A word to users regarding advertising

[Da Coach]

BradleyFans.com has been online almost 6 years since our startup in January, 2005. It's been fun, but there is a significant cost involved in operating the site. Until now that cost has been paid by individuals dedicated to maintaining a pro-Bradley site that is fan friendly.

We are now looking into options such as user support or hosting advertising on the site to help defer the costs of running it and keep it going. You may soon see some examples of this as we test small ads on the forum pages. If you want to see what it might look like, check out other message boards, because most message boards with significant traffic host advertising in one form or another.

Feel free to comment or give your thoughts and ideas. Thanks.

[theBUer]

BradleyFans.com has been online almost 6 years since our startup in January, 2005. It's been fun, but there is a significant cost involved in operating the site. Until now that cost has been paid by individuals dedicated to maintaining a pro-Bradley site that is fan friendly.

We are now looking into options such as user support or hosting advertising on the site to help defer the costs of running it and keep it going. You may soon see some examples of this as we test small ads on the forum pages. If you want to see what it might look like, check out other message boards, because most message boards with significant traffic host advertising in one form or another.

Feel free to comment or give your thoughts and ideas. Thanks.

Hi Da Coach.

I'd be willing to give a little bit to help defray the cost, especially if there is a PayPal option (if the pro activists have not compromised that).

But good luck with the ads. I have AdBlock Plus on Firefox, and I can not see any ads. The only way that I will see ads if you have some type of code where I cannot block the ads.

I've had run-ins with spyware/malware, and while I'm sure you would not host stuff like WoW Gold or whatnot, there are drive-by downloads that can install nasty junk like fake anti-virus.

Have you visited CycloneFanatic? They not only have banner ads and whatnot (I think donations as well, but don't quote me), but they have features with a car dealer in Ames. Maybe have video options. Isn't coachdude a car salesman at Peoria Toyota (he says see me at the dealership?) Have a segment there, or something.

Two cents.

[bugregshu]

I wouldn't mind advertisements. As long as it helps keep the site running, I think advertisements are a good idea, and anyone that has a problem can learn to just filter them out.

[Braves4Life]

Whatever it takes. This site is worth it and I appreciate all that you do and have done.

Thank you!

[SFP]

Da Coach thanks for all the work and another idea is to perhaps you can affiliate the site to some kind of BU gear merchant that will help defer the cost.

[Da Coach]

We have considered the donation option that some message forums use, but we are busy enough to look into supporting the site through advertising.

Also, we are open to discussing with any local businesses who would like to advertise or have exclusive advertising rights.
If anyone knows advertising people from the local TV or radio stations, local auto dealerships, hospitals, banks, or other corporations that spend a lot on advertising, have them contact us.
This site is one of the most active in central Illinois. We average over 6 million page-hits per month (an average of over 200,000 per day), and have over 2,200 unique users who visit daily, and an average of 15,000 unique visitors monthly.

[thefish7]

I would consider donating and the like.

Ads don't bother me, and I think there are some reputable providers out there. Google Adsense is the one I'm most familiar with... By familiar with, it means I know next to nothing about it but have used it.

Another option that I think would be worth exploring would be an online store selling bradleyfans or bradley gear. Perhaps partnering with someone already doing this to offer all your traffic in exchange for a bit of their sales.

[AE Braves Fan]

Make a donation level whereby a user is awarded MOD abilities

[AZ BU Fan]

What kind of money are we talking to keep BF.com going annually?

[amckillip]

Make a donation level whereby a user is awarded MOD abilities

I'm all for generating revenue and donating, but this is the most dangerous idea I've ever heard (for a message board). I think WSU_Shocker would pay his annual salary to be a Mod here...

[jasonpeoria911]

I would be fine with ads on the site, no popups though. I'm sure their is plenty of Peoria area businesses looking for some ad space. I would probably contact some of the newer businesses being built in Peoria out by Grand Prairie or on the north end past Walmart. Jillian's by Grand Prairie Mall comes to mind. They just opened not to long ago but not much released in the news or anything to promote this. Maybe Buffalo Wild Wings also.

Jason

[DUBrave5]

I wouldn't have any problems with ads. Maybe Mainstreet Commons would be interested in advertising since there are some students who peruse this board and offer in their 2 cents every once in a while.

[MacabreMob]

Maybe some local churches can buy some advertising and then impose their censorship of avatars.

[BU_EMT128]

As much as I disagree with the moderation at times, won't having advertisement completely throw the whole theme of this site away? I have heard and read many times that because this site is privately funded, that it will be moderated heavily. So, if ads are thrown in, and it is no longer privately funded, does the moderation stay the same?

[tornado]

heavily?? what constitutes heavily? More like properly....Only a few posts are removed and generally only once in a while