I wanted to share with you the message I sent out to all my Foodie Exchange members.
Our group is on ning.com, a social network platform. It used to be free until they announced yesterday it no longer will be. And the fees are ridiculous. We are already to big for the mini package, the next one I would have to take is $19,95 a MONTH! It’s OUTRAGEOUS, that is more then hosting a website for a year! Here is the message I sent…
I got a nasty email today from ning….a rumor I had heard that was confirmed.
the ning networks will no longer be free…read the announcement
So we have two options:
1. move somewhere else that is free. I did this once, it was a pain and not everyone followed. Worse case do you have a service like this to suggest that is free.
2. Everyone contributes to pay a year’s worth of subscription. We need the Ning Plus which is 199.95 per year. If eveyone sent me 2$ via paypal we could cover it easy. Its only 2$ a year.
Also if you are PISSED like me about this write a complaint here:
http://blog.ning.com/2010/05/introducing-ning-pro-ning-plus-and-ning-mini.html
There are school classes, city groups, non-profit organizations and people like me who offer a ‘service or concept’ for free. We have to pay out of our own pockets? Are you kidding me. i am really furious about this.
Ning…SHAME ON YOU !
Guess how much money I’ve made from The Chocolate Cult in the 14 months we’ve been around?
ZERO
No way I would pay for anything like this ever. If some companies give me products to write reviews of or host a giveway for, hey they got publicity cheap because I charge nothing to do that other than the time it takes and some wear and tear on my body to try these things out.
Everyone is trying to nickle and dime us and those of us who are doing what we like and perhaps educate in the process just have to stand up for ourselves. I hope you won’t lose your audicance, CheapEthnicEats.
And let me know when your winnings from us arrive so I can mark that on my company records I keep.
I totally agree with you – Shame on you Ning.
Evelyne, I will support whatever you decide to do.
Evelyne…I just had to add my two cents.
I may not be a member of your exchange group…however, my heart goes out to you.
I realize how much you’ve worked on this project and how enjoyable it seemed for you and your members.
I certainly agree 110%…what Ning is doing is terribly wrong!!!
Just on principal alone…I would drop them.
Maybe, if more members like yourself voice their opinions in the same manner…NING may just have to change their business attitude.
I’ll cross my fingers that all this will work out in the end.
All the very best,
Claudia
Looking into an alternative, cross your finger, I may have a friend who can act as a provider..
I heard about this via Twitter. It’s ridiculous. I understand needing to make money, but that’s what ads are for.
THeir prices are outrageous. I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of networks that use Ning.com leave.