Sponsors and advertisers control content. If they didn't, boycotts would not be successful.
We are not controlled by anyone.
Posted on 08/27/2014 6:14:22 PM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo
The sad truth remains that 5% of FReepers support 100% of FR. Can you imagine what it would be like if we had 10% support? These things would wrap up in days, not months.
When I joined FR ten years ago, it was not uncommon to git 'er done in 7-10 days. It was less expensive 10 years ago, but, it really shouldn't take two months.
Not everybody can donate. I get that. But, I'm certain that we have some among the 95% that are FReeploading. Harsh words, but I know it's true.
Imagine no FR. No way to get the REAL news that affects us all. No pool of talent to ferret out the real truth. No ability to call BS when we see it.
The list goes on.
We need your help. We need new donors. We need new blood.
If you've never donated, give it a whirl. If you donate once in a while, try monthly donations. It's really painless.
Imagine a Freepathon that lasts days, not months.
Care to step in, Jim?
I would say it is better than all the newspapers.
My two local papers websites recently went to facebook comments only.
The interaction of readers has fallen drastically.
The top rated conservative sites sell ad space. It’s a good idea. If a customer wants to compromise conservative thought, don’t sell to them.
I made a case for ad income staying at or below 49 % of the total annual income.
What is your humble, but ALWAYS correct opinion on the matter?
No need. I already know why there are no ads here.
I would prefer less than 20%.
If at all.
I think that would be palatable quarterly.
Another 12 hour work day coming up tomorrow.
Goodnight, FRiends.
See you all later.
3
Fair enough.
___________________
On the 5 % topic of this thread, what say you?
You're pretty easily discouraged, aren't you?
How would one go about making you not want to post?
Thank you all very much, but going commercial (selling ads, subscriptions, membership fees, posting fees, merchandise, etc) opens us up to more scrutiny and more lawsuits. We’d have to get very strict (a lot stricter than we are now) on excerpts and even posting images. As it is, we’re non-commercial, non-competitive and non-threatening to anyone’s commercial revenue streams. And we’d probably also have to dump our archives for the same reason. No thanks, we’re doing fine and I’d rather not tempt the hands of copyright fate. We’re not trying to get rich or to make big profits, we’re just trying to cover our costs and we’re happy at that.
I wouldn’t expect anyone to donate unless they really enjoy using FR, think it’s a worthwhile endeavor and would like to help us keep it going... and they can afford it. FR is not for everyone. We are a very independent, stubborn grassroots lot, stuck in our traditional pro-God, pro-life, pro-family, pro-constitution, pro-gun, patriotic American ways and are not going to change. Wouldn’t expect everyone to agree with us, much less donate to our cause. Those who don’t like our traditional American conservative stance (we’re not libertarian and not progressive) certainly should not donate... and probably should not post here either.
As to zotting, those who suddenly decide to start pushing abortion, homosexualism, amnesty, government healthcare, big spending, big government, big taxes, etc, are bound to get the zot at our moderators convenience. For example, FREEP YOU MITT ROMNEY (FUMR) AND THE GOPE RINOS YOU RODE IN ON!!
Trolls are zotted on sight unless we decide to let the kitties play.
Profanity slingers and FReeper bashers put their posting privilegs at risk.
And thank you very much for this great thread. And thank you all very much for your support. This thread really livened up our fundraiser and has this FReepathon cooking with gas!!
FReepers are the absolute greatest!!
God bless.
You have some huge points. But each time these are raised, the argument is, it’s Jim’s site and he wants to do it this way. Which is his right.
If it were my site, I’d open it to ads at 50% like you suggest and then maybe have an “investor’s circle” as well. Just to not have to be unpleasantly begging on every thread. I actually find it psychologically more off putting than the ads on other sites. I don’t know why - is it guilt? I give but not as generously, this year has been hard on me. Also, I am hoping for some mild technical updating, not overhauls and showy BS, just more functionality and easier translation to devices. I don’t sit at desks any more.
Free Repubic is the only place with an enormous supply of brilliant and knowledgable Americans and others who care about our once Free Republic. I need to come here and I need all of you. So I don’t want the doors to shut.
But maybe there could be something structural that might even be conducive to effective activism? No idea. But I love this place.
Thanks for your very thoughtful reply.
Ideas are one of my long suits, so I’ll keep trying - - - .
Buuuump for more donors.
I had no idea that only 5% give to keep the lights on. This is really a shocker, I do not know what I would do without this site. Very sad that those who use the site do not feel the need to help keep it alive. Makes me wonder if those who do not support are the ones who have the most
to say about everything. With the problems we are facing across the globe would be a shame to not have it available. Yes, I to remember when they were over with quickly, now they drag on for 2 months are more. Dig deep people we need this site, and cluttering it up with these is not necessary.mrs easternsky
These are the donors 2013.
https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/donors?year=2013
These are the donors 2003.
https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/donors?year=2003
I would check to see how may donors are still active posters from 2003.
If they were willing to donate then, why not now?
Besides deaths and zots.
Good ideas, thanks!
It seems to me that a sharp FR lawyer could set up a “Friends of FREE REPUBLIC” Legal Entity that could then make donations to FREE REPUBLIC under certain legal terms.
This legal entity could then receive monies from a strict set of categories which would not encumber FREE REPUBLIC from it’s historic and current activities.
For example, fees from:
* Individual authors promoting one book per year, max.
* Conference, vacations, trips or Convention promotion notices.
* Membership promotion by approved organizations such as the NRA, and the Heritage Foundation.
Please, let’s not complicate this thing. I’m a strong believer in keeping it simple. FR works fine just the way it is.
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