View Full Version : Changes coming to SW - but first, we need your input!
DJ_Duane
02-03-2008, 01:52 AM
If you have ads and members bash the sponsor, the sponsor might not take kindly to having their company insulted. After all, they are PAYING you to put the ad up there.
When I worked in Radio, it was understood by all employees that no one was allowed to say anything negative about the sponsors, because it was their money that, eventually, ended-up in our paychecks. While many people in Radio have a rep for being freewheeling and anti-authoritarian, anyone who wanted to continue working at that station had to obey that rule. It was just that simple. Make it a rule of common courtesy that members not bash the sponsors.
People like getting things for free, of course. That explains why illegal downloading of music and movies was/is so popular. But things like radio/TV stations, newspapers, websites, etc. cost money to run and if SW has to sell adspace to support itself because people who use the site don't want to donate money, that's just how it's going to be. I rarely come here, having been very busy for the past few months, and I'm not a regular poster even when I do visit SW. But, the burden for supporting SW financially should be primarily on those who vist and post most often. If you love SW so much and you have the money, then you should toss a few $ their way.
There is a group that I've been working with for the past couple of weeks that needed a new server for their website. At the top of their site, they stated, for all to see, how much money they needed. They exceeded there fundraising goals. Not by much, but they pulled it off. That group doesn't have a lot of money, but they all realized the need and stepped-up to help.
Here's an idea: total-up how much you need to make all the fixes to SW and calculate how much you need to keep the site operating every month. Post that info at the top of the screen on every page, so no one can say they never saw it. You can send out emails to all members asking for a donation, if you want to take it that far. Everybody who cares will send money.
ColetteCalahan
02-03-2008, 02:23 AM
There are some really good ideas here... I commend Paris' fun & goal-oriented way of contributing and encouraging donations.
I think we need to be practical when drawing the line between reality and SW Utopia... I also think that, if structured properly, a bit of fundraising could not only help keep the doors open/fix problems on the site, but cut down on trolling, eliminate some privacy issues, and keep SW the 'community' that is has been...
My vision for the site would include the following (this is loosely structured after one of my sportbike sites that functions REALLY well):
There are sponsors, but they are limited (4-5)... they are either all given a banner at the top of the page or each sub-forum, and there might be a useful sub-forum to discuss/interact with sponsors (cuts down on the thread-jacking elsewhere).
Members are encouraged to contribute... again, I like Paris' idea, whereby clicking on someone's profile you can see how much $$$ (stripclub inspired 'levels') they have donated to the site, and this should be made REALLY EASY. That's a majorly important issue, no matter what. Aside from Voluntary Member Donations, I think there should be a distinction between Active (subscriber/supporter) and Passive (non-subscriber/supporter) members... a small fee (2 bucks or something) would mean a larger avatar, larger PM space, and most importantly, ACCESS TO PIC POST. People who didn't pay the two bucks upon registration would not have access to pic post. This would not only help ward off trolls but would encourage privacy.
As to GCG's idea... umm... while a nice idea in theory... really? the girls of SW Calendar? While it might sell... it would be EXTREMEly expensive and hard to make... the international logistics would be difficult, many people (incl. long-standing members) DON'T post pics for a reason, and how in the world would you choose 12 months out of hundreds of hot women???? I think that selling "twatwaffle" and "asshat" t-shirts would be awesome, if someone wants to take the time to make/sell those as a fundraiser, but getting too far into the memorabilia is not a good idea.
most importantly... the initial donation ability. because allowing for the influx of capital will make EVERYTHINg else possible.... like fixing stuff/hiring people to fix stuff.
Kaylinn
02-03-2008, 02:50 AM
I don't think merchandise of any kind will sell very well.
I'd much rather just give my money to SW than to buy some coffee mug or something.
Darcy Foxx
02-03-2008, 02:52 AM
^ exactly. at least with donations you don't lose half the profit on production costs.
Private-intellectual
02-03-2008, 04:58 AM
The type of advertising must also be considered. I know from experience that the only advertising banners (or other form of ads) which work are those where the sponsor or advertiser pays in advance to have their banner shown. Click-thru and sales related advertising rarely brings any return. I have had advertising on my site, personally chosen by me because I can trust them, from the word Go, and earned nothing whatsoever. To be honest, that doesn't bother me simply because I can afford it and the advertising I've chosen is from my personal interests.
The idea of having different levels of membership fees and membership sponsorts - buying a beer or a lapdance for someone else included - is a good one as a basic, lower level sponsoring / fundraising idea. Not knowing what Pryce has planned for the future, it is difficult to say how membership fees should be levelled - reading for free, replying when a member who has paid, for example.
Additonal features mean, if I read this correctly, outside of the standard vBulletin software. It may well be that there are plugins available for vBulletin which are also cost free enhancements, as with such excellent software products as WordPress. Perhaps that ought to be explored too. Within the vBulletin software there are constant updates which, for a small annual fee, are included. A few basic sponsors would be able to cover these costs.
If looking for banner sponsors from within the community - say I wished to advertise webhosting on my server, for example - would the banners be designed by the sponsor, or set up by the SW team to fit the style of the community? Rotating banners, how long is a rotation, or would a new banner appear with each page change?
There are many minor things to be considered but, for me, the first level is how much money is needed for what, and whether membership fees would bring in what advertising might not.
Casual Observer
02-03-2008, 07:23 AM
Late to the thread...my apologies.
As we move forward we will allow members to help support the site (we will do our best to make the process simple and user-friendly).
I've wanted this for a long time, myself. Anything that was simple and automated would have my support and my money, as well as that of other members here. I've wanted this site to be a paid site for some time now, if only because it would support Pryce's efforts while simultaneously reducing the number of trolling incidents.
Jenny
02-03-2008, 07:35 AM
TOO - I'm not insulted and I don't think it's particularly unfair (I mean these people are right to advertise where they think they will attract the most... appropriate customer); and I don't expect anyone to guess that strippers are smart. But I do think that most people would intuitively guess that we have unusually high interest in hair dye and moisturizer and make up remover and anything that diminishes the appearance of cellulite. I guess I find it hard to believe that "normal people" wouldn't want to buy Rimmel mascara because they had an ad here. I mean, like I said - everyone knows that we use mascara. It must be coming from somewhere. We don't buy it from special stripper-cosmetic-creating-morlocks. I mean, The View had those "stripper beauty secrets" in which they were trying to convince women to put marker on their face because we ostensibly did it; like I said - alpha consumers of beauty products.
MsQwerty
02-03-2008, 09:18 AM
I just like the idea of having basic accounts, ie with ads and no bling, so when you post its just plain. Then payed accounts where you can pay X amount to get rid of the ads for X amount of time and have the option of a snazzy signature, maybe a bigger avatar and maybe access to a bonus section of the board - I like the gallery section that someone suggested - maybe some of the platinum membership options too.
The amount for a paid account should be reasonable though. Regardless of the fact that strippers can ake shitloads of money, many are not going to shell out a large amount of money self included for any reasons.
Maybe new basic account sign ups could not have full access to the board for the first 48 hours (keep them in stripping related discussions or something) which might cut down on some of the crap from fly by nights.
I dont think some of the other ideas are practical. I personally couldnt be arsed with buying virtual beers and lapdances, I think the novelty would wear off quite quickly and I dont think the idea would appeal much to stripperweb newcomers as they generally dont know who the fuck anyone is. Of the 50,000 members here only a small percentage are regular posters that are going to stick around long term and gasp - actually give a shit about the running cost of the site!
Besdes, if I have $5 or $20 and have the option of buying real beer or virtual beer, Im going to take my money and buy real beer with it.
Merchandise strikes me as being a big effort for small return and since many a stripper here hides the fact that she strips I cant see stripperweb t-shirts and pens being a hit.
I would be happy to donate from time to time if it were possible but Im guessing that only some of the regular long term posters would bother to do this. I dont really like the idea of the names being put on a page though.
I guess the long and the short of it though is that Id put up with ads. Simple, effective and likely to work :)
Private-intellectual
02-03-2008, 09:28 AM
The idea of showing how much a person has contributed is uncomfortable. Different levels of membership, or special names for sponsorship - such a platinum or whatever - fine, but not the actual hard cash figures.
Oh, and allowing links to websites, such as the one I have here, would be a good source for income too, it is, after all, a form of advertising...
SundayMorning
02-03-2008, 10:06 AM
I agree with MsQ on all points. Some fun thoughts being tossed out here. But sticking to basics is probably best, especially starting out--I mean, we can always do "promos" for novelty but we need a solid, consistently-lucrative foundation first and foremost.
stellaforstars
02-03-2008, 10:24 AM
^^Indeed.
Although, I do believe that the beers/lapdances idea would be fun and productive as an annual fundraiser for a short period of time.
SundayMorning
02-03-2008, 11:17 AM
Yup! I thought it was cute, and I don't think it necessarily has to turn into any more of a popularity contest than any other interaction on the forum. Nature of the beast and all. Facebook does the same sort of thing but as so many of us are actually invested in this place, I think it would be successful as an occasional novelty.
I'm just amazed nobody has mentioned the most classic fundraising idea: bake sale! LJ on her own could probably support SW for 20 years. :D ...Sorry, I'll get back inside my box.
madmaxine
02-03-2008, 11:25 AM
I think we need to be practical when drawing the line between reality and SW Utopia... I also think that, if structured properly, a bit of fundraising could not only help keep the doors open/fix problems on the site, but cut down on trolling, eliminate some privacy issues, and keep SW the 'community' that is has been...
Right on.
I will happily contribute to this site. Many small donations compiled can add up quickly.
Also- ask for sponsorship money from clubs in the rural areas of the States to advertise for girls...These clubs need the exposure and you need the money...It amazes me how these clubs could cure their staffing issues if they would actively reach out to find good talent.
Lola Rose
02-03-2008, 12:46 PM
also, in other forums, to have an ad in your siggy is a fee.
for a small text link- 20$ maybe. and 40$ for a picture/banner add. Good for 6 months. I think that'd be a decent way to do it, and it's not like SW'd be losing $$, as that's currently free.
I dislike the beer idea, as well as any merchendice. I think A pOPularity contest style thing would suck, hurt feelings, and die quickly. Merch- who really wants to wear a SW shirt?!?!? Not many, I think.
rather then the beer idea, if a member wanted to maybe honor another, their donation could be in honor of ___. I think there should be a banner saying we're ___ $ away from our donation goal! See who's donated! (and you could click it to go to the donation page, which would include a list of doners.) There also needs to be the option to donate annon.
all in all, I think ads are the way to go b/c I think donations will sort of be like the SWfest phenomenon. Everyone's excited, but shit happens, and lots of people don't make it, even though they said they would.
And a lot of us just don't want to donate. I'd rather have reasonable ads then pay for access, or be restricted b/c I'm not willing to pay for certain features.
and I think people who DO have 20$ to donate, may not, if you need to donate a certain ammount to recieve special features. Say at 100$ donation you get a 1000pm box for 6 months. Well, a loty of people won't want to give that much, especially at one time, and they just won't donate.
I think the tactful way to give credit would be a blinky for their siggy, saying "I helped support SW in February 2008!". the people who want the credit can have it, but the people who dont want to be noticed won't be.
ok, I'm done. (for now)
All Good Things
02-03-2008, 01:23 PM
I've wanted this site to be a paid site for some time now, if only because it would support Pryce's efforts while simultaneously reducing the number of trolling incidents.
Just to be clear, there are no plans to make the site a "paid site." I recognize that you may have just been stating your position and you already know that, but I thought it was worth clarifying for other people reading the thread. :)
Farrah_Holiday
02-03-2008, 07:33 PM
Well, any great night at work combined with an online payment will probably do wonders for site income.
Agreed !
ExoticLingerie.org
02-19-2008, 03:32 PM
Well this is my first official post and I'll throw my opinion and advice in the matter.
First of all.... I just placed an ad in the classified section and also looked at the banner option. The classified ad cost me $25 and the banner would have cost me $500. I would have had to sell several thousand $$$ in lingerie to pay for that ad (not realistic). I'm sure other potential advertisers look at the cost and do the math and can't justify the risk. Now ... if the banner was $99 I would have gone that route. I wouldn't need to be one of only 2 lingerie sites allowed at that cost..... you really don't need to limit advertisers per category IMO. In fact - I would guess that many members with web businesses would purchase banner ads at $99 which are rotated evenly for advertisers. You could even even have text underneath each banner saying "Advertise here for $99 monthly". Prices can be adjusted over time if needed.
Another route that may be an idea would to be use an ad network .... likely AdEngage.com may be the best fit for the site (Possibly Adbrite.com). AdEngage.com would keep 25% of the ad revenues and SW could approve/disapprove ads before being shown if I'm not mistaken. An ad network "may" attract many more advertisers you never would have had before.
You actually could use both routes with SW banner ads at the page tops and AdEngage ads (text ads) at the page bottoms. I would recommend both.
Anyways ...those are my thoughts.
stellaforstars
02-19-2008, 07:40 PM
If you truly have a quality product that's of use to us, EL, you'd be astounded at how quickly you'll be able to rack up thousands of dollars worth of sales from the girls on this site.
Pamela
02-19-2008, 08:05 PM
I have said this from the start and will again.
Make SW a PAY site. Those who are serious about being here and helping others will pay. many sites start free, grow too big and go paid. Does not matter if it's a small donation monthly etc.
Go paid. Also make the site unable to view unless people are members. Many are stealing SW ideas and building other stripper sites because they see all we post for free.
My say: PAY to use SW.
Bridgette
02-19-2008, 09:57 PM
I'm thinking planet-wide topless car washes. :)
Now, do we have among us any well endowed young women who are not averse to baring their breasts in front of strangers, who also, on occasion, might not mind being wet?:thinking: I would SO do a topless carwash for SW!! ;D
Agreed that an online payment system with the a goal and ticker so we can see where we stand would be great. I think that would generate the most revenue. I like the whole buy someone a beer thing too. Girls of SW calendar - that would be cool but probably a bit difficult logistically. I would of course volunteer for it though ;D
To expand on Kaylinn's girls sponsored by PLs idea: what about selling donated pics or something? Something like, girls submit sets of pics, like a gallery, which can be made available for download for a small fee. Payment is made online and access to the pic set is granted. High res, pro pics would be best for this.
And I can't help agree with some of Pamela's points about site access. We HAVE been giving away too much content to the competition for free...
AkashaM
02-20-2008, 12:04 AM
Pryce,
Its also important to know: what is your personal vision for this website? We all might be flinging ideas around but if they're not possible, we may need to be a little more grounded (or dream bigger!).
Furthermore, exactly how much do you need to run this site every month? Do you plan on making a profit or just enough for operation costs?
OH! and post an address where we can send donations for those who dont want to use CC's to pay!;D
As for people worried about companies like MAC or Mentor not wanting to look our way for advertising---you never really know. After all, MAC did feature Dita Von Teese in one of thier ad campaigns. If any of the desired sponsors' offices are in a particular member's town, its worth making a few phone calls to thier ad sales department.
Pryce needs to put together statistical info about SW's consumer reach, including bits and peices of convo from BB to show that we talk extensively and intellegentlyabout products (as well as their competitors) and make the info available to potential sponsors to see at thier leisure, perhaps an "investor relations" tab or somthing. I often see that on other websites. Hell, alot of us are on perscription meds of some kind, Phizer would LOVE us! LOL (hows that for stripper stereotypes)
Hey, where is Dancerwealth? He's made alot of money from SW members, is there anything he can do?
(silent) banners and "this section is sponsored by soandso" is a classic formula because it works. Hoever, the adverts should go real companies who can pay X amount per month--Not the click for pennies kind. Oh yeah, and the naked girls with bad boobjobs flashing and blinking everywhere (a la SCL) should be on the blue side (or not all), as this side serves women.
I definitely echo the opinion of the non-paying, basic, gold, platnium etc. monthly/yearly membership model (as you had before). Its simple. Acknowledgement of a smaller $5, $10, $20 ect one-time donation should also be explored. I definitely agree that pic post & ladies only should be open for members who have donated something, as those sections are pretty damn intimate. I always wondered if a member's pic stolen from PP is floating around on the net somewhere.
You could also get a grant from organisations that support the causes of free speech or sex worker's rights (they are out there). I dont know where you are, but the foundation center.org may be helpful in finding money for non-profs and businesses.
hope this is somewhat original.
scarlett_vancouver
02-20-2008, 09:40 PM
Hey, where is Dancerwealth? He's made alot of money from SW members, is there anything he can do?
I've always wondered why he never became a platinum supporter, considering the thousands he made off of SW girls.
I have one straightforward question that I would love answered in a straighforward manner: what is the yearly cost, in dollars, of running SW? Bandwith + employee salaries + whatever else. A number. Can we know this? It would really help me in my idea-forming.
Pryce
02-20-2008, 09:43 PM
Thank you for the great ideas! I agree with most of those posted and will, over time, try to work them in. More info to come as we have it ready.
Mr Hyde
02-20-2008, 09:44 PM
The thing with paid sites is...it drives down advertising revenue.
All Good Things
02-20-2008, 11:28 PM
I have one straightforward question that I would love answered in a straighforward manner: what is the yearly cost, in dollars, of running SW? Bandwith + employee salaries + whatever else. A number. Can we know this? It would really help me in my idea-forming.
Scarlett, I've already written on this earlier in the thread, which you may have seen (and judged not to be "straightforward." :) ).
Please keep in mind that I am speaking as the principal site benefactor and NOT as the site owner. It's up to Pryce if he wants to give you a number, range of numbers, back-of-the-envelope guesses or just share his fundraising targets.
In my view, there is no "straightforward" answer today to "the yearly costs, in dollars, of running SW." It's like asking, "What are the yearly costs, in dollars, of raising a child?" Answer: "Ha, ha, ha, ha." Who the hell knows? I could probably figure it out for my child in previous years, but that's not the current year and it's nowhere near what it will be in future years. I can tell you it will be more in future years, but I wouldn't even try to come up with an accurate prediction of exactly what that would be because there are too many unpredictable variables. There is no "straightforward" answer.
Oh, the real answer for raising a child is: "Whatever it takes." This has sort of been my own motto with SW and, to the extent that I can speak for him, Pryce's as well. :)
Another way to put it is this: The annual cost of running SW is a moving target. It is determined by a number of variables that change depending on ongoing requirements and the scope of the upgrades Pryce has discussed. Some of those include current and future bandwidth/hosting costs; quantity and cost of programming labor; quantity and cost of administrative support; volume and scope of promotion operations; cost of marketing for ad placement; etc. The costs here will depend on the features, functionality and immediacy of support he decides to provide in the upgrades.
You can either budget these things looking forward (in which case you would have a number, but many assumptions, many of which may not be accurate) or you could come up with a fundraising target that covers the upgrades (but not necessarily current costs, which are funded differently today). Pryce has chosen the option of proposing a fundraising goal (so you will have "a number" but it won't cover all costs) and I don't know if that is going to change by the time he rolls everything out. I would expect that it will, given that he is likely to incorporate many of the excellent ideas in this thread.
It's important to note that there are several key elements of the proposed upgrades that, if implemented, are designed to produce recurring income, so that ideally the site becomes self-sustaining through a combination of, for example, sponsorship, ads, contributions and voluntary support. The other objective is to broaden participation in the financial and volunteer support of the site to promote a better sense of community and "ownership."
I realize that this sounds like I'm dodging your question, but I'm not trying to do that at all -- I'm trying to hold myself to a standard by which an accurate forward-looking number could be produced. And that depends entirely on the scope of features Pryce decides to provide.
aussiebelle
02-21-2008, 12:16 AM
I have said this from the start and will again.
Make SW a PAY site. Those who are serious about being here and helping others will pay. many sites start free, grow too big and go paid. Does not matter if it's a small donation monthly etc.
Go paid. Also make the site unable to view unless people are members. Many are stealing SW ideas and building other stripper sites because they see all we post for free.
My say: PAY to use SW.
I do think this is a good idea but I also think that this should be a one off payment. I would be happy to make a donation/payment that is within my uni student means.
The only thing is that I would never have joined this site initially if it was a pay site when I first found it, so in my opinion this will work with the current regular posters but will be more difficult to get new members to join.
Getting club, clothing or product sponsorship from organisations within the industry would also be effective and I think this site would be valuable advertising for such organisations.
Bridgette
02-21-2008, 12:21 AM
No TOO, she thinks you're a "snot" because you, for example, feel the need to spend an hour explaining that there's no concrete number available at the moment and that you're not at liberty to say anyway - but you still spend an hour beating your chest about it, and how you're the primary payor, etc etc etc ad nauseam. Throw in a couple Tarzan hollers to complete the scene next time, eh?
A simple, "I'm not at liberty to say right now, but there's no concrete figure available at this time" would've totally been appropriate and much more appreciated.
All Good Things
02-21-2008, 12:53 AM
^ Oh for God's sake's, B, I was tooting Pryce's horn far more than mine. I made a SINGLE comment about being the benefactor and that's to emphasize that I am NOT the owner and Pryce makes the decisions. I spoke about the features he wants and the fact that the costs of the site are entirely tied to that. The whole fundraising program, goals, etc. come from Pryce, a point I made explicitly clear, several times.
The post was 99.5% about the variable cost factors that make it difficult to come up with a single number. I think it appears to be a cop-out if that's not explained. It took me quite a while to write that post, but I think it's an accurate picture of why a fixed dollar figure is impossible to derive.
I also think more information of this type for the members is better.
fancygirl
02-21-2008, 03:39 AM
Can we PLEASE change editing options?
I hate hate hate when people are able to change what they said completely. it's one thing if you edit, say, within an hour or three from the initial posting, but being able to edit hours or days later on just screws everyone up--
and changes how people read later responses.
can we come up with a way to change this? I think the only exceptions should be editing of personal info, and this should be made to go through the moderators.
fancygirl
02-21-2008, 03:40 AM
and, p.s. I love TOO
he's a fun read. and when he brags too much, occasionally he gets called on it, which is also entertaining.
Alaska
02-21-2008, 03:45 AM
Damn, not even a range? It's really like raising a child.....like between $100 and 10 thousand a year? Ain't that a matter of opinion anyway?
What about a range.....in the 10 thousands, hundred thousands, between 20 and 50, somethin?
Jenny
02-21-2008, 07:50 AM
^ Yeah, but "no dollar figure available," sounds a little dismissive and snotty, at least coming from me. And she already thinks I'm a snot. :-\
I figured an explanation of why there is no dollar figure available might be more useful to her.
Surely Pryce would be able to provide us with an approximate monthly figure; it's not like stripperweb is going to college next year or getting cancer or anything; obviously he could update and adjust as he thought was necessary; but fundraising has to have a goal - it can't just be "as much as we can raise".
TigersMilk
02-21-2008, 08:38 AM
Not trying to take shots at you dude, but even assuming you are correct on both counts, the constant self-promotion is way over the top and really off putting.
There is always the ignore function. Its great when you don't want to read anyone in particulars posts. It also allows you the option to click and read their post or have it that you don't even see it at all.
I have nothing else to add to what has already been said to this thread. There are many great suggestions as far as payment, fund raising and SW options goes. I'm just really happy SW is finally going to get some much needed upgrades. :headbange
hockeybobby
02-21-2008, 08:47 AM
How about aiming to make a profit from the site, selling shares to interested members to raise working capital, and paying out dividends/profit sharing quarterly into an account for shareholders...when the profits materialize.
my two cents.
hb
Jenny
02-21-2008, 08:50 AM
I don't think we want stripperweb the corporation.
hockeybobby
02-21-2008, 09:03 AM
I don't think we want stripperweb the corporation.
I'm not disagreeing, but why not?
hb
Jenny
02-21-2008, 09:08 AM
Because a) a board of directors running stripperweb is way too much work; b) I feel more comfortable with Pryce's agenda than that of whoever these shareholders might be; c) seeing as we're talking about running it mainly on member donations there is nothing to profit off of - the selling of the shares would be the profit, which I don't think is even legal; d) a corporation has a fiduciary relationship with shareholders that we would not necessarily want to see duplicated here.
That good?
All Good Things
02-21-2008, 09:33 AM
Surely Pryce would be able to provide us with an approximate monthly figure; it's not like stripperweb is going to college next year or getting cancer or anything; obviously he could update and adjust as he thought was necessary; but fundraising has to have a goal - it can't just be "as much as we can raise".
I'll try again.
1. Of course fundraising has to have a goal. That's why Pryce has announced one. It's why I posted it in my earlier discussion in this thread. It's the very, very modest amount of $20,000 (subject to change). We have a fundraising goal.
2. A fundraising goal does not equal the "total cost of running the site," which is what Scarlett was asking for, and what I was trying to explain is nearly impossible to derive.
3. The fundraising is designed to pay for future upgrades and attempt to make the site self-sustaining.
4. The "total cost of running the site" is not the same thing as the fundraising goal. The total cost includes other funding that is the Subject We Dare Not Discuss (see the grief when I do? :) ), which will continue. That too is a substantial amount. I also intend to participate significantly in the separate fundraising, which, thankfully, many other SW-ers have announced an intention to do as well.
5. I should also provide a reminder that this is a privately run and operated site. Pryce has the right not to share the "total cost of running the site" information with anybody, even if he did have it. It's his site. The choice is his.
hockeybobby
02-21-2008, 09:37 AM
It was interesting; but considering that what we are discussing now is how exactly to get advertising and sponsorship, making it the end goal of a corporate rather than private body is kind of carting before the horse.
Agreed...and simple is good too...maybe better.
I'm going to donate however it is set up.
hb
VegasPrincess
02-21-2008, 10:43 AM
Two things
1. As I posted earlier, I would like to donate to this site, but don't know how!! If anyone could tell me where to go to do such a thing, I will get on it!
2. You guys, TOO is supporting this site which we all use and enjoy. I think it's kind of ungrateful and mean to be giving him shit about it... He's doing something nice for everbody.
3. That is not me "kissing his ass" as apparently some people feel girls are doing. Its common politeness.......when somebody does something for you, say thank you. There's nothing wrong with it!
4.Thanks TOO, I seriously appreciate your support and I know a lot of other people do too
BrunetteGoddess
02-21-2008, 11:13 AM
2. You guys, TOO is supporting this site which we all use and enjoy. I think it's kind of ungrateful and mean to be giving him shit about it... He's doing something nice for everbody.
Uh, exactly. One thing to disagree and banter back and forth; quite another to be rude.
cameron_keys
02-21-2008, 11:15 AM
Two things
1. As I posted earlier, I would like to donate to this site, but don't know how!! If anyone could tell me where to go to do such a thing, I will get on it!
2. You guys, TOO is supporting this site which we all use and enjoy. I think it's kind of ungrateful and mean to be giving him shit about it... He's doing something nice for everbody.
3. That is not me "kissing his ass" as apparently some people feel girls are doing. Its common politeness.......when somebody does something for you, say thank you. There's nothing wrong with it!
4.Thanks TOO, I seriously appreciate your support and I know a lot of other people do too
YES YES and YES. Guys..come on....without TOO, this site wouldnt exist. So he "brags" one in awhile...if a guy came into the club once a week and handed you thousands of dollars without expecting a damn thing from you....and once in awhile mentioned, mostly jokingly, that he's happy to support you...would you freak on him for "bragging" or be happy and grateful for what he does for you????
TOO has been a great friend to me...he gave me some wonderfuly generous insight(mostly through PM's) at a time when I needed it most. He has my heart...and if you want to interpret that as "licking his balls"...well...fine. Of course, being me, I'd probably do that too quite literally(and TOO...this is NOT teasing..I'm genuinly grateful to you for what you've done for me and actually find you rather attractive)
In the immortal words of Kid Rock..."It aint braggin' motherfucker if ya back it up"
BrunetteGoddess
02-21-2008, 11:25 AM
OK, I will post this publicly for TOO's benefit:
I'm appalled at the behavior towards TOO here. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. I appreciate what he's done for the site immensely. This site is a godsend. I'd be really pissed if he picked up and left because people were being ungrateful. So what if you don't like how he posts around here? I know you'd be bitching if he left, too. Which, IMO, I wouldn't fault him for at this point.
Jenny
02-21-2008, 11:32 AM
Maybe the best way to move past this is to discuss the issue at hand - fundraising possibilities - instead of who likes and dislikes TOO and why.
ColetteCalahan
02-21-2008, 11:35 AM
It's the lack of knowledge that's causing the problem -- the uncertainty.
actually, i think it's both the lack of knowledge/communication, AND:
The reason I am personally interested in a rough estimate of the cost of running the site is so that we an consider the possibility of NOT relying on TOO's financial support AT ALL. I'm not saying it's unappreciated, and I recognize that the suggestion is a longshot and will likely never be feasible. However, I want to know what ALL the options are, not just the ones big daddy deigns to let us in on.
It's very disempowering to be kept in the dark like this.
Scarlett makes an excellent point. Of course we're all grateful for the support TOO has given this site... but let's be real, here; this is a dancer-oriented site, which despite having many FEMALE members who have expressed their desire to contribute, still relies mostly on the financial support of one male member. People's personal feelings about TOO aren't necessarily the point; it's the relationship of the site... Stripperweb needs member-based public backing, not a sugar daddy.
Jenny
02-21-2008, 11:38 AM
Scarlett makes an excellent point. Of course we're all grateful for the support TOO has given this site... but let's be real, here; this is a dancer-oriented site, which despite having many FEMALE members who have expressed their desire to contribute, still relies mostly on the financial support of one male member. People's personal feelings about TOO aren't necessarily the point; it's the relationship of the site... Stripperweb needs member-based public backing, not a sugar daddy.This is of course, absolutely true and can be encapsulated in a way that does not require that anyone justify or debate what they like or don't like about other members. How novel.
ColetteCalahan
02-21-2008, 11:40 AM
^ thank you... i'm trying my best, amid the recent site-craziness, to not participate in the drama and to be diplomatic. ;D ... *twitch*
All Good Things
02-21-2008, 11:48 AM
^ Of course SW needs "member-based public backing."
I must have said this six times in this thread alone. <Deep sigh>
The purpose of the fundraising campaign is to broaden the range of participation from contributors, advertisers, members and volunteers so that we are not dependent on a couple of people.
I actually argued this from the very beginning, in the earliest phases of our discussion of a fundraising program. We needed more dancer and other member participation; an online mechanism for donations; a formal fundraising program that relied on multiple sources and a mechanism for tracking our success in reaching that goal.
CC, I do appreciate your comments, though, and particularly getting us back on topic! :)
scarlett_vancouver
02-21-2008, 12:31 PM
(re: Jenny's post)
The thing with sponsorship is, we're a mouthy bunch of bitches, and it's sort of a rule that you shouldn't slag sponsors. We, as a community, are unable to abide by that (and I'm glad of it, yay for us). So the obvious choices...Trashy.com, Leg Avenue (and others of the stripper-clothing ilk)..would be out.
However, there is an overwhelming fondness here for MAC and Lush- I wonder if either of them would be interested?
Jenny
02-21-2008, 12:37 PM
I was discussing that, actually, with someone else. I think a sponsor could legitimately ask that site officials (e.g. mods) refrain from bashing their product, although not the membership at large. Does that sound unreasonable? Or about expected?
Really I meant more mainstream like Mac or... what's the magic face cream that costs so much money? And deodorant (by the way - the secret clinical strength thing - LOVE it. I've never smelt less foul in my life). I said before, that it might not leap out at people, but I think the intuition sort of readily leads you - like, yeah... strippers do spend a lot of money on this crap.... And they tend to pass it along. Hence - alpha-consumer. I think someone would need to put it in a persuasive way, but I don't think it is as counter-intuitive as, for example, maternity bras or volvos.