After all, that advertising space has been available for ages now, and nobody has bothered to take it up. Eventually they had to put google ads on there, which says it all really.
I enquired about advertising in that slot and didn't get a reply. At the time I'm sure I'd have been prepared to pay more than the revenue Google ads generate.
A reasonable one-off fee to join for
everyone would resolve the issue of a divide but the 'personality' of the site would completely change so it would be a risk.
It could easily go pear shaped because there are loads of cleaning forums out there already. Cleanitup attracts members because of the fast replies and that is thanks to the amount of members.
Paying would mean less members and slower replies and so less attraction.
There would need to be an incentive of sufficient value to justify the fee in the minds of potential members.
As Nat says the WCR forum (based in America and nothing to do with me by the way - they just pinched my name!) they have the right idea. Their site is imaginitive and cutting edge.
It's their use of video and podcasting that makes it unique and they tie that in with selling a wide range of products.
Whoever takes on the job would do well to learn from them.
That said, I don't think this site will make anyone rich. Especially as its shared profits and as said members come here to socialise not to buy.
To whoever takes on the job I reckon your best bet would be to build on the fun side of the site as if it were a virtual pub where friends hang out.
eg. you could pay £5 credits to buy 20 pints or something which you can then send to friends in public view. Games rooms and stuff like that.