Very limited number of slots open for advertisers or sponsors on the forum

this is the main message area for anything solar :)
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Very limited number of slots open for advertisers or sponsors on the forum

Post by solarchat »

Hi gang.

You all know that I have always stayed away from advertisements on the forum simply because I didn't want it to be cluttered looking or for users to have to wade through any flashing banner ads etc... to get to the information. Unfortunately, in the 10 fundraisers we have had since the forum's creation we have never had more than 1% of users contribute anything to the expenses of hosting and running the forum, we have to do something.

The choices are to start charging a subscription fee for users like astromart or to allow some people to place their company logo and link at the top of the page for a yearly fee as sponsors.

The 3 companies that are listed at the top of the page now have sponsored the nonprofit since the start with equipment and will stay were they are.

Alexandra and Skybird let me know that there were a couple entities that might like to be listed as sponsors on the forum so I guess we will see how that goes. This site gets about 4 million hits per year and is surely the largest solar astronomy forum in existence and among the top ten astronomy forums out there.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE LISTED AS AN OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF THE SOLARCHAT FORUM-
Please let me now via this post or an email to [email protected] .
The cost will be $1500(US) per year or $150(US)/month paid in advance via paypal for the placement of a similar size static banner with hyperlink at the top of the main solarchat page.
If you would like to be the only sponsor other than the 3 companies already listed then I will change the main banner at the very top of the page to prominently feature your logo as the sponsor. This will cost $5000(US) per year and no others will be allowed.

If you would like to purchase the entire forum and run it any way you want on your host, the cost is $7500(US).


You will be sponsoring what I believe is the best outreach/imaging group out there with the highest standards of integrity of any group. Your ad will be seen by hundreds/thousands of users per day that are already interested in your product and you will be supporting a good decent program that develops the future market for your products.
Your sponsorship will be tax deductible in the United States of America as a charitable donation as we are a nonprofit 501c3.
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Stephen W. Ramsden
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Re: Very limited number of slots open for advertisers or sponsors on the forum

Post by Montana »

Thanks Stephen, the figures really help.

Have a meeting Thursday night.

Alexandra


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Re: Very limited number of slots open for advertisers or sponsors on the forum

Post by solarchat »

I don’t know if this is way too much or not enough as I don’t do any business type dealings with people and have no experience in this. I came upon that figure so that they would be no more than five advertisements which would pay the yearly expenses


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Re: Very limited number of slots open for advertisers or sponsors on the forum

Post by EGRAY_OBSERVATORY »

Thank y0u Stephen. Some interesting figures there.

It would be well-good if enough paying adverts will cover the annual costs, as well as taking the strain off of worrying whether the donations on their own will cover..

Best wishes
Terry


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Re: Very limited number of slots open for advertisers or sponsors on the forum

Post by solarchat »

zero responses so far. considering plan b.


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Re: Very limited number of slots open for advertisers or sponsors on the forum

Post by Montana »

The meeting is tonight Stephen, hang on a bit :)
What is plan b?

Alexandra


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Re: Very limited number of slots open for advertisers or sponsors on the forum

Post by Montana »

Good news! the idea was liked very much at the meeting tonight. It has to be ratified at the board meeting on the 30th November (to spend charity money). But otherwise I think this is a go for one of the sponsor slots. So reserve one for me please Stephen.

Alexandra


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Re: Very limited number of slots open for advertisers or sponsors on the forum

Post by EGRAY_OBSERVATORY »

Plan b ??
No doubt we might know more in due course.

Thanks
Terry


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Re: Very limited number of slots open for advertisers or sponsors on the forum

Post by Bastelhannes »

I am quite disturbed...

I had been asking Stephen to sponsor, asked for some advice and hints, could not reach out, because I was not able to send messages to him, asked in the public ... and.. no word from him personally... just this posting...

I doubt this will help getting any sponsors... I somehow lost my motivation to sponsor this...


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Re: Very limited number of slots open for advertisers or sponsors on the forum

Post by Montana »

Don't get disheartened, have you tried the email given in this post?
Stephen has been quite ill for the past couple of weeks (major spinal surgery) and is on a lot of pain killers. You have to catch him when he is awake.
Please keep trying :) It has taken me a while too but I did know about his current situation, it is a bit of bad timing ;)

Alexandra


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Re: Very limited number of slots open for advertisers or sponsors on the forum

Post by solarchat »

Karsten,
I tried replying to your message but had the same problem. There was no person's name, email or contact information in your message or other way to contact you so I made this post specifically in response to your private message. Sorry if it seemed impersonal.

I have also been on Oxycodone for 3.5 weeks after major back surgery so maybe it is better that I didn't have any contact info because I get all gushy and lovey on pain medicine. I might have proposed to you or told you my life story...lol. My wife takes away my phone whenever I am on pain meds.

Anyway, you're welcome to donate, sponsor or not as long as you enjoy the forum. You're always welcome and we're glad to have ya. If you do own some sort of astro-business, you can also feel free to advertise for free in the vendor forum. This is all new and I have never charged a fee for anything or taken a salary in the 12 years of running the nonprofit so I am definitely not a polished business man. sorry.

Stephen


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Re: Very limited number of slots open for advertisers or sponsors on the forum

Post by Bastelhannes »

Stephen,

I am so glad you explained everything. I am going to ask my boss tomorrow, how much he wants to spend to keep this board alive...


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Re: Very limited number of slots open for advertisers or sponsors on the forum

Post by EGRAY_OBSERVATORY »

I can confirm Karsten, that Stephen actually replied to me soon after my passing-on your post and confirming your name as Karsten, after I believe your post was added to the forum at around 15:19GMT. Bearing in mind time difference between the U.S States and the U.K./Europe, as well as Stephen being under the pains involved etc., so I do so hope that you are able assist the forum as Stephen says, by way of a donation or sponsorship etc..

Thanks vm
Terry


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Re: Very limited number of slots open for advertisers or sponsors on the forum

Post by Bastelhannes »

Hi Terrry, Hi Alexandra,

It worked. We (to be honest, 99% is Karl's effort) support the board now... it feels a bit crazy.


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Re: Very limited number of slots open for advertisers or sponsors on the forum

Post by Bastelhannes »

Hi Terrry, Hi Alexandra,

It worked. We (to be honest, 99% is Karl's effort) support the board now... it feels a bit crazy.


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Re: Very limited number of slots open for advertisers or sponsors on the forum

Post by EGRAY_OBSERVATORY »

Many thanks Karsten

Terry


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Re: Very limited number of slots open for advertisers or sponsors on the forum

Post by Simon2940 »

*cough* miracles happen!! :lol:
solarchat wrote: Thu Nov 18, 2021 11:57 am zero responses so far. considering plan b.


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