Ok so I have been fishing and thinking..

Hi some of you know that I do a lot of Fly fishing, will it might surprise you to know that I do some thinking also, so when fishing was slow yesterday, and then the river turned to chocolate milk, gladly we were on the right side of the river when the tidal wave came down, I thought of this..

First I LOVE THIS FORUM, it was the first one I joined, it is the first one I go to for straight information, it is invaluable to me!!!! it is priceless..

So following the "FAOL what is it worth to you" got me thinking.
If I was in the owners waders how would I secure the Forums future.. what little thing have I missed.

Then it hit me like a PETA tofu cream pie... no single shaft of sunlight beamed on me , but I think this one of my brighter moments..

I have noticed the links on many many Forums members signature , that little link to Joe Bloggins home spun trout fly . com and the I love fish . blog. they are very effective free advertising for the Member and some of them have been around for a long long time..

So how does this help Lady Fisher well how about this ( this is where folks have to pay attention) I have a couple of options to purpose -

1)Mandatory $10.00USD a year fee for signature link, no if ands or buts.. link to be removed if necessary. ( personally this one is heavy handed and more like me and not the Ladyfisher)

2) $10.00USD a year fee, for signature link, Please.

3) Fee for the link based on what link owner works out with Forum owner.

4) $100.00 fee for link, per year, again this is more my thinking..

5) Voluntary fee for signature links to be voted on and agreed on by the Forum owner..

so there is five options, Plse critique, vote, chase me down and stone me, but lets figure this out and help FAOL.


Told you it is bad when fishing is slow and I start thinking.. hope the rivers clear up by the end of the week!! I need to go fishing again...

Try more fishing and less thinkin will you! :p

Fine idea you got there!

I'm in...

Just so you know, flyfishfairwx did run this by me before he posted it. I think it is a wonderful idea, and does just what he says it does - and it sure seems to be fair. I'd like you input on this, please?

I started a blog in 2009. Maybe I'm doing it all wrong...but I don't make any money from it, and wouldn't really know HOW to. It wasn't the reason I started the blog. More, it is just another repository/record of what I love to do (fishing), and it gives me a way to share it with others that might be interested. I think most of what I post on my blog, I usually end up posting in the FAOL forums anyway. Most of the people that publicly "follow" my blog don't visit FAOL.

So...to my way of thinking (which is probably way wrong, just ask my wife) having personal blogs linked to FAOL enriches this site by giving our FAOL community access to additional info if they are interested. You're asking those that make personal blogs available to PAY for that which benefits all of us for free. Although I'm all for providing some way to ensure the continuance of FAOL, I'm not sure this is the solution.

It almost feels like charging folks who wish to submit an article or FOTW...cuz isn't having an article posted here sort of like "free advertising" for the author?

I may be the only person on here that has NO IDEA what a signature link is.
Help anyone??

I don't do the blog thingy or have a site, but I would gladly subscribe to this site to be a member. As I posted in the other thread, if we, as members, all just approached one local shop with the info about sponsership for here, it probably would help trememdously. That said, I would vote for a small member ship yearly fee, $20 or so, and be extremely happy to pay just to keep this place.

I have had several people that I have introduced to this sight that they are amazed at the info available even to those who are not members.

Betty, the blue thingy in your signature the lets people go to a web site of your chosing.
FishinDave has Central Iowa Anglers.

Oh, wait a minute!! It's like the Project Healing waters, or the Iowa anglers that show up in the sigs to take you to those sites?? But not a referral, like to point out where someone finds tying materials that aren't promoted by our members? Like "oh, I found that at Cabelas.com/blah.blah.blah". Am I trying to say privately owned by member site? Brain drain today ... sorry!

Ya ... I think that'd be a great idea! A mini sponsorship.

Plus, I can always order up more hats!!:p That brought in some pretty good monies for the site!

Byron ... thank you! You were modifying your post while I was posting mine! Man, we're good!!!!

Hey, try this one, too.

Theoretically, if we were to put the FAOL.com in our signatures, we could each do a mini sponsorship? :confused: Where we would do what we could? And not worry about anyone else who can't?

So, what is wrong with using "Friends of FAOL"? Your first year is $25 and each year after that is $10. Just wondering and nothing more.....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FishnDave

I started a blog in 2009. Maybe I'm doing it all wrong...but I don't make any money from it, and wouldn't really know HOW to. It wasn't the reason I started the blog. More, it is just another repository/record of what I love to do (fishing), and it gives me a way to share it with others that might be interested. I think most of what I post on my blog, I usually end up posting in the FAOL forums anyway. Most of the people that publicly "follow" my blog don't visit FAOL.

So...to my way of thinking (which is probably way wrong, just ask my wife) having personal blogs linked to FAOL enriches this site by giving our FAOL community access to additional info if they are interested. You're asking those that make personal blogs available to PAY for that which benefits all of us for free. Although I'm all for providing some way to ensure the continuance of FAOL, I'm not sure this is the solution.

It almost feels like charging folks who wish to submit an article or FOTW...cuz isn't having an article posted here sort of like "free advertising" for the author?

---

FishnDave

Good point on the Blog, it is a personal Blog, no money gained, but and there is always a but, the Central Iowa Anglers web site if it is not a recognized sponsor here is profiting from it and you are linking to it, there by they are getting free and very good exposure for their site, they have sponsors on the site and those sponsors are profiting.. The only one who is not benefiting in a monetary way is FAOL and its owner(s) ..
Not picking on any one person or Link this is just the example that first popped up..

I agree with you maybe personal "Blogs" could be exempt if they stay just that personal Blogs, E.G. "I did this today and did this then what do you think?" No money gained and no services provided for the person with the link.

If however you are selling something ie rods, flys, tying material, etc.. from and with your blog then I think you're taking advantage of the very good free advertising from the link.

Perhaps you could run two types of accounts. A free account and a paid account.

I am not against charging for the signature links but I think there are other ways to raise revenue that are more effective.

Lets start with really pitching the Friends Of FAOL idea. What is a Special Friend of FAOL and how does one become one. Perhaps we could do some different things to draw people into donating different levels to Friends Of FAOL like the current $25 gets you a patch, $50 dollars gets you a hat with, $75 dollars gets you a t-shirt, etc...all with the Friends Of FAOL art work. Also I would really like to see the acceptance of cash donations via Pay Pal.

How about some type of 50/50 raffles or some type of revenue generating drawing in addition to the free drawing on a monthly basis?

I am willing to help any way I can.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WarrenP

So, what is wrong with using "Friends of FAOL"? Your first year is $25 and each year after that is $10. Just wondering and nothing more.....

---

Good Idea and a possibility but and there is always a but, not all may agree, it is "friends" sort of like the "friends of a Hospital" one time thing and that is it. got the patch and done. I believe it becomes something else when repeated and/or mandatory..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by flyfishfairwx

FishnDave

Good point on the Blog, it is a personal Blog, no money gained, but and there is always a but, the Central Iowa Anglers web site if it is not a recognized sponsor here is profiting from it and you are linking to it, there by they are getting free and very good exposure for their site, they have sponsors on the site and those sponsors are profiting.. The only one who is not benefiting in a monetary way is FAOL and its owner(s) ..
Not picking on any one person or Link this is just the example that first popped up..

I agree with you maybe personal "Blogs" could be exempt if they stay just that personal Blogs, E.G. "I did this today and did this then what do you think?" No money gained and no services provided for the person with the link.

If however you are selling something ie rods, flys, tying material, etc.. from and with your blog then I think you're taking advantage of the very good free advertising from the link.

---

Oh, I see what you are saying. I hadn't thought of that. I don't own Central Iowa Anglers, and it is a non-profit organization, but we have/had folks that wanted to advertise on that website. I don't recall the club ever getting cash though, it was usually some product, that we could give away at various fishing clinics for kids and so forth. Still, I see where the companies might profit by Central Iowa Anglers being linked to FAOL. I will remove it. I had linked it because it was a fishing resource that folks in Iowa or visiting Iowa (do we even GET tourists??? :lol: ) might be interested in.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LadyFisher

Just so you know, flyfishfairwx did run this by me before he posted it. I think it is a wonderful idea, and does just what he says it does - and it sure seems to be fair. I'd like you input on this, please?

---

Well, since I sent you an email proposing almost the same thing, I think it is a great idea.

Come on, Dave!! All the more reason to keep it on there!! Benefits to your group, and FAOL!!

I'll think it over. I'm on the Board of Directors for the Club, but don't have authorization to spend money on their behalf. So...if I'm going to contribute to FAOL (and I really DO LOVE this place!), I'd feel more comfortable doing so as an individual, not as a Club representative. Does that make sense? :rolleyes:

PS ... I'd hate to see Deanna and Trav become "stuff" sales men!! I did the hats strictly so they wouldn't have to ... with their approval. I'd be happy to do them agin, and seeings as I own the artwork I had done up for the hats (the site owns the copyright, I just own the artwork I had made for the hats), I could have it applied to shirts too ... but, gotta say I'd rather just do the hats!!

You betcha, Dave!! You could "mini sponsor" the anglers! Excellent idea!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Betty Hiner

You betcha, Dave!! You could "mini sponsor" the anglers! Excellent idea!!

---

Hence the low low low price of $10.00USD for a year.. It is not designed to put pressure on anyone just give a little back to FAOL..

I'd be campaigning hard for the adoption of options 1 or 2, because there is a proposed option 4..... and you just never know !

That seems more than fair, whether the link leads to a personal blog which is personal promotion or a small commercial site, it's advertising and advertising carries a price.

$10.00 a year for thousands of target audience specific leads, which are fairly up to date, thanks to the recent account culling. That's got to be the promotional deal of the century.
Seriously, many have been telling this lady how much this site is worth to them. Here's a chance to pony up and it's a pittance when compared to the potential.

Another thought, allowing individuals to gain access to free advertising via a signature link, somewhat dilutes the ability to convince sponsors / advertisers to stay on board.
Why would a company choose to pay for a board sponsor link, when anyone can register as a member, add a signature link and post as often as they’d like, to as many threads as they like, gaining reader views and link hits for free ?
( Actually it's never been free. Free implies it wasn't costing anyone anything, one way or another it's all been on LF’s dime. )
I'm surprised that this is even an issue. A short tour of other F.F. boards would find that on some boards, any promo's outside of those of paid sponsors are forbidden.

Dave

If we want to raise money or help raise money for FAOL then we must keep an open mind about this.

I asked about how someone becomes a special friend of FAOL and did not get an explanation. If you want to raise funds then you have to be a salesperson. I will help them any way I can.

Eric,
You could "mini sponsor" FAOL in your sig line!! (sort of the same as FAOL friends, but just different!) I could "mini sponsor" FAOL in my sig line!! Anybody who wants to could "mini sponsor" FAOL in their sig line!!! It'd let everyone know who was doing their "thing", it wouldn't be mandatory, unless you have it in your sig line, then you'd need to send the money to the site. Or, if I wanted to link the Casting for the Cure in mine, I'd send X amount monthly.
Gettin' to like this idea a whole lot!!

Just to see what we are talking about here I went through all of today's posts and found 19 separate links including the one to Iowa fly fishers that has been removed. Two of them were links to fly fishing related charities and ten were to personal web sites or other sites with no advertising such as Christian Fly Fishers. That left seven sites with some possible profit motive ranging from a sponsored home page to a store front. The Iowa fly fishers fell into this category so that leaves six links. I counted anything with adds on the site as commercial including a link to military spouse of the year voting. While I think asking them for a fee would be reasonable I'm not sure it is worth the effort and I would guess that most of the links would just disappear. That in itself might be a good thing in terms of fairness to sponsors especially with respect to the storefront.

This signature link thing has been in the back of my mind for some time. I always thought is was rude to put a link that would scab
advertise on someone else's site..

Sure glad this thread was started!:D

FAOL count on me, my check is in the mail!

I was just thinking again, this thinking thing is catchy, 19 separate links, and that was on a slow Wednesday, and early, not stellar but not bad, but and there is always a but, what about this, you are a guest, or a member, maybe a new member, and you start going through new posts and past posts, what you find is a ($4 word coming up) cornucopia of links going back WAAAY back.. and different ones on different parts of the Forum..

Hope this thinking thing does not interfere with my fishing thing, I may need to go fishing and check that out,hmmm think I will stick around for my 27th Wedding anniversary Thursday, and go fishing Friday, yeah that's it!!!

Well what do you think ???

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rainbowchaser

Just to see what we are talking about here I went through all of today's posts and found 19 separate links including the one to Iowa fly fishers that has been removed. Two of them were links to fly fishing related charities and ten were to personal web sites or other sites with no advertising such as Christian Fly Fishers. That left seven sites with some possible profit motive ranging from a sponsored home page to a store front. The Iowa fly fishers fell into this category so that leaves six links. I counted anything with adds on the site as commercial including a link to military spouse of the year voting. While I think asking them for a fee would be reasonable I'm not sure it is worth the effort and I would guess that most of the links would just disappear. That in itself might be a good thing in terms of fairness to sponsors especially with respect to the storefront.

---

What do I think? I think I've already said what I think! No matter what I think, or any one else thinks, SOMEONE is going to complain, and determine the new "whatever" doesn't apply to them because blah, blah, blah. Those of us that will, will. Those of us who won't, won't. Those "of the power" will need to decide, state the decision, and we'll live by it. By the time that happens, I will have figured out a few different links that I will use in my signature line, all non-profits, and send a "mini-sponsor" check to Dee and Trav. This site will evolve over time, or stagnate, and cease to be.

OK, I'll be on-board for options 1 or 2, if that's what gets decided, even if its just for my personal blog link. Might even chuck a little extra $$ in there too, cuz this place...ROCKS! :D

Does FAOL have a PayPal Acct folks can send $$ to? Its just quicker and easier (for some of us), than sending a check.

I can see if a link is to a for-profit site, or one supported by advertising directly competitive to FAOL, that charging for a signature link may be warranted.

But not for someone who links to some personal blog or photo collection which is there solely for the benefit of the person.

DG

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Betty Hiner

What do I think? I think I've already said what I think! No matter what I think, or any one else thinks, SOMEONE is going to complain, and determine the new "whatever" doesn't apply to them because blah, blah, blah. Those of us that will, will. Those of us who won't, won't. Those "of the power" will need to decide, state the decision, and we'll live by it. By the time that happens, I will have figured out a few different links that I will use in my signature line, all non-profits, and send a "mini-sponsor" check to Dee and Trav. This site will evolve over time, or stagnate, and cease to be.

---

I think I am glad you "adopted" me.;) Actually I know I am glad you did!:D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DG

I can see if a link is to a for-profit site, or one supported by advertising directly competitive to FAOL, that charging for a signature link may be warranted.

But not for someone who links to some personal blog or photo collection which is there solely for the benefit of the person.

DG

---

Agreed, and that is what this is for, to discuss the directions this could take and then come to some solution.. the ultimate decision is LF's to make of course, she can squash this if it goes in a direction she does not favor..

Perhaps we could post a poll on the various solutions already discussed. Give it some time for all members to vote and react to it.

aa

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by appalachian angler

Perhaps we could post a poll on the various solutions already discussed. Give it some time for all members to vote and react to it.

aa

---

Good man you, how the he double hockey sticks do you do that???

there's no poll here now but can be enabled very likely on a forum by forum basis.

I'd vote for "Pay-to-plug" , whether profit OR NON-PROFIT link. Like a ladies club "Brag box"!!
Or/and, I could do the hats again (different colors this time ... to make a collectors set???)

The question I have is this. When do the "customers" at the grocery store get to decide what they will pay for food???

It shouldn't be up to "us"...its up to the "owner" of the BB to decide WHO will have to pay and HOW MUCH people have to pay, depending on what the individual customer wants ( or doesnt want) to "advertise".

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sully

The question I have is this. When do the "customers" at the grocery store get to decide what they will pay for food???

It shouldn't be up to "us"...its up to the "owner" of the BB to decide WHO will have to pay and HOW MUCH people have to pay, depending on what the individual customer wants ( or doesn't want) to "advertise".

---

Customers are ultimately the ones who decide what they are going to pay for anything. If a prices at one store are too high, what do we do? Go to another store. We have the power to decide what we are going to pay for cars, homes, whatever, and we do. A guy may not like what the car dealer told him that new pickup was going to cost, but he chose to pay it.

Deanna stated early in this thread that she wanted to see what the general consensus was going to be. Smart gal, there. She wants to see what folks would be willing to pay so the transition can be smooth and hassle free as possible. It's called Market Research and smart business people do it.

So, my poll vote goes for, YES! I would be more than willing to pay for the privilege of putting a link to my site in my signature. I think there are several people here that would be happy to do so. We have a bunch of rod builders, at least one online tying supply, and several guys tying flies to supplement their income. They would all benefit from this and it would bring extra dollars in for Deanna and Neil.

We have a whole cottage industry built around fly fishing right here. Let's bring it out in the open so we can all benefit from it.

the only fair way to charge for links is on a per hit basis. suppose, just suppose one pays the money and gets no hits and another gets 1000 hits, is that fair? it makes good business sense to not pay for any sort of subscription that's not metered. how about x free hits then x ?/$ for each hit thereafter.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wes

the only fair way to charge for links is on a per hit basis. suppose, just suppose one pays the money and gets no hits and another gets 1000 hits, is that fair? it makes good business sense to not pay for any sort of subscription that's not metered. how about x free hits then x ?/$ for each hit thereafter.

---

I would be all for that if that capability is in place already and would not require extensive programming to track. I've never done it, so I don't know what it takes.

I'm thinking a voluntary donation for personal and non-profit links and a mandatory charge for commercial links. Flat rate would be simplest to implement.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wes

the only fair way to charge for links is on a per hit basis. suppose, just suppose one pays the money and gets no hits and another gets 1000 hits, is that fair? it makes good business sense to not pay for any sort of subscription that's not metered. how about x free hits then x ?/$ for each hit thereafter.

---

It doesn't freekin' matter!!! If you want to use their band space, and get one hit or 20,000 to your web site, chip in! If you want a metered system, set up your own site!!!
This is so stupid! I can't believe you all are quibbling over pennies! If you don't want to ante up, don't put in a signature link! How simple can it get?????? How totally freekin' juvenile!!!!!

OK ... ban me right now!! Put me out of my misery!

Appreciate all the input, really. I think we have the information we need to make an educated (ya right) decision on how we want to proceed. I surely didn't want to cause any problems over this, just wanted to get a feel for what our readers thought.
Hugs,
LF