emails with birthday alerts. I hope this calendar will suffice, but let me know if you had something else in mind.

As for the cookie cutter swap, I think it could be a lovely idea, but we'd need someone to organize it, as I have no surplus time for the foreseeable future. Organizing it could be done simply by posting a plan to the forums or the blog, with clear instructions about how the swap would work, and then managing the logistics of the swap. If you are interested in organizing this, let me know. I would be happy to read your proposal (I would also edit it if it were posted to the blog, as I edit everything that posts there), but I can't get more involved in it at this time. Though I bet some other members might want to help out! Best way to ask is to post a new topic to the forums about this.

Oh my that is a lot of birthdays each day, that's not going to work.  I guess each person needs to build their own circle of friends and decide between them if they want to exchange cookies, greetings or whatever.  

Let me put something together about a cookie swap- I'll get back to you.