Would you mind a sponsored banner? (Page 4/23)
Cliff Pennock APR 11, 08:41 AM
Well thanks for the input so far!

Again, the banners will be Fiero-related only, and it will not be pay-per-click, but a fixed amount per month. Since I want the banners to be affordable (because I want to offer everybody that sells fiero-related stuff to have a banner) and since I really am only interested in covering the costs of the forum (no need to make money off it) I'm thinking about around $50 per month for a banner that rotates with other banners.

I will not allow "screaming" banners. In fact, I will treat banners the same way I treat messages: if I receive complaints about them, they will be removed.

Just so you know where I was thinking of placing the banners, click this link for an example page.

thomas_l APR 11, 08:54 AM
There's no free lunches. I would disable or severely limit (quantity AND size) the ability to upload files to your server. Out of courtesy (ok laziness is a factor too) I link to my own host and only put text on your forum.

That being said, most good forums I see are either covered with ads or funded by a business. If you only place some fixed banners you're still way ahead of the rest with all their pop-ups and other annoying ad tricks. I'd suggest you come up with some branded stuff to sell (coffee mugs, t-shirts, etc) in addition to the ads. I agree with you about the membership fees and donations too for that matter. I would anticipate that the ones that pay or donate the least will b1tch the loudest about control issues.

SKIDMARK APR 11, 08:57 AM
This may work to everyone's advantage. Giving Fiero related businesses a place to advertise on the best Fiero forum on the web would also allow the members an opportunity to find products they might not otherwise know about. It also helps Cliff pay the bills. I'm all for it!
Kasdan APR 11, 09:01 AM
I dont see a problem with the banners, like as others have said as long as they arent popups and annoying "shoot the monkey" type crap. Whatever u have to do to keep this place going, by all means, have at it.

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Rebuilt HIPO 2.8, Zr-1 Cowl
Induction Hood, 1/4 Window scoops,
APR Euro Aluminum Adjustible Spoiler,
Custom Blue Interior, Weight Reduction

Rodrv6 APR 11, 09:03 AM
Cliff,
For the amount of good information I've recieved on this forum, and the people I've had the pleasure of meeting through this forum, a banner (or several) would be a very small price to pay to continue enjoying this place. Heck, I'd willingly cough up subscription money if you decided to go that route.

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Rod Schneider, Woodstock, Ga.
White 88 GT :)

MrPBody APR 11, 09:15 AM
Yep. If you gotta do it, you gotta do it.
Hartz APR 11, 09:28 AM
It's your house, Cliff! If you want banners, put up banners, and tell anyone who disagrees to pound sand!

I like some of the other ideas about reducing bandwidth, too. Limiting uploads, requiring off-site links, and some of the other ideas mentioned are all good.

You could consider closing OT, too. That seems to be a constant source of conflict, anyway. Of course that just might bring some of that into the Fiero-related forums, which would be unfortunate.

Thanks for everything, Cliff. You're the best!

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Hartz

'84 SC 5.7L V8
'85 SE 3.1L V6 Turbo
Hartz's Toys

DRH APR 11, 09:28 AM
The sample looks great! If they are Fiero (or even just automobile) related, that's even better. That would make them more informational than noise.

For donations, I saw another car forum (can't remember where) that let you make a $5 donation using paypal.

As mentioned above, you should really consider doing something about graphics files. I'd guess they make up the majority of your bandwidth.
- Maybe not allow them in sigs, I know most aren't that big, but a few hundred sigs being downloaded by a few thousand people must add up.
- Encourage people to link to other sites for pictures, I'm sure many don't even know how.
- Maybe set up a separate area for pictures so the don't automatically get downloaded every time someone opens a thread.

Oh, and delete the Gwen thread... that should cut your bandwidth in half.


JSocha APR 11, 09:28 AM
On another note, what's your mailing address for us to send in private donations Cliff?

Maybe they won't be so private due to the fact I put a return mailing label on them, but hey, too keep this place alive, if a small private contribution/donation helps, I'm all for it. Its a small price to pay for such a great forum and as we have all been taught by "Hershey's", "Big things come in small packages".

X members * $1.00 to $10.00 per member = $X dollars.

BTW, what's the exchange rate?

Banners -- Cliff, do what's you have too in order to keep this place alive if that is your wish. I've met so many wonderful Fieroites on this site, even met some in person and would like to meet more that this site would be a loss to the Fiero Community. We all know that.

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"The PRE10DR"

deceler8 APR 11, 09:29 AM
Do it.

Fiero-related banners might actually be beneficial to a lot who post here.