Bank of Cyprus warning
Another suggestion is to have a premium subforum that offers up analysis for people. You can make it a charge per new thread.
I'm not sure what software this site runs but Vbulletin lets you do both of these fairly easy.
Quote: WizardI've thought about doing something like what VideoPoker.com does, where they have ads you're forced to watch unless you buy a premium membership. I would also try to think of some other stuff extra stuff I could give the VIP members, but I'm not sure what.
If I get get the Cyprus money in the next 30 days I should be okay to buy more time to get advertising revenue up. There are plenty of sites much worse that min, in my opinion, that make much more money. My problem is monetizing the traffic.
uggg about FORCED to watch ads. Starbucks did that in order to use their free internet. it didn't last long.
yes on VIP membership but not just to avoid ads. add premium content as well.
Find out how those worse sites are making more $ and incorporate that into your site but w/o cheapening your image and turning into an ad whore.
hm.. google ad-sense?
Quote: mrcleanOne suggestion is a simple model - the site is free to read but you must be a premium member to post. $1 a month or $10 a year.
Another suggestion is to have a premium subforum that offers up analysis for people. You can make it a charge per new thread.
I'm not sure what software this site runs but Vbulletin lets you do both of these fairly easy.
but if you charge for starting a new thread we won't get the new bac threads. :-(
I am not sure how I feel about charging for a forum. I think it would detract from adding new members. If you could read for free but not post without subscription then you would just have a ton of lurkers. If you have to pay to see anything then people will just bypass this site. Most people who visit a forum are initially looking for some info and most will want it for free. I think 85% of current active members would pay and I would bet that after a year half of those people would be gone. Would the site gain enough new willing to pay members to make the site worthwhile? Maybe it is a risk the Wizard will be willing to take.
I am sorry about all of this, especially about your father.
Money comes and goes: family doesn't. With regards to WOO and your house, they are both major investments, and you only know what the incoming cash flow is for your business and how close you are to the "line".
I will pray that you find the answers that you are looking for and that the Bank of Cyprus makes good on your promise.
With regards to earning more revenue from this site, I would suggest ads in and around the forum rather than popups as they are less intrusive.
I don't think a pay site would work, I'm not against it, I just don't think it will work. Sure some people will be glad to pay, but even $10 per year will cause a fair amount of people to pass or move to a different site. I have a feeling if you had been charging in the past the site would not be like it is today.Quote: WizardThings are looking a little better on the Cyprus front. Of course, I won't believe anything until the money is in one of my US accounts, but the guy there said I could put in a wire request for most of my money. Now let's just hope they honor it.
I've thought about doing something like what VideoPoker.com does, where they have ads you're forced to watch unless you buy a premium membership. I would also try to think of some other stuff extra stuff I could give the VIP members, but I'm not sure what.
If I get get the Cyprus money in the next 30 days I should be okay to buy more time to get advertising revenue up. There are plenty of sites much worse that min, in my opinion, that make much more money. My problem is monetizing the traffic.
I don't know enough about Google AdSense, but i have heard good things about it. Any drawbacks or objections to that?
Quote: AxelWolfI don't think a pay site would work, I'm not against it, I just don't think it will work. Sure some people will be glad to pay, but even $10 per year will cause a fair amount of people to pass or move to a different site. I have a feeling if you had been charging in the past the site would not be like it is today.
There's no way we could charge $10/year just to post. I'd never learn about all of the great winning Baccarat systems out there because the Baccarat System Players couldn't afford to pay, hey, hey!
EDIT: This is not a shot at Soxfan, "Hey, hey," just worked extremely well there.
?Quote: Dicenor33I am paying $30 a month for deuces cracked. Poker is complicated, you need someone to do an explanation.
The other board I post to has a donations request on the right side and the top donators listed.
I think the wiz tried that a long time ago but a lot more people here these days.
https://whyweprotest.net/community/
I hang out there due to the scientology mecca in nearby Clearwater and I'm anti-scientology
it's annoying.
http://money.msn.com/how-to-budget/how-much-should-you-spend-on-weston.aspx
(yes, its not ads. it just 'trending articles' from Bing. But still distracting when trying to read the article.)
Buy the book! Make a reference guide, want to know more, buy the (e)book! God only knows how much Ernest Cobbs makes selling karma to win on slots.
Quote: Dicenor33I am paying $30 a month for deuces cracked. Poker is complicated, you need someone to do an explanation.
People look at DC, correctly, as an investment. People mostly don't view this site that way and it hasn't been marketed that way. The pitch has been, here are the odds, chose a game where the odds aren't too bad, not here's how to beat the casino.
Quote: WizardThanks. It isn't out of the question, but I would have a lot of personal pride before I started to beg for donations.
I for one hesitate when it comes to "donations" (well, except for the $1000/year I donate through the Federal Employees charity campaign).
"Temporary loan," on the other hand...
If you did need some short-term cash, how much do you need, and for how long do you think you would need it before you could pay it back without having to worry about it?
Quote: WizardIf I get get the Cyprus money in the next 30 days I should be okay to buy more time to get advertising revenue up. There are plenty of sites much worse that min, in my opinion, that make much more money. My problem is monetizing the traffic.
Would it not make sense to hire an SEO expert to try and maximize revenue to your site? I don't know much about those things but surely with the amount of traffic you have running through your sites, you should be able to make some good money from it?
Just a thought, I'm not very creative at all.
Quote: FleaStiffSTEER CLEAR of most of those SEO experts.... what they advise can get you in trouble with Google, meanwhile you've paid the fees to the so called expert.
I agree 100%. Google any gambling term/game and then tell me if I need an SEO expert.
Quote: WizardI agree 100%. Google any gambling term/game and then tell me if I need an SEO expert.
Perhaps that was a bad example but surely there is ways of driving traffic to your sites which in turn can be sold to your sponsors?
Obviously depending on the level of traffic that you have, yours must be one of the most sought after gambling information sites on the net?
Also perhaps try Grand Caymen as a banking destination and not Cyprus.
It is but any attempt to commercialize it must not result in impairing its quality since that is really why it is so sought after. Any of a dozen places will be telling you to take insurance and even money and how great six to five is.Quote: Tomspuryours must be one of the most sought after gambling information sites on the net?
Quote: FleaStiffIt is but any attempt to commercialize it must not result in impairing its quality since that is really why it is so sought after. Any of a dozen places will be telling you to take insurance and even money and how great six to five is.
But the quality of the site has never been in question has it? So I'm not sure how it will be in question moving forward?
The contents of the site will obviously remain the same but there may be a few extra flyers and tickers and banners around that would allow the Wiz to earn some extra money?
Nobody here would begrudge him that right?
Still, I'm not sure how advertising will impair the quality of the content. My apologies if I had misunderstood what you meant.
Quote: TomspurPerhaps that was a bad example but surely there is ways of driving traffic to your sites which in turn can be sold to your sponsors?
The problem is not getting traffic but getting money from the traffic.
Quote:Also perhaps try Grand Caymen as a banking destination and not Cyprus.
You try to open a bank out there with less than a million dollars, assuming you're a US citizen, and see how you do.
I never meant for this thread to turn into a joke nor ask for advice. I'm sure all who gave it were well meaning, but I'd like to think that I already know a thing or two about the business.
Seeing what this thread has turned into, I am going to close it. Thanks to all those who tried to help or offered their sympathies. If I have a significant update I'll temporarily unblock the thread, post, and then block it again.
