[andymism]

That's a good question. My reservations mostly have to do with this:

Of the emails captured, how many participated in the beta and eventually became paying users?

Which is really asking: Will those users really come back after you've broken that initial promise?

Other success stories say yes. And I speculate that there's a certain window of time that you need to deliver in to make it work.

There'll always be another question though, so I guess it can't hurt to just give it a shot.

[netsp]

About a month ago, I filled out an application/request with an NGO (Acumen Fund) about opening a local chapter where I live (Melbourne). My understanding that if they get enough requests, they'll try to get a local chapter going.

Now I got a response that they want to extend a 'special invitation' to use their 'to register on our brand new community site' where I can get involved and maybe new chapters will materialise.

The timing seems pretty convenient. I suspect that the request/suggestion form was really a list building excercise for the community site. It's a Ning. Those things need to cross a substantial chicken-egg hurdle before they are any use to anyone.

I admit, there was no blatant lie. It isn't really exactly the same thing. But it is sending out feelers & building email lists. They could have also put up a big 'join our community' button on the site that led to an 'sorry, under construction' page after you "sign up." Maybe they did. It was a little bit sneaky. I still joined & even started a group. I'm not angry with them. I'll even mention it to others.

BTW: http://community.acumenfund.org/