| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Intern doing study of ProZ.com: Why did you invest in a Platinum membership? Thread poster: Rajiv Mammen
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HI,
I'm a student currently doing a business internship at ProZ.com. I would really appreciate your input and help.
I have a few questions that would help me complete my project. I'm interested in the buying pattern (or rather the buying process) of platinum members.
In other words,
(1) What factors convinced you to choose platinum membership?
(2) How long after you registered with ProZ.com did you choose platinum membership?
... See more HI,
I'm a student currently doing a business internship at ProZ.com. I would really appreciate your input and help.
I have a few questions that would help me complete my project. I'm interested in the buying pattern (or rather the buying process) of platinum members.
In other words,
(1) What factors convinced you to choose platinum membership?
(2) How long after you registered with ProZ.com did you choose platinum membership?
(3) From a registered user to a platinum member, what were the steps in between ? (e.g. did you use the wallet functionality, or buy a 6 month membership?)
I'm also interested in examining the value that platinum membership offers.
I'd like to thank you in advance for all your help.
I do appreciate it.
Thanking you,
Rajiv.
[Subject edited by staff or moderator 2005-03-14 21:09] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Endre Both 
Germany
Local time: 05:47
English to German
Welcome to ProZ.com, Rajiv. I hope you'll like it here.
1)
- I wanted to get the added visibility and added functions that a platinum membership offered (in the translator list, in access to the BlueBoard and, more recently, to jobs.
- I wanted to contribute to the financial viability of a site that I valued in my daily work (and leisure); I would have blamed myself if I hadn't gone Platinum and ProZ.com had had to close its doors, like so many other Internet outfits bef... See more Welcome to ProZ.com, Rajiv. I hope you'll like it here.
1)
- I wanted to get the added visibility and added functions that a platinum membership offered (in the translator list, in access to the BlueBoard and, more recently, to jobs.
- I wanted to contribute to the financial viability of a site that I valued in my daily work (and leisure); I would have blamed myself if I hadn't gone Platinum and ProZ.com had had to close its doors, like so many other Internet outfits before that had offered free services.
2) This is an unusual question from a ProZ.com intern, since ProZ's databases should provide you with a much more precise and easier-to-evaluate answer on this than we members could.
3) Again, the answer is likely to be found in ProZ's customer database, and to be much more reliable than our recollections.
Good luck with your project
Endre ▲ Collapse
| | | | | About the databases | Mar 14, 2005 |
Hi Endre,
Thanks for your response. I appreciate your reply.
I've already spent coniderable time with the databases. The staff has been awfully kind to me and have provided a lot of infomation.
I want to know from the members themselves about their decisions to get platinum membership.
Thanks again.
Rajiv.
| | | | Yolanda Broad
United States
Local time: 23:47
Member (2000)
French to English
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MODERATOR | Is there some way besides this forum to answer this questionnaire | Mar 14, 2005 |
Hello Rajiv, and welcome.
I'd be very glad to answer your questionnaire, but hesitate to do so here: I'm afraid I'd be opening the floodgates. Can this be posted as a Site questionnaire instead?
Yolanda Broad
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Terry Gilman
Germany
Local time: 05:47
Member (2003)
German to English
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| Wouldn't mind seeing the thread continue, too, if that's possible | Mar 15, 2005 |
Hi Rajivm,
Nice to know that ProZ offers internships - another reason to support the site!
My reason for going platinum after about 4 months of lurking is the same as Endre Both's "1b":
"I wanted to contribute to the financial viability of a site that I valued in my daily work (and leisure); I would have blamed myself if I hadn't gone Platinum and ProZ.com had had to close its doors, like so many other Internet outfits before that had offered free services... See more Hi Rajivm,
Nice to know that ProZ offers internships - another reason to support the site!
My reason for going platinum after about 4 months of lurking is the same as Endre Both's "1b":
"I wanted to contribute to the financial viability of a site that I valued in my daily work (and leisure); I would have blamed myself if I hadn't gone Platinum and ProZ.com had had to close its doors, like so many other Internet outfits before that had offered free services."
I can't remember exactly, but I think I went platinum almost immediately (no intermediate steps).
I'm employed full time, so what I value most are KudoZ, the glossaries, and the forums. Initially, ProZ made a dimestore impression on me, but a friendly and well-intentioned one, and the site was easy for me to navigate. It also helps that the German and English contingents are large, diverse, and active.
If you do go for the site questionnaire format, I hope you will post an annotated report on the aggregate results. I think I can understand why you want some qualitative input on people's key buying factors to supplement the database, and an anonymous questionnaire might generate a wider and more accurate range of responses.
Good luck with your project,
Terry ▲ Collapse
| | | | Anil Goyal
India
Local time: 10:17
English to Hindi
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नमस्कार राजीव,
मेरे उत्तर
1) क्योंकि दूसरे लोग सदस्यता ले रहे थे और संकेत ये जा रहा थ... See more नमस्कार राजीव,
मेरे उत्तर
1) क्योंकि दूसरे लोग सदस्यता ले रहे थे और संकेत ये जा रहा था कि शायद जिनके पास सदस्यता है वे ज्यादा अच्छे हैं या उनकी गुणवत्ता अच्छी है। इस बारे में कई बार वाद प्रतिवाद विभिन्न फोरमों में हुए। बाद में मुझे यही लगा कि शायद संकेत यही है, हालाँकि मैं इस पर यकीन नहीं करता।
2) ठीक ठीक याद नहीं, पर मैं लगभग आरम्भिक सदस्य हूँ। शायद मैंने 4-5 साल के बाद प्लेटिनम सदस्यता ली।
3) 4-5 साल का इंतजार, जिन दोस्तों ने ली थी उनसे विचार विमर्श, विशेषकर भारतीय भाषाओं के संदर्भ में इसकी उपयोगिता और फायदों के बारे में।
मैं आशा करता हूँ कि आपको हिंदी आती है। ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Jobs, Blue Board, wanted the site to continue | Mar 15, 2005 |
Those are the short answers.
When I started as a freelance translator I had one big client, but needed more. Proz.com was the most attractive of the sites I registered with - it was easiest to navigate round (and still is).
I waited about 2 months, then ran out of BrowniZ for the Blue Board and had also seen that most of the really good KudoZ answerers seemed to be Platinum members.
I was usually too late to bid for jobs, even though there were not so many ... See more Those are the short answers.
When I started as a freelance translator I had one big client, but needed more. Proz.com was the most attractive of the sites I registered with - it was easiest to navigate round (and still is).
I waited about 2 months, then ran out of BrowniZ for the Blue Board and had also seen that most of the really good KudoZ answerers seemed to be Platinum members.
I was usually too late to bid for jobs, even though there were not so many 'Platinum only' then. (Now I'm too fussy: the outsourcers find me instead!)
I was 'hooked' on Proz.com in my coffee breaks - I missed my old colleagues, and here were hundreds of new ones with good advice on everything, just search or ask... and I'd hate to see the site go down for lack of funds.
Now I'm coming up to paying my third annual subscription, and there's no way I'd spring over. The first outsourcer to find me through Proz. paid enough for the first job to cover the subscription. Not all of the jobs are that big, but at least one new client finds me every month, most of them through Proz.com. - and some come back. I don't need to do any marketing, which I think is a bore, just send in the translations and invoices!
I was not tight for money yet, but needed to work, so I knew it was a good investment. I don't have time for the other sites!
Best of luck with your internship!
Christine ▲ Collapse
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1) I wanted to be visible to agencies interested in an eventual collaboration with me, and I also was grateful to Proz.com because it has made possible to me to work as full time and well-paid translator.
2) 1 year
3) I used the possibility to answer to the proposed jobs.
Good luck with your research!
| | | | John Jory
Germany
Local time: 05:47
English to German
+ ...
My reasons for wanting to join were access to the extra features & services available to members, but also my sense of fairness regarding "give & take".
After coming across ProZ early in 2002, I simply browsed for a while, fascinated by the concept of mutual help, and the enormous potential of such a site (Blue Board, open glossary, jobs offered).
I also spent quite a while getting familiar with the navigation, rules, etc.
When I decided to participate actively, I... See more My reasons for wanting to join were access to the extra features & services available to members, but also my sense of fairness regarding "give & take".
After coming across ProZ early in 2002, I simply browsed for a while, fascinated by the concept of mutual help, and the enormous potential of such a site (Blue Board, open glossary, jobs offered).
I also spent quite a while getting familiar with the navigation, rules, etc.
When I decided to participate actively, I resolved to pay for Platinum membership from the first job acquired via ProZ.
But that took longer than expected. Meanwhile I have really become hooked, and enjoy answering questions when time allows.
The first job came last year, but since then there has been a snowball effect, and I now have 6 new clients, which has boosted my monthly income by roughly 30%.
My 'investment' of some 18 months' active participation has brought rich rewards.
Thank you ProZ !!! ▲ Collapse
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Becoming Platinum has really paid off for me.
I went Platinum so that
1)I could see all the jobs posted,
2)I would have access to the BB,
3) that i would come up first in translator searches - this has been most effective for people looking for ENG - Gaelic translators, or for those who want to work with a Ireland-based translator.
Yesterday, I got TWO nice and juicy jobs from Point 3, thanks to being a Platinum member. ... See more Becoming Platinum has really paid off for me.
I went Platinum so that
1)I could see all the jobs posted,
2)I would have access to the BB,
3) that i would come up first in translator searches - this has been most effective for people looking for ENG - Gaelic translators, or for those who want to work with a Ireland-based translator.
Yesterday, I got TWO nice and juicy jobs from Point 3, thanks to being a Platinum member. ) Having a good and detailled profile helps too. You reap what you sow.
I joined Proz as a standard member about a year ago (March 2004) and went platinum in November 2004. I used the option of paying with Browniz points for the year.
I will definitely renew my platinum membership.
Orla, a happy Platinumette.
[Edited at 2005-03-15 11:01]
[Edited at 2005-03-15 11:02] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Ruxi
German to Romanian
+ ...
I do not understand what you aim by this project.
It may be in´teresting to see on the other hand the other side of the coin. Why those who are not (yet) Platinum do not buy this kind of membership.
1. Does it help people to get jobs? For many not.There are people who did not receive any job through ProZ.So they are waiting to get a job in order to buy Platinum.
2. Does it help to the survival of thre site: it maybe, but many people can not support the site. Such nice intentio... See more I do not understand what you aim by this project.
It may be in´teresting to see on the other hand the other side of the coin. Why those who are not (yet) Platinum do not buy this kind of membership.
1. Does it help people to get jobs? For many not.There are people who did not receive any job through ProZ.So they are waiting to get a job in order to buy Platinum.
2. Does it help to the survival of thre site: it maybe, but many people can not support the site. Such nice intentions are only possible if a person has material possibilities, so I don't find them real, from the bottom of a heart.
3. The steps of a normal buying process: registering as a normal member,using the Brownies, getting a job, from the income invest in a Platinum if necessary.Here there is the other way arround.First buy Platinum (with what money?), then get a job (if you get one).
Many come here only occasional, for a KudoZ question, or even only for discussion on forums (friendship).
I really do not know how many Platinum there are and how many standard members.It would be interesting for your project too.
Ruxi
P.S Does this internship mean some material possibilities for you? If yes, then it is nice from ProZ to offer it.
It would be interesting for other poor people too (e.g offer a free Platinum). ▲ Collapse
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It's nice to answer to rajivm's questions, but do you think your answers will help him?
Claudia
Anil Goyal wrote:
नमस्कार राजीव,
मेरे उत्तर
| | | | Klaus Herrmann
Germany
Local time: 05:47
Member (2002)
English to German
+ ...
| I want ProZ to be here to stay. | Mar 15, 2005 |
My main reason to become a paying member was that I feel that if I use a service like ProZ, I should make a contribution. The additional benefits as higher visibility in job posting, blue board access weren't important to me. (Not to a degree that I'd pay 120€ for it.) It took me about 3 months to make up my mind, and there were no steps in between.
| | | | | Much thanks for responses | Mar 15, 2005 |
HI all,
Thank you all for taking the time to reply. I will definitely propose a survey to the staff in order to gather quantitative data.
Just to clarify, I'm interesting in:
(1) The value that you see in a platinum membership
(2) The time that it took to recognize that value
(3) The steps taken in between (if any)
As a sidenote, I should explain that I'm a student and not a translator (though I did read and appreciate Anil's comme... See more HI all,
Thank you all for taking the time to reply. I will definitely propose a survey to the staff in order to gather quantitative data.
Just to clarify, I'm interesting in:
(1) The value that you see in a platinum membership
(2) The time that it took to recognize that value
(3) The steps taken in between (if any)
As a sidenote, I should explain that I'm a student and not a translator (though I did read and appreciate Anil's comments) and I'm not receiving a free platinum at the end of my internship.
I would certainly like to hear more in your own words, so please do continue to reply or feel free to e-mail me if you don't want to post your response.
Thanks again,
Rajiv. ▲ Collapse
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