QUICK POLL: SHOULD THE WOJ BECOME A SUBSCRIPTION BASED WEBSITE? (UPDATED)

[Soundjata]

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NEW:

Poll Results are out and can be viewed here


The WOJ will remain FREE. Give thanks for all the rasponses, it has been proven to be really useful for InI working on the back-end of the website.

Nuff Love!

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Thanks for taking some time to answer this poll. This is a question and an invitation to reflect on the nature and the potential of the woj. InI thought that I could learn a great deal with the input from the Is, and I hope this reasoning would lead us to higher heights.

InI at the woj have been quietly working a lot on creating a brand new platform for the woj (surprise launch is scheduled for next month!), with potentially far more features than the current one. However our past 2 years experience has shown us that managing such a large website does require funds and serious time commitment and therefore InI have been thinking about ways to deal with these for the next 2 years to come. In fact, the current woj site has been built without much planning, due to I personal flaws. But for the years to come InI is trying to be more focused and organised regarding the running of this platform.

While we enjoy working for the works, InI believe that by stimulating the Rastafari economy we could allow for much greater works to be accomplished. In this light, InI wanted to reason about the following suggestion: moving the site to a paying platform for this summer's massive relaunch.

Please note that in any case, people who could not afford it would b given free access to the site given their circumstances. In fact InI perfectly overstand that many of InI r struggling.

The subscription based platform would have all the features of the current one, and even more. A few of the new features members will have access to include:

-a Rasta blog irated by paid rasta writers
-a monthly Rasta magazine
-live and recorded video reports of concerts, audio books, etc.

Furthermore if the subscription model was proven to be a success we could potentially offer one ticket to Shashamane everytime we reach an extra 1000 members.

Such a model would allow the woj to do so much for the works, still building on the first steps taken with the woj foundation we would livicate 40% of revenue towards helping the elders, sistrens and youths of the global Rastafari family.

InI is now considering this option, nothing is decided yet, but these are things that needs to be reasoned upon at times. HIM instructed InI to organise, and therefore InI is trying to think ahead and striving to do something far greater than what we might think is possible, or "to be more than we could ever be". The needs are great and the works are plenty. InI will be looking forward for the Is rasponses, it will help us greatly to forecast, plan for the months and the years ahead and reflect on these works.

PLEASE VOTE HERE

and comment if u wish. (suggestions are more than welcomed!)

This post will be opened until wednesday, by then we should have gathered enough feedback to come up wit an informed decision.

Give thanks in advance.

Soundjata

[Soundjata]

Greetings DJ Kultjah,
the I mentioned "other ways to go bout it". Can the I possibly details these options? InI find all the suggestions put forward here really helpful, and would love to hear some more. Also the I mentioned something about the format? please enlighten I..
Give thanks

[Papa Fz]

I think that a move to a subscription would adversely effect the growth of the site. Every attempt to do this by other publications results in a short time where a small % of users are willing to pay, but the growth usually stops after a time, as new users are less likely to pay for a subscription.

I would suggest that ones focus on continuing to grow the site, and get the page views up on the site. This could be accomplished through adding more features, interviews (with elders or artists), and in general growing the 'stickiness' of the site giving us all more reason to come forward more often to check the site.

Once certain traffic levels have been reached I would suggest checking with some of the Rastafari owned clothing labels and other businesses about sponsoring the site for a set fee each month. There could even be multiple sponsors. Same way, if ones wanted to do a 'funds drive' to help certain elders etc this could be setup and ones could voluntarily donate to the cause. Keeping it free lets that get in front of more eyes, which means more potential contributors.

The nice thing about how this is setup with Ning, is that if everyone that is a member focused on doing this - adding events, pics, content, interviews with Ras that influence them etc, InI could all do this without it being any one person responsibility or relying on any one specifically to manage this all. As a collective InI can still accomplish said goals of generating some ends for the site owners as well as put a money towards helping elders.

Blessed more love

Selassie I

- Papa Fz aka Philip Gad

[Menace II Babylon]

So if everybody against assiting and paying i suppose the voluntary payments will be up in the air?

[Hailemah Amhara SolomonTimelessI]

GREETINGS PAPA Fz,

THESE SUGGESTIONS ARE ON POINT AND THE IMPETUS OF WHY INI HEADED OUT WITH MY OTHER ENTERPRISE "TIMELESS ROOTS MEDIA' www.youtube.com/timelessi. THE IDEA OF CHARGING IN BETWEEN MY INTERVIEWS, MUSIC VIDEOS, WORD SOUND SESSIONS WITH RAS TAFARI AND PAN AFRICANIST AUTHORS, FILM MAKERS, MUSICIANS,VISUAL ARTISTS,ETC. THAT WAS NOT DONE HERE UNDER MY PAGE FOR THE TIMELESS ROOTS MEDIA, AS WE DID'NT WANT TO USE THE PLATFORM AS AN ADVERTISING ARENA.
IT WAS ADVICE OF SOUNDJATA TO USE THE YOUTUBE SORTA AS A "SUB-LEASE" PLATFORM, AND SO INI DID SO, STILL IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING VIEWERSHIP, CLICKS, AND VARIOUS"CAMPAIGNS". (which require a minimum fees of about 5cents a click or so, always a fee)

INI ALSO RECOMMEDNED THE MOGULUS CHANNEL >(WOJ TV)WHICH ONE CAN FUNCTION ON A 24-7 INDEPENDENT LEGIT CHANNEL OR TV STATION IN CONTROL OF CONTENT AND USING THE VEHICLE OF THE POWER OF AUDIO-VISUAL AS A MEDIUM. THE ADVERTISING OPTION, MORESO A "SPONSORSHIP" BY MERCHANTS SERVICE PROVIDERS ETC. IS EXACTLY WHERE INI AM GOING WITH THIS. (ACTUALLY "GOING BACK", AS INI AND KINGMAN DID THIS VERY CONCEPT IN THE EARLY NINETIES UNDER A COMPANY WE CALLED "TRENDSETTER'S NETWORK, INC~THE VIDEO AD NETWORK" . INI made the final suggestion to Soundjata 2 days ago: Why not establish a "MYSPACE:WORLDOFJAH" for FREE like INI do with MY Youtube channel,until we can build up to a place of more financial leverage. It would mean sacrifcing the many features and benefits, but we can still dialogue within the BIG SCREEN of MYSPACE as A SUB-LEASER??? (Hey this is what advertsing and creative moguls do, just an idea eh?)

Marketing and Public Relations being my arena, InI am well equiped to enhance this platform if we decide to do so. InI also recommended voice-books, and audio-visual I-NEWS for Rasta based content, which is already on the daily I-NEWS, as an HNN(Haile Noteworthy News) vehicle.(this could expand in content to be more Rasta Conscious and put in the ads inbetween segments in that format.)... more good justification for a subscription based platform or an ad based platform, one or the other. (one thing that drives business is teh need for ADVERTISEMENT and EXPOSURE, InI used this as the brain child for the TRENDSETTER"S NETWORK way back in the days, it is still and will always be a vital part of entrprenueship as well as already established busineses, the life blood of a growing entity! InI used the slogan "YOU CANNOT AFFORD NOT TO ADVERTISE!", even in a sinking economy, more reason to market your service or product.

InI suggest the advertising and sponsorship route, it is up my alley, not easy, but worth the shot under the present circumstances of Bredren Soundjata.

Either we think FAST on our feet, get realsitc , working solutions, or go BELLY-UP!

Be wisely guided and haile blessed,
Sis Hailemah~TimelessI
WOJ Community Liaison


Just some more food for thought family.

[Soundjata]

Powerful words Bredren,
U seem to be really knowledgeable regarding this question. I will message the I privately regarding this and many other things. Lets keep the link up
Give thanks

[SetAnbesa]

Haile I....
First, I would like to give so many thanks to Soundjata and Hailemah for their devotion to this site.

Many of us are struggling to pay the rent, bills and keep food on the table, but I don't think that $1 a month is a lot to ask. Personally, I would be more than happy to pay for a subscription to this sight, especially knowing that the money would be going right back into the Rasta community. I think it is crucial for we to seize any opportunity to support each other, and this is one small way that we can.

Personally, I am against the advertisement route. Nuff things flooding our senses these days wanting us to spend spend spend. But if that is the road that must be traveled, I used to work for Rastaroots.com and it's very possible that the bredren who owns it would be interested in advertising.

My one little vote is YES make this a subscription sight!!!
Majesty guide and protect.

[JAH LoveIrit]

As I said earlier it is not right to expect Sis Hailemah and Bredren Soundjata to bear the cost. I know there is no easy solution to this dilemma. But I would somehow find a way to pay a subscription - especially if it were only a dollar a month. This site keeps I grounded and gives I strength and support in a time of stress and struggle. I have have made some close ties here - hopefully iternal friends - and I give thanks for that. Sis H and bredren Soundjata - I pray that JAH gives Ini guidance in the tough decision that is sey before InI. Bless you both for your hard work.
RASTAFARI!

[Champs_mi]

ini feel that if the site needs funds to upgrade and become a better site then ini must do wat i have to. as for di i, not sure if ini would be able to afford to contribute that would depend on the fees

[Sis Elvira]

Blessed love...first of all, thanks for taking into consideration our opinions...well. i do understand that creating and maintaining such a great site as this needs not only the great effort ini have done, but also economy support...and let ini plenty recognize and congratulate the great job ini have done with the site to keep our royal family inited...unfortunately ini economy situation is not the best at this time, my country is having a hard time and it will become harder...so for that ini won´t be able to pay a monthly fee and ini do not want to be took out of the site for not having the possibily of paying the fee, cuse this is the best way i´ve found to communicate with ras tafarian royal family...won´t it be possible to ask for donated funds?ini will be pleased to contribute with some economy support, but won´t be able to pay a monthly fee...Please...keep it for free for the ones who can not pay the fee.
May Jah Love Bless Us All

[SHAGARI]

Blessed Greetings Love and Salutations....

Let INI firstly proceed by saying that INI have truely and richly
benefited from World Of JAH and all the upfull work that Bro.Soundjata and
Sis.Hailemah has put forth. INI have also benefited from the heartical love and reasonment
not to mention the friendships created.

There may be an avenue that should be looked at to help with operational cost without having
to turn to subscription format, and that would be "Advertising spots". We are a community ,that has long
before the word"GREEN" became a fashionable movement , used and itinue to do so products that we
oursevles found to be benificial, so it seems only fair that we should try extend spots , be it a header or thicker tape type banner where one can click at his or her interest to purchase products that "INI FAMILY" do use. Be it food,skin and hair care,natural heath care,garments,or workable information for INI daily livity. These same advertisers could also form incentives suited and directed towards WOJ in the form of discounts or whatever they may see fit to stimulate honest relations on all parties behalf. This may be something that may need looking into to see just how viable it is to do without compromising our trod and outlook in this day and time as we forward into the fullnes of JAH reality.

IT is just a thought, INI think its high time that Manufactures and Industry, also anyone who benefits
from the consumer, start to have a more positive contribution to the collective insted of "get the money and run".
The consumer shapes society and not the other way around .

Again , this is jus INI view
IN EVERYTHING LET JAH BE PRAISED

[Cleopatra Glanville]

Greetings to all,
while your intentions are for a great cause nuff rastafarians try to avoid credit card transations especially on the internet.Also with the abundance of social sites which is free!!!!!. Although we forward with a difference, it will be not well accepeted and unfair./My suggestion!!!! present a forum for interested parties with actual interest in repartriation and other Ethiopian interest.Remember we also want to encourage the youths to pay attention to this site that will be hard for them if they have to pay for access THANK you
Be Blessed

[Soundjata]

Greetings Sis,

Give thanks for the feedback. It was highly interesting for InI to do this poll, and the poll results can be found here. We will not go through wit a subscription based model. WOJ will remain free like the air we breathe.

Nuff Love
Soundjata