yipeeh am part of the premium geek league also but my bar looks a lot shorter than others so will have to keep working on that

I think the paid subscription is a good way of generating income for salongeek but also a way of determining who is serious about their business....people who have to commit seem to be more determined about their business and want to learn and help others...

Maybe another way would be to offer newcomers without subscription a "trial period" where they can read posts but they cannot ask or answer any threads. There could be a starter package where they can subscribe with a small amount to be able to read and answer threads and then the ultimate premium subscription.

I know nowadays everyone wants everything for nothing but I am sure if professionals can see how beneficial, positive and helpful salongeek is they will be only too happy to pay a subscription to get and give more and that way not only give with their professional advice but also give back to salongeek?

You can also change your 'heading thingy' like mine say's 'Flirties Freak' and you can have a profile pic as well as a avatar.

xx

Well - I have paid my dues and I await the riches that knowledge will bring me! Collin - are you sure that you're not earning commission?

erm well I am trying to get a meeting with Sam and my accountants to agree terms...wish me luck

Wow so your wearing the badge...well done.

I guess Sam has to be polite about these things...where as I don't..he he he so come on gal's (and guy's) dip into them purses..swatt the moths that fly out and press that button...put something back into the site today.

Being on Salon Geek is a bit like being in a candy store...lots of goodies about...but tut tut no touchy touchy till youve paid the shop keeper.

your doing a grand job Colin....

Just to mention though....(as you said about having it more obvious to newbies)....I don't think the site ever wants appear pushy, and i wouldn't want it to be the first thing a newby see's....could be off putting. I quite like that people find out about this by accident, many are more than happy to subscribe and are thrilled to learn they can help the site. But no-one should ever feel bad if they don't/cant.

I know you guy's don't want to be pushy and that realy is a good thing ...

It realy does take a while for a newbie (and some of us older slower ones ) to navigate their way around and find things out for themselves or through help from other geeks.....

I am also confident that if more perhaps new about this option that more would take it on as there are soooo many additional features to play about with...and you to can have a fun animated avator also like my new one for today...but not to worry as just demonstrating the posative aspects of premium status...Tom the cat will definatley be back

In other words..if people know about it then they have the freedom of choice as to weather or not to take the option up...so maybe an option to do so on first registration wouldn't be being pushy after all

Its simply a matter of the way in which it is presented to the individual..if done correctly it would be seen as posative and not pushy at all.

This highlights one of the Mods biggest bug bears (I think).

There is a whole thread called "HOW TO DO STUFF ON THE SITE" and in it is all about how to get the best from the site - how to create signatures, how to not get up peoples noses, how to become a premium geek etc. etc. etc.

But how many people actually read it when they first join - not many I'll bet they just register and fire off their first post, sometimes a complaint about a company LOL.

I view the Geek as like joining a new flat share - you should find out how things are done before wading in with the way you want things to be done LOL.

As I said before Collin, you are doing a grand job. We will have you pushing dinky signatures next LOL.

Fiona.....you can be my flatmate anytime you wish (asuming you don't snore)you just have to ask you know

To be fair to those comming onto the site for the first time...there is so much to take in..can I do this,can't I do that...OMG im new so please be kind to me sort of stuff...it's no wonder it takes a while to figure out the site properly...hopefully soon and for everyon's benifit im going to be succesfull in downloading the spell check jobby soon

So till then and getting a few more Geeks (either new or old but slow)aware of this wonderfull premium geek jobby the running dude in my avator will just have to keep right on running for his life

Im now a Premium Geek woo hoo!

This site has been invaluable to me for doing research, getting other therapists with far more experience views, and making choices from other people's threads (Im a typical librian I cant make a decision for love nor money till them scales are totally balanced), I couldnt be without it, so definately want to support it.

Oh Collin! I'm missing the sexy cat! x

I think I'm a premium geek now

Well until more sign up the running dude stays ...when enough have hit that button Tom Tom will be back

I figure if I do everyones head in with this avator long enough they will be queing up to sign up just to get rid of it

I would feel guilty not being a premium geek to me its a bit like going into a book shop everyday reading all the books you want and never buying one.
For the amount of fantastic advise and info you have access to its well worth the few pence it works out at a day.

well described Gill

Although to be fair I do think it's simply a case that people really aren't aware of it fully...

Hopefully now more will be and at lest will now have freedome of choice so to speak..if you know about something you can do something about it...if you know what I mean

Can I also raise a point? From a newbie point of view, when I saw Premium Geek, I did think it was a bit presumptious of me to charge on in and make myself one when i'm new and only training!

I am in awe of all you fantastic geeks and being controversial, sometimes some geeks can be a bit "short" with newbies that don't do the right thing!

Do you know what I mean or am I just rambling?

Anyway, I am so impressed with the site and I have made loads of new friends already and I am learning every second, so thank you to everyone!