And to further prove this point, I offer the fact that the mainsleezemedia are all telling us that MythRomney is our choice... Ask yourself "Why?"
| Free Republic 4th Qtr 2024 Fundraising Target: $81,000 | Receipts & Pledges to-date: $11,664 | |||
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| Woo hoo!! And our first 14% is in!! 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.
Like! Also, maybe some other features (forums, etc.) for donors only. Just a thought. I tried to think and something actually happened :)
Please do NOT put words in my mouth. I am not supporting Romney. At present, I’m not even supporting the Republican Party, who I think has betrayed us all. But at this point, if Romney is the Republican nominee, I’ll vote for him rather than allow Obama to have his second term. If he wins (and I concede he might), it will likely be the last election this country will have.
There is the answer right in front of us! I'd make a friendly suggestion to make it $10. each quarter which is down right reasonable considering the value received. Every Freeper needs to realize the work , and expense, it takes to keep the site up and running -- so come on folks give what you can in appreciation for the best conservative site on the world wide web. We desperately need Free Republic and each other!
Where does the "I don't support him" become "I'll vote for him"?
I won't support OR vote for him and answer to God for it. Mitt is and has always been pro-abortion. The choice I make is to not support someone who is.
LOL. Well, I have one that usually works when I “search” for stuff and also AVG that warns me about ghastly graphics, but I don’t venture to other sites. I linked to Jim’s examples yesterday: Drudge and Newsbusters and I saw their ads: 7 tracking cookies hit me altogether.
Not yet. Who knew he was a member?
TYVM. I will watch now. Already laughing.
I think that I hurt something laughing so hard.
ROTFLOL.
I’m watching for the third time!
It is very good! LOL
Well, OK. I’m done. I tried (at your request) to present a possible business model that alternatively would avoid banner/pop up ads.
I’ve presented similar ideas in the past - most with no comment.
One parting shot - I’m not leaving - just my last contribution to this subject.
Congratulations. By denying your supporters recognition at any level, shape or form - except when you need the money - you’re mirroring our current system. Election = Freepathon.
EBT cards were created to hide the embarrassment of the takers in line at the grocery store. No more food stamps - just a whisk of the EBT card (not the obvious food stamps) and you’re off with the prime rib, soda pop or maybe you fenced the card for cash for otherwise prohibited purchases.
Careful. Don’t encourage people to go farther, to work for a goal to help others or themselves, just send them a check or a freebee. Oh! A new expression coined: “FReepRiders”. The definition is obvious.
Luckily, the gubmint advertises for new food stamp recipients everywhere. Apparently they’re mighty successful.
A couple more percentage points - if we’re not there already - and the takers will outnumber and out-vote the producers. That will work out well I’m sure.
Maybe the Agriculture Dept. will be one of your first sponsors. A number of freepers are likely to apply. Lots of hits for you.
Early on during fundraisers I’d give $50 but sometimes things would be tight and I’d promise myself “Next time- for sure!” And then the next time things were tight again. “Monthlies” are your strength - your clientele is using you - do your supporters a favor and recognize them and give potential “Monthlies” incentive to help.
Hell, you make the rules! Anyone that’s given $10 in the last year gets a green star/screenname - whatever but recognize your supporters - the free riders - you might have noticed, aren’t tracking your FReepathon threads.
A few of the charities I give to when I can have levels of sponsorship/”clubs”. It seems to work for them - its a competition thing.
Thanks for kind of listening. I don’t know about Chevy’s but if I was back in California I’d take my wife to Original Joe’s in San Jose, the Jolly Roger on Balboa Island - for a burger and shake, Lubach’s in San Diego - if they hadn’t closed a long time ago or ANY In-N-Out in California.
As I’ve said before you’ve created a wonderful site - its time to cash in, screw the whiners, full speed ahead (or sentiments to that effect) and please keep us online. ;-)
Charlie
Thanks but a good portion of that was Windfliers quote....he inspires one to think further and or investigate further. I do that anyway but his posts generally move me to look further. Many here do in fact. Which is why I enjoy FR so very much.
Aw shucks....(blushing)
LoL...cute!
Just for clarity...Romney IS the Democrates "replacement" for Obama as they know he's loosing their base and was some time ago...and the public is fed up with him. Either way it's a win for the Democratic liberals and their agenda will continue...only then Republicans will 'sit back' believing somehow Romney will be their boy...that will add to our demise.
It's one thing to fight a known enemy...it's almost impossible to fight one who pretends he's one of your own.
Kudos to the best fundraising team ever!
You could use bustard instead, but the bird huggers would get mad...
LOL... Thanks for the help. ;>)
Thank you very much, Charlie. We’ve received hundreds of variations of some great ideas here and we see lots of ways we can go if we find we have to make changes to our business model. I think we’ll be discussing these ideas and evolving as we go. Hoping not to make any sudden changes lest we upset the apple cart.
And to further prove this point, I offer the fact that the mainsleezemedia are all telling us that MythRomney is our choice... Ask yourself "Why?"
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