What is ad short for? is it adverts, maybe, what ever i am assuming it is something that we dont like/want! If ads then good idea, as long as there are lots of ads in particular for joining the VIP section, saying how fab it is and advertising all the unmissable extras...to get their VIP fee.
Good to send badge out on payment like you already said and have really big big ad for that.
Another good thing, which is a bit sneaky is to make the guest/reg guests stand out as not 100% fans, so that all the die hard fans know they are not paying their way!! So they feel they are not really part of the community until they are VIPs, I dont mean something horrible. Maybe to use advatar and own name(instead of allocated one)you need to be VIP, also maximise the visible difference between reg and VIP users, so that they have the desire and incentive to pay the little donation. When there is a really good topic in VIP area you could let them see the name of thread(under heading a VIP teaser) but not its content , he he heeeee...
For example REALLY obviously highlight 'gues/reg user' in big letters with ad 'click to join the VIP area' and
'VIP member; with slogan 'Mika VIP members are not permitted to disclose VIP infomation to non VIP users. This slogan should only be viewable to non VIP members.
Basically if they are not willing to help out with money then dont give them ANY privilidges! harsh but fair, and reward those who do , with loads and loads and loads
Also might be worth having a Forum vision....so expalin like you have so well to us that you would rather run the site for free but due to costs and time pressure you can only keep the site running with a negliable fee from devoted fans...say what you want to achieve and hint at the extras.....etc..
sorry go on a bit again..havent heard back from lawyer m8 yet..will let you know when do, everyone else makes 'unofficial' merchandise for bands so i dont see why you cant, prob need to put on it that it is unofficial but then could put 100% Mika fan, 100& unconventional 100% unoffical merchandise, in small letter across the back of neck of tshirt or where ever...