[GrendelKhan{TSU]

no. money isn't all...but it IS part of it.

But I don't necessarily why that makes a difference to the question. the implication is that.... what?

Monetizing a forum doesn't necessarily mean spamming it with Ads or something "unscruptulous' even if money was the sole goal. Optimizing revenue streams is always a balance with what users/members would accept regardless. But everyone makes it seem like its bad to even try.

For a little more context: its an asian ethic group community. ie: the site is a place for that ethnic group to "hang out". So, its a niche market in that way... but topics cover...well .. everything. Many discussions end up towards, obviously, specific cultural issues...but its largely just a general open community. Many members have been there for years. I am a member, just been asked to be admin with ONE of the goals to monetize more effectively.

So, its a fun thing and I'm not looking to go IPO, but with a community of that size... know that its possible to make as much as Irisfire (if that is true) seems an ok goal to have ... would be well... not a bad thing.

NOTE: the site currently already makes a 100-$200+ a month on average on Adsense ads. It used to be higher but its been severally neglected (still using vb 3.0.6).

as said, there are a ton of variables... but I was wondering what the averages were across the board.... again: closer to $1? or the five figures you mentioned? or the $200 we're getting is all I should ever expect, etc.

So, as long as one CAN make money from a community... in a way that is acceptable to the members, I don't see why one wouldn't.

again, I was posting to get a feel for whether that was even possible or what the averages out there were to manage expectations.

good to know that irisfire gets it all from subscriptions though. is there a reaason you don't try to add some reasonable (non-imposing) ads as well? I mean... why not?