Following in the footsteps of my previous feedback request, I'm also thinking about allowing for Sponsored Forums. Advertisers would pay monthly for the privilege. The forums themselves would not change, except that they would have some text and perhaps a small logo somewhere near the forum title and above that forum's topics and posts lists. The point would be to have them noticeable but not annoying.
For example, let's say that XYZ Company decides to sponsor the GNSS & Geodesy forum. The forum itself would stay exactly the same, but next to (or above or below) the main title it might say something like, "This forum sponsored by XYZ Company" and linked to their website. The same message would appear above any topics that are in the GNSS & Geodesy forum.
I already have an advertiser interested in doing something like this.
Unlike the Branded Forums idea (the other poll), I'm leaning heavily toward doing this, but wanted to get your thoughts on it -- not just if you like the idea or not, but if you have some thoughts about implementation -- something that appeases the advertisers while also not annoying you. ?????ÿ
If it helps keep the site funded, I'm okay with it.?ÿ I think you would be tasteful in the amount of intrusion it adds.
Thanks Bill. I fully recognize that one of the reasons we aren't "fully funded" (whatever that actually means) is my own damn fault. I don't allow the site to be littered with pop-ups or crazy animations. I like your choice of the word "tasteful" when describing because that's exactly what I try to do -- serve the advertisers and help them get sales while also respecting the users.
I cannot express in words how much I hate pop-ups. It's a sure-fire way to get me to exit a website immediately. I'm happy to let go of whatever it was I was visiting for just to get away from those pop-ups.
I'm a member of a trapping forum that is sponsored as you describe.?ÿ Works great and is not intrusive.
I've seen it implemented elsewhere and I thought it was a great idea, too. Thank you for the feedback!
I can't think of a better place for a survey-related advertiser to spend their money.
You should make as much income as you can for your hard work.
A hippie friend once said - he made hacky sacks to sell at Grateful Dead concerts - "Free enterprise, man - it's the American way."
Hey Wendell,
You should do whatever you think makes sense and helps with your income.?ÿ What you're proposing sounds very benign to me, also.
Thanks for checking in with us, though, because you certainly didn't need to.
Licensed Land Surveyor
Finger Lakes Region, Upstate New York
$ and love and money....make more of all three...
Thank you all for the great feedback. I'm definitely going to implement this feature. 🙂
