| Author |
Message |
    
Dannypa
My Weather
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 08:06 am EST : |   |
quote:Danny, what does "affiliate type program" mean? Is that the process of buying through a link provided?
Many ecommerce platforms will watch for specific incoming traffic and can register the sale in a way to give credit to the originating site or entity. Years ago I sold Timber Press books on my site that way. Vendors like it because they get visibility and traffic without having to pay unless they make a sale. Sites like it because it's as simple as setting up links. It doesn't cost the buyer any more than usual but the site gets a kickback for "making the sale". I spend a lot over time on Pay Per Click and I'd prefer to spend on Pay Per Sale.
Nice work as always, Mara! Banner ads can be beautiful. Most vendors will want to make their own but you can restrict the look or, with your design help, confine it to tasteful, non-flickering, no dancing clowns type of ads. Placing a small bit of text under it like "Help Keep GardenBuddies Strong, Support Our Sponsors" can actually remind folks why ads are there. Some folks really don't think about the why and how of advertising and most don't know that all advertising on the web can be tracked with incredible accuracy. If I sponsor your (Vines and Clematis) forums, I'll know just how much it's paying off or not. Your site here is relatively small (relative to DG or GW) but you have good traffic metrics (yes, I can even find that out!) and a loyal following. I would hope to be able to do well. You will be able to help offset your costs with sponsorship.
Dannypa
- PA,
Zone "6b"
|
Mimi
 Supporting Member
My Weather
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 08:18 am EST : | |
Unless you took the time to read THIS thread, you know nothing about what is going on if I understand this correctly.
The  leads you to
Is there a "mass" email that could be sent to all who are active posters ? Or some way to reach people during the "Season of Giving" Just a thought
Mimi
- Wisconsin,
Zone "4b"
|
Gardenfiend
Supporting Member
My Weather
My Garden
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 08:38 am EST : | |
Hi Dan! I didn't realise it was you.
I've been looking in at The Garden Forums recently and I'm sure I'll spend more time there in the future. So many interesting new forums, and it has become truly international! A nice complement to GardenBuddies. I can warmly recommend TGF to anyone who needs an extra garden forum fix in their day.
Gardenfiend
- Germany,
Zone "7a"
|
Dannypa
My Weather
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 08:48 am EST : | |
Yes, you can offset costs with donations. If enough members feel strongly enough about it, you won't need anything else.
I think you'll find that a dedicated few will donate regularly but those on the fence will not. If they feel pressured by the community to donate, they'll fade away or just donate once. Most folks don't think they should pay to be part of forums. It's just the way things are on the internet; the way it's evolved.
I know about these things because I operate a successful forum site, too. It's younger than GB but very active in several areas. It already has a little over half as many posts as GB.
Dannypa
- PA,
Zone "6b"
|
Dannypa
My Weather
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 08:49 am EST : | |
Good to see you're still active online, Mara!
Dannypa
- PA,
Zone "6b"
|
Jeanne
Supporting Member
My Favorite Photo
My Garden Journal
My Weather
My Garden
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 09:36 am EST : | |
Dan..thanks SO MUCH for your input..your site seems to have no problems with spam etc and your sage advise is so welcome...thanks again!!..Jeanne
Jeanne Texas Zone 8B |
Heirloomgardens
Supporting Member
My Garden Journal
My Garden
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 09:43 am EST : | |
All I meant was Commission Junction (or something similar) where GB would be the "Publisher". Here's an FAQ if you don't understand.
http://www.cj.com/faq.html
My idea for a shop entails the product links as mentioned in the Affiliate Marketing section.
Heirloomgardens
- Massachusetts,
Zone "5b"
|
Derek
Supporting Member
My Weather
My Garden
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 11:13 am EST : | |
That proposal looks great Mara...especially the color harmony which makes the ad appear much less intrusive,yet inviting to visit with a click :-)
Derek Quebec Canada Zone 3b |
Lovinlife
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 04:40 pm EST : | |
Well, my face is really red and I sure am embarrassed! I had not visited this thread for a long time and didn't know what was going on. A few weeks ago I said I'd send a check. But what with my job, my family, and visitors at home I just plain forgot. My deepest apologies, EJ and Buddies. I will try my best to get it into the mail within two days.
Lovinlife
- Utah,
Zone "5"
|
Dannypa
My Weather
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 04:45 pm EST : | |
In theory, if you had the right mix of products and reminded members to buy through the links (products they would already want, if the mix is right) then the affiliate program could be an excellent source of revenue for the site.
Dannypa
- PA,
Zone "6b"
|
Growit
Supporting Member
My Favorite Photo
My Weather
My Time
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 04:52 pm EST : | |
Gloria don't be. I have only just donated as have several others. This thread has just made everyone realise that it is a little urgent.
Growit
- Hampshire,
Zone "8/9"
|
Sunnyday2day
Supporting Member
My Favorite Photo
My Weather
My Garden
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 04:57 pm EST : | |
No need for a red face, Gloria. We all forget at one time or another. Glad you're on board though and soon you will enjoy your very own GB star of support! 
Sunnyday2day
- Tanya-Michigan,
Zone "5"
|
Heirloomgardens
Supporting Member
My Garden Journal
My Garden
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 05:35 pm EST : | |
I don't think it was meant that way, Gloria, so don't feel bad. The way I see it is that "Donate" means "don't have to give". As in giving is optional. (How many people do you see blow off the Salvation Army bell ringers at this time of year? It's optional to give/donate to them, so of course you will see people who walk right on by.) If the truth of the matter is that this site will go under because EJ is mainly spending his own money on it (and gobs of it!), then I think that needs to be clarified. Put a statement by the "Donate" button that says something like, "If you post more than 10 times or find this site extremely useful or enjoyable to read, please give $15 to ensure its continued existence. Give $25 if you'd like to stick around a while or have a garden album hosted here. Give $50 if ... " whatever. It's too bad that PayPal button can't be changed to say something else -- not exactly demanding, but more strongly worded -- like Annual Membership Pledge, or Site Will Go Under if You Don't Donate. LOL. (Maybe that could be a highlighted heading above the "Donate" button.) I waited 7 months before I contributed because I wanted to REALLY see what the people were like. Fake people usually can't stay civil for very long. I can always "Donate" again in 5 months to make up for the fact that I waited so long, so that it's more of an annual donation. But I still see it as optional. Until people find themselves locked out because they haven't donated, they will find it optional to "Donate".
Well, I hope I haven't offended anyone with my viewpoint. LOL. I was glad to see people posting here again. I was beginning to think that maybe everyone had taken the project underground. Haha! 
Heirloomgardens
- Massachusetts,
Zone "5b"
|
Loretta
Supporting Member
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 05:56 pm EST : | |
Mimi, you have to enter an amount in the field above the "Donate" button. Then it will work.
Thanks for the answer Dan. It is very kind of you to help out.
Loretta
- NJ,
Zone "6"
|
Starzgarden
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 06:09 pm EST : | |
I sent a money order about three months ago and never gave a second thought to not seeing a star listed for me. After seeing this thread I am going to have the post office run a check and see if it went astray somewhere. Don't feel bad,Gloria. I should have a red face too!
Starzgarden
- Michigan,
Zone "five"
|
Sunnyday2day
Supporting Member
My Favorite Photo
My Weather
My Garden
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 06:15 pm EST : | |
No, it wasn't meant that way at all, Gloria. I read where you said you said you were going to and then forgot. D.J. is totally correct, of course. Maybe I should have a red face?
Sunnyday2day
- Tanya-Michigan,
Zone "5"
|
Cindym
Supporting Member
My Weather
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 08:22 pm EST : | |
Like DJ I've been around for about 7 months, but only decided to make a donation back in October. Unfortunately, I sent a check and EJ still hasn't received it. And the fact that Tammy sent a money order 3 months ago that still hasn't been received sends up a red flag. Who's getting EJ's mail???
I sent another donation via Paypal the other day and told EJ to cash the check if he ever receives it, but now I'm doubting he ever will.
My advice would be to use Paypal and forget about the USPS! 
Cindym
- Louisiana,
Zone "8b"
|
Monique
Supporting Member
My Favorite Photo
My Garden Journal
My Weather
My Garden
My Time
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 09:33 pm EST : | |
Mara your banner ad is beautiful.
Monique Quebec Zone 5 |
Greg
Supporting Member
My Favorite Photo
My Weather
My Garden
My Time
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 - 08:57 am EST : | |
I nominate Mara as our official Web ad designer and all around calendar girl. 
Greg
- ND,
Zone "4"
|
Gardenfiend
Supporting Member
My Weather
My Garden
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 - 09:06 am EST : | |
OK Greg. Between you and Blaine I think my reputation is shot. Oh well, at least that's one thing less to worry about.
I'm a little concerned what Judith will think if she finds out she has already been chosen to sponsor Hellebores. Conceivably she would have liked to be consulted first. ;-)
Gardenfiend
- Germany,
Zone "7a"
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