NPN Site Health

Jim Erhardt .. can you provide a "health report" on NPN comparing "before" and "after" as a result of the changes in fee structure?

It is my observation based on running TPN (TravelPhotographers.net) for 3+ years now that people want more for less, and that all community-based websites face increasing competition and seem to be racing to the bottom (everything for free) in order to stave off the bleeding of membership and activity.

There still are a number of thriving communities outside the "social media" realm that require a fee to participate. Can you share the current health of NPN with respect to fees and membership/activity stats? How is NPN doing against the growing competition of "free" and social media sites who make millions from advertising?

I hope Jim doesn't mind my butting in here, but at $49 per year NPN is a bargain compared to other sites -- I mean dedicated photography sites, not social media like FB where you have to endure dozens of "friends" posting their political agenda.

Walter, your observations are very much on the mark - social media has become the preferred venue for many. Our membership level is at about 35% of what it was in its heyday, but as Nancy points out in the previous post, there is a core group who continue to appreciate the value of NPN. In fact, we are seeing a resurgence in renewals from people who had let their membership lapse for years.

Sometimes, what is old becomes new again. For some, quality of participation trumps quantity of views. For those who value that, we'll always be here!

Social media has taken the Net by storm--it's everywhere and loaded with ads. It's almost as bad as TV--a vast wasteland lacking in quality content and thoughtful discourse. I am happy that NPN is way above this!

I think most people would like something for free, but any site costs money to manage and maintain. So, to my mind, we must either put up with ads, or pay for membership. Personally, I would rather pay for membership to have an ad-free venue, rather than be bombarded with ads, some of which could lead one to malicious websites that wreck havoc. Happily, here at NPN, that is something I don't have worry about.

Aside from the high quality of the content here, I have learned a great deal, and have met people who I now consider my best friends. One cannot put a price on that.

--P

Preston - I agree with the priority of quality over quantity. I don't need adulation or "likes". I prefer honest, sincere, constructive criticism on photographs, and solid dialog in discussions. The challenge is that the size of that kind of audience seems to be on a decline. I suppose one could say that is a disappointing statement about society at large.

Travel Photographers Network was a thriving site many years ago. Jim Erhardt started it. I am the third owner now. It has suffered significantly from membership attrition .. far more than NPN. Many of the high caliber professionals who were members have achieved some degree acclaim in their own right. In doing so they stopped participating and contributing to TPN. When those high caliber professionals left, many others who so valued the contributions of those professionals also stopped participating. Getting that same caliber of new contributors is challenging. I hope NPN is able to retain the caliber of people it has.

I agree with the priority of quality over quantity. I don't need adulation or "likes". I prefer honest, sincere, constructive criticism on photographs, and solid dialog in discussions. The challenge is that the size of that kind of audience seems to be on a decline. I suppose one could say that is a disappointing statement about society at large.

We are of the same mind, here, Walter, and I think the majority of the NPN membership would agree, as well. Yes, it is disappointing that quantity and expediency overrides quality today.

Many of the high caliber professionals who were members have achieved some degree acclaim in their own right. In doing so they stopped participating and contributing to TPN.

The same has happened at NPN. Also, some of the non-professional photographers have left NPN for various reasons. However, I have noticed that some previous members have returned, but not enough to tilt the membership balance upward.

When those high caliber professionals left, many others who so valued the contributions of those professionals also stopped participating.

I can't say if this is true for NPN, but it wouldn't surprise me. People tend to follow those whose work they admire, and feel inspired by, so your statement certainly makes sense.

The bottom line is: What can we do about it? How do sites such as NPN and TPN garner a greater share of viewers/members in order to remain active and vibrant?

So, all you NPNers, what say you? Any ideas out there? Don't be shy, now.

--P

maybe the key is to bring back the top pros, (a number have left...) if you build it, they will come. As many of us know, it aint an easy job being a full-time pro. Give some finanacial and/or marketing incentives and entice some more names back.