| Free Republic 2nd Qtr 2024 Fundraising Target: $81,000 | Receipts & Pledges to-date: $20,403 | |||
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| Woo hoo!! And we're now over 25%!! Thank you all very much!! God bless. | ||||
Posted on 04/19/2012 1:22:35 PM PDT by Jim Robinson
I've checked with an ad agency. We can probably raise the funds we need to operate FR at our current level and at the current market price for online advertising if we run a banner ad at the top of every page and at least one rectangular ad in the above the fold body of the page and a couple rectangular ads in the sidebar. If that doesn't generate enough revenue, we can also run pop ups or pop unders and we can even run audio and video ads if need be. But of course, if we go full bore commercial, we'd have to insure strict copyright compliance with very brief excerpting of all articles to avoid lawsuits. And the agency would require that we install a filter to censor out any bad or unacceptable words in our posts.
Or, of course, there's always the membership model. We could setup a members only system where paying members get full access and non-paying members get throttled back, etc.
I don't like either of the above models and think we'd soon lose a lot of our readers and participants. Of course that may happen anyway if we can't fund it and if we cannot get our equipment problem under control, or if my refusal to vote for or support an abortionist/homosexualist/statist who has plans to install ObamaCare, er, I mean RomneyCare into all 50 states runs everyone off.
The donation model has served us very well since 1997 when we first started using it. It's very clean, uncomplicated and we attract participants who perhaps can't afford membership dues but do want to join the discussion and join our rallies, protests, prayer sessions, etc. And the advertising model would probably bring in the revenue, but it comes with strings attached.
I'm sure there are other ways and ways to combine features of various models, sell books, cds, gear, etc, offer no ads for paid subscribers, etc, even ISP services, but all of these also complicate matters.
I'm an old dog and I like to avoid new tricks, new complications, additional overhead, additional accounting, additional rules and regulations, etc, wherever possible. I like to stick to simplicity and with what works.
Thank you all very much for your continuing participation and support.
I'd be interested in a red polo shirt with FR logo and a baseball cap!
LOL!
I’ve been lurking since the Monica days and contributing only sporadically. Shame on me for riding in the wagon and not helping to pull. I just set up a monthly contribution. The site was unavailable for a while this morning and I was LOST without it.
Tiered membership works at other sites. Ar15.com comes to mind. Free, and four paid levels with varying extras added on.
I’m a Gold level member over there. I’d do the same here.
Ah, I understand. I think the processing fees are a percentage. I donate $30 per month, which likely costs 1.5% or 2% to process, but Free Republic knows it getting that amount every month.
I think you're right, when it comes to Free Republic receiving the entire amount, that checks are better, but that leaves us with FReepathons and I like FReepathons and Monthly Donations!
Processing fees are part of doing business. Retail business are also stuck with processing fees. If checks bounce, Free Republic is stuck with the cost of those, without much recourse. I have no idea if that's happened.
I say roll with the ads. You deserve to make as much $$$ as possible and ads should do that, considering the traffic FR generates.
Anyone who complains about ads should use FF or Chrome and Ad-block.
So let’s set up class system? And have some freepers more “prestigious” than others?
Why not the membership where you actually very something for your money instead of “look at me”, I’m better than you because I give more... Reminds me of a church I briefly attended where they have out “prestigious awards for the highest tithe payers (I’m not kidding)
I have long thought that the information on FR is too valuable for just anyone (DU trolls, etc.) And thought the info should be member based, perhaps with an option for sponsorship of long time freepers who are on very limited budgets, hardships etc.) ... Each case had it’s pros.and cons but, IMO awarding people with prestige just simply because they have more money is disheartening to some. But, it’s not my site and I stand with JR whatever he does and I intend on being a freeper for a while, well till Jesus comes actually.
<plonk>
Any thoughts for doing merchandising in house?
I just searched for 'FreeRepublic t-shirts' and that link and a few more popped up...so someone(s) is making money off your product, wouldn't it be better to do it here? Authentic! As a Premium for donation?
ie: $50(?) donation and you'd get an authentic FR keychain - $100(?) donation for an authentic t-shirt, etc.
Rush 24/7 has 'bonus gifts' to generate more members, many places do.
This guy (or gal) deserves the boot outtahere!
I'd first like to thank my producer, and of course . . .
Cowardly, bitter, dishonest, twerp. He can ride the lightning for the second time.
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