I'm indecisive about a paid account, here.

[spedbug]

On one hand it's relatively inexpensive - on the other, when I looked at the list of "what paying gets you", it doesn't seem like all that much compared to the free account. The one reason I'm thinking about it (this is so lame!) is I'd like to be able to post icon pictures relative to each post (for mood) instead of having the same pic for every post (and have it change every time I change my default pic).

If that's the only perk to a paid account, I can't justify that. SO, those of you who do have a paid account, tell me what else is great about it, please.

Off to exercise; I'll check back for your persuasive arguments,later

Comments

[eireannaigh.livejournal.com]

I got myself and Texaswren a paid account because for a long while the free accounts would come up read only. It was frustrating when you wanted to say something but then had to wait until the next day. Plus I elt since I use the site so much, might as well help out a bit.

[myopicmeringue.livejournal.com]

I had a paid account for two months because some kind person gave it to me (I don't know who - they were anonymous). It was good for being able to put in as many icons as I liked, and also I liked that my comments had the same background as my journal (which doesn't happen if your journal isn't paid). If I were more technical it would have been good for lots of other things too, like making my journal really fancy, but I didn't know how to do that. But I always notice that when people have really attractive-looking journals, they have a paid account. So I think a paid journal is good if you have lots of technical knowledge about how to make your journal pretty and how to add things to the side bars.

[reggiesgirl2.livejournal.com]

Like eireannaigh, I got myself a paid account because I was tired of not being able to post and make comments when I wanted to. I also felt that I'd stay around so I may as well have a paid account.

I thought I'd use more icons than I do. I actually just forget that I can change them with each post I make.

There are lots more styles you can choose from for what your LJ looks like. I'm not very good at adding all that sidebar stuff like some of the computer smart people do so I don't do it... but I "could" do it if I knew how. :)

[kitsunecharmed.livejournal.com]

In my eyes, the primary perq to having a paid account is supporting LiveJournal. They gots to have paid employees and such to keep the fun rolling, and it's such a small amount of money...

And I like getting to have 15 icons. :-)

[atabei.livejournal.com]

Page load is faster, your journal doesn't go read-only, you get more icons, many more layout styles to choose from, custom mood themes, photo storage, up to 30 spaces for your links list (instead of 5), you can create polls, email, post by phone, directory search, and a few other things.
Then there's also the "support LJ" part of it.

The icons are addicting though- just ask Antof9 ;-)

[madame-urushiol.livejournal.com]

What everyone else said. I even bought the extra pictures option because I've become an icon addict.

[antof9.livejournal.com]

what madame U said :)

(using an icon I like)

[irascignavojo.livejournal.com]

according to the wording of your question, I'm not allowed to answer, but "freedom of design" is the first thing that comes to mind, if I had one. Alas it is not on the list of things deemed affordable, so I wont have one.

[antof9.livejournal.com]

don't all free accounts have 3 icons, though?