Writers and Readers -- please help!

Jacky

Thank you for checking in here. We have a serious issue, and I’d like to hear your opinions of how to deal with it.

I am considering making some changes in the location of advertisements, hoping it will help generate more attention from each of you as you’re visiting the site to read stories.

This is what I am looking for input on. Does location of ads make a difference to you? Are you too used to them being where they are? Do we need to move them to get your attention?

Share with me your ideas on site ads and how to better serve them to you writers and readers to get your attention.

FYI – at this time, we’re using ads served through Google, only. Over the past several years, I’ve used several companies, and Google is the one we’ll be sticking with. No matter who we use, we really don’t have much say in what ads come our way. We can (and do) block ads we think are inappropriate, but there’s nothing we can do about “getting” different/better ads.

Thanks for your time. I appreciate your input!

Jacky
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jp22 · Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 2:29 pm Post subject:

What about the amazon links? I order something from amazon at least once a month, and the last order was large... but I always forget that the site has a link. I feel like this is a potential source of revenue for the site that I keep missing out on.

Is there a way that it can be formatted that the ads can show up, randomly, in the middle of threads or in the comment sections of stories? They might be a bit more prominent there...

Other than that, I don't mind where the advertiser's links for the site are. If I can see them, it's not that much bother for me to click on them.

Chicki · Moderator Joined: 20 Jan 2005 Posts: 3200

JP22 good point, I usually forget to click the Amazon link when placing orders on Amazon.com.

As for ad placement, no particular preference for me.

It may be distracting, but certainly would be more visible if the there were those thin ads (like the 1" high by 5 inch long) that could run in between each FORUM in the Discussion Board. I tend to visually pick up on the ones on the Fan Fic Main Page, more than the Discussion Board for whatever reason.

What about an area of the site where the site could auction some L Word items ( or even non L Word items) on a monthly basis?

To encourage a level of healthy competition between those who have donated in a particular month, perhaps you could add a link or message on the Main Page indicating the highest donor(s) that MONTH, BI-MONTHLY, or QUARTERLY. Another idea would be as we have seen in many places where there are memberships, you could have Gold Members, Silver, Bronze, etc. For those that donate $5.00-49.00 Bronze, $50.00-99.00 Silver, $100.00 PLUS Gold. Just an idea that MIGHT create a "healthy" level of competition.

As soon as the DONATE button becomes available, you can be sure to expect a monthly donation from Ness and I.

**ETA** As this thread progressed, Eddy brought up a valuable point that actually would fail to be certain a bronze/silver/gold structure was fair, and that is that the international contributions could actually decrease the amount of the donation once it converted over to the American dollar. I hadn't given that a lot of thought, and you know me...if it isn't fair, then it doesn't fly with me. Thanks again Eddy for pointing out something valuable as to why a structure like that might pose an issue. ****
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momadukes · Kit's Guitars Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 224

Chicki, thank for the heads up, I never would found this post otherwise.

Jackie, I think asap you should get the contribution button installed, and for what it's worth I also think you should pay yourself back out of the funds.

I'll be sure to click ads more often as I for one wouldn't know what to do with myself if I didn't have these wonderful stories to read.

Don't believe I could ever be a gold member but I know for sure I'll be a member.

Chicki, your always going out of your way to make sure others are taken care of, Thank you for that, I for one appriciate it. I have to say though that I don't normally open e-mail from people I don't reconisze, so maybe, just maybe you could put name in the subject line so everyone knows who it came from (or is it just me). Anyway, your great, ty. Md

FANZvideo · Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 6:31 pm Post subject:

Hey Chicki - Thanks for the link!

I have found that side banner have had more click for me on my jobs website. Although they can be distracting ...but I guess thats the whole point of it.

I also agree you should put a donate button... you will surely have a donation from me and I am sure alot of other members who are on the site alot wouldn't mind giving something for the site. We spend alot of time here and it's only fair.

If you need any help with anything... just let me know Wink

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Ness · Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 7:58 pm Post subject:

My opinion is that I am so used to seeing the ads that I forget to click them, without a kind reminder.

I think the donate button is a good idea, as it makes people have the availability to contribute financially along with clicking on the adds.

Auctioning things is always a good way to generate money.... I think that is a good idea. And I also think that Chicki's idea for healthy competition is also good.. Maybe you (jacky and the team) could set a monthly goal, and we can see the progress..... just a thought.

I don't think the placement of ads really matters to me, as long as we aren't forced to endure pop ups every time we log into the site. I hate pop ups.

Ness

bombass · Jenny's Answering Machine Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 1

I think banners work very well as reminders and also think that informing us the users of how it works as far as the adds go. I admit with shame that I have never really understood nor taken the time to read about how it worked.
I will however do better if reminded how to and frequently....
I have clicked on all adds and bought a t-shirt since I read your post 1 hour ago fyi;-)

I'ts_Me · Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 9:07 pm Post subject:

Thanks for linking us to this thread Chicki,

I don't have any new ideas to contribute but I think the donation button is a great idea. Once it is there you can count on me to use it. I will also pay more attention to the ads.

Don't want this site to shut down and certainly don't want Jacky to be paying from her pocket!

Me
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ecstasythrumusic · Kit's Guitars Joined: 26 Feb 2005 Posts: 279 Location: NY

First I would not want to see this site be shutdown for lack of funding. This site means alot to us especially those of us who have used the site for support, making friends and even relationships have blossomed. I agree with Ness that pop up ads are annoying.I don't mind ads if it helps. I would have no problem donating to the site which I used to do on a monthly basis years ago.I think Chicki's idea is a good idea as well.

socal · Jenny's Answering Machine Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 6

wow - I feel a bit of an idiot admitting that I don't actually know how the ad revenue works. Does just clicking the link make a difference or do we have to actually buy something? (LOL, this is sounding stupider by the minute, but I am being serious). I really thought the site got paid just for hosting the ad. Is that not the way it works?

If just clicking and increasing traffic makes a difference I would SO be clicking every visit. OK - I just did a 3-person poll - none of us know how the revenue works. If someone could enlighten us, please do.

For what it's worth, I thank you so much for this site Jacky, and also Chicki for the link. This site is a part of my daily life (virtually) and will do what needs to be done to support.

OK - last point. I for one hardly ever come over to these boards. If Chicki hadn't linked it (and didn't have one cracker of a story going LOL! Laughing

) I would never have know about it. How about posting a little message about this at the top of the first page of stories? If there was ever a time to ask people to stop and pay the piper, I would think this would be it.

Thanks again!

fergz1 · Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 10:02 pm Post subject: ads

I also forget about the Amazon link. Maybe you should explain to people how it works. It has been a while and there are alot of new people on here. As soon as that contribute button goes up count me in though. I have been on this site for quite some time and definitely don't want to lose it. Just let us know what you need and I will start paying attention to the ads more as well.

trecelovinit · Jenny's Answering Machine Joined: 20 Jun 2004 Posts: 7

Thanks Chicki for sending out the link to this discussion. I admit I'm ignorant to how the ad revenue is accumulated. If it's just a simple clicking on the sites, I will start doing that today! I don't want to see the site go away and agree that a donation button is a great idea.

pandamel · Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 10:29 pm Post subject:

Hey Jackie....
I donated before prior to the ad situation and i'll do it again if need be. I also try to remind myself to click on those ads more then i do.

and Chicki i think the gold silver membership thing would be cool too...

Wink

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StormyOne · Jenny's Answering Machine Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 11

Thanks for the link here Chicki. I would have never have known about the problem. I will be looking for the Donate button and also begin to click on ads quite frequently (Does that help or does one need to order from the ad sites? I could do that too.). I don't know what I'd do without the wonderful writers here at fan fiction warming my Tibette heart daily.

lucero2557

We think the donation button is a good idea. We suggest that it is placed on the Main Page and also on the Fan Fic Page. Furthermore, we suggest to obtain a more suitable (ample) contract, for instance on the Amazon link. Usually, it is only meant for U.S. residents, which limits those of us who live outside the U.S. There a lot of people, like us, in that situation. Therefore, to have a link that could supply the products worldwide, it could be helpful, too. Anybody, outside the U.S., knows that a certain extra fee for packaging and delivery should be paid, and added to the price of the product.

If there is a need to pay for a monthly donation amount to the site, we would glady do that to keep the site afloat.

Sincerely,
Lucero & Marsha
(From Mexico City)