Community Discussion on Recent Updates! 5PM ET Tonight!
Today at 5PM ET - in 2 hours, we will have a hangouts on air call to discuss the recent updates to 7 Cups.
Update: Back 7 Cups
We have been talking about this update for some time (take a look at this thread, written by @glenm for more information), but now that is has launched we'd like to discuss it with you as a community.
Everyone is welcome to listen in! If you miss the call, you will have the opportunity to go back and listen. There will be a recording.
Have a question? Please ask it ahead of time using this form.
7 Cups Founder, @GlenM will be leading the call.
How do I join the call? at 4:55 PM ET, the call link will be posted in this thread. Subscribe to this thread for link!
Follow along in the "7 Cups Live" chatroom! We will open these rooms during the live chat.
@Laura we dont have permission to use the form for questions can you please open that up so we can submit some :)
@Kallie112358
Whoops all set now :)
@Laura
brill thanks :)
Nice one Laura :) I will try and join along! How long is the call expected to last?
Hey. This has been copied from the LSR. I won't be able to make the discussion but if someone is able to pass this on for me, that would be fantastic. I like the idea of backing (note: donating) to the site to help keep it running and further improve -- and in return you get some perks such as access to new features before everyone else. I'm okay with that. My concern is purely if a user's experience is going to be hindered based on how much you pay/donate. I don't like the idea of paying for the privilege of being helped, or vice versa -- especially when we are not professionally trained to provide said help (unless you plan on introducing certified courses?) That's my two cents. Hopefully someone is able to pass it on as I can't get on until an hour after the discussion starts.
I don't want it to be "you can only get help on certain topics if you pay". Which, from Glens post, is what it sounds like. Though I could be getting the wrong end of the stick here.
The emphasis should be on donating for the sake of donating and not on donating because you'll be able to get that help you deserve only if you donate. I think it'd be more of a hindrance if worked in that manner.
I think 7cups should remain free with the option of donating if you want. A fancy title and new forum access as a thank you, perhaps.
I don't think 7cups should become paid with the option of not paying if you don't want to receive full support. Especially when a lot of our members are vulnerable and just need someone to talk to.
I hope that was coherent.
@BugInARug
I think we all share the goal of keeping the basic core service of 7 Cups free for everyone and are trying to figure out how to do that effectively.
@KrinkTheMellowUnicorn To put it plainly, by not using a subscription service. There are far more efficient ways of monetizing a site as fantastic as 7COT without alienating those who can't pay.
I get that fundamentally the service won't change, but when you rebuild a house, you don't typically alter the foundations.
@BugInARug
I appreciate your passion but you are making assertions without much evidence or argument to support them, so it's hard to know how to engage.
To put it plainly, by not using a subscription service. There are far more efficient ways of monetizing a site as fantastic as 7COT without alienating those who can't pay.
What are those far more efficient way, is efficiency the critical issue, and do I accept that having a way to donate alienates those who can't pay? (No I do not.)
I get that fundamentally the service won't change, but when you rebuild a house, you don't typically alter the foundations.
I agree. This is why the basic service will remain free. That is precisely the foundation.
@KrinkTheMellowUnicorn I also want to point out that I think, for a website like 7 Cups, advertising "Subscribe today; start feeling better now" is not how you should be advertising at all. Don't bring the focus to the subscriptions, you're going to get them anyway. I can assure you.
By bringing the focus to members subscribing, it gives off the impression of: "If you don't subscribe, you won't start feeling better."
That isn't the intent, but that's the message.
And with any business model, the message is everything.
@BugInARug
I think the right "call to action" is a tricky question and there is a fine line between being compelling and being manipulative. We want to stay on the right side of the line and at the same time we need to experiment with message, timing, placement, etc. to figure out what works best.
I do understand your concerns and as we test the language we should also take care not to overpromise and not to take advantage of people.
@KrinkTheMellowUnicorn
I'm glad that 7cups want to stay on the right side of that line, but how it is advertised right now is definitely on the other side of that line.
@KrinkTheMellowUnicorn Call to actions are always a difficult thing to use effectively, other than the bog standard; "Sign up now."
I think a lot of members and listeners who are active are very much involved and wanting 7 Cups of Tea, so a call to action much akin to "Help 7 Cups develop; subscribe today [FIND OUT MORE]" will be much more well received.
At the moment, the message being conveyed is that 7 Cups is being manipulative. Again, not the intent.
I really hope you do understand my concerns but I want to add that using the term "donate" is taking advantage of peoples good-will. I think that is the basis for a lot of uproar caused today. I truly think if you, @Laura et al. change the wording from donate to something much less sugar coated, it'll be well received.
But who am I to tell you what to do? I'm happy enough that one of the admin team have responded, even if nothing will come of this. Again, please if any of the admin team want to discuss things further with me, I'm just a message away. I've contacted @GlenM though as yet no response (though I understand everyone is very busy tonight).
I'm not expecting much at all to come from my contribution and opinion on this entire matter, but I'm happy and content you've respond Krink -- so thank you.
I just hope what I've said doesn't fall on deaf ears 
@BugInARug
These are important discussions, and the exact wording can send all kind of subtle signals to different people so we are listening very carefully.
We will be testing different messages for sure and we can try the ones you are recommending as well.
We also want to look at the overall effect of any change, not just whether it drives up a particular number. If something affects morale or the community or the culture that needs to factored in as well and addressed.
PM me if you'd like to discuss directly. I can't always reply in realtime but I will respond when I can.
@BugInARug You couldn't be more correct and I completely agree! Glen has emphasized that the money raised will go towards us as a community and helping us to exceed our mission and continue with our heroic efforts in changing the world for the better! 7 Cups is and will always be free for those who need us the most.
@SimonTheGr8 I get that entirely and I like the fact it is being monetized. I don't disagree with monetization.
I disagree with implementation.
Why did you remove that other comment? Her opinion should be welcomed, not ignored.
ill be at the discussion just waiting on the link when its posted
CONNECT TO THE DISCUSSION HERE!
AND 7 CUPS LIVE CHAT ROOMS OPENING NOW!
If you missed the live broadcast on the Back 7 Cups update, no worries, you can still watch it here!
I agree with bug in a rug, I hate how it is advertised, "want to feel better?" Subscribe today. -IT'S WRONG and manipulative. As others have said, I am not against being able to donate but trying to make money that way is to me , completly distasteful.
Please take emotive language out if it, advertise it as backing 7cups and ensuring it's longevity but don't prey on how bad people are feeling and manipulate them into paying money they possibly can't afford.
Have you proof that if they follow your plan they will definitely feel better after 30 days?
I love 7cups but right i dont like being part of community that is advertising in a manipulative way.
@amazingRainfall28 we are utilizing education and exercises that are backed by research, so, yes, as much as anything, these paths are indeed designed to help people not only feel better but actually overcome the specific challenge they are facing. We haven't yet rolled out the specific paths yet.
I understand your perspective, but, again, please try to be patient as we learn and figure things out. It is going to be a process.
@GlenM
I know it's a process and I can completly understand that this is a learning process but I think using the manipulative advertising language could actually go totally against this site and really put off organisations assisting people with mental health issues from recommending 7cups as a good resource and a place for support.
I know personally it has immediately put me off recommending the site to the people I support in my proffession, especially the people who have financial difficulties but who I feel could be very vulnerable to be manipulated into spending money they wouldn't be able to afford to spend.
Having said all that, thank you for reply and I do hope you do listen to the general consensus that people don't dislike the idea of donations but are against how your advertising trying to gain funding for the site.
@amazingRainfall28 I hear you and thanks for the feedback. We don't want to put anyone off and we need to do this in a way that is consistent with our values and mission. Advertising language or not is tricky. We will be refining this. What you see now is our first run at it. Stay tuned and please share any recommended language here or via pm. Thanks!
@amazingRainfall28
I've just seen the button and I also agree. It's manipulative and playing off of people's emotions. It looks like this site won't help you unless you pay, to guests. It's making me feel like this site is going the wrong way. It should be like "Enjoying 7Cups? Why not donate?" or "Has 7Cups helped you? Please consider donating." Not "pay us to feel better"! They're going about this all wrong.
@GlenM
I've made the one minute 7 Cups video but now I don't feel like sharing it because of this update.
@SilentSerenityy, I understand and hear this feedback. We have those messages as well. We are trying to learn as fast as we can on this. It'll just take some time for us to get some insight. As we discussed on our call, there is a tension between what is free and what is subscribed. The free is amazing and very helpful, however, beyond that, we need to have a product that adds more value. It all comes down to us figuring out how to make the site sustainable. If the back 7 cups initiative works, then we are great. If it doesn't, then we need to do something else. That is why we are testing all of these different components. I hope the back us piece works. That would be the best situation. However, we don't know that now, which is why we need to test.
When I volunteered to come on this site and handle requests , I didn't do so to make the founder rich. I did it so I can help people in need who can't afford therapy. I think any monetary transactions should be restricted to to donations , and that this may be the worst update in 7 cups of Tea History.
@Yano, this is about getting the site to sustainability so that it can continue to exist. It is not at all about making me rich. We are testing the back us piece now. I hope that that gets us there. See my above comment for more details.
I agree about the way it is advertised as you log in. A big green button asking me to spend money so I can feel better doesn't give me the impression that what I already get for free will be just as good.
I understand the intentions are good but I feel that there will be a divide that's clear when you go around the community (green leaf badges everywhere) reminding everyone who has donated and who hasn't. I get that it is nice to be thanked for contributing but when I donate to charity I do so quietly and enjoy the fact that I've helped towards a good cause. I don't want any recognition for doing so.
@xFunkyTerminator I hear that. See my above comments. We are testing things and will continue to in order to find the best path forward.
