Increasing Gold Membership numbers?

[Bruce Pennington]

Brian, I think you can forget about worrying about us.  We're here because we love doing this.  It's a hobby, not a profession.  The guys that like making money at this are already running their own businesses.  Do whatever you need to do to Make NMB Great Again, and don't spend another second worrying about compensating us.  Complimentary Gold memberships are an honor to receive and quite sufficient.  Warrelics does the same thing.  Don't know about other sites. 

[Kmad]

Hi all,

I think if you want to sell more than 1 item at any 1 time you should have to have gold membership

Regards

Ken 

[CaptainKevo]

Greetings Gentlemen,

Granted I am a boomer and new to this hobby and site, I wanted to inform you that it took a good five or six minutes for me to discover how to join and ma

ke my payment ( a very reasonable payment in my opinion ).  By the time that I was finished I had come to the conclusion that a little reworking of your leader board would be a big improvement. New users should immediately see how they can join, what their contributions do and how reasonable it is for the vast amount of info and support that they can access.  It should be short, sweet and unavoidable ( not just plain lines of text like that which appeared when I opened this site and Did Not Read). This might give you a small uptick in subscriptions for no cost and little effort...

[Mark]

welcome Kevin

[CaptainKevo]

Thank you sir.

 

It's nice to be here!

[kissakai]

I've of the same opinion as Kevin

 

[Brian]

Welcome Kevin, and thank you very much for the support. It helps a lot, as we are about to consider upgrading to the new software (A major upgrade) and the quote for that alone is over $500.
Do you mean finding where to look at the Gold membership options? 
Yeah, currently by default it is under the STORE tab at the top. If you are saying that is too hidden, I'll look tomorrow if I can make it more obvious and findable. 
The link is here for anyone who wants to see the benefits: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/subscriptions/

I'll see if I can make it more intuitive. 

Thanks,
Brian

[CaptainKevo]

Hello Brian,

Absolutely! Make it one of the first things a newcomer would see to get them on track. Also, I would suggest using Subscribe instead of Donate since the younger generations are more tuned into that for obvious reasons. Just a suggestion.

 

I apologize for posting in the wrong forum. Please move my post if you can or delete it if that is easier.

 

Best wishes

Kevin 

[eternal_newbie]

55 minutes ago, CaptainKevo said:

Also, I would suggest using Subscribe instead of Donate since the younger generations are more tuned into that for obvious reasons.

 

Donate is probably fine as is but "Subscribe" or "Subscriptions" instead of "Store" makes more sense since they're the only thing you can "purchase" in the store.

[Brian]

Have made a change to bring that up one level. Subscriptions is a software forced description, but maybe it is a bit more useful/visible now? Will see how I can fine tune it more. Thanks.

[Bruce Pennington]

I already like the "Subscriptions" label.  "Store" had always thrown me off because I think of buying things in a store, and there were never any goodies to buy in that "Store."

[Brian]

The forum software has the ability to go full store mode if we ever want to try that, like it was want to market books, shirts, mugs...anything at all. Would be nice to have some stuff to sell, but obviously the logistics are considerable.
But oneday we'll explore that further. 

[Marcin]

What about making some articles available only for long term subscribers?

Imo NCO 95 guide and some kind of oshigata compilation would do the trick. And I know some kind of guide is in the making.

@Bruce Pennington @Scogg have You thought about cooking something?

Slough’s second edition was printed 20 years ago

Edited January 7 by Rawa

[Scogg]

I’m working on a Type 95 patterns and variations document. Im not sure when I’ll be finished, and I have to be very careful to be accurate and factual. I hope to have some people proofread it before I call it “complete”. 
 

Whether or not it’s up to the standards of the NMB will be entirely up to Brian, though. We’ll see when we get there 

-Sam 

[Bruce Pennington]

2 hours ago, Rawa said:

oshigata compilation would do the trick. And I know some kind of guide is in the making.

Marcin,

That would be something more in line with Mal's - @mecox - expertise.

[Marcin]

1 hour ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Marcin,

That would be something more in line with Mal's - @mecox - expertise.

You have done a lot of research. I thought about combined work with all done in previous articles.

Like Slough’s Mantetsu pages.

Edited January 8 by Rawa

[Brian]

Yes...Gold membership articles are definitely a useful and likely outcome. Although people will likely share them anyways, it would be a very helpful thing. We just need some that would be enough of an incentive for people to take up the membership.
Sam, I'm pretty sure your document is going to be awesome. 
Currently we are saving up for the $500+ needed to pay for the major update to the software. But I think that is going to be an amazing experience for everyone once done.

[Bruce Pennington]

15 hours ago, Rawa said:

combined work with all done in previous articles.

That would be an awesome book, Marcin!  I'm just trying to imagine - All of Mal's articles on WWII smiths; the Mantetsu article; the Souvenir Article; Sam's Type 95 article; hopefully a Type 25 article from John.  I'd have to check with Akira Komiya, and Nick's wife, but it would be great to include Nick's sword articles.  Don't know if the Stamps doc would be too big to add.

Hmmm .....

[Scogg]

2 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

That would be an awesome book, Marcin!  I'm just trying to imagine - All of Mal's articles on WWII smiths; the Mantetsu article; the Souvenir Article; Sam's Type 95 article; hopefully a Type 25 article from John.  I'd have to check with Akira Komiya, and Nick's wife, but it would be great to include Nick's sword articles.  Don't know if the Stamps doc would be too big to add.

Hmmm .....

Sounds like quite the book 

Maybe it could be published, and some percentage of the proceed could benefit the NMB. (just thinking out loud)

Lots of work though... My 95 document alone is over 70 pages. 

I'd buy it 

-Sam

[MassiveMoonHeh]

Brian - monetising a site like this is a must - it is just to valuable to be a charity (Unless of course someone rich is willing to sponsor it) - but it needs funding!

 

1. Advertising via Google adverts is one way to go. Members get to view the site minus the ads.

2. Creating a members only area of high resolution blades as previously suggested would be enormously beneficial but that involves all members contributing and some may not be willing to list what they own so perhaps allow contribution anonymously - that is you get to decide if you put your name against your blade or not when you list it and blades uploaded anonymously do not have any tags back to the uploader.

3. Gold members do not need to pay a fee to list items for sale? Non-members get 5 free adverts but need to pay or become a member after that?

4. Gold members get access to sales items 12 hours before non-members is a great idea - if the seller is willing to do that?

5. Gold Member Dealers always have their posts at the top above non-dealers.

6. Dealers and Sellers regardless of membership should have a review status so that you can see if they are reputable.

7. Membership discounts to Gold Member Dealers so that we support our Gold Member dealers? This also becomes an incentive for getting dealers to become Gold Member Dealers.

8. Membership discounts to NBTHK membership or their publications? Has this ever been discussed with NBTHK? To try encourage more members going gold and get more NBTHK members?

9. Limit access to older posts in searches for non-paying members. That is they have access to 1 month of data but show them that there is data available but it is blurred out? Most recent posts are always free.

10. Free downloads section is only available to Gold members?

11. Deals with Gold member authors who are writing books to get discounts for their latest books for Gold Members?

12. Deals with museums who hold exhibitions to give Gold Members' discount rates?

13. Exclusive events for gold members - such as private viewings or access to swords at various museums, sword shows or private collections that allows gold members to a special event where those who attend are able to pick up some of the top rarely touched swords and view them properly. Now that would be exciting and worth the membership just for opportunities like this.

 

Most of these have been mentioned before.

 

I am not sure about a forum shop selling only merchandise is that valuable in terms of generating revenue unless you have plans to open a proper shop and sell things related to Nihonto - but that is not the business.

 

[robinalexander]

Well .... some really good ideas there Brett .... while others may be taking the Gold Member thingo to a whole new level, that may get really complicated.

 

But I love the way you think 

 

[Brian]

I'll try go through them point by point over the weekend. But some of them are excellent ideas, and others are limited by what the software can do, and I can't do it all manually.
Some of the stuff there can be done in the new software that I am waiting to update to, but we aren't making much progress towards the $500 that the major update requires, so a lot of it is pending along with a ton of other features people will like.
As far as hi res image hosting etc, that would likely also add another $100 a month to the hosting bills so I would need to make sure we don't go backwards. We already have a crazy number of attachment files hosted, well in the high hundreds of thousands, and most hosting comments have been "what the hell....you have allowed HOW MANY files uploaded??"
Yeah, 18+ years sure does increase the number of attachments, especially when they are fairly unrestricted.
The rest, I'll go through later, thanks for the comments.

[Brian]

Hi,

Let me try and address some of these while I have a gap.

 

On 2/14/2026 at 4:10 AM, MassiveMoonHeh said:

 

1. Advertising via Google adverts is one way to go. Members get to view the site minus the ads.

Agree. Google adverts is easier under the new software and it will be one of the ways I look to increase funds, but will try and keep it a bit discreet.
 

 

On 2/14/2026 at 4:10 AM, MassiveMoonHeh said:

2. Creating a members only area of high resolution blades as previously suggested would be enormously beneficial but that involves all members contributing and some may not be willing to list what they own so perhaps allow contribution anonymously - that is you get to decide if you put your name against your blade or not when you list it and blades uploaded anonymously do not have any tags back to the uploader.

Again, easy to do and I would like to do that. I could even set up a member category for people who want to be able to post hi res images. BUT, the problem is server space. Can you imaging how fast that would increase if people could upload 5 - 20 meg images? It can be done, but not without significant hosting cost to take server space. If I can be confident in getting in another $100 or so a month, I can do it, but that is quite a few new subscriptions.
 

 

On 2/14/2026 at 4:10 AM, MassiveMoonHeh said:

3. Gold members do not need to pay a fee to list items for sale? Non-members get 5 free adverts but need to pay or become a member after that?

Agree. But it needs to be policed, there is no automatic way to monitor that. Unless we create a For Sale section that is only postable by Gold members, and another that is for regular members. The advantage is that Gold members are usually vetted by the community or generally well known and are trusted a bit more. But how would people feel about that?
 

 

On 2/14/2026 at 4:10 AM, MassiveMoonHeh said:

4. Gold members get access to sales items 12 hours before non-members is a great idea - if the seller is willing to do that?

Can't think of a practical way to make that happen, with the limitations of the software. I'd have to investigate.

On 2/14/2026 at 4:10 AM, MassiveMoonHeh said:

6. Dealers and Sellers regardless of membership should have a review status so that you can see if they are reputable.

Sales and Sellers is usually where people can search for someone's reputation. Maybe I need to have a more dedicated section for Go/No Go sellers and buyers. But that comes with some controversy attached.
 

 

On 2/14/2026 at 4:10 AM, MassiveMoonHeh said:

8. Membership discounts to NBTHK membership or their publications? Has this ever been discussed with NBTHK? To try encourage more members going gold and get more NBTHK members?

I have no "IN" with the NBTHK and sometimes wonder if they know we exist or care. If someone has contacts and would like to approach them, I'm all in for it.
 

 

On 2/14/2026 at 4:10 AM, MassiveMoonHeh said:

9. Limit access to older posts in searches for non-paying members. That is they have access to 1 month of data but show them that there is data available but it is blurred out? Most recent posts are always free.

I'll check this out, it may be worthwhile to look at. Already the search delay for non Gold members is some incentive to take a membership.
 

 

On 2/14/2026 at 4:10 AM, MassiveMoonHeh said:

10. Free downloads section is only available to Gold members?

Would love to do this. Its a bit mean though, and I can see non members just getting the files from Gold members in private. But it really is fair, considering the quality of the downloads we have there. Maybe I should severely restrict the intervals etc of downloads for non Gold members?

 

On 2/14/2026 at 4:10 AM, MassiveMoonHeh said:

11. Deals with Gold member authors who are writing books to get discounts for their latest books for Gold Members?

12. Deals with museums who hold exhibitions to give Gold Members' discount rates?

13. Exclusive events for gold members - such as private viewings or access to swords at various museums, sword shows or private collections that allows gold members to a special event where those who attend are able to pick up some of the top rarely touched swords and view them properly. Now that would be exciting and worth the membership just for opportunities like this.

Again, I would love to do this. Happy to advertise new books and products if authors etc will give a discount to members or Gold members here. But that is up to the museums and authors etc, and I am stuck in SA without access to most of these people. Can you imagine if someone could arrange a DTI entry discount to Gold members or museum entry etc etc?
I'd be down for it in any way, and provide promotion, but need people who can assist with contacting them.

 

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Having some form of required gold membership or one off fee to post sales would at least allow the forum to recover some money on sales. It's only fair you can keep this board running efficiently without worrying about next months bills.  

[Toki]

Just came across this thread and decided to apply for a gold membership as well.
While none of the upgrades impact my activity on the forum, I find 6 Euros a month more than fair for the amount of knowledge accumulated on here.

[Brian]

Really appreciate it Erik. It's a big help currently, especially with us trying to save up enough to upgrade the software and features for everyone. And any new contributions delay me having to start things like advertising or charging for certain functions. Thanks again to those who do contribute.

[Marcin]

On 11/16/2025 at 9:06 AM, Hoshi said:

Hi, 

 

A blessing for the forum would be to ruthlessly filter out the low-effort "I found this on EBAY is it good should I buy it?"

 

 

These posts are polluting general and nihonto section. 

 

Some visitors just throw crap at the wall to see what sticks and abuse the kindness of people here. And these people don't contribute anything of value, not even a gold badge. 

 

I would in fact make a section called "identification" and limit posts to 1 sword per visitor, and after that it's a 200$/year. That will keep the noise the down. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I believe I didn’t ask similar question for more then a year :] 

Sometimes it can give impression that I spam with trash findings.

 

I see this forum in near future as biggest database in a world. 

With this amount of examples, comments and proper tools maybe it would be possible to create new chatbot?

Dunno how it is regulated in the rules. Who is an owner of comments made here?

 

If there is a possibility content at forum should be „spoilered” yet not readible fully via general search engine like google or be used for comercial unfamiar chatbots for machine learning.

 

Also there should be time limit for sale offers and „bump” amount depending on the account type - self-clearing for „normies”

[GreyVR]

On 9/6/2025 at 3:39 PM, Brian said:

Just a question for you guys out there.
Really could use a bit of an income boost here, and with Paypal preventing raffles etc, the easiest way is to increase the Gold Memberships here: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/subscriptions/

 

How to get more people to sub?

I'm a bit new here, so perhaps my experience will help. 
I love the information here. I've been researching this and that and learning a LOT. I haven't subbed, but I'd like to tell you the things I don't like about this site.... (which I suppose sounds rude, but a new guy wanders in, he might be the one to ask why there's not more people.) I have not read the comments. 

But, newer user. 

First, getting here is hard. Very often I can't get the site to load. I'm in southeastern US. There might be nothing you can do about that, if it really is a internet ddos international cable issue unless you set up mirror hosting in the US or the like. (_as mentioned in another thread.) 
Second, the traffic seems small. I can't come here and see a lot of new threads. Get the word out to people in Japanese sword hobby. 
Third, the image limitations discourage new users from showing things off too much. I imagine those are paywalled, and that might be a bad idea because it limits things to see which limits traffic. Expanding that moderately for free might allow more threads, more traffic, same percentage of people sub but there's more overall. 
Fourth, this page (seems) mostly about the study and collecting, as much as I can see from the top, but the actual practice might be worthwhile as a subforum of it's own. You might get some Koryu to start using the site and give them subforums in the martial arts forum (if you had one) for their individual styles. 
Fifth. Make the forum easier to navigate. Forum needs a "Topics you've interacted with' segment so I can see if people replied to my topics. (Now, before you reply, as oyu might, that we have that feature... if that feature is present it needs to be more user friendly. This forum likely has a lot of features I don't know about, and that's a problem because it's hiding a light under a bushel. If I could find all the topics I replied to or started without going to my profile and hunting around in the tabs, it would make the site easier to use and I'd load it more often. 

Now, I know all of that is... kind of negative, and I don't want to make myself unpopular with the management, but those are my main reflections. Overall it's a great site and has lot of articles! 

[Scogg]

Hi George. I don't view anything here as inherently "negative". Healthy criticism is welcome. The way you view things is valid, and is valuable as a new user approaching the board. 

Allow me to address a few of your points; in an attempt to help explain some of the issues we experience. @Brian, our forum administrator, has talked about a few of these over the years and he is ultimately the "boss man" when it comes to changes. I do know that he is working on updating forum software - and when that happens - many new "quality of life" changes will be implemented and some of the "old school" forum stuff will be phased out. So some of this stuff may just be "in progress" as we speak.

*The site loading issues will hopefully be temporary, and are like you say, a result of some recent DDOS attacks. 

*Traffic is small because the hobby is small. This is not a site for martial artists or practitioners, but rather focused on the artistic qualities of Nihonto. We pride ourselves in focusing on preservation. There are a lot of martial arts resources for practitioners elsewhere, that is more focused on practice rather than preservation and art. 

*Image limitations are tricky... It cost a lot of money to host a site with this many images. You may not realize, but this is one of the largest depositories of Japanese Sword images on the web, and that's no small feat. To increase image size limits, upgrading to gold will increase the limit, but otherwise it's just too cumbersome on the site.

*For "topics you've interacted with" would be nice. What I do for this, is click on my own profile. When you're viewing your own profile, if you scroll down, you will see all the topics that you have recently interacted with.

Hope this helps explain our situation a bit,
-Sam

[Brian]

Typed a long reply and then lost it to an accidental keystroke. Don't have the energy to type it all again now, but will respond properly tomorrow.

Btw, go to the top of the forum. See that "Activity" link? That will give you a ton of options as far as getting your feed is concerned. You can even click "My activity streams" and configure a steam to give you alllll the content you are looking for. I don't think that feature is that hidden, you just have to play with it a bit. This software is powerful and you can feed yourself pretty much any stream you like.