Time to get rid of the FReepathons!

FR | 10-16-03 | Bob J

[Bob J]

The latest quarterly FReepathon was a success and is over now. However, these events are a pain in the butt for those that run and operate them and for two to three weeks they dominate the sidebar and each thread. It is time we work to eliminate them once and for all.

Monthly Donations!

Many FReepers of good will are signed up for a monthly donation to FR as opposed to making a quarterly contribution. There are advantages to this system for both the site and the donor. FR can operate on a sounder fiscal basis by having money coming in monthly and as a donor you can spread your contributions out in smaller increments over an entire year.

Currently FR gets about 7k in monthly revenue. If we could get this up to 25k, there would be no need for the FReepathons. You can sign up for a painless $5-$10 a month (more if you are inclined, several people are at $50-$100!), which would be processed through a secure server by Jim and his family. Plus, running bulk CC donations on a monthly basis is less expensive than using PayPal. Even if you can only afford $2-$3, it would be a tremendous help!

It's time we help put FR onto a more secure and professional revenue plan! Please, bump this thread and use your ping lists to encourage your friends and family to GO MONTHLY!

We need to get 1800 FReepers who would be willing to donate an average of $10 once a month!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR A MONTHLY DONATION!

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Your "click here" isn't working. I give up. So I guess it's freepathons forever.

[Billthedrill]

Uh, Bob...the link?

[Billthedrill]

Is THIS it, or do you have something else set up?

[Support Free Republic]

I just went to sleep. Is it time to get up already?

[Bob J]

Ooops. It is a redirected link, let's try this.

[Bob J]

Nope, time to stay in bed and not worry about the next FR-Thon..too much!

[netmilsmom]

I will ask the hubby.
NOW do I get a cup??

*just kidding!*

[Shethink13]

Do it! I have been a $15/monthly contributor for the last 3 years. It is quite painless and you will receive a monthly reminder about the automatic deduction. Couldn't be easier.

[Constitution Day]

BUMP for later. I'm already a monthly donor but I've been meaning to increase my amount.

[Shethink13]

Do it! I have been a $15/monthly contributor for the last 3 years. It is quite painless and you will receive a monthly reminder about the automatic deduction. Couldn't be easier.

[Bob J]

Heheh...nope, just trying to make your job easier!

[11B3]

For those of us who are outside the banking system, there really isn't a way to pay automatically. But I'd gladly continue sending in my contributions given just an e-mail reminder - which is a lot less hassle than the FReepathon.

[Billthedrill]

BTT.

I have an alternate plan, but it involves a little faith on your part.

TRUST ME.

You are getting sleepy. Sleeeeeeepyyyy...

[Shethink13]

oops! Sorry about the double post, but I really, really mean it! Do it today!

[Bob J]

Good idea! Jim and Tammy could set up a monthly reminder for people who would like to send cash or a cashiers check/money order!

[manna]

Bump ...

[11B3]

Thanks - they wouldn't have to even do that much - just put the reminder near the poll question on the sidebar or something for any of us who send cash/MO.

[KevinDavis]

I just became a monthly donor!

[Bob J]

Okay, okay...

Everyone who is a monthly donor by Dec 1 will get a SPECIAL FR coffee mug for Xmas! If you sign up for $20 or more, YOU GET TWO!

Persistance has it's virtue...

[justshe]

PINGING the FREEPATHON crew. LET'S GET SOME ACTION ON BOBJ'S THREAD!

Thanks, BobJ.

IIRC....I think we saw a 10% increase in the Monthly Donations this last Freepathon. Rottibiz has the actual figures.

What you wrote is exactly right. Less fuss....less energy...less costs to proceess.

[Bob J]

Thanks for pushing the monthlies during this last FR-Thon! This thread is dedicated to you!

[hattend]

Does that offer apply to all monthly donors or just those new ones? ;-)

Cheers!
Hattend, $40 a month for the last 9 months or so.

[glock rocks]

Thanks for pushing the monthlies during this last FR-Thon! This thread is dedicated to you!

Absolutely!! Kudos, MonroeDNA !!

[RockyMtnMan]

Ever thought of selling FR merchandise as a way of raising revenue? Or is this already done?

[Bob J]

ALL monthlies! Why would we exclude those with VISION?

[Bob J]

We did that to pay for site expenses for 2 years prior to the creation of the FReepathons. It's difficult and time consuming. If anyone wants to take it on, I'll help set it up for them!

[Bob J]

BTW - Jim avoids it because it became an issue for the Plaintiff in the POST lawsuit.

[hattend]

heheheh

Just makin' sure...I've never gotten any of Rush's goodies for new subscribers to his newsletter and I've been on the mailing list for 6 years.

It was mostly a question to bump the thread, said with most of my tongue in my cheek.

[Molly Pitcher]

Hello everyone!

Please read Bob J's message above and please, please consider it if you're not already a monthly donor. As he says, as little as $10/month will make a BIG difference, because Jim will be able to count on it each and every month.

Thanks!!

[RockyMtnMan]

Sounds like a business opportunity for someone, provided the fundamentals look good.

[Damocles]

Finally signed up for monthly. Great effort!

Kill the Fundraisers forever!!

[Just another Joe]

Bump for placemark for when I get to my bump list

[RottiBiz]

MONTHLY DONORS PROGRESS REPORT 10/16/03:

End of Third Quarter: $6,722 per month from 413 donors.

From the Scoreboard today:

$7,499 per month from 468 donors.

That's an increase of $777 (+12%) per month and 55 (+13%) donors.

[Billthedrill]

OK, I'm tired of 'em and that Nigerian thing I keep sending out to everyone looks like it's not gonna work.

I signed up. Send me the dang mugs.

Any chance of getting JimRob to autograph them? (Serious question, but hey, can I kiss butt or what?)

[justshe]

Thanks, Rotti!

Let's make those percentages go WAY up!

[NormsRevenge]

BTTT

[Corin Stormhands]

I increased my monthly contribution 150% in this last FReepathon.

(we've got BADJOE to thank for that...)

[swheats]

For the FR mug you've talked me into it.

[RottiBiz]

Everyone who is a monthly donor by Dec 1 will get a SPECIAL FR coffee mug for Xmas!

I assume you are including all 468 of our present monthly donors!

[oprahstheantichrist]

I noticed that this one took a long time. I could only come up with one explanation: Rush must have been a HUGE contributor....

[justshe]

***I assume you are including all 468 of our present monthly donors!***

Thank you for asking what I was wondering. I would LOVE a mug..and have been a monthly donor for some time. It really IS the easiest way to donate!

[Bob J]

EVERYONE!

[justshe]

WOO HOO!!!!!

Thanks!

[Bob J]

BTW - This will be a special, one time production coffee mug...only monthly donors will get THIS one. Jim may decide to continue this offer, but, the mug WILL BE DIFFERENT!

I'm thinking an FR logo on one side and the other saying "I'm a monthly donor, BACK OFF DUDE!"

Heheh.

[justshe]

EVIL.....heeheehee.

If there is a way....you should get the info about the mugs into the title of the thread...or into the text of your 'article'. A *LIMITED EDITION* Thank-You Mug!

[EdReform]

"Even if you can only afford $2-$3, it would be a tremendous help!"

BTTT! We've been working hard to convince folks to that a monthly donation is an easy way to contribute. And we're making progress. RottiBiz has been keeping track of the stats and the number of monthly has been increasing each FReepathon.

So once again I post (with a few changes):

Freepers and Lurkers - if you haven't already done so, please consider a donation to Free Republic. Monthly donations are most helpful, however ALL donations are greatly appreciated!

Can you spare 17 cents per day? Great! Join Grampa Dave's Monthly Donors Team.

$5.00 per month too much right now? Consider MonroeDNA's $3.00 per month challenge.

Even your loose change can add up to a nice donation. Join Exit148's Loose Change Club

A $1 (~3 cents/day), $2 (7 cents/day), or $3 (10 cents/day) per month donation may seem insignificant to some folks, but it helps to pay the bills and it's a great way to start a monthly contribution. Getting started is what's important.

I've been doing a monthly for almost two years and have increased it slowly as my budget permits. It's an easy way for me to donate to FR.

Please consider a monthly donation to Free Republic today.

Thank You for your support!

Click The Logo To Donate

[Bob J]

Thanks for the links to the other programs! I suggest keeping threads like this active in the sidebars until the next FR-Thon! Maybe we won't need one by then!

Please add the "Coffee Mug" offer to your list!

[RottiBiz]

I believe some are hesitant to sign up because they are worried that, if their financial situation changes, they will be locked in forever.

Free Republic is not like AOL!

Every month, a few days prior to your donation day, you will receive the following notice:

"Dear monthly contributor,

Thank you for your monthly contribution to Free Republic!

This e-mail is a reminder that it is time for your next scheduled donation. Your donation amount of $XX.XX will automatically be charged to your credit card on X/X/2003.

If you would like to change your contribution information,
please visit our management tool at:

[clickable link specific for you]

Thank you for supporting Free Republic.

Sincerely,

Jim Robinson and the Free Republic Fundraising Team"

Couldn't be easier and you have complete control of your donations. Give it a shot -- you won't be sorry!

[bmwcyle]

I find nothing wrong with the current system. I like to watch the bar increase.