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#51963 02/21/05 05:43 PM
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Editor, Pond Boss Magazine
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Our webmaster has been tracking traffic on the site. He strongly recommends we sell one or two banner advertisements on the forum only. His rationale is that we have become so large we will soon be changing servers, taking up more room, and costs will rise. He says internet industry standards suggest we should be selling advertising.
We have held strong to the position this site should be informational, only.
I know a number of contributors here have a business and have derived income from clients initiated through our site, we have basically turned our heads. Some participants have advertised in the magazine, some have been in the resource guide. But, a number haven't.
Before we make any decisions, it makes sense to come before this group and humbly ask your opinions. Please, let me have your opinion about advertising on the forum...a banner ad on the left side of the forum page.
Your thoughts?


Teach a man to grow fish...
He can teach to catch fish...
#51964 02/21/05 06:49 PM
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Bob, your post is probably overdue.I belong to "several" other forums and everyone has banner type or block adds and support icons for sale. I think it is much needed to stay in business and grow as you mention.You might also consider a volunter type membership where the status is (lunker etc) for different $$ amounts.(not mandatory but on a volunter basis)A symbol(like your trademark) gets attatched by the post name as a supporter. Ford Truck Enthusiasts does this for $15.00 per year.Lawnsite.com has a great format for their advertising and has 25,000 members to date.On that forum if you do not own or have hands on experience with a piece of equipment that you are posting about most likely a negative post will be deleted.(my point is all forums have rules)I also would have no problem paying a fee if a web address is mentioned in a post or my signature like I do already.A discount could be given if one already advertises perhaps. Many ways to go with this as it grows.My 2 cents Ted

#51965 02/21/05 08:19 PM
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There ain't no such thing as a Free Lunch - but no pop-ups, please.


"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever."
-S. M. Stirling
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#51966 02/21/05 08:57 PM
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Ads are not so bad - especially if they are pond related.

I agree with Theo - no popups!

#51967 02/21/05 09:51 PM
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Bob, I'm so glad this forum is here, and I truly look forward to seeing the site each day. There are a lot of characters here, and there is a lot of character here.

You should gain some monetary compensation from this valuable resource that you provide.

Thank you and thanks for asking.


Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:"
"She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."

#51968 02/21/05 10:12 PM
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I like the banner idea. This will give me a place to start looking for products and prices. I get the Pond Boss mag that has pond products advertised, but I don't always have one by me when I get an idea from this forum. It's not like there's pond products advertised everywhere and their really kind of hard to find.

#51969 02/21/05 10:52 PM
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Bob.. Whatever it takes to keep this forum up and running is O.K. with me. If advertising is required to cover the costs I would rather it be pond related, but do what you have to wether it be advertising, donations or yearly fees for use.

Just my 2 cents.

Dan


Mistakes are proof that you are trying.


Dan
#51970 02/21/05 11:45 PM
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One of the things I've found interesting about this site is the enthusiasm that some have for providing time and effort to making quality posts.

I actually quite enjoy the fact that some forum members have some financial stake in their visibility on the forum. People like Ted Lea are generous with their time and make fair observations and assessments. I have found that in reading his posts and others like him that I develop some trust that will ultimately assist me in spending my money wisely. I think that if his product or knowledge was inadequate that he would be immediately exposed. There would be no mercy for someone who comes on here with a load of you-know-what! If I simply went to a website to find a product and knew nothing of the vendor I might think I was getting taken for a ride and would never "pull the trigger".

I am absolutely in favor of any vehicle that allows this site to stay economically viable (except of course, the dreaded pop-up). I wouldn't hesitate to support PB advertisers but would prefer one who's made a some posts. I've learned more on this site in 6 months than I think I would with years of courses and seminars. Keep it comin'!


Holding a redear sunfish is like running with scissors.
#51971 02/22/05 12:06 AM
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Bob, since the members of this forum all enjoy and benefit from it, perhaps we could all share in the expenses. I don't think that any member has actively marketed his product on this site. Any who have benefitted financially have done so very passively, as if rendering a service to a member rather than pushing a product. Perhaps it would be more equitable to levy a "forum fee" to be paid at the time we subscribe or resubscribe to the magazine. Although we all enjoy the Pond Boss publication, I suspect that most of us spend far more time on this forum than we do reading the magazine.

#51972 02/22/05 12:15 AM
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It would be interesting to know how many potential suscribers began subcribing to the magazine after finding this site as I did. If it's a good number, and this site serves as a beacon for the magazine, then it may be counterproductive to charge access to this site.

At some point the magazine should be profitable enough to absorb the cost of this site. If not efforts must be made to reach a broader base and appeal.

I still think Pond Boss is just scratching the surface on potential surcribers.


If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.






#51973 02/22/05 06:12 AM
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If that's what it takes to keep this site up and running, and improve it than so be it. Please, Please, Please, no POP UPS


PB subscriber,PB gift subscriber,Book owner
#51974 02/22/05 07:21 AM
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Another suggestion – I will contribute to partial payment for a banner to some of the fisheries biologists and vendors that have contributed so much of their time and efforts to this forum and by personal email.

To name a few, and apologize for omissions, Todd Overton of Overton Fisheries, Greg Grimes, Bill Cody and even Bruce Condello if anyone needs a good dentist/pond consultant
\:D

#51975 02/22/05 07:55 AM
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I'm all for it but no pop-ups. I'd give Bruce a visit but figure he could build a new pond with the dental work I need! Oh well only one more year with 2 kids in braces and then it's my turn.

Bob

#51976 02/22/05 08:57 AM
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Whatever it takes to keep the site going and remain vibrant. Banners with Pond stuff and/or membership charges are fine with me. The knowledge available on this site is priceless...no pop ups, however.

#51977 02/22/05 09:09 AM
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I like Georges idea.

Or, I wouldn't have a problem paying a reasonable membership fee to get on the site. Maybe a graduated one with magazine subscribers paying less. It and the posters here, pro's and hobbyists alike, have certainly saved my butt on numerous occasions. Also, the opportunity to hear about Larry Hartley's (Meadowlark) experiences with tilapia, Bruce with the redears and hybrids, others I could mention, are gold mines to me.

Bob, I have figured that some were making a buck off the site but have noticed that those people have been more than generous with their free advice. The ones that make a buck seem to have done so due to the reputation they earned by helping others. I would personally prefer paying some sort of annual fee and letting Greg, Ted, Bill, and others put a free banner up based on some sort of posting activity. Admittedly, there would be an administrative cost involved that would have to be covered.

You know, not long ago, I got a $15.00 crank bait and hung it up on the second cast. Most of us spend more $ than we want to admit on playing with our water holes. This site actually saves me $. I would rather pay for what I get than have the pro's do it. They are already susidizing my bad habits. Bottom line is that crank baits are expensive and Pond Boss isn't. Have you considered an E-mail survey to determine the possibilities?

#51978 02/22/05 09:11 AM
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I like the idea by Ted Lea the very best. For providing such a great service as this forum, you should be paid.


Norm Kopecky
#51979 02/22/05 09:13 AM
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Banners yes, fee for site no. Hate the financial/mortgage ads but hopefully the banners would sell mostly to subject appropriate producers
Toby

#51980 02/22/05 11:07 AM
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Bob,
As a pond consultant, let us know the fees for banners ads. I would love to have a banner to help support the website if reasonable. We are currently working on new magazine ads and I was going to call about that anyway. Not sure why but in the past the mag ad in POnd Boss did work for me but are more than willing to advertise again. I have sold a few products here for sure and appreciate that. Of course you do know that is not why I post.


Greg Grimes
www.lakework.com
#51981 02/22/05 11:22 AM
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I would certainly pay for access, but I fear that if we charge for the forum, we may exclude some people who would otherwise join or even subscribe to the magazine. I suppose that "read-only" access could be free, but pay a small amount to post and enjoy the answers to your questions. Banners are certainly a good way to advertise, and I agree with the no pop-up request.


Shawn

#51982 02/22/05 11:58 AM
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If the plan is to get the diverse iput that you currently have then I would say you shouldn't go to a pay to read or submit type of site. That would limit it to a very specific group and would probably keep out the new pond type of reader from making any contributions or asking the good questions that many take for granted over the years.

I would say that the best way would be to have banners and like everyone else ( NO POP-UPS ) \:\)

You could also do something like have a standard site like this and a pay for consulting site that would allow for access to those with specific detailed questions that you should get consulting fees for as well. If you did that it would be an extension and growth opportunity for the pond consulting business.

Well thats my 2 cents ( only wish I could deposit them directly here for you )


---------------------------------
1/10 - 1/4 acre pond plus 16 ft deep/ Plus 40 ft by 20 ft by 6 ft deep koi and fathead minnow pond next to it. Upstate NY

#51983 02/22/05 03:16 PM
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Eric has a good thought...ever hear of the "Angling Report"? They solicit write-ups from traveling fisherpersons (who contribute pro bono) and then they charge for a database search/report on given topics. If you want to go to the Bahamas bonefishing, for example, you send them $5 or so and get all kinds of recent reports from the database.

One p.s if a change is made, could consideration be given to supporting an easier interface for posting pictures? I feel we could all benefit significantly from that functionality...and I for one would gladly pay.

#51984 02/22/05 05:33 PM
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This is a great website, and I can see why some vendors would love to run banner ads here.I would think that this forum generates a lot of new subscriptions to your magazine and other companies should be willing to pay you a decent amount to generate similiar traffic for their product offerings.

I would have no problem with a banner ad or two. Its the American way and can be used to improve the site and your magazine in many ways.

I would gladly support your advertisers were such ads to run.

I hope you are able to charge confiscatory rates ;\)

#51985 02/23/05 02:46 AM
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Banners are ok so long as they aren't too distracting! One site I frequent had a swat the fly banner that drove me away. You couldn't concentrate on the posts!

I would also like to see a vehicle for making contributions. Some sort of Icon beside your name for sponsors of the site. You could have annual sponsors, five year, lifetime ect. Put the money in a trust & use the intrest to support the site.


Pond Boss Subscriber & Books Owner


If you can read this ... thank a teacher. Since it's in english ... thank our military!
Ric
#51986 02/23/05 01:41 PM
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Bob,

Go for it. I'd be willing to bet that information on this forum has saved many participants a good deal of money already. That is true with me, anyway. Anything to keep this forum going and as vibrant as it is. Thanks.

#51987 02/23/05 01:45 PM
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All there going to do is make the site download slower and take up space on the screen there useless I say NO.


none
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