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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.
FR needs to be treated like the former Constitution ,as created by the Founders, should have been...
It wouldn’t bother me much, Jim. I train my eye to ignore
ads that always show up in the same place. After a while
I probably couldn’t tell you a single thing about one I
had “seen” only seconds before.
It’s a question really about your preference.
If it’s needful and keeps us rolling then hell yeah, it won’t bother me.
Personally, I wouldn’t bitch about it.
Might even get snarky at those who did.
Just an idea, Jim, and that is to have a membership wherein those who are “members” can choose (if they wish) to have that reflected in their Username somehow on the site.
That would allow people to recognize at a glance that any particular poster is financially supporting the site.
It wouldn’t be for better or unrestricted service, it would just be for prestige/pride/ego/bragging-rights.
Seems silly, but it might inspire others to become members themselves if they see how many regulars make monthly donations.
How about members don’t have to see the ads, and non-members do?
We have enough problems without opening ourselves to finicky, often arrogant outside influence such as advertisers are.
My vote is we stay the way we are. To “H” with advertisers.
We have to all chip in more I guess. We at the ranch are at $160.00 a year with our $40.00 per quarter contribution to the cause. We might be able to crank a little more.
The horses, and the donkey are getting old, and perhaps when they pass on we’ll be able to send more. Four of the cats, and one of the dogs is getting really old too. Yup, won’t be long we’ll be able to send more.
:)
Just don't let them put those ads that expand at the top of the page after you've started reading then collapse after you've scrolled down to keep reading. Hate those.
FR forever.
It cant hurt to try new things. If you need funds raised for something specific, you could run small, targeted fundraisers. Nothing says you cant go back to the old model if it doesnt work.
I've thought about that too, ASB! An excellent suggestion if I don't say so myself!
That being said:
Seriously folks, this is just embarrassing, the display of hypocrisy here. We're all for doing it ourselves, and when it comes time to pony up for what we've used and enjoyed, TOO MANY of us stuff our hands into our pockets, whistle and slowly sneak away.
$5 a month, REALLY??? IS THAT TO MUCH TO ASK???
I could second that motion for "FreeRepublic Premium".
Amen...I'm with you, Jim and the present system has worked.
I recommend a paid subscription not only for posters, but for anyone who wants to view any page.
Maybe $5/month?
Cheaper than getting the newspaper at your door.
I would suggest a one time private message to all who post acknowledging your appreciation for their participation and suggesting they contribute to keep the site online.
Thank you very much for your continuing support. Hoping most people prefer to just stick with what we have. It’s relatively clean and uncomplicated and thanks to our devoted FReepathon teams and our beloved FReepers, lurkers and donors, it actually WORKS!
Remember too, Jim, that most modern browsers have plugins and add-ons that prevent the display of ads and pop ups. I personally use Firefox with several such add-ons, and I never see advertisements anywhere.
If it’s a click-based advertising model, it might not be as profitable as you think.
Freepers that continually access the posting benefits of this site and can afford to contribute should do so ....... pronto!
You, snarky??
That was the nicest word I could come up with for it. ;-)
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