Home Free Library Store
Free Catalog

We're proud to have B&H Photo sponsor the VideoUniversity Forums.
Click Here To Shop B&H


Save with a Two Year Membership

To post in the forums see the Forum Guidelines.

Join or Renew Today.
New Benefits for all VU Members
Forum Guidelines and FAQ
Main Index Search Posts
Who's Online Log In

Smug Mug offers unlimited storage for video and photos. No ads. Start your FREE Trial.

Home: Video University Forums: Wedding & Event Videography:
Benefits of Membership

 

 


videobear
Veteran


May 29, 2006, 3:38 PM

Post #1 of 9 (12508 views)
Shortcut
Benefits of Membership Can't Post

If you're a regular here on the Video University forums, you'll have noticed that last Friday (May 26), VU went to a semi-subscription format. Anyone can still come here for free and lurk...reading the forum threads, debate, and information just as you always did (with one exception, which I'll get to).

But, if you want to join in the discussions and post, it'll cost you $25 per year. The purpose of this is to try and increase the "signal to noise" ratio of the forums. Frankly, it's a small price to pay to be an active participant in such a vibrant and diverse community of video enthusiasts.

Another step that we think will improve the overall character of the place is the requirement to include your real name and address when you register. This won't be visible to other members, but will be used (if necessary) as a tool to identify and exclude people who come here primarily to disrupt the forums.

Besides that, there's another important benefit to a paid membership: There is a "Members Only" forum which can only be accessed by subscribers. In less than two days, it's already become one of the most popular forums on VU, and it's turning out to be THE place where members prefer to post their work for viewing. Posting clips in the Members Only forum has the advantage of making it less likely that some lurker will rip off the material and use it as his or her own, something that has worried many of you. It's also a good bet that your clients won't be reading your "Members Only" posts.

In the scant few days since these changes, I've already seen positive results. The overall post count hasn't gone down significantly, and I have not had to delete or even edit a single post, let alone ban some troublemaker. I'm impressed, and very enthusiastic about the future of VU. I think that these are long-awaited improvements to a site that was already one of the favorite places for videographers around the world.

If you're sitting on the fence trying to decide whether or not to part with $25, let me encourage you to take the plunge. Posting on VU, as many have found, is not only a way to share your interest in video with others, it's so much fun that it's habit-forming. (If you don't think so, do a Search for discussions of VU addiction! Cool)




Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions


Howard Neill
Veteran


May 29, 2006, 9:18 PM

Post #2 of 9 (12381 views)
Shortcut
Re: [videobear] Benefits of Membership [In reply to] Can't Post

Thank you for putting things in perspective, Doug

$25 is a very small amount to pay for a whole year's subscription. Here, that is about the cost of a spindle of 50 DVDs and that's nothing at all. Cool

Cheers

.
Howard

Blog
Cape Video
Cape Town, South Africa - "Where two oceans meet"


Julian - CV
User


May 30, 2006, 9:29 AM

Post #3 of 9 (12265 views)
Shortcut
Re: [videobear] Benefits of Membership [In reply to] Can't Post

Keeping in touch...

Great points Doug.... One of the great ways I benefit from this site is that it allows me to "stay in touch" with friends. Just reading their post let's me know they're alive and well. It also reminds me to take the time to say hello.
If there is one thing I can pass on to newcomers that will greatly enhance their chances of success it's that you need to be plugged in - somewhere.
This forum keeps you exposed to different levels of talent - in many cases it provides instant answers to your day to day questions and it provides you with the opportunity to build relationships within your industry.
I can't believe anyone that has spent more than a week here couldn't see the value in being an active member of VU.
$25 - it's a half a tank of gas - 6 meal deals at Burger King - a night at the movies for 2. It's nothing to invest into your business.


.

Julian "Speilberg" St Pierre

IN[FOCUS]
Studio Vieux Carre



ivey
Veteran


May 30, 2006, 10:26 AM

Post #4 of 9 (12239 views)
Shortcut
Re: [Julian - CV] Benefits of Membership [In reply to] Can't Post

And that's exactly how I see it. A business investment. Because it sure has helped my business out tremendously!





Cheers,
Lisa Power









alolei
User

May 31, 2006, 4:59 AM

Post #5 of 9 (12114 views)
Shortcut
Re: [videobear] Benefits of Membership [In reply to] Can't Post

I am a part of videouniversity now. $25 is not a big price to join the distinguished community of videouniverity.
I learned so much here, thank you.

Greetings,

Laurent


YoWoViPr
Veteran


Jun 2, 2006, 8:34 PM

Post #6 of 9 (11920 views)
Shortcut
Re: [videobear] Benefits of Membership [In reply to] Can't Post


In Reply To
Besides that, there's another important benefit to a paid membership: There is a "Members Only" forum which can only be accessed by subscribers. In less than two days, it's already become one of the most popular forums on VU, and it's turning out to be THE place where members prefer to post their work for viewing. Posting clips in the Members Only forum has the advantage of making it less likely that some lurker will rip off the material and use it as his or her own, something that has worried many of you. It's also a good bet that your clients won't be reading your "Members Only" posts.

Glad I read your post Doug. I didn't know about the Members Only forum. That, and the added privacy is what tipped the scales for me. Paying to post like we did before wasn't really worth it to me. But, once I learned about the MO forum, it was an easy decision to pay and say "thanks" as well! Dave


sky writer
Enthusiast


Oct 4, 2006, 7:03 PM

Post #7 of 9 (10831 views)
Shortcut
Re: [videobear] Benefits of Membership [In reply to] Can't Post

I think the members only forum has the potential of worth well beyond the price of membership. And I would encourage everyone who has benefited from this board and Hal and crew's enormous efforts to join in to build a stronger community and future for our craft.


(This post was edited by sky writer on Oct 8, 2006, 1:37 PM)


hlanden
The Dean / Moderator


Nov 11, 2006, 2:32 PM

Post #8 of 9 (10613 views)
Shortcut
Re: [sky writer] Benefits of Membership [In reply to] Can't Post

The Members Only Forum (which is only visible to registered members) is now about to log 20,000 posts! And that's since the end of May.

If you've been thinking about joining, I encourage you to do so. Even though the other forums have slowed somewhat, they are coming back. The Members Only Forum has really taken off. You won't find a nicer, more interesting and helpful group of videographers.

And if you have a problem with anything here, just write to me and I'll see what I can do to help.

Best Wishes,

Hal Landen
video@videouniversity.com
www.videouniversity.com
Professional Video Producer course


hlanden
The Dean / Moderator


Apr 14, 2007, 11:12 AM

Post #9 of 9 (9396 views)
Shortcut
Re: [hlanden] Benefits of Membership [In reply to] Can't Post

We've added lots of new benefits for members

http://www.videouniversity.com/...deouniversity-forums

And the price is the same. Actually it's lower if your register for two years.

Hal

PS: The Members Only Forum now has over 135,000 posts.

(This post was edited by hlanden on Oct 20, 2009, 12:09 PM)