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Archive through December 10, 2007

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Greg  Send Greg a private message!



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Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 09:05 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosPrint Post

Sorry, haven't had much time to weigh in on the issues lately.

EJ, the donate button is great. I support the changes you propose 100%.

I propose that every so often (2, 3, or 4 times a year) that we have a donation drive. Put a post in all the forums linking to a description of GB being funded by donations only and asking for donations. I see this as something akin to a virtual Public Broadcasting donation drive. Those in America who listen to PBS will know what I mean. Member-supported public radio has fund raising drives every so often.

After reading all these comments I have come to the conclusion that many people just don't know 1) they should donate, 2) how to donate, 3) why they should donate. The clearer we can make it the better. Thus, periodic donation drives would help.

Greg - ND, Zone "4"
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Jeanne  Send Jeanne a private message!



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Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 10:13 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosPrint Post


EJ...another way we could raise money would to do A Gardenbuddies Calendar..have members submit pictures of all seasons in their gardens and have members vote on the pictures and chose 14 ..one for each month and one for the front and back ...AND if we are fortunate to have a member here who owns a printing company or knows of someone that can either donate their work and time! ..we would have it made..then the Calendars can be sold for $19.99 and proceeds go to our beloved site...Jeanne

Jeanne Texas Zone 8B
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Gardenfiend  Send Gardenfiend a private message!



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Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 11:05 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosPrint Post

Great idea, Jeanne, and one that has been successfully done elsewhere, too. The calendars sell like hotcakes among forum members. We don't need someone with a printing company. Our best bet is one of those online services.

I'd be happy to do the work involved

Since the calendars are printed individually, on demand, we could even do a few: a clematis calendar, for example. A garden calendar. Maybe a rose calendar.

Gardenfiend - Germany, Zone "7a"
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Blue_moon  Send Blue_moon a private message!



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Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 11:16 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosPrint Post

Gardenfiend wrote on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 11:05 am:

Since the calendars are printed individually, on demand, we could even do a few: a clematis calendar, for example. A garden calendar. Maybe a rose calendar.

don't forget cooking, monique alone could make a fantastic cookbook!

Blue_moon - ca, Zone "9"
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Periwinkle  Send Periwinkle a private message!



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Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 11:36 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosPrint Post

Jeanne, I LOVE the calendar idea!

Denise--Northern Wisconsin, Z3b Click to hear a voice greeting from Periwinkle
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Ej  Send Ej a private message!



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Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 11:47 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosPrint Post

Good idea Jeanne. I also like the idea of having ONE nursery sponsor a forum. There could be a small banner that says " this forum is supported by its members and Nursery.com."

Each one of these ideas needs to have a volunteer to organize it and see it through. There is a administrative section of Gardenbuddies where currently Valia tracks expenses,and Diane and Denise help with other tasks that are required around here. A area could be set up to track progress of these ideas and you could monitor the progress of your work.

If anyone has an idea and wants to give it a shot implementing the idea let me know.

Ej So.Cal. Zone 10a Click to hear a voice greeting from Ej
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Ingwe4  Send Ingwe4 a private message!



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Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 11:49 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosPrint Post

Jeanne! I like the idea with a calender very much! Such a good idea! And thank you Mara, for the offer of helping with the calender!

I didn't like Mara's and Jeanne's suggestions about ads first, but I have changed my mind. I find the Garden Web pop-ups and them on Swedish Garden Forum very irritating och therefore seldom visit there.
But have visited the German Garden Forum, and must admit it looks nice. And the ads at davesgarden too.

Jeanne and Mara! Bravo! Great ideas!

Greg! It seems it isn't possible to cover all the costs for GB's through donations! I
feel so sorry for EJ! It's not right he shall spend so much money on us. Of course I find your propasal about donations drives very good.

DJ! Selling T-shirts and other garden-things etc. have been discussed here some years, I don't remember why it came to nothing. Maybe it was because of we had to order such large quantities..... But maybe we can discuss it again!

But it takes a while before the ideas are realized and also the money, so don't forget to contribute!

Ingmarie Sweden Zone 1 USD zone 6
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Gardenfiend  Send Gardenfiend a private message!



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Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 12:04 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosPrint Post

I'll be glad to take over the practical and organisational side of the calendars. Since I do that kind of thing for a living, it might be easier for me than others. Unfortunately, I'm afraid for this year it is probably already too late.

Ej, I think the sponsoring nursery should at least have a link to its site. Preferably a small colourful mini mini banner to make it more attractive. Well, you know my feelings. I'd be glad to produce them, if the sponsoring nursery can't supply them.
The actual acquisition should better be done from the USA, because it will probably involve a certain amount of telephoning.

Here's another idea that has been hinted at variously above. Links to partner shops. Those can be kept entirely on a separate page so as not to interfere with the look of the forum as such. Buddies can recommend good books, write reviews etc. These can be collected on a page of Buddy recommendations and would be linked to, say, Amazon. Since we have become so very cookery-orientated, there could be a similar page with links to a shop that sells cooking items.
Both the little sponsoring ads and the partner shop links are tried and proven methods that should bring in quite a lot of money without in any way damaging the look or feel of our well-loved GardenBuddies.
In fact the book and cooking review pages could be an added feature!

Gardenfiend - Germany, Zone "7a"
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Heirloomgardens  Send Heirloomgardens a private message!



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Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 12:16 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosPrint Post

Ingwe4 wrote on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 11:49 am:

I don't remember why it came to nothing. Maybe it was because of we had to order such large quantities.....

That isn't required for the kind of shop that I am talking about. No one here on GB -- not even EJ -- would have to order anything, stockpile anything, touch anything, or ship anything. Ever. And now I am through discussing that idea. LOL.

Heirloomgardens - Massachusetts, Zone "5b"
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Bulliedeux  Send Bulliedeux a private message!



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Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 12:31 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosPrint Post

Calendars are nice to look at but do you really think you could sell enough to help with expenses or justify the effort. Not to be a grinch but stop and think about how many calendars available every year for free. How many calendars do you actually put up in the house?

Unobtrusive banner and sidebar ads, yes. Pop-ups - definitely not.

www.bulldogdomain just implemented the use of adds this year as well. He's very selective about what can be advertised there as well.

I really think the route to solvency will be through adds which will require all the visits and members you can muster. I'm pretty sure for the ads to pay off you need a high volume of page views. When someone actually clicks through an ad, that may be extra.

Bulliedeux - IL, Zone "5b"
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Gardenfiend  Send Gardenfiend a private message!



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Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 01:32 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosPrint Post

Blaine, yes... but these are calendars with OUR pictures The only investment is in work and that will be given freely.
We have some pretty fantastic photographers here. Oh, and have we considered a Bird Calendar?

Jain, above, suggested a cooking calendar by Monique with, maybe, a recipe a month. Well, I'd buy that in a flash!

Obviously calendars won't finance a forum - but every little bit helps.

Gardenfiend - Germany, Zone "7a"
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Bulliedeux  Send Bulliedeux a private message!



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Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 01:50 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosPrint Post

Sorry Mara, I understand. Guess that was more of a hairy legged boys observation.
Take my wife for instance. Why does she keep ordering new checks... because of some cute design or pictures. wheeeeee! :)

It's just me, that I don't see myself ever paying for a calendar. But you'll see pics from my yard and a few others all around the house. 5x7 and 8x10's have gotten so cheap, that I get my favorite pics printed and rotate them through frames. heh, heh... including some gorgeous shots from the free National Arbor Day Foundation calendar I get sent every year. :)

Bulliedeux - IL, Zone "5b"
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Carol23  Send Carol23 a private message!

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Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 02:57 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosPrint Post

I'm in the same camp as Blaine. Just last month I gave away about a dozen calendars received from various charities. Some have wildlife pictures, some floral, others scenic and most with beautiful photos. I select one favorite.

The unobtrusive ads by vendors may be the most reliable way to generate income.

( plain checks here)

Carol23 - Southeastern PA, Zone "6B"
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Gardenfiend  Send Gardenfiend a private message!



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Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 04:08 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosPrint Post

Well, then maybe it wouldn't work in America. I didn't know you got so many glossy calendars for nothing. We don't.

Gardenfiend - Germany, Zone "7a"
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Ingwe4  Send Ingwe4 a private message!



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Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 04:29 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosPrint Post

Well, we have some not so very thrilling calenders here in Sweden...... I have bought mine from David Austin Roses and other places. I would value to have one or two 'GardenBuddies' calender!

Ingmarie Sweden Zone 1 USD zone 6
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Terryk  Send Terryk a private message!



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Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 04:30 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosPrint Post

Blaine we have calendars everywhere in the house (also clocks and thermometers-what can I say-Jerry likes to know what he wants to know without walking too far!). Some are bought, some are free. It depends on the pictures, if we like them enough, we pay.

Notice the ads on the bottom of this website- I don't think they are too bad.

http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/learn-to-knit

Terryk - NY, Zone "6"
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Bulliedeux  Send Bulliedeux a private message!



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Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 04:47 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosPrint Post

Gardenfiend wrote on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 04:08 pm:

...so many glossy calendars for nothing. We don't.



Putting out free calendars is a popular method of advertising over here but we do get some nice calendars sometimes.

Would you like a few? I'll keep an eye out for nice freebies and would be more than happy to send a few your way. All I'll need is your address and you can just send that to my email.

I'm still impressed with your offer to jump in and do this though. I'm sure it would be beautiful.

OH! Now here's a twist that might generate some calendar sales. Outside of the GB in fact, if ya'll were to get really ambitious.
The last couple of years there's been several niche calendars that did surprising well. Besides the ubiquitous Sports Illustrated, NYFD and several other fire fighter calendars are out along with women in the workforce, cheerleaders, gay, lesbian, different nationalties, bikers...

You all have such a good eye for garden pictures, what if you all got yourself posed in a floraliferous (can I say that) setting. Kind of a tongue-in-cheek cheese cake gardeners calendar.
For an example or if there's any doubt in your mind, just look again at Mara's icon. Is that a Ms. Gardenbuddy June? :)

Bulliedeux - IL, Zone "5b"
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Jeanne  Send Jeanne a private message!



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Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 05:12 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosPrint Post


I "buy" a calendar each year...and would more than love to have one from this site!!..In '2006 I had one that was gardening related and this year one strickly with Cats on it!!
As far as the gardening linked ads we could have some from Companies around the world!!..I mean our Site truly is Univeral..we could have a nursery that specializes in clematis from Canada,Sweden,England,Germany for our clematis Forum..etc!!!..I would be more than glad to help in any compacity that I can..most companies can be contacted via email from their sites!!..I would be honored to help with that...Jeanne
We all have gardening pics stored on our computer and could start submitting soon and have the calendars in no time..I haven't bought one yet and would want one!!

Jeanne Texas Zone 8B
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Ingwe4  Send Ingwe4 a private message!



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Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 05:13 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosPrint Post

Well, I think you are making fun of us Blaine................

Ingmarie Sweden Zone 1 USD zone 6
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Gardenfiend  Send Gardenfiend a private message!



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Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 05:22 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosPrint Post

Blaine ...If you only knew...
And, thanks for the calendar offer, but no thanks. I'll be buying one from the German forum again. I forgot to enter this year's contest, but last year my rose photo was August :-)

The difference with those ads, Terry, is that they are from Google, so haven't been "vetted" by the forum owner. I think ads that appear here should be from known, reputable firms. For example Pine Knot for Hellebores, Debbie for Clematis.

Gardenfiend - Germany, Zone "7a"

  
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