The following is an interview with @Mike30 which is the owner of Forum Race. The theme of this interview revolves around running a paid forum community. Thanks again for letting me interview you. I think it turned out great, especially with your personal story. 
A little background about me. I was born and raised in Cuba; I came to the USA when I was 18 years old. I started working as a residential painter's helper just a couple of weeks after arriving. A year later, I started my own painting company and later it evolved into a remodeling construction business where I learned all about residential construction.
I never touched a computer until my 18th year, and I was fascinated to know how that thing works. And I started a course through mail. It was about fixing computers and Internet. (but I never opened the books about internet since all I wanted to learn was about fixing computers... what a mistake...(lack of guidance, I can say)
Well, about 7 years later, I went back to visit my family in Cuba. It was the moment when I realized how lucky I was to live in the USA. That was one of the major events that changed my way of thinking as of today. I saw so much necessity, hunger, lack of opportunities on people that were just raised with me that that broke my heart.
I went to buy a LOT of ice cream buckets to give to all the kids in my neighborhood just to watch their happy faces. That memory still
makes me drop tears in my eyes as I write this.
I ran out of money because I started helping a lot of people in my neighborhood and in my family. I had to call a friend to send me money so I could return; I actually left all my clothes and returned to US with old clothes that I exchanged for my new ones, including old shoes. Just to leave them with the new clothes.
It was a really deep experience. And from that moment, I decided that I didn't know what I was going to do, but I wanted to become millionaire to be able to help not only people from my neighborhood, but to the entire country.
I really don't need a million dollars for myself. I have learned to live under a rock, and I don't really need much for me. But my heart breaks when I see kids with so many necessities and a predetermined miserable life for not having opportunities to progress in life. And I want to put my grain of sand in the world to mitigate those things.
So, This is the background that drives me to do something like ForumRace. Actually, It started many years ago since I bought TitansEnterprise.com. I want to create a sort of Club with a similar mindset, people so united we can help people all around the world. And I like to call it "The Titans Club".
Starting from zero it's hard, but it all starts with the first step and determination to create a better world.
So, ForumRace is not just a regular forum, it's a community built to empower those who truly want to make a change in their own world and to help me to achieve mine. That's why we started to charge for subscriptions and offering 50% recurring commissions so each member can also benefit from the community we build together.
The biggest challenge I face is convincing people of my big dreams and the purpose of what I am building. I face many people who simply don't believe that most things can be achieved with persistence and effort. And it all starts with a single step.
I have overcome it by remembering myself about what's my purpose of doing what I am doing. And my purpose it's so strong that quitting is not an option, it's as live or die scenario because there are millions of kids waiting for someone like me to have a better life and escape from poverty.
I am not comparing myself to Elon, but when I see Elon, I see myself. And I am on my way to change the world in other ways. And when you get to see life from a perspective bigger than ourselves, one can literally overcome any obstacles.
The main feature/benefits I offer to my members are me and my promise to help each of them to succeed. And while they get to know me better, I offer some incentives to stay active in the community. Actions speak by themselves, but many people need to see proof before believing. That's why I offer cash incentives.
The best strategy is empowering and helping your people, they will do the marketing for you without you even asking for it. I don't like to spend in advertising, I rather to spend with my people. Word of mouth is the all time best marketing strategy.
By making sure they are not just feeling the value, it's by actually giving them the value, the environment where
they all can succeed (not just a few)
I don't have experience with many forum software, but xenForo does the trick. And MicroLikes is the central part of the success I am getting until now.
That's a little tough question. Each person can perceive value/pricing in different ways since I am not offering a fixed product or service. I am selling the opportunity to be in an environment that leads to success. And that it's priceless for those who envision to achieve greater things. So, what we are currently charging it's still dirt cheap. (strongly expect it to increase as we evolve into a more mature community) Not joining today could be considered a big mistake into a year from now if you are looking for opportunities.
My pricing is not determined by how much people want to pay. If you charge $1 people will complain, if you charge $100, people will complain anyways. So, It's determined by me, determined by what I believe it's a good price to make progress, what I believe to make things work. Those who truly want what you offer will pay what you ask. So, the price is not the problem, the problem is promoting your community to people without similar vision/goals.
Get first a very strong motivation for doing so. If it's an extreme motivation, it's even better. That will help you to keep moving forward in difficult times (because they will come, it's part of the process) And never forgetting that you work for the community, not the other way around.
Tell us a little about yourself and your background. What inspired you to create a paid membership forum?
A little background about me. I was born and raised in Cuba; I came to the USA when I was 18 years old. I started working as a residential painter's helper just a couple of weeks after arriving. A year later, I started my own painting company and later it evolved into a remodeling construction business where I learned all about residential construction.
I never touched a computer until my 18th year, and I was fascinated to know how that thing works. And I started a course through mail. It was about fixing computers and Internet. (but I never opened the books about internet since all I wanted to learn was about fixing computers... what a mistake...(lack of guidance, I can say)
Well, about 7 years later, I went back to visit my family in Cuba. It was the moment when I realized how lucky I was to live in the USA. That was one of the major events that changed my way of thinking as of today. I saw so much necessity, hunger, lack of opportunities on people that were just raised with me that that broke my heart.
I went to buy a LOT of ice cream buckets to give to all the kids in my neighborhood just to watch their happy faces. That memory still
makes me drop tears in my eyes as I write this.
I ran out of money because I started helping a lot of people in my neighborhood and in my family. I had to call a friend to send me money so I could return; I actually left all my clothes and returned to US with old clothes that I exchanged for my new ones, including old shoes. Just to leave them with the new clothes.
It was a really deep experience. And from that moment, I decided that I didn't know what I was going to do, but I wanted to become millionaire to be able to help not only people from my neighborhood, but to the entire country.
I really don't need a million dollars for myself. I have learned to live under a rock, and I don't really need much for me. But my heart breaks when I see kids with so many necessities and a predetermined miserable life for not having opportunities to progress in life. And I want to put my grain of sand in the world to mitigate those things.
So, This is the background that drives me to do something like ForumRace. Actually, It started many years ago since I bought TitansEnterprise.com. I want to create a sort of Club with a similar mindset, people so united we can help people all around the world. And I like to call it "The Titans Club".
Starting from zero it's hard, but it all starts with the first step and determination to create a better world.
So, ForumRace is not just a regular forum, it's a community built to empower those who truly want to make a change in their own world and to help me to achieve mine. That's why we started to charge for subscriptions and offering 50% recurring commissions so each member can also benefit from the community we build together.
What was the biggest challenge you faced when launching your paid membership forum, and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge I face is convincing people of my big dreams and the purpose of what I am building. I face many people who simply don't believe that most things can be achieved with persistence and effort. And it all starts with a single step.
I have overcome it by remembering myself about what's my purpose of doing what I am doing. And my purpose it's so strong that quitting is not an option, it's as live or die scenario because there are millions of kids waiting for someone like me to have a better life and escape from poverty.
I am not comparing myself to Elon, but when I see Elon, I see myself. And I am on my way to change the world in other ways. And when you get to see life from a perspective bigger than ourselves, one can literally overcome any obstacles.
How do you decide what features or benefits to offer your members to justify the paid subscription?
The main feature/benefits I offer to my members are me and my promise to help each of them to succeed. And while they get to know me better, I offer some incentives to stay active in the community. Actions speak by themselves, but many people need to see proof before believing. That's why I offer cash incentives.
What strategies have worked best for you when it comes to promoting your paid membership forum?
The best strategy is empowering and helping your people, they will do the marketing for you without you even asking for it. I don't like to spend in advertising, I rather to spend with my people. Word of mouth is the all time best marketing strategy.
How do you keep your members engaged and ensure they feel they're getting value for their subscription?
By making sure they are not just feeling the value, it's by actually giving them the value, the environment where
they all can succeed (not just a few)
What tools or software have you found most effective for managing and running a paid membership forum?
I don't have experience with many forum software, but xenForo does the trick. And MicroLikes is the central part of the success I am getting until now.
Can you share any tips on pricing strategies for a paid membership forum? How do you determine what people are willing to pay?
That's a little tough question. Each person can perceive value/pricing in different ways since I am not offering a fixed product or service. I am selling the opportunity to be in an environment that leads to success. And that it's priceless for those who envision to achieve greater things. So, what we are currently charging it's still dirt cheap. (strongly expect it to increase as we evolve into a more mature community) Not joining today could be considered a big mistake into a year from now if you are looking for opportunities.
My pricing is not determined by how much people want to pay. If you charge $1 people will complain, if you charge $100, people will complain anyways. So, It's determined by me, determined by what I believe it's a good price to make progress, what I believe to make things work. Those who truly want what you offer will pay what you ask. So, the price is not the problem, the problem is promoting your community to people without similar vision/goals.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about starting their own paid membership forum, especially when it comes to generating sustainable income?
Get first a very strong motivation for doing so. If it's an extreme motivation, it's even better. That will help you to keep moving forward in difficult times (because they will come, it's part of the process) And never forgetting that you work for the community, not the other way around.