July 1, 2013 is our third anniversary! Can you believe it?
That time of year is coming up where we pre-pay our hosting bill for the year, renew our domains and pay our maintenance bills. I really don't like asking, but with everything that has happened recently on both professional and personal levels lately, I figured it couldn't hurt to put it out there.
Our hard costs are approximately $1,300 per year. If we give ourselves a small salary for our time spent on moderation, management, maintenance, upgrades, etc., that adds another $11,000 or so. We spend at least 15 hours each (2 of us) per week (on a slow week) moderating posts, responding to email requests, helping new users get signed up, etc. If you do some simple math:
15 hours/week * 2 managers = 30 hours/week
30 hours/week * 52 weeks = 1,560 hours/year
1,560 hours/year * $7.25/hour salary = $11,310 minimum labor expenses
As you can see, even at the current U.S. minimum wage, there's some significant expenses involved. We do have some minimal income from advertisers, but that really only scratches the surface of our actual expenses and labor spent working on the site.
Considering that and recent personal events that are straining our finances and the finances of our family, we would like to ask for donations. I don't normally post such requests because I'd prefer to just let you all decide if you find value in the site or not without a whine fest. But I would like to propose the following:
https://surveyorconnect.com/images/uploaded/2013062614361151cafc5bc6b63.jp g" alt="">Donation goal: $5,000 by June 30, 2013
Incentives (assuming we meet the goal):
- Donate $20 and receive a SurveyorConnect sticker.
- Donate $75 and receive a BeerLeg koozie.
- Donate $100 and receive a SurveyorConnect t-shirt.
- Donate $200 and receive a glass BeerLeg beer mug.
- Donate $300 or more and receive all 4 items!
- Donate anything at all and receive our undying appreciation.
These items will not be sold any other way -- the only way you can get any of our swag is via donation or if you find us at a BeerLegger event or conference!
We really love working on the site and have no intention of giving it up whether you donate or not. But we would certainly appreciate your assistance if you are willing to help us out. We love you guys! 🙂
To donate via PayPal or credit card, visit our Donate page. For other options, please contact us via email at [email protected].
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
[flash width=420 height=315] http://www.youtube.com/v/dRYbF296964?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0 [/flash]
Like what we do here? Donate
Need a new or refreshed website? Five Point Web Solutions
Looking for a web host? Website Hosting & Management
Done!
thanks for the reminder. I was thinking about shipping some more maple syrup your way but the cash donation was easier. Thanks for the great resource you and Angel provide!
Done. Glad to help.
Done! well worth it! Use the site frequently.
Done. Thank you for the site. Please don't bother to send me anything in return.
Done!
Ditto what John said...
DDSM:beer:
Done. Same here. Thanks for what you guys do. :beer:
Done!
Yes, nothing required in return for me either.
Done. Thanks for all you do.
-V
Wendell,
I made apaypaldonation.
please pass the donation gift to another member or some other marketingendeavor.
or keep it like John e al mentioned.
Done. Don't need anything for it, already have too much stuff. Thanks for all you and Angel do and please forgive my tardiness in expressing my condolences on the loss of your father.
Awww.... *sniffles*
You guys are making me cry... :'(
But this time these are good, appreciated tears. I :love: and appreciate all of you guys and will return full time after everything is done with grandpas memorial services, handling final things in California, etc... and I have some time to recover and reflect.
Done, You don't need to send anything, Thanks for a Great Site.
Done, no reward please. Going to need to upgrade my profile next week, moving the office home and will have all new contact info after the Hughes.Net satellite antenna gets installed Monday. This system will be turned off Monday but I am taking the computers home tonight. Plans are subject to change, Dad Passed Tue morning, he made it to 91.
jud
> Done, no reward please. Going to need to upgrade my profile next week, moving the office home and will have all new contact info after the Hughes.Net satellite antenna gets installed Monday. This system will be turned off Monday but I am taking the computers home tonight. Plans are subject to change, Dad Passed Tue morning, he made it to 91.
> jud
I'm sorry, Jud. He must of made the trip at about the same time with Wendells dad. :love: Hugs :love:
Wow, Jud, really sorry to hear that. Odd how they would go at the same time, maybe they carpooled.
Like what we do here? Donate
Need a new or refreshed website? Five Point Web Solutions
Looking for a web host? Website Hosting & Management
Is that Bartles and James from like 30 years ago?
The good news: my workload is excellent.
The bad news: we are still at the bottom of the cash flow roller coaster.
The good news: I just know we are heading back up to the top of the hill and when we get there you know I will be showering you two with my financial expression of my appreciation for what you guys do for us bums.
Weeeeeeeeeeee!
Wendell and Angel, I would like to increase my monthly auto pay amount by $10/ month. Is that something I have to do through PayPal or can you arrange it on your end? Please advise and thank you for what you provide to the surveying community.
Done...