I’m not one to ask for money. In fact, I don’t really need extra money to keep this site running, yet. As it is now RavingAtheists.com costs $68 a year. However, server space isn’t free. Currently the site has 1200mb of space, here’s how that breaks down:
| Disk Space Usage | 71.57Mb |
| MySQL Disk Space | 367.98Mb |
| Disk space available | 760.45Mb |
Now, I predict that in 6 months, this site will need more space. Primarily because the forum has a huge database and a lot of users. More space will increase the yearly cost from $68 to $115 (hosting+domain registration). This site is currently hosted with Total Choice Hosting on the Silver Plan. You can see their plans here. (I don’t pay the yearly price.)
My question is; What should be done about the finances? I want to insure that this site is around for years to come. I thought about ads, but I hate ads. The best answer is donations, probably through PayPal. What do you think? Have any ideas?
Just close the site down. The world will be a better place!
What kind of ads, if you used ads, would they be? Popups? Or just the kind that go on the side bar?
I’m sure most people could handle them, as long as they aren’t popups.
Alternatively, you could add some large print when people register telling them that if all they do is troll, they will have to pay a gigantic fine. If you go with that, make sure to have a clear definition of troll.
…or just go with donations.
Donations. (I loathe ads as well)
Make it clear that the donations are solely at your disgression as to how they’re spent, and that all donations are strictly confidential.
Considering the demographic breakdown of people on the site, I would expect a few people would pony up more than sufficient funds for you to remain in operation for years.
What would I do? I would consider starting a corporation (It’s easy) that has a single individual (you) as all 3 officers (Most states allow this) and place all donations in the corporation’s account. I suppose I would consult a lawyer first just to be sure people don’t have to declare their donations to the IRS.
Heck…. perhaps in 10 years your little forum page will be the premier Atheist Think Tank on the planet! (Wait, it already is!)
But then, I tend to think big.
How ’bout trying a fund raiser, Chris? I’ll throw in my dues. This place is more fun than any bar I’ve ever been to. I’m sure you could get a few people to pitch in.
~Slime
I’d say pop-up ads, since enough browsers come with anti pop-up software so that it wouldn’t be annoying.
Donations are also cool, and I’ll give some money once I have money.
I have invested quite a bit of skull sweat in the site already. I’m flirting with a dependence on it as my main discretionary activity and entertainment.
Adverts, or any other dependence on outside agencies, some of which might even be infested with religious persons, should be the very last resort. I don’t think that we want to tacitly endorse any one else’s message.
If you do incorporate (possibly a good idea for personal liability reasons) no one would have to report donations to IRS. That is only if you are a 501-c3 designated not-for-profit/charity and even then the reporting is completely voluntary.
Please e-mail me a postal address (I do not get along well with PayPal) and I’ll see if I can pry a small check out of the gnarled and taloned hands of my financial consultant (miser).
I must joust with Lily down the dusty halls of time.
I would find adverts annoying and must agree with Sternwallow on the issues of being seen to endorse someone’s view…. I would be more than happy to donate or pay a subscription to keep this site going and to help Chris make any improvements necessary.. By the way thanks Chris for all the work you do…
RenaissanceMan,
I have actually consulted a lawyer on doing that. Setting up a corporation where donations will be deposited so no matter what happens to me, the site will remain. This of course is in the infancy thought stage.
Ghoulslime,
I’ve thought about having fund raisers for get-togethers. Again, I have a lot of ideas and no real direction right now.
To Woody, sternwallow and others,
My ultimate goal is to make the site self sustaining and not souly dependent on me, financially. (I have yet to find someone to help with coding and basic site maintenance)
Oh and I hate popup ads. I was thinking more like google adsense.
I enjoy you guys’ input.
and don’t anyone panic, the site’s not going anywhere because of a few funds.
Paypal donations will definitely do the trick. I would hate to see ads of any kind, even google.
I think we can pretty easily find 11 members to donate $10.00 per year.
How about we fine members a buck every time they post something stupid? If the finee doesn’t pay up within a week his posting privileges are revoked. Anyone can nominate a post as stupid, but Choobus, Philboid Studge, or Sternwallow would have to concur to make it official. (Of course theists will have to be immune, because most everything they post is stupid.)
No, just kidding, I would also be willing to donate through Paypal or some such.
I’d say set up a paypal button initially, if you aren’t getting enough in, go to ads.
Ok, I’ve made a page for donations: http://ravingatheists.com/blog/help/donations/
BTW, would anyone be interested in supplying a ‘sort of’ definition of The Raving Atheists for the about page? http://ravingatheists.com/blog/about/
I’m in–let me know.
I like the idea of paypal, but also, how about merchandise? How feasible would it be to have shirts or cups made to sell, with the profits going to the site?
Hell, if we can get $500 together in honor of Snapcrafter, I’m certain we could find enough people to cover the costs.
Paypal sux arse, it was not fun when I dealt with that for the snap fund, but it would serve the purpose until greater ideas come along. Plus, donations can be made in any denominations, which is handy.
I would gladly send fundage, but I hope no one ever asks me to be in charge of collections again!
*shudder*
Some other forums I have been to use a VIP membership to bring in funds. They offer their VIP members certain priveleges that others don’t get like larger avatars and things of that nature. You could do this and I’m sure that most of the regulars would be willing to pay at least $10.00/year for VIP membership status. I don’t know if this is the type of thing you were looking into but it seems pretty effective on djforums.com
Heathenlifer, good call!
Raving Atheists T-shirts, coffee mugs, car magnets, etc. I love it.
I don’t know about all that, at least right now. Someone has to manage it all and I just don’t have the time. However, I do do graphics design and I have managed a cafepress store before, it’s not entirely that hard.
Before having t-shirts and coffee mugs, I’d like to have a meet up. A real East Coast shindig.
I am in favor of donating some money. I’ll be contacting you via email, Chris.
I don’t mind ads (I usually ignore them anyway), but I’m cool with donations too.
The amount of education, entertainment, debate, etc that I have received on this site is easily worth $10. Done.
Almost $40 has been donated! That’s enough money to keep the site going for 8 MONTHS! I cannot express how happy that makes me.
I did think about selling things or offering optional benefits for people who donate but I’d rather people realize that I have a family too and I have taken on paying for the site myself. I’m pretty savvy so if you show your appreciation with a few dollars that you might otherwise waste on fast food, I’ll show my appreciation by making sure the site is provided for.
donations and merchandise, i’m all for both!
Stick with donations for as long as you can – adverts stink. We could go for a sponsored crucifiction – I could suggest a few volunteers !
Just think how much we could raise for the forum if we all sold our souls on e-bay.