How much have you made through UKBF?

[FM1000]

I've noticed there are businesses here that are actively seeking clients and doing deals. How many have made money through the UKBF and how much to date?

Just wondering if it's a good medium for getting business.

 

[garyk]

You're gonna need to stick around longer than 1 month and 39 posts to find out.

 

[robertt]

£0

Not here to make cash out of it, it was a business info sharing site when I registered.

It does sadden me that alot is now 'here is an answer, btw check my sig I do this related service' style stuff.

I dont have a sig as I refuse to pay for what was once free to those who effectively created the £250,000 value of the forum when it was sold.

It has changed but I would hope people are here for the 'right reasons' rather than just glorified promo.

 

[stugster]

I dont have a sig as I refuse to pay for what was once free to those who effectively created the £250,000 value of the forum when it was sold.

Going to have to jump in here and retort to this statement. Whilst the users do put in a lot of the content it's primarily up to the owner of the forum to (1) build the user base in the first place, and (2) continually press for more input from the users.

The benefits of UKBF far outweigh any of the criticisms that can be thrown at it, in my opinion, and I should know as I'm one of those critics from time to time.

Sift saw the forums had value and proceeded to make an offer. Whether you automatically translate that "value" to the efforts of the user posts is your choice. I disagree.

 

[VeraJ]

Hi FM1000

I joined a bit ago but have looked at the forum over the last year or so before that.

From what I see it's more of a chat / advice forum. The accountants trawl around for clients and I think maybe they get some business but I should think it's quite small stuff. Maybe a few freelancers get some work and maybe a bit of other business done but I don't think very much.

Use the site when you have a quiet moment or when you want a bit of free advice. Best way to view it.

I've noticed there are businesses here that are actively seeking clients and doing deals. How many have made money through the UKBF and how much to date?

Just wondering if it's a good medium for getting business.

 

[stugster]

maybe a bit of other business done but I don't think very much.

You'd be surprised

 

[Liybpg]

I've spent about £400 through here I think

 

[Optegris]

I've noticed there are businesses here that are actively seeking clients and doing deals. How many have made money through the UKBF and how much to date?

Just wondering if it's a good medium for getting business.

Millions

Generates probably about 40-60% of my new business

 

[estwig]

A lot of money. When I first joined I didn't know anything about marketing, websites, email, servers, printing, VAT, or how to run a business in general. Found my accountant here, had two websites, various marketing campaigns, printing and copy written by members here. To say nothing of IT support, hosting and lots of other things. Then you get into what I've learned, a lot!

I now have a very good grasp of seo, thanks to this forum, build my own websites using Joomla and am currently learning to use Dreamweaver.

If your looking to come on here to make money, you won't because your thinking is flawed. If your looking to learn and share knowledge, you stand a fighting chance of making money.


Power to the people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Andrew @ PLA]

IMO the prime function of the website is to act as a online business community (a bit like netmums but for those who work - that should get a reaction ). If as a result of being an active member in the 'community' and offering good advice you get some work from it, then this should be looked upon as a bonus. If however your sole aim is to use this board as a means of generating business, then I'd suggest you are barking up the wrong tree.

 

[robertt]

Going to have to jump in here and retort to this statement. Whilst the users do put in a lot of the content it's primarily up to the owner of the forum to (1) build the user base in the first place, and (2) continually press for more input from the users.

The benefits of UKBF far outweigh any of the criticisms that can be thrown at it, in my opinion, and I should know as I'm one of those critics from time to time.

Sift saw the forums had value and proceeded to make an offer. Whether you automatically translate that "value" to the efforts of the user posts is your choice. I disagree.

Without wanting to take the thread OT - my point was without the users posts there is no forum. There are admins on forums everywhere straining to create a community, but its not that effort that creates the value, its the posts that are made.

To then make those users who created the value in the first place a revenue stream is abit cheeky IMHO.

 

[VeraJ]

Openmind

Nice sales pitch.

If you really get 40-60% of your business directly from members on this forum, there is no way you are making millions.

Maybe dreaming about it? There are plenty of dreamers on this forum so you will be in good company.

Maybe try the Lotto? Much better chance of making millions.

Millions Generates probably about 40-60% of my new business

 

[VeraJ]

Hi Robert

I think the forum does a good job and the owners are worth whatever money they make out of it.

Just think of it as another social service. Where would all the lonely and unemployed go if they couldn't spend their lives on this forum?

Without wanting to take the thread OT - my point was without the users posts there is no forum. There are admins on forums everywhere straining to create a community, but its not that effort that creates the value, its the posts that are made.

To then make those users who created the value in the first place a revenue stream is abit cheeky IMHO.

 

[caddesignworks]

Got two enquiries for CAD works, first one used me as I was new into business establishing. But still hopeing UKBF will help me some way

 

[Nigel@Phoenix]

Havng recently joined the forum my experiences of how good it is ....is limited!! However I can say that the short time I have been here is already building my knowledge

 

[OldWelshGuy]

Openmind

Nice sales pitch.

If you really get 40-60% of your business directly from members on this forum, there is no way you are making millions.

Maybe dreaming about it? There are plenty of dreamers on this forum so you will be in good company.

Maybe try the Lotto? Much better chance of making millions.

Methinks you need to get laid, as you appear to have failed to see the tongue in cheek 'millions' and tone of the post.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Cash. Nothing,absolutely nothing.

Good advice and knowledge. Worth it's weight in gold.

 

[thebigIAM]

I never joined the site to make money either.

I think I was first drawn by Ling. Although I recognised that she was controversial, she still wrote many inspirational posts. She's the sort of person who ought to keep a blog dispensing her abrasive advice and thoughts on issues being discussed by the media.

 

[papverpoppies]

Hi Robert

I think the forum does a good job and the owners are worth whatever money they make out of it.

Just think of it as another social service. Where would all the lonely and unemployed go if they couldn't spend their lives on this forum?

Your place

Seriously, this forum is what you make it, if you give - you will get back in return, that does not have to be in money terms.

Perhaps you have not posted enough OP, to get the full flavour of this board.

Did I say the 'right things' board owners?



Poppy xx

 

[Scoop]

As a new member here I think there is some merit in it. I give work & leads to people I've 'met' in an online community.

The ability to get a little background info & impression of the peope who offer the services I'm looking for at a certain time is extremely useful, especially when the post can be vetted by others with experience.
Anything is better than going in blind when you need something you have no experience of.

That doesn't mean I am niave enough to take someones online activities as chapter & verse on their ethics but it's better than nothing and I've found the networking aspect in general to be a useful connection which can pay dividends but as others have said, it'a community and that's a 2-way street

 

I've noticed there are businesses here that are actively seeking clients and doing deals. How many have made money through the UKBF and how much to date?

Just wondering if it's a good medium for getting business.

In terms of hard cash probably enought to buy a jag.

Having said that I do not look for work as I have enough to last me a lifetime ( or at least 1 year)

In terms of money overall pretty hard to value, as the advice and help I have had which enabled me to run various business's more efficiently is hard to estimate.

Being able to bounce new ideas off various knowlegable members is one of the greatest benefits for me and have help from members who specialise in various area's.

Earl

 

[stugster]

Like appropriate use of apostrophes

 

[Steve202]

Nothing. My aim in joining forums is not to make money, but participate is discussions, give and recieve advice.

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

Me?

A lot. Put it that way.

In fact, a large number of some of my biggest clients are from right here on this forum. The recommendation threads about me do help somewhat.

 

Like appropriate use of apostrophes

It can be very damaging to read text on a computer screen through binoculars.

Earl

 

[maxh]

£2,000 roughly

 

[Big Pete]

Money wise from here Zilch
headaches from here ' Loads
Knowledge from here , a few gems of brilliance
abuse from here . plenty

If your trying to sell services and think this forum will do it . forget it . unless unique.. all web design hosting is overkilled ..

But if you want to learn and have a place to bounce ideas and get advice , worth its weight in gold and worth putting up with the Headaches and abuse

 

[garyk]

Maybe a few freelancers get some work and maybe a bit of other business done but I don't think very much.

You're making assumptions based on the short amount of time you have been here. I have had work from other members here and it runs well into four figures but it didnt happen overnight, probably about 2 years before I got anything.

You need to build credibility and get to know people, you cant do that in 50 posts in 1-3 months.

Gary

 

[GemmaC]

As a newbie I haven't made anything - and don't expect to either. I'm also a contractor so I have no products or services to push (other than myself!).

In my line of work (office manager) - the biggest motivation is to impart advice on facilities, HR, office relocations etc, and defer to others expertise on anything I'm unsure of. Already recieved excellent advice so far in 1 day!

That said - if there are local businesses on here - I don't see any harm in it at all (providing the owners of those profiles don't just tout themselves for profit). I'd welcome quotes if I was planning an event and needed a specialist item- makes perfect business sense.

 

[RoyaleGraphics]

Knowledge is everything and that's what I'm learning being on this forum

 

[Optegris]

Openmind

Nice sales pitch.

If you really get 40-60% of your business directly from members on this forum, there is no way you are making millions.

Maybe dreaming about it? There are plenty of dreamers on this forum so you will be in good company.

Maybe try the Lotto? Much better chance of making millions.

OK the millions was a lie, it's actually tens of millions

Methinks you need to get laid, as you appear to have failed to see the tongue in cheek 'millions' and tone of the post.

No really it's true, I'm sitting here typing this on my gold plated, diamond encrusted keyboard whilst my toenails are buffed by a 20 year old Scandinavian by the name Hotty McLotty

 

OK the millions was a lie, it's actually tens of millions


No really it's true, I'm sitting here typing this on my gold plated, diamond encrusted keyboard whilst my toenails are buffed by a 20 year old Scandinavian by the name Hotty McLotty

Now I know your lying about the keyboard as the diamonds on mine kept falling off and making the keys stick.

So I had to throw it away.

Excellent service from Phil although he is inclined to exaggerate a tad and won't give me Hotty's phone number.:|

Earl

 

[stugster]

Hotty McLotty

You barsteward. She's meant to be with me today.

 

[Optegris]

Well you didn't pay her last time, so tough gorbells.

 

[CSBob]

I think there are really two main types of people here and this combination drives the forum. I have nothing to sell here, for instance, as ours is a niche product, but I don't begrudge those who do have. That's business. I don't doubt that a fair portion pick up extra work via the forum, and there may even be some who do very well out of it. We haven't yet spent anything with another member ourselves, but it's only a matter of time - I've seen some great offers and evidence of some very talented people.

What I think most of us are here for is simply to share knowledge or for general, business-related chat with like-minded people. The accountants and marketers on here, in particular, are superb resources. I've certainly picked up lots of tips and things to think about / look into in more detail, just through perusing interesting threads, and I've probably bookmarked an average of a link a day since joining just a few weeks ago.

Will I ever make much money selling to fellow members? Probably not, in my particular case. Have I or will I benefit tremendously in many other ways? Hell yes. One tax-related tip alone will probably save me a very large amount of CGT three years or so down the line, and I'm now pondering switching my accountant because of it.

 

[Mpg]

In monetary terms I've earnt NOTHING from this site.

In advice etc I've saved £££££'s Which is why I paid my subs within a very short space of time. I actively seek any work for myself however I have used members for their services so I have spent close to £1000.

So I'm still up

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

The key to making money on this website is to NOT post just for the sake of making money. Everyone can tell when someone does it, no matter how much they try to hide their purpose.

I've made money from a lot of clients on UKBF, but even if I didn't make a penny, I'd still post and provide just as much free advice as I do now. It's the enjoyment of it which enables you to stay around for the long-haul and build up credibility (four years, in my case).

Funny little paradox, but if you come here to make money from members, you'll struggle. If you come here for another more genuine purpose, then you're more likely to get members turning into clients.

 

[florenceij]

Loads of very useful and helpful post above. When I first joined while I was studying in Uni. I was already running an online niche business but realised I didn't know much about business or running an online business. It took me awhile to get plugged in.

I have had priceless advise, support and meet some really experienced business folks on this forum.

I often search through the forum for previous post that may shed some light on an issue I need advise in or with assisting me make some business decisions. You will be amazed the number of times the same question has been asked over and over again over the years. Maybe we should have a section on popular search terms

I have gained clients here and have also used services of members on this forum.

I think this is one of the best business forums I have been a part of. Thanks to the folks that made the effort to deliver this service.

 

[chalkie99]

I never joined the site to make money either.

I think I was first drawn by Ling. Although I recognised that she was controversial, she still wrote many inspirational posts. She's the sort of person who ought to keep a blog dispensing her abrasive advice and thoughts on issues being discussed by the media.

Exactly the same for me - came across something from her on Google which led me here and really enjoyed her contributions until she got booted out.

Great idea about her blog.

 

Exactly the same for me - came across something from her on Google which led me here and really enjoyed her contributions until she got booted out.

Great idea about her blog.

Oh I think if you put "lease car blog" in google you will find what you are looking for.

Earl