Kudos to the Strawman Team for reaching a sufficient scale in terms of membership, which now allows it to convert the platform from a freemium model to a subscription paywall model.

Akin to how a number of platforms operate, the strength of the platform has been the large number of members that it has amassed, ranging from novice investors to sophisticated investors. For me personally, the platform has been a research filter, bringing to my attention a diverse range of companies that I would not personally have the time to be across, for further cue for reasearch for investment. It is also good to get a different perspective/ opinion on a particular stock that you own or are interested in, from a fellow brethren. 

It will be interesting to see, with the paywall, how many freemium members convert to premium members. The strength of the platform has been the scale of members and the broad exchange of ideas and tips between the members. I am hoping that sufficient number of members see some value (and take the punt) and convert to premium membership, as the success depends on it.

In the meantime, I have taken the plunge and have become a member, hoping that there will be many amongst you that will do so.

I won't be subscribing..I'm just not in that ball park yet as a SAHM starting out. That said I have really enjoyed my time on strawman and learning from you all. You've even got your own voices when I read some of the more active members. Andrew and others.. I wish you nothing but success and I'll miss looking for your updates, wit and wisdom. I hope my small contributions have if not enlightened..at least humoured some of you :)

all the best

VK

I have gotten so much value out of the strawman community - whether it's ideas, insights or just being able to be part of this supportive inclusive investment community.

I can see the value of paying for Premium, and I have high confidence the returns I get will far exceed the fees forked out for premium in the coming 12 months.

I guess there will always be that dilemma using a public forum: the more popular are the forum is, the less ‘edge’ there might be.

I personally have taken a lot of ideas from this site but have not contributed anything in return -except for one accidental downvote (nobody needs downvotes by the way: they encourage bad habits).

It appears only logical that I either have to contribute (monetarily, if I have nothing else to offer) or get excluded if I want the content not to be ‘diluted’.

Being a small fish, I can not afford paying too many subscriptions, as each eats significantly into my returns if I reduce it to that. 

I did think about this for a while and I have decided to sign up - I may not be able to be in next year but so far I am happy to support this site. Also happy for discounts, goodies, scholarships or whatever you call it, to be given to important contributors -it seems only fair!!