Ads?

Paddle Power · Post by **Paddle Power** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 1:01 pm

Well, after reading all the agreement someone must speak against ads!

What about the concept of sponsorship instead of ads. I always see ads as being anyone who wishes to place an ad (and pay for it).
Sponsorship might mean that you approach companies that you wish to have sponsor this wonderful site. For different amounts of sponsor $$$ they would get different amounts or kind of ad space.

I'd rather read that this site was sponsored by single blade friendly companies than allows advertisement.

Paddle Power · Post by **Paddle Power** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 1:26 pm

such as

http://www.wavpaddling.ca/

look near the bottom for "sponsored links"

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 1:47 pm

Please consider the effect of advertising support on content of the forum or other features of CBoats.net.

The influence of ad money cannot be ignored, and will be present whether explicit or implied. The need to keep advertisers happy will underlie many, if not all, of the decisions concerning the content of the website.

Consider the recent thread about breakdown paddles. Several different brands were suggested and/or recommended. How would an advertiser react if his product was not mentioned or even disparaged? How would the board administration react?

I like being able to comment on what products work (and don't work) for me without feeling that someone's advertising decision might be effected or the financial stability of CBoats.net put in jeopardy. How could that exist with a dependence on ad money to operate?

One might think a policy of "the business is separate from the editorial content" would be implemented, but such claims of independence are hard to practice.

Has an appeal for funds been considered? How much money is needed on an annual basis to keep the site operating?

clt_capt · Post by **clt_capt** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 3:24 pm

Take a look at American Whitewater's website - americanwhitewater.org - They have done a nice job of placing a few ads which I'm sure help to defray some of their costs, but at the same time are not "in your face". To my knowledge there are not issues with recommending one supplier's products over another's at AW, and quite frankly maybe that should be a rule set forth to potential advertisers.

Also the advertisers may get some input from us as to what we would like to see from them - that could benefit us in the (often-overlooked) single blade world.

F

Post by **kenneth** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 3:40 pm

I'd like to think that we can approach and sell ads in a very "humble" sort of way where, depending on where the ad (or "sponsor" link) is placed, it costs a flat fee. This is a lot easier than, say, a traffic driven system where the cost changes dynamically depending on how many users click the link that month. I only bring this up because some advertisers might try to request this method - but I don't think we (well... me) have the time to implement that type of structure.

And I do like the idea of having small (square), large (rectangular), and textual ("sponsored links") ads in various locations.

Apart from placement and size, the ability to change the ad based on the forum (or page) is something to consider but keep in mind that that will be slightly more work for your, *cough* webmaster *cough*.

I'll be working with Adam on putting together some mockups of what the site (and forum) would look like with different types of ads in different places. Maybe at some point we'll make those public to elicit opinions before making a decision. My personal goal (and I'm sure Adam shares the same goal) is to keep them as unintrusive as possible so as not to "ruin" the site. So for those of you that like those full page Flash animations, TOUGH!

Post by **sbroam** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 5:33 pm

Of the sites I visit, there are not many I would pay for and none that I actually do. However, this is one of those I would be willing to pay for... That can be a sensitive issue for some folks (see BoaterTalk).

I'd also be willing to put up with some ads.

Either way, I don't think those of us involved - that's usn's posting, administering, and lurking - are going to let ads/ sponsors/ subscriptions affect the content and spirit of this site/community.

kaz · Post by **kaz** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 8:39 pm

I think "guest" has an interesting idea. A donation system might work. It works on a few websites that I peruse such as www.refdesk.com. This way everyone can contribute whatever they're comfortable with. Just a thought...........
JKaz

Post by **kenneth** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 2:15 am

It would be awfully easy to at least add a "donate" link somewhere that would help facilitate PayPal donations.

Also, it might be tough to budget and plan with a donation only model. Just a thought.

Post by **sbroam** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 3:05 pm

PayPal sucks. Sorry, I don't usuallly express myself that way. If we go the donation route, let's offer additional options - i.e. BitPass.

Bruce Farrenkopf · Post by **Bruce Farrenkopf** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 1:59 am

Ads are OK with me, providing they do not interfere 'too much' with this website

. They should be low profile and not allowed to affect the website's excellent content and discussion.
Bruce

cali · Post by **cali** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 6:32 pm

How much money are we talking about? Are we talking about $240 a year or or ten thousand dollars a year? I am sure a donation system would raise the amount to cover the present level of hosting... Just buy a fundraising keg at the armada...theres a win win situation.

NZMatt · Post by **NZMatt** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 4:08 pm

I also say go for it Adam - although the idea of the fundraising keg is also a pretty good suggestion

Matt

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