New NI-Wild Banner

[LennyJ1]

Why has the banner changed and is it selling advertising 

[admin]

The site costs are far beyond what the Google adverts bring in so we're hoping to hook a sponsor or two.

[ChuckMcB]

Didn't even know that Adsence ran on the forums, time to make an Adblock exception and send some clicks your way.

If I can ask, what kinda ballpark are the costs? What's stinging the most? Bandwidth, diskspace, domain registration etc?

[cerbera147]

Does it cost when people 'attach' their pictures to a post rather than using something like Photobucket?

[admin]

There's no problem with attaching pictures, bandwidth is unlimited. Costs are mostly hosting plus time taken away from other projects.

[surfnscenic]

What can users do to help keep costs down and/or generate income?

[admin]

Not that much really, we're determined to keep the site and meets free for all members. Real plan is find some advertisers and have money to spend on trips, activities and increasing our membership.
However, if someone knows any company that might be interested in paying for some advertising exposure, send them our way.

What can users do to help keep costs down and/or generate income?

[Oisín]

At the minute it is Google Adsense which is standard CPC but any specific advertising we did would be cost per month or cost per view.

Is the advertising on the site:

-CPV (Cost Per View)
-CPC (Cost Per Click)
-CPA (Cost Per Action)

[DryBag]

Have you tried the direct approach? 
going to independent shops like chainreaction, bikedock, jacksons, Lyndsays, ski & sports, etc. and putting your pitch to them?


http://www.4ni.co.uk/0x823x3_sports-clothing-equipment-shops.htm

[admin]

This has been floated as an idea but at the minute we're avoiding directly approaching potential advertisers, we'll consider this later when we're more sure what we're doing and what we hope to achieve.

[MikeD]

the rotating blurb in the masthead is good tho...

[Oisín]

Just a wee idea here, but I know alot of companies would give some people euipment to go out and test and usually make a cool video and upload it to Youtube. They get free advertising, while the people get to use good gear.

Maybe there could be an approach to some local shop with the NI Wild team offering to use their stuff and record a video on it on an expedition or something. It's free advertising, not sure if they would want to, because no one has heard of us etc.

But it could be something to consider. Ask to test out equipment, they sponsor food costs or something, we record us using it and giving it thumbs up. Upload the resuts to youtube or similar.

[admin]

Actually, on second thoughts there is loads you can all do to help.

Here's a few ideas:

• Link to NI-Wild in any profiles you have on other forums
• If you have a website/blog or know anyone with one ask them if they will link to us
• Torture your friends, relatives, passers by incessantly to join us and mention us to their friends
• We're on the lookout for artwork to use to make flyers etc. If you're an arty type, make us a logo / flyer / advert that we can use
• If you know a business that might benefit from advertising with us tell them to get in touch. We have 4,000 unique users a month looking at 50,000 pages
• Most importantly, get on NI-Wild and organise something. The more we organise the more people we will pick up and the more fun everyone will have. People tend to sit back and wait for things to be planned that they might like - buck the trend - pick something you would like to do and invite others to join in. PM admin and whatever you are planning will go out in the weekly member email.

On the internet website popularity is dependant entirely on having other websites link to you. The more websites that link to us, the better we will perform in the search engines and the more members we will pick up.

/begging ends  

What can users do to help keep costs down and/or generate income?

[whoRya]

First one in.

Swan Vestas have said they will give NI Wild four matches to gear test in the in the the NI Wild Survival Night.

[Oisín]

Swan Vestas have said they will give NI Wild four matches to gear test in the in the the NI Wild Survival Night.

These better be waterproofed.