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Debate #2 Open Thread
The idea here is to keep the actual debate threads clean so that they candidates are the only ones posting in them. So with all three answers now posted and some rebutted, if you have a comment lets hear them here!
The Questions:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shelby
* As Zone President, what specific things would you do to encourage more posters to donate to the site?
* What specific things would you do to improve the No TOS Zone so that people enjoy it more?
* Would you make any changes to the features now offered to donors?
The Answers:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gunz
1. I think the biggest thing that could be done is to raise the overall standard of the zone so that members take pride in it and want to donate no matter what is offered as a perk. I think the way to do this is to crack down on trolls and spammers, and be vigilant in dealing with personal attacks. There was a time when you could post your opionion and you could debate it without being called names. We need to work to bring that atmosphere back.
2. Making the no TOS zone better is trickier. I don't believe in exclusive content because it leaves out a majority of the members. The only thing change that I would make in the no-tos is to maybe preview articles, etc. a day or too before they are sent to the main forums.
3. I feel that it wouldn't hurt to have more incentives to donating . I am against exclusive content, but perhaps we could offer a zonebuck bonus for each level of donation, maybe increased rep ability something like that. I know that it seemed like the tshirts, key chains and other premiums were pretty popular, perhaps it is time to bring them back. Other things that would not cost anything would be to bring back the zone lottery and give members a free ticket each month.
What I think it all boils down to is taking pride in the website that provides us with so much information, entertainment, and distraction from our real lives. We should be encouraging people to think about donating in those terms, however I don't wish for those that may not have the disposable income to punished for not doing so by limiting access to Bills information.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Playa
* As Zone President, what specific things would you do to encourage more posters to donate to the site?
This is a good question Being that I am a C.F.O of a multi-million dollar construction company, I am sure I could analyze the Billszone Financial records and come up with many suggestions to the staff.
First I would look at the amount of donating members and see what the average donation is. Once that is determined rather than have levels of donation have 1 level of donations to be a member. This could be paid monthly or if you pay for a year that would be the monthly rate x 11 so you would get a month free.
Also, if someone would like to donate more than the monthly or annual amount, I would have an option for a one time gift. Let’s say that someone wanted to donate $1,000 to the site, they could do this as a one time gift and get a years worth of access to the No-Tos as well as a thank you gift from the Zone.
Also, for first time donors they could check out the benefits for being a Zoner for $1, and then have the option of becoming a regular monthly or annual donor.
Another thing that could be done is to add a sticky bulletin to the top of each forum each week that state if you are not a donor here is what you missed this week. In it include all the benefits of being a donor along with some of the items I propose in the next answer.
I also believe that based on the financial information reviewed, I would look into marketing the zone with a thank you for donating gift, something small but with the Billszone Logo as was done in the past. I still have the keychain I received when I first donated and believe that was a classy touch, this may still be happening but if it isn’t I would look into the feasibility of reinstating it or adding more products to the welcome to donation gift.
* What specific things would you do to improve the No TOS Zone so that people enjoy it more?
There is something I believe that could not only make the No Tos better, but also discover new talent and utilize the talent we have already here on the Zone.
In the No-Tos, spurred on from this Election, have a Debate topic of the day. In the Off Season topics could include, The Draft, Free Agency, Politics, Social Topic of the Day, which woman is more beautiful, etc etc.
Here is how this would work similar to this style of debate two donors would volunteer to debate a topic with specific questions to answer, and then there would be a public vote after two rebuttals from each debater. There would be a public poll posted and to avoid the winner being the most popular zoner rather than the actual winner of the debate, the Moderator of the debate has a vote and an Admin of the site has a vote. Whoever has a majority with public counting as 1, Moderator as 1 and Admin as 1, will have an opportunity to write an article on the topic that will be posted on the front page.
Then in the aforementioned weekly sticky if you are not a donor this is what you missed, you could include excerpts of the debate as a benefit of being a member. The winner each week would go on until they lose.
I believe since this is a message board and part of the greatness of a message board is the spirit of exchange of ideas and intelligent debate this was spurn that on and also would provide the Zone with more great writers.
This type of contest would also spur on more people to donate if they have aspirations of writing for the site, or just writing aspirations in general. I also believe that if people read and see the proper ways to debate a topic it will inspire them to be more informed and better posters with less personal attacks when discussing a topic in the main forum.
* Would you make any changes to the features now offered to donors?
Being a donor is appreciating something so much that you give of your hard earned money to show that appreciation. I believe that this site offers so much to every member that there does not need to be any added benefit to just donors.
I believe when someone decides to donate to the site they are not looking for extra features that non donors have, I believe they are giving back to a community that has given so much to them in terms of information, laughter, friendships and a release from their everyday grind.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MBB
As it stands right now I think the Twilight Zoners are probably the heaviest in terms of active donors. The reason being there is a direct benefit to them, a zone where they can rant and rave and in some cases still be private. There is no question that the main forum carries the Zone, but where is the direct benefit to those who just want to talk Bills football? I propose we develop a Bills forum in the No Tos specifically for Bills football talk, we promote it as such a place where you can talk about Bills Football Uncensored! The Bills forum is a giant resource and there is a lot more room for growth of donors there. I think anytime a news story breaks on WGR it would be worth while to note that donors have access to the online feed via Zone Radio, I’d be willing to be a lot of posters don’t know we have that option.
I personally have been brainstorming different ideas and games to bring to the No Tos. Oddly enough the ability to curse doesn’t really help in the development of new games. However thanks to the inspiration of YardRat, I will debut inside the Zoners Studio this Friday along with our second installment of the Zone Gossip Game.
I have thought quite a while as to how to make donating more worth while. I personally donate because my day would be lost without this place. The Zone is my home away from home. But how about implementing some kind of Zoner Rewards program where referrals to new posters can earn you points which can then in time can get you a little taste of the No Tos? This would help expand growth to the Zone plus give posters a little playtime in the donor forums hoping they get hooked. It’s a win-win situation. Finally, I think its important to make sure people know how important their donations are, this place is not cheap to run. And it really does run off the generosity of the zoners and the hard work of the Admin/Mod team.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Ill start by saying that I think all the candidates gave good answers on this question and really addressed the whole question this time. :bf1:
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
I thought all the answers were done well this time as well.
I personally think that if the main focus is cleaning up the BZ, the donations will follow.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by RockStar36
I thought all the answers were done well this time as well.
I personally think that if the main focus is cleaning up the BZ, the donations will follow.
I think we also need to bring in new members and if that means more diversity Im certainly not against that. I think we have the staff and membership base to be the best football site on the net, we just need to get our name out there more.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
DB would it be possible to quote the 3 answers as well as the question in your first post in this thread to help keep people on topic? I know that makes for a very long post... but I think it'd be helpful.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackMetalNinja
DB would it be possible to quote the 3 answers as well as the question in your first post in this thread to help keep people on topic? I know that makes for a very long post... but I think it'd be helpful.
yea no problem Ill add it now
and done!
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
I cant reply to Playas reply because thats against the rules. But when he was talkin about looking into the Zones books, I truely feel that is beyond what the Pres will be doing here at the zone. Plus from what I imagine I would say the Billszone is in the black and is actually making money.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by DraftBoy
yea no problem Ill add it now
and done!
Thank you sir!
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by MBBedard
I cant reply to Playas reply because thats against the rules. But when he was talkin about looking into the Zones books, I truely feel that is beyond what the Pres will be doing here at the zone. Plus from what I imagine I would say the Billszone is in the black and is actually making money.
I believe and Ill need another staff member to correct me on this but we dont make any money as a site. Everything we make I believe goes straight to our operating costs, we are a revenue neutral operation. But Im not 100% sure NBF and Eb would know better than I would on that.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by DraftBoy
I believe and Ill need another staff member to correct me on this but we dont make any money as a site. Everything we make I believe goes straight to our operating costs, we are a revenue neutral operation. But Im not 100% sure NBF and Eb would know better than I would on that.
Im not saying anyone pockets money by any means but I think in terms of donors we are doing well.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by DraftBoy
I believe and Ill need another staff member to correct me on this but we dont make any money as a site. Everything we make I believe goes straight to our operating costs, we are a revenue neutral operation. But Im not 100% sure NBF and Eb would know better than I would on that.
youre correct.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by MBBedard
I cant reply to Playas reply because thats against the rules. But when he was talkin about looking into the Zones books, I truely feel that is beyond what the Pres will be doing here at the zone. Plus from what I imagine I would say the Billszone is in the black and is actually making money.
I agree 100%.
As for the answers, I also feel that all 3 of us are on the same page - with the exception of Playa's examination of the books.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by MBBedard
Im not saying anyone pockets money by any means but I think in terms of donors we are doing well.
Oh I know what you're saying, and I didnt think you were saying that, Im just saying that everything we make, we send towards our operating costs. We dont keep any money on hand in a BZ bank account or something like that.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
I'll agree that everybody for the most part did a good job answering the questions at hand.
Piggy backing off of Bedard's point about having a specific Bills talk section of the No-TOS, I think this could be great. I've heard others mention that Fin Heaven has something along these lines already and that it's known there that if you want the real good, serious, people who know what they're talking about and aren't just looking for a fight discussions, that's where you go. I think we could pull the same off here. Lure some of our better Billszone posters in there to have some great Bills discussions and give the general board snippets of the talk in there, enticing them to subscribe.
Additionally, I think one big issue we have is that most people currently see donating as a way to gain access to the No-TOS forum. I think we could put more emphasis on the other benefits of being a donor, and most importantly as Bedard mentioned, the fact that this place exists in main part because of donations.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by DraftBoy
Oh I know what you're saying, and I didnt think you were saying that, Im just saying that everything we make, we send towards our operating costs. We dont keep any money on hand in a BZ bank account or something like that.
This goes to the point of adding the expenditure of giving out gifts to donors. It's another added expense, and while it may not be a whole lot, it's something. Most of us aren't looking for gifts, we're looking for things that make this place even better than it already is (honestly, many of us that donate just want to give back to this place for being a sort of virtual home away from home). I think the money that Playa wants to spend on these gifts could be better spent elsewhere personally.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by DraftBoy
I think we also need to bring in new members and if that means more diversity Im certainly not against that. I think we have the staff and membership base to be the best football site on the net, we just need to get our name out there more.
Another key thng that we need before the members start flowing in is a couple more solid writers. We lack a bit on the original content and that ALWAYS draws people to the site. I'll admit that I myself slacked off this year, but if we can add a few more writers to the stable for gameday articles, postgame articles, and weekly columns, then we will see the traffic increase for sure IMO.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackMetalNinja
I'll agree that everybody for the most part did a good job answering the questions at hand.
Piggy backing off of Bedard's point about having a specific Bills talk section of the No-TOS, I think this could be great. I've heard others mention that Fin Heaven has something along these lines already and that it's known there that if you want the real good, serious, people who know what they're talking about and aren't just looking for a fight discussions, that's where you go. I think we could pull the same off here. Lure some of our better Billszone posters in there to have some great Bills discussions and give the general board snippets of the talk in there, enticing them to subscribe.
Additionally, I think one big issue we have is that most people currently see donating as a way to gain access to the No-TOS forum. I think we could put more emphasis on the other benefits of being a donor, and most importantly as Bedard mentioned, the fact that this place exists in main part because of donations.
See I have a huge issue with a Bills Donor zone because of what happened at FH. Its donors board was a great place to talk shop but the regular board became pretty much crap and when the regular board is the first thing a potential new member sees, thats not a good impression. Either that or you run the risk of having a Donor Bills board where there is No-Tos and its essentially a huge smack zone but of Bills fans v. Bills fans.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackMetalNinja
I'll agree that everybody for the most part did a good job answering the questions at hand.
Piggy backing off of Bedard's point about having a specific Bills talk section of the No-TOS, I think this could be great. I've heard others mention that Fin Heaven has something along these lines already and that it's known there that if you want the real good, serious, people who know what they're talking about and aren't just looking for a fight discussions, that's where you go. I think we could pull the same off here. Lure some of our better Billszone posters in there to have some great Bills discussions and give the general board snippets of the talk in there, enticing them to subscribe.
Additionally, I think one big issue we have is that most people currently see donating as a way to gain access to the No-TOS forum. I think we could put more emphasis on the other benefits of being a donor, and most importantly as Bedard mentioned, the fact that this place exists in main part because of donations.
I think everyone is pretty well aware that donations keep this place going.
As far as a no-tos BZ this has been killed countless times. The fear in general, and I am saying in general but there are plenty of reasons, is that all you are doing is diverting traffic away from the Bills forums.
While donations are great this site is not a "pay to play" site. Bills fans, or any football fan for that matter, should not have to pay to get good football talk. We as a staff, and imo for the most part we do a great job, simply must stay on top of that main forum.
Lets not get it twisted, while no-tos and TZ....etc are all a lot of fun we are a Bills football fan site. Bills football talk will always come first. A lot of time was spent developing the NFL forums, the draft forums....etc.
Subdividing furthur and adding in basically "uncensored Bills talk" may add a few donations here and there, but ultimatley you will just be taking donors out the main forum.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
I think there should be a little incentive or gift for donating. No-TOS isn't really all it's cracked up to be IMO. The point should be stressed that without donations the site will crash and burn. There could be a little side benefit to Zone outings for donations. Like when we paid the cover at Brunners, have an extra dollar or two go towards Zone donations.
I also think Playa looking into the books is a ludicrious idea.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
I am curious to know why looking at how the donations are coming in, or where they are coming from is such a bad idea exactly? This was Playa's own idea and Im not sold on it either way, but I am curious why some think its such a bad idea. What are the reasons behind it?
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by DraftBoy
See I have a huge issue with a Bills Donor zone because of what happened at FH. Its donors board was a great place to talk shop but the regular board became pretty much crap and when the regular board is the first thing a potential new member sees, thats not a good impression. Either that or you run the risk of having a Donor Bills board where there is No-Tos and its essentially a huge smack zone but of Bills fans v. Bills fans.
Valid point, I'm just searching for things that would draw people's interest, and I don't think Playa's idea of having debates in the No-TOS is going to do that in the least. There is more than enough free debating going on all over this place already.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Because I got the impression in his reponse that he will be able to look at the books and make the site more money, or something to that effect. I don't think it would really work that way. It seemed like it was more of an excuse to throw out that he has a fancy title for some company.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by DraftBoy
I am curious to know why looking at how the donations are coming in, or where they are coming from is such a bad idea exactly? This was Playa's own idea and Im not sold on it either way, but I am curious why some think its such a bad idea. What are the reasons behind it?
He is ambitious no doubt, and he has the best intentions.
I think having a temporary MOD walking in and looking at the books is just a bit much. The zone has had a team in place that handles this sort of thing. I think having the new guy in off the street looking at the books is just a bit much.
As I have mentioned I truly think the Presidential Position is going to be highly monitored. I am fine with that I just want to get in the ring and throw around ideas with the Big Dogs.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by DraftBoy
I am curious to know why looking at how the donations are coming in, or where they are coming from is such a bad idea exactly? This was Playa's own idea and Im not sold on it either way, but I am curious why some think its such a bad idea. What are the reasons behind it?
Of the current staff... that being mods/admins, how many of them have the ability to, or have actually done so rather? It didn't seem like it was a common place activitiy for all the staff to know the financial #s behind what is essentially a privately owned board. Yet Playa is going to come in as a Day 1 Mod and have access to all that?
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
To back up BMN, I know about the Zones finances about as much as I know about quantum physics.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackMetalNinja
Of the current staff... that being mods/admins, how many of them have the ability to, or have actually done so rather? It didn't seem like it was a common place activitiy for all the staff to know the financial #s behind what is essentially a privately owned board.
I do feel the same way but lets keep this discussion productive. Playa was trying to put his skills into action. The idea is great, the execution is tricky.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by MBBedard
I do feel the same way but lets keep this discussion productive. Playa was trying to put his skills into action. The idea is great, the execution is tricky.
I'm not trying to dig into anyone here, I just honestly am not sure why he thinks he'll have more authority than those that have been around and likely don't know much about the numbers himself. I'm sure his intentions are nothing but the best and that he is trying to use the skills from his daily job to good benefit here.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
If it is a privately owned zite, that kind of information should be kept private. I don't believe anyone is getting rich off the site (which I understand is NOT the intention of looking at the books) so I don't see how knowing how much it costs to run the site and how much the site gets in donations will have any bearing on how to improve the No TOS or how to get more people to donate.
I like the gift ideas. Maybe there could be a zone "store" where for a slight markup a t-shirt or keychain or bumper sticker or refrigerator magnet could be purchased. I think something like that was done in the past, but not to this degree. Cost/feasability would have to be looked into.
We have such a great community here at the BillsZone and many of its members might like to help but don't feel that they could write articles. How about some of our members (like mybills or redeye for instance) come up with billszone related art to sell in the store or maybe for an auction to raise money for the site? In a case like that, mybills or redeye can receive a free year subscription if the piece sells for a nice amount. We should use our zoners talents to our advantage if they would be willing to accept the challenge.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
If someone has been a writer on the Zone have they not in the past been asked to write?
If someone has graphic or VBulletin skills in the past have they not been asked to help ??
My intentions are being skewed like I am some mad accounting scientist wanting to know and divulge secret confidential items.
As a CFO I deal with confidential records everyday, and keep that confidentiality. My intent is to review and make suggestions where I can. Using my real life experience to help the Zone.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by L.A. Playa
If someone has been a writer on the Zone have they not in the past been asked to write?
If someone has graphic or VBulletin skills in the past have they not been asked to help ??
My intentions are being skewed like I am some mad accounting scientist wanting to know and divulge secret confidential items.
As a CFO I deal with confidential records everyday, and keep that confidentiality. My intent is to review and make suggestions where I can. Using my real life experience to help the Zone.
I believe you are taking this in a way that it was not intended. Nobody is questioning your financial skills, they just don't see how it would help. I don't think anyone thinks your intentions are anything but honorable.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by chernobylwraiths
If it is a privately owned zite, that kind of information should be kept private. I don't believe anyone is getting rich off the site (which I understand is NOT the intention of looking at the books) so I don't see how knowing how much it costs to run the site and how much the site gets in donations will have any bearing on how to improve the No TOS or how to get more people to donate.
I like the gift ideas. Maybe there could be a zone "store" where for a slight markup a t-shirt or keychain or bumper sticker or refrigerator magnet could be purchased. I think something like that was done in the past, but not to this degree. Cost/feasability would have to be looked into.
We have such a great community here at the BillsZone and many of its members might like to help but don't feel that they could write articles. How about some of our members (like mybills or redeye for instance) come up with billszone related art to sell in the store or maybe for an auction to raise money for the site? In a case like that, mybills or redeye can receive a free year subscription if the piece sells for a nice amount. We should use our zoners talents to our advantage if they would be willing to accept the challenge.
Hasn't TGOJK done a custom figure that was raffled off? That was a fantastic idea IMO. Draw upon the talents of the members. When I first started donating Wys sauce was a premium. As you mentioned a cafe press type store might be a nice addition.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by chernobylwraiths
I believe you are taking this in a way that it was not intended. Nobody is questioning your financial skills, they just don't see how it would help. I don't think anyone thinks your intentions are anything but honorable.
Right, we're not talking about a multi-million dollar company here. I'd think the ins and outs financially are pretty straightforward, and I'd also think that those that have already been charged with taking care of it up to this point are capable of making it flow to it's best ability.
I'm not questioning your skills or intentions Playa, merely you using this as a way to help win this election, when I don't think it's perhaps a necessary tool.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Billszone magnets and keychains are a nice perk. I'd say t-shirts and hats are not.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gunzlingr
Hasn't TGOJK done a custom figure that was raffled off? That was a fantastic idea IMO. Draw upon the talents of the members. When I first started donating Wys sauce was a premium. As you mentioned a cafe press type store might be a nice addition.
You beat me to it... TGOJK does great work, hell, even Bedard has made some awesome custom figures. Seek these sorts of talent out and hold auctions or raffles for them, with proceeds exceeding inital cost (or including initial cost if the donor of those skills so wishes) going towards the Zone's overall funds.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by chernobylwraiths
I believe you are taking this in a way that it was not intended. Nobody is questioning your financial skills, they just don't see how it would help. I don't think anyone thinks your intentions are anything but honorable.
Looking at trends of donations both present and past as well as expenses and researching if there are more cost effective ways to d othings can help in several ways.
As I proposed in the debate, to come up with what the median donation is on a monthly basis, so instead of having tiers there would be one base donation monthly and one base donation annually.
Also, if you can project what your future revenue is going to be you can also come up with a marketing and advertising budget.
My intent is to help the Zone organize this and being able to attract as many donors as possible as well as knowing what is availble to market the Zone after the operating costs are met.
There is no intent in making the Zone profitable or more profitable rather to examine ways to advertise the Zone more using the donations to increase traffic and visibility.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by L.A. Playa
Looking at trends of donations both present and past as well as expenses and researching if there are more cost effective ways to d othings can help in several ways.
As I proposed in the debate, to come up with what the median donation is on a monthly basis, so instead of having tiers there would be one base donation monthly and one base donation annually.
Also, if you can project what your future revenue is going to be you can also come up with a marketing and advertising budget.
My intent is to help the Zone organize this and being able to attract as many donors as possible as well as knowing what is availble to market the Zone after the operating costs are met.
There is no intent in making the Zone profitable or more profitable rather to examine ways to advertise the Zone more using the donations to increase traffic and visibility.
I'm really not for setting one single donation level. Sure, those that can/want to give more still can, but you might be pricing out some of the others. I want to donate to this site, and I do my best to do so, but it's not always financially feesible either. If you raise the amount to one overall average, you maybe raising that level beyond what some are willing to pay.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
I like the whole donate for a year and actually only pay for 11 months. As of right now I don't see any incentive to donating for a whole year except you don't have to re-up every month. There should be some incentive to giving for a whole year.
I also think donors could receive a newsletter with staff writings, whats new with the site and stuff like that.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackMetalNinja
I'm really not for setting one single donation level. Sure, those that can/want to give more still can, but you might be pricing out some of the others. I want to donate to this site, and I do my best to do so, but it's not always financially feesible either. If you raise the amount to one overall average, you maybe raising that level beyond what some are willing to pay.
The point is not to price people out of donating, it is to encourage more people to donate. If you discover and set a median price point of donations it can actually increase revenues by encoraging more people to donate.
Also, with the proposal for first time donors can check out the benefits of donating for $1 for the first month, it could be an easy transition to becoming a regular donor.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by L.A. Playa
The point is not to price people out of donating, it is to encourage more people to donate. If you discover and set a median price point of donations it can actually increase revenues by encoraging more people to donate.
Also, with the proposal for first time donors can check out the benefits of donating for $1 for the first month, it could be an easy transition to becoming a regular donor.
I think it would push them away.
They would donate $1 and see the :poop: in the No-TOS and probably not donate.
Then again, it would make the site an extra $1 that it wouldn't have had before.
I do think the median price would push people out though. The 2.50 is a nice option and if the price is changed to go higher some people might stop donating.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by RockStar36
I like the whole donate for a year and actually only pay for 11 months. As of right now I don't see any incentive to donating for a whole year except you don't have to re-up every month. There should be some incentive to giving for a whole year.
I also think donors could receive a newsletter with staff writings, whats new with the site and stuff like that.
You're not a math major are you?
Current donations: $2.50/month, $25.00/year, $5/month, $50/year, $10/month, $100/year... aka 12 months for the price of 10! Playa's plan would actually decrease the current discount.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by RockStar36
I think it would push them away.
They would donate $1 and see the :poop: in the No-TOS and probably not donate.
Then again, it would make the site an extra $1 that it wouldn't have had before.
I do think the median price would push people out though. The 2.50 is a nice option and if the price is changed to go higher some people might stop donating.
See I disagree here I think the dollar one time donation is a great idea, especially if we find a way to make the No-Tos less of a juvenile playground and more of a place that people can come and talk about whatever. I think the debate topics are a good idea because it allows that want to debate to do so, and others can watch and comment and vote on the issue. It seems like a fun idea to me, but I love to debate. Especially if we make it about a wide range of topics life, politics, money, Bills, Sabres...I think that will drive to more donations, instead of just posting the latest porn site and being able to swear without a filter.
By the way this discussion is great!
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by L.A. Playa
The point is not to price people out of donating, it is to encourage more people to donate. If you discover and set a median price point of donations it can actually increase revenues by encoraging more people to donate.
Also, with the proposal for first time donors can check out the benefits of donating for $1 for the first month, it could be an easy transition to becoming a regular donor.
I'm not getting the logic here... It's not to price people out, it's to get more people to donate... by raising prices? I think you'll find the mass majority of donators currently are in the Silver range, with a handful of platinums thrown in. Other than multiple donors such as Lt, I see very few people use the gold option. $2.50/month seems very affordable to most for checking out a website. Go much beyond that and I think you lose a lot of your donors.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by DraftBoy
See I disagree here I think the dollar one time donation is a great idea, especially if we find a way to make the No-Tos less of a juvenile playground and more of a place that people can come and talk about whatever. I think the debate topics are a good idea because it allows that want to debate to do so, and others can watch and comment and vote on the issue. It seems like a fun idea to me, but I love to debate. Especially if we make it about a wide range of topics life, politics, money, Bills, Sabres...I think that will drive to more donations, instead of just posting the latest porn site and being able to swear without a filter.
By the way this discussion is great!
We already have forums for most of those things though where there are always debates going on... perhaps not in such an organized form. Didn't you already say that further subdividing things and pulling things out of one forum to another similar platform just dilutes the posting in the original forum?
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackMetalNinja
You're not a math major are you?
Current donations: $2.50/month, $25.00/year, $5/month, $50/year, $10/month, $100/year... aka 12 months for the price of 10! Playa's plan would actually decrease the current discount.
Something I did not know, glad to see the Zone has this plan in effect already, thank you for pointing that out to me.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Hmmm...I guess so. That is news to me.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by MBBedard
He is ambitious no doubt, and he has the best intentions.
I think having a temporary MOD walking in and looking at the books is just a bit much. The zone has had a team in place that handles this sort of thing. I think having the new guy in off the street looking at the books is just a bit much.
As I have mentioned I truly think the Presidential Position is going to be highly monitored. I am fine with that I just want to get in the ring and throw around ideas with the Big Dogs.
I think you're taking his answer the wrong way and if you look at the Zone staff as of now it makes sense to lend his expertise to a specific area. For instance I handle a lot of the draft things here at the BZ and have since I got here in one capacity or another. Clump and Eb have done the cap stuff from the beginning too. If Playa's expertise is in examining financial trends AND the admins dont have an issue with it then I see no reason as to why he shouldn't be allowed to do so. Just because I or Rockstar dont know jack about accounting or financials doesnt mean if another members to the team that was added they shouldn't take a crack at it if thats what they do in real life. Of course nobody is going to win this election and all the sudden demand to do this or that and I dont think Playa was suggesting that, he was simply throwing an idea out there as something he could do to chip in and maybe discover an untapped revenue stream.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
How about a lifetime membership?
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackMetalNinja
We already have forums for most of those things though where there are always debates going on... perhaps not in such an organized form. Didn't you already say that further subdividing things and pulling things out of one forum to another similar platform just dilutes the posting in the original forum?
Nobody said anything about subdividing anything else. He simply mentions a topic a day debate, or a week or whatever. Let me ask you a question how often do you go into the Spin Zone to debate a topic at hand? Im not being a dick about this either, Im being serious.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
There should be a top donor list as well. I think if someone like Lt donated as much as he did his efforts should be better recognized. Maybe people wouldn't jump on his **** as much if they saw he donated X amount compared to everyone else.
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Re: Debate #2 Open Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackMetalNinja
I'm not getting the logic here... It's not to price people out, it's to get more people to donate... by raising prices? I think you'll find the mass majority of donators currently are in the Silver range, with a handful of platinums thrown in. Other than multiple donors such as Lt, I see very few people use the gold option. $2.50/month seems very affordable to most for checking out a website. Go much beyond that and I think you lose a lot of your donors.
So you are saying that if based on historical trends and actual amount of donors based on each level if there was one set price point of lets say $3.50 which was the median donation per doner per month, that would price you out of donating to the site in the future ?