SM>Our BBS is similar... 6 incoming lines, 8 CDs online at all times with 
anoth
SM>couple dozen available thru Rom Door, reliable FIDO mail, 80+ registered 
gam
SM>doors that are HEAVILY played, EMAIL capacity, and sysops who will 
ctually
SM>help folks with questions. We ask a whopping $18/year.
SM>The subscriptions don't begin to even cover the phone bills.
We also started as a small system (3 lines) and this year (april) added
a live internet line and started providing ISP services. We have been
doing well in a market (Orlando, Fl) that is saturated (100+) with bbs
systems most of which are hobby 1 or 2 lines.
How did we set ourselves apart? We joined with other bbses around the
world thru the internet and set up a co-op that provides free 90 minutes
per day in each co-op system. Lets our callers see regional systems and
join in chats/games, etc on other systems.
This is a major selling point here (along with internet) but it has
increased regular bbs subscriptions to well above the break even point.
You MUST find a hook to set you apart from the crowd. It is a tough
business now with the internet and unless you find that hook (content)
you will NOT succeed. Files, messages and even games are not enough
these days.
Hope we system operators can keep this thread going so we can assist
each other.
       John
       Cybercat Online
       sysop@cycat.com
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