I haven't posted in quite awhile as I have been working a great deal, mostly in London. However, I'm back and was most interested to see that the Slinkster is considering making UG a pay site.
It seems from some of the comments that there have been a number of sites that failed or became marginalized when they went to a pay business model. So, clearly there is some risk to the powers-that-be in doing so.
It might be worthwhile for the hobbiests to do some soul searching as to why the log on to UG. Frankly, I would like to see more reviews of midtown spas, indies, and travellers. And certainly fewer raves about the Yankees and the Red Sox (there's enough about that in the newspapers and on the sports talk shows.
On the other hand, the fact that participants would pay to join the site shows commitment and serious intent to benefit from the thoughts of others. Not to mention the likely disappearance of many of the non-contributing lurkers.
Slinky, I thought an interesting idea was from the guy who suggested engaging a sales person in order to ratchet up the revenue from the ladies who might want to advertise.
I look forward to hearing more.
Glad to be home,
Chels