FerrariChat.com Official: Should we use IntelliTxt as additional revenue?

Good compromise.

 

Seems like a reasonable idea. I tell you what, it would push me to subscribe...

 

That would be an ideal compromise.

 

I vote we put Bonzi Buddy on here!

 

I strongly vote no for this idea. It is precisely what google Adwords / Adsence (i.e. a smart, non-intrusive way to generate contextual ads) is not: intrusive, generally irrelevant ads.

I find that sites that use this technology are a huge distraction -- I've seen many, including several examples directly from IntelliTxt's site, and I can confirm that I would use this site less if the feature were installed for all users.

The universe of _quality_ advertisers for our group is so small that I can't imagine the results being of much use. If I want to buy a Ferrari part, there are a handful of respected folks on here who can point me in the right direction. Look on Google for who advertises on the phrase "Ferrari Parts" -- other than the guys we know (Ricambi), there's JC Whitney, eBay, Zimply.com, AlltheAutomotive.com, etc....nobody useful. I know it's a different company, but the advertisers are going to be (roughly) the same (or worse, since most quality advertisers go with Google first).

The reason Google Adwords / Adsense and other search-engine-based advertising has been so successful is that they are accepted by BOTH the searchers and the advertisers.

In other words, when I go to Google and search for "Brakes", there's a reasonably good chance that I'm looking to buy a set of brakes. When Google neatly shows me ads for brake suppliers on the top & right of the search results, I can choose to ignore them or, in many cases, look closely at them.

On the other hand, when I see the word "brakes" that happens to be written in a post, it doesn't mean that I want to buy brakes, so I don't want to see an ad for brakes. That makes it a distraction, and that brings down the quality of the site.

Now: If you're looking for an interesting revenue-boost, I would seriously consider contacting Google or Overture (now Yahoo) about putting relevant text ads in the search results on THIS site. So when I search for "360 brakes" on here, show me a few ads for ferrari brake suppliers alongside the post results. THAT would be valuable to me....(and I'd probably click, and you'd make some money, and we'll all happy!)

nlh out.

 

Rob,

While I'm not for it. Maybe making it to where only non members and maybe even non-subscribed members only have to deal with it. Keep the sponsors and subscribed members to have maybe an option to turn it off.

Regards,
Kevin

 

I just read page 3 and in the words of Carlos Mencia I just made a "dee-dee-dee" ,disregard my comment.

 

Additional revenue for you is good.

Additional links to click might not be a bad thing for us either. WE might find sources for stuff that we can't get from the current Fchat sponsors.

What's the harm in a ten day trial? If after ten days the troops are up in arms, then yank it off and put it back the way it was.

It'll also give you an idea if the risk/reward ratio is good. You know, piss off 10% of the members but generate enough revenue that you don't care? (Not joking, you'd have to watch who it annoys, but, often product change to increase revenue will scare off some of the customer base.)

Want even more revenue? Get the FerrariChat merchandise site with MUGS, PENS, T-SHIRTS, POLO SHIRTS, HATS, WINDOW STICKERS, STRESS BALLS, FUZZY DICE, DAY GLOW CONDOMS, ETC. off the ground. 20,000 people here are clamoring for them. Well, maybe 2,000 people here, but still 2000 X $50 X 20% profit margin = more than you made here last week.

I'm okay with the experimental links.

DM

 

Never thought I'd hear myself say this.... But I agree with Tillman.

While there are some benefits for revenue generation, the beauty of the message boards is getting peoples real opinions, experiences and thoughts. If I have a real great experience with one vendor, I don't want to advertise for another vendor in the add. I also think that when so much is based on reputation, to have someone link through a post and get a bad company with bad service, that really will end up reflecting on the poster. The victim of the bad deal will associate the bad lead with the poster. Its not really his/her fault, but that's human nature.

The current style of advertising on fchat has more credibility and makes the vendors more accountable. I think this program would costs some present or future sponsors of Fchat, and worse / more importantly could send an Fchatter to a poor site for a bad deal which would not only hurt that member, but also damage Fchats reputation.

If you could limit it to only one section, such as Off Topic, I would be less opposed.

 

Try it out on the unsubscribed masses. For those on Silver and Rosso, we coughed up something to support this forum and not get "marketed".

 

Rob - It is your site, and since I am a capitalist - I voted yes... Unless it is pop-ups, useless links, etc. Do it make some extra money for the site and you.

If it doesn't work out - or everything is highlighted, ect - take it off and move on.

Unless this is Ferrarichat.org - I would give it a try - if the revenue is decent...

Rich Wallace

 

Exactly.

 

Err. What does "unsubscribed only" mean? Does that mean that the subscribed can't see the links, or does it mean that you won't be putting this junk in our posts? Significantly different things, and the latter is the most important.

 

I don't know for sure, but I think it's a dynamic thing. For subsribed users, a message thread would be "rendered" without putting in additional HTML and javascript code/tags that underline the ad words. The content of the actual posts (I would hope) is not altered at the database level.

We're on an OK track here with the idea that subscribed users have "paid" for the service so don't have to put up with what is essentially "You need to pay for this service" nagging. However, don't forget to consider that this might be a turnoff to new users who might eventually come to register. They're so turned off at first, that they never invest or get in "deep" enough to eventually become mature users who contribute both content for the board, but also $ for a subscription.

An online community like this is a living, breathing entity. It's represented and governed by Rob, the moderators, and their "constituents" (people like us who "write" to our congressman!). Some communities will compromise themselves with ridculous things like animated tits in avatars and photos in the sigs that get reproduced for each post, maybe 10 times on a page. Other communities, "special" ones they will be called when history looks back on them in 10, 20 years, will have managed to weather the storm maintain a quality experience for their community members. Perhaps in the final analysis, the good ones will stand out from the bad ones based on how "hard" the forum stakeholders want to "Squeeze" their community for a nickel here, a dime there. IntelliTxt is just a manifestation of the "squeeze".

 

if u think that, u are a dip **** too. though im being sarcastic too