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Subject: Advertising News Posted by: Guru - [330592710] Mon, Feb 19, 16:59 Bummer. I just lost my advertising contract with ValueClick. They deemed my site clicking activity to be "incentivized", and therefore in violation of my contract. While I tried hard to ensure that any "incentives" were slight, I realize that most of the clicking activity from my site was not a result of true interest in the underlying advertisers. As such, it is hard to imagine that our clicks represented good value to the advertisers, on average. That is the stance of ValueClick. I'm already convinced that without continual prompting, click rates at this site would be negligible. Been there, done that. And with advertisers clamping down on incentives, and rates declining, I'm not at all convinced that pursuing alternative advertising avenues isn't ultimately a losers game. As it was, I've been recently spending much more time administering and monitoring advertising activity, and frankly, that isn't very enjoyable. And with Market Madness and baseball coming up, I have plenty to do already. So, rather than immediately starting to beat the bushes for more advertising sources (which might be fruitless anyway), I'm going to take a few weeks to rethink the whole financial framework of rotoguru.com. As I mentioned in my "State of" message, my servers are paid up through next fall, so I don't have any imminent decisions to make. I still have advertising relationships with a couple of firms (Commission Junction and Linkshare), and will continue to show their ads on many of my pages for the time being. A great many of these ads are commission based, rather than click based, and the average revenue per ad exposure is not very lucrative. Thus, for the time being, my advice is that if you see something of interest, by all means check it out, but don't bother clicking just for the sake of clicking. | ||||||
| 1 | Lou ID: 270392611 Mon, Feb 19, 17:07 | sell stuff directly from your site. | |||||
| 2 | jedman ID: 2702357 Mon, Feb 19, 17:23 | I would pay a yearly fee for your site if that is what it takes to keep it going. | |||||
| 3 | Mark L ID: 4444938 Mon, Feb 19, 17:30 | As would I. "By any means necessary." | |||||
| 4 | CanEHdian Pride ID: 426351415 Mon, Feb 19, 17:30 | I'd put up some dough to keep the site going. I don't have much but whatever helps. | |||||
| 5 | VIDevilRays ID: 508151619 Mon, Feb 19, 17:36 | I would also pay an annual fee. | |||||
| 6 | BIG RUSS ID: 0853519 Mon, Feb 19, 17:46 | I'd say the comraderrie and the info would be worth it! | |||||
| 7 | Astade ID: 281036223 Mon, Feb 19, 17:47 | Thanks for the news Guru....Let us know what we can do to help | |||||
| 8 | Perm Dude ID: 331181719 Mon, Feb 19, 17:50 |
Incentivized? Like, we click because we know that is the way this site keeps going? Seems a little too self-evident to me. As I posted on the other thread, take out a PO Box and let us know what it is. You might not get a load of money, but there are a number of Gurupies who are chomping at the bit to do more. pd | |||||
| 9 | lionprideguy ID: 810223011 Mon, Feb 19, 17:58 | I would definately be willing to pay a "membership" fee to do my share to support the survival of the site, especially for unique tools like the sarts and assimilator. And if the members are able to see the site completely ad-free altogether, even better! Rather the money go directly to support the site than through middlemen first. | |||||
| 10 | azdbacker ID: 230212320 Mon, Feb 19, 18:05 | I also would be willing to pay a membership fee, or a monthly fee, whatever's necessary. | |||||
| 11 | Addicted ID: 610441810 Mon, Feb 19, 18:16 |
I would be honored to have a card-carrying Gurupie membership. (A shirt and ball-cap wouldn't be bad either). | |||||
| 12 | Texas Flood ID: 12458220 Mon, Feb 19, 18:30 | me too let us know what we can do to help? | |||||
| 13 | ksoze ID: 1012891 Mon, Feb 19, 18:32 | I think the problem with the membership fee is that there would be relatively few new users signing up as time goes by because they wouldn't have a clue as to what the site is about. New users would need a little incentive to play around with the site to discover and understand it's many uses. Maybe a month long free trial membership for new users? Whatever, I'd certainly pay a membership fee, send a donation, and/or purchase RotoGuru.com apparel to help the cause. | |||||
| 14 | Texas Flood ID: 12458220 Mon, Feb 19, 18:34 |
ya know, i just realized if it were not for roto guru i would'nt even play smallworld or swirve. we have to do something to help keep this site alive! | |||||
| 15 | The Left Wings ID: 330283117 Mon, Feb 19, 18:38 |
Wow those advertizing people are truly pathetic. What, do they really expect anyone to buy stuff from them and let them make 100x the cost price (plus S&H)? Boy, I'd rather go to a shopping mall. How did they know our clicks are incentivized anyway? Did they actually come check this site out and see that there were all these "click an ad friday" threads? In that case, all we have to do is to make it less apparent and everything would be fine. | |||||
| 16 | Perm Dude ID: 331181719 Mon, Feb 19, 18:41 | I don't think there is any reason to change the free access that is going on right now, so long as some are willing to pay a bit extra. | |||||
| 17 | PHANTASY STARS ID: 61191417 Mon, Feb 19, 18:54 |
Being a Marketing Grad I thought I'd throw in some ideas. Turn the site into a "Beat the national games" type thing. Let me explain...There are crappy sites on how to beat the lottery, national stock market games, etc etc so why not Turn your site into a Fantasy Sports site for National Games. Ie Smallworld, Sandbox,swirve, etc etc and have FREE access to basic things and charge for a Membership which will get you to special areas you can't go without one. Kind of like how sites like the Sandlot Shrink etc are run. You can have an Articles section with articles written by who else? All these guys here you have backing you up. I'm sure some of them have writing skills and would LOVE to help you out. You can have Analysis and projects on Fantasy In General. Ie Fantasy baseball, roto values, projections, etc etc. This way you do not block off ALL access to your site by new users as they can still browse the site and see what you have to offer. A second idea or an incentive you can offer is Guru Rankings, Leagues, Prizes, and other neat stuff. (I'd pay 9.99 or whatever to have access to everything + play against other gurupies. (You can have a leagues page and offer prizes to winners of each division etc etc) Sorry for the writing, gram, etc but I'm in a rush. Just a few ideas hope they might help. | |||||
| 18 | Tortfeasor ID: 469202110 Mon, Feb 19, 19:07 |
I think that if a fee system were implemented, it would have to be monthly for one reason: not everyone plays all the SW/swirve games. This is partially from my perspective, as I only use the site during basketball season (I'm not that crazy about baseball), though I would pay a yearly fee just to be able to access the site during basketball season. I have grown very fond of this forum and the people here, and would be willing to pay any reasonable amount to keep the site up. Thank you Guru for all that you've done to make this site and the forum so successful. Please let us know of anything we can do collectively, or of anything that I specifically could do to help if necessary. | |||||
| 19 | Texas Flood ID: 12458220 Mon, Feb 19, 19:25 |
i found this site by accident. i came here looking for rotissere infromantion. I think PS has some valid ideas. it all depends on how much time you have to spend on the site. there are a ton of rotisserie players looking for usefull inforamtion in all sports. you could also provide a stat service for leagues all over the country. our leagues use usa stats and they charge 1200 for our AL league and 1400 for our NL league. our league entry fees cover the cost. i have used the espn insider, sandlot shrink, bill james ect and this site has more information than all of those combined. IMHO some rotisserie information might be a great idea. | |||||
| 20 | Tosh ID: 31934212 Mon, Feb 19, 19:37 |
I agree Guru ... bummer. I immediately thought of your 4/1/99 blurb, where you spoke of making the assimilator a fee-based tool. :-) I'm sure that anything you come up with will be more than acceptable for everyone here. Here's to continued success! | |||||
| 21 | Baldwin ID: 25440222 Mon, Feb 19, 19:47 |
I am excited about the prospect of advertising rotoguru.com on hats, etc. I know I speak for enuff gurupies who would frankly rather send a check than click ads anyway. I know I speak for all gurupies in saying now way no how is this site going down for lack of funds. Don't even consider that option. I'm nearing the time I have to pay my Shandler site fee and I might as well cut a check for Dave Hall as well. 8] | |||||
| 22 | wizard808 ID: 22556517 Mon, Feb 19, 20:11 |
part of the underlying problem here is that the internet as a vehicle for the actual PURCHASING of goods is just not that ingrained into most people at this point. this is not the only "free" site that suffers from the weight of the economics of advertising. until a significantly higher percentage of people feel just as comfortable ordering from the internet as they do by calling an 800 number or going to the mall, sites like this one will suffer. could all of us do more by clicking everyday? certainly. will all of our clicking result in increased revenue to the actual advertisers? probably not. i think ksoze makes an excellent point in post #13. i don't envy the position you are in, guru. i hope we will all be able to figure out a workable solution to keep the valuable tools, information and comraderie available to all those who have come to count on this site. | |||||
| 23 | BillB ID: 18452322 Mon, Feb 19, 20:40 |
My .02- Some good ideas here...I might suggest (if it came down to it) an a-la-carte system, say, x$ for a particular game/season (supporting Full and any Midseason sport), and y$ for year-round support of all games supported by Rotoguru, and maybe a 30-day free trial offer of whatever game is in play at the time of registration, including access to the GuruTools (patent pending :])? Either way, my check is in the mail (e-mail?) for whatever pans out------ | |||||
| 24 | slug ID: 50491812 Mon, Feb 19, 21:49 |
Post 13 hits the nail on the head. As soon as the word fee shows up, people run. However, this is my 1st year using the rotoguru.com site and I've gotten so much benefit from the tools that I'd be willing to pay a reasonable fee. If you can find a way to hook the newbies before they get scared by fees, things will be just fine. | |||||
| 25 | Perm Dude ID: 331181719 Mon, Feb 19, 21:54 |
That's why I think a volunteer fee might be the way to go. An across the board entry or membership fee would probably not fly, but those who know what this site is about (and those who will know it through free access) are more apt to pony up some money. pd | |||||
| 27 | Allenox ID: 4511522620 Mon, Feb 19, 21:56 | If rotoguru becomes a pay site, I'm in. | |||||
| 29 | What about Bob ID: 431281411 Mon, Feb 19, 22:14 |
Perm Dude; You are on the right track. I believe somebody said something or perhaps(not likely) that the ad companies have "spotters" looking at their client's sites, and weren't too pleased with the "advertised, click-a-thons". To everyone else; Perhaps you missed the messages that Guru has posted(see "State Of RotoGuru" thrd), the message about Broadband Sports going under, A large Canadian Fantasy Sports firm(in business for at least 5 years and a huge manager base), Internet Sports Network(I think that's it) going down, and on and on, the internet is going through a revolution. Unfortunately it isn't a pretty sight. Internet companies that had millions and millions of $$$ pumped into them only to lose money, BIG MONEY, with the premise ADVERTISING was going to pay for it or make them a success, just isn't happening. While I believe many people are LOOKING at products and services and companies on the internet, the number of people ACTUALLY BUYING things is miniscule. While not always the case(see other thrds, and a couple posts in this one), I believe most people who use the internet have a decent amount of intelligence, and do mucho research online, but because of their instant gratification personality(after all isn't that why many of us are online)(special message to Punishark, all others please ignore, I'm not talking that porno stuff:-), we crave instant boxscores, instant information, PERIOD, we aren't going to wait to buy a product online and have it shipped, when we can get the same thing at a local store near us, NOW. Face it, most of us only buy online, when a product is a DEAL or can't find it somewhere else. Yes, times are definitely going to be a changing on the internet. Advertisers aren't stupid(just don't judge them by their commercials), they are not going to pay $$ for a medium that isn't generating them $$$$$. I really don't know what the revolution will bring. I must say it concerns me. Used properly, I think the internet is a great innovation and has been life-changing, and life-saving for many people. I wish I had an answer for our more immediate problem here at RotoGuru.com I'd like to say a fee-based system will work, I have tremendous doubts that it will or can be effective. I mean let's face it, if we can't get .5% of people to ad click(WHICH IS FREE), then why do many of you feel you can get these same people to suddenly send in a check to RotoGuru.com? For the record, I would be more than happy to pay a fee to use the site(as Guru knows from a 2-3 yr old April Fool's joke), but know i am in the minority. This whole situation is really really sad and troublesome, I wish I had some ideas. All we can do is keep brainstorming as a collective Gurupe, and hopefully figure out some solutions. AZDbacker: I put the paragraph breaks in honest. No idea why they didn't show. | |||||
| 31 | devils1 ID: 20010821 Mon, Feb 19, 23:03 | I'd happily pay a fee for continued access to this superior site. | |||||
| 32 | winmiller ID: 107452613 Tue, Feb 20, 00:28 |
Guru, I just made a very long post in the hockey forum that I hope you get a chance to read. One thing I failed to mention is that I would pay for access to this site, or any portion of the site. Hope it never comes to that, but I'd do it. | |||||
| 33 | chiss1 ID: 56620137 Tue, Feb 20, 09:14 | I have lurked here for a few years, trying to learn as much as possible without clogging the boards with my opinion which hasn't had the detailed analysis that is common around here. I have learned a great deal over the past years, and now feel like one of the gang even though I rarely post (which I planned on changing soon due to an increase in my confidence after a long time of reading these boards). The services Guru provide are invaluable to me and I would definitely pay for them. I am not claiming that all lurkers will share my opinion, but I would guess there are at least a few in my position. The idea of having a "demo" site for those who don't pay, or a free month membership sounds intelligent to me. I have no comprehension of how much total money would need to be collected from gurupies to keep this site going indefinitely, but I'm sure tons of people would be willing to pay, myself included. Thanks again to Guru for his hard work and amazing services. | |||||
| 34 | Wilt_The_Stilt ID: 10018414 Tue, Feb 20, 09:25 | Hey Chis... ixnay on the ayingpay! | |||||
| 35 | Myboyjack ID: 4443038 Tue, Feb 20, 09:58 |
I would be very concerned that a memebership fee for use of the site would serve to keep out a lot of new blood (even if you provided a "one month free membership). May I suggest charging a nominal fee for the following: 1. Market Madness game 2. Football pickoff 3. Inclusion in the Gurupie Standings for each of the various lists. Say the fee was $5.00 per. I know I would gladly pay for each of the above (particularly if I knew it was helping keep this site around). This past year, I would have paid $25.00, myself under the above. At that rate, it would only take 200 similarly involved players (and I'm sure there's more than that, just look at the Gurupie Standings, and waiting rooms in the various sports) to provide the $5000.00 which I seem to remember as being the minimum amount of revenue needed to break even. | |||||
| 36 | Phantasy Stars ID: 221581211 Tue, Feb 20, 10:07 | I'd definately pay a few especially if I got to play in the games, and got a weekly ranking, bragging rights type thing. | |||||
| 37 | Perm Dude ID: 28059111 Tue, Feb 20, 10:15 |
I'll throw in my FunBets winnings. Now at $1.64 and growing. pd | |||||
| 38 | Mike ID: 49052108 Tue, Feb 20, 10:15 |
Myboyjack raises a good point that was mentioned before - membership fees will keep certain people out, possibly including people who have contributed valuably or simply get enjoyment out of this site but are stretched monetarily. On the other hand, fees for certain things penalise only those who use those specific items -kind of like taxing certain items but not others. Voluntary contributions are a good option, but will definitely lead to a certain amount of 'free-riding', similar to your PBS system in the States. Whether that is a bad thing or not depends on how the contributors see it - I would certainly not have a problem with some people free riding off my voluntary payment. I think it is likely that some kind of membership for the main features of the site would lead to a greater return, although voluntary contributions open up the possibility for affluent individuals to 'donate' larger sums. Voluntary contributions would certainly be more in keeping with the spirit of this site, as I perceive it. Whatever happens, I'm sure we have enough people with enough interest in this site to keep it going - and new ones joining every day! Mike | |||||
| 39 | yo ID: 331341410 Tue, Feb 20, 10:25 | I'll go along with whatever it takes to keep the site going. Really don't want to change my home page. Would gladly pay for the assimilator, sortables, specialty games, anything you decide Guru. | |||||
| 40 | Guru ID: 330592710 Tue, Feb 20, 10:47 |
I'll be setting up some sort of poll shortly to see what the response to a voluntary payment system would be. Thanks for your feedback and support. | |||||
| 41 | Klaus E ID: 4310141417 Tue, Feb 20, 10:55 |
What about putting up a 24hr 'delay' on msg boards and SW Stats for those who go freebie - while those who pay get immediate access. This will make the site open for everyone and those who pay will get the extra edge. | |||||
| 42 | dz77 ID: 1410081 Tue, Feb 20, 11:17 |
I for one do not think a pay or fee for use of any sort will benefit rotoguru. Although now I am very interested in contributing financially, I certainly would not have started reading the forums had there been fees involved initially... -dz77 | |||||
| 43 | allhair allstars ID: 37059277 Tue, Feb 20, 11:32 |
Ouch. I'm not sure exactly to what extent I may have contributed to creating an "incentivized" atmosphere for ad clicking here on the board, although I know I have been very vocal about it and have done whatever I could to encourage visitors to click ads. After reading a comment by Guru that brought up Click-an-ad Fridays I decided that they were fair game and decided I'd promote the events even more. I assumed (rightly or wrongly) that if there was anything overtly damaging about this practice that it would be brought to my attention. FWIW, I guess the Click an ad things are dead. Any revenue is better and no revenue, so I'm not going to participate in creating any further potentially profit damaging activities. Guru, sorry if I've contributed to any financial complications for you. Now... where's that poll... | |||||
| 44 | Guru ID: 330592710 Tue, Feb 20, 11:37 | Don't worry, allhair. If I thought your promotion would cause a problem, I'd have stopped it. | |||||
| 45 | allhair allstars ID: 37059277 Tue, Feb 20, 11:54 | Thanks, Guru. My conscience is clean again. :) | |||||
| 46 | Scarecrow ID: 59454517 Tue, Feb 20, 11:56 |
As a daily reader and sporatic poster I would hate to lose this site. The blurbs and message forum have been a lot of fun to be involved w/. My thoughts on the donation/fees ideas are I think you will have a better chance w/ the donation. What got me hooked is being able to do all the different sort of options you have available. Had I not used them I wouldn't have known sufficiently what I was missing. Now that I've been using them for a few years, I'd hate to have to do it manually again. From the donation standpoint, you could have a constant message on the main screen, and then a few times a year do a more focused fund raising effort. Similar to what the PBS TV stations do and Christian Radio stations. I know I'd be willing to make a 'reasonable' contribution to this site. Scarecrow | |||||
| 47 | WeBeJammin ID: 429302414 Tue, Feb 20, 12:02 |
This is the best site for fantasy sports, period. I'm certainly willing to pay for this site, as well -- but,I've never been willing to pay for any other site. And if I just came to this site (like the other pay sites I visited), I would have moved right out of it when I saw it was a pay site. Therefore, I agree with the idea of giving new visitors a free period where they can see what this site is all about. If they do, many will be willing to pay. Actually, I think the volunteer program may be the best way to start. And new visitors can be directed to a page that explains the "voluntary pay" program. As they become familiar to the site, they may pay as well. I'd vote for trying the voluntary first, and if that doesn't work then we go to a pay site. But either way, I don't think we should wait until the Fall. Let's get Guru some advance coin now. Let's start sending voluntary $$ for what we've gotten from this site in the past. Either Guru, or another well-respected and trusted board member can receive the funds. | |||||
| 48 | louky ID: 8451310 Tue, Feb 20, 12:11 |
Just keep me posted Guru, I'm fine with whatever is decided to keep the site up and running. As poorly as I do now with all of your tools, I would hate to think what would happen without them. BTW, I do like Myboyjack's nominal fee idea, or some version of it. Five bucks to play a game or to be included in the standings is a small price to pay. | |||||
| 49 | 6-9 With The Afro ID: 59121610 Tue, Feb 20, 13:26 |
Wow, bummer. I haven't been around too much lately as my Basketball team is horrendous this year and in general I've been too busy to spend the kind of time in here that I used to. But I do still check the standings and use the tools when I can. Why not try a hybrid of the above suggestions: - How about a $1 fee to have teams entered into the standings. Doesn't sound like much but when you get 250+ teams per sport (Football, Hockey, Basketball, Baseball) that's $1000 right there and it doesn't financially strap anyone. - I like the idea of a "Public Television" type sponsorship page. Offer hats and shirts and other incentives at different sponsorship levels. - Maybe corporate sponsorship packages on a smaller level (a card shop could be the official Trading Card shop of Rotoguru online for a $200 donation, etc.) Maybe these sponsors could receive banners to their sites but only sponsors. I mean, why not have advertising tailored to the individuals using the site? It makes more sense for a card shop in Philly (home to numerous gurupies) to advertise for a nominal fee than for an on-line jeweler. No matter hat happens I think if we all pitch in it won't be too hard to break even. If the goal is $5,000 a year that shouldn't be that hard. With donations (I'll gladly donate) on top of some of these other programs, we should be able to keep this community alive and well. And of course thanks has to go to Guru for providing this site and all his hard work. Thanks! | |||||
| 50 | Eville ID: 29017810 Tue, Feb 20, 13:56 |
I'm in for helping any way you decide to go. I mean what the Nash. I can't see throwin' $10 again and again at SW and not paying for the insight that gives you a shot at winning. | |||||
| 51 | KB8ers GM ID: 0616111 Tue, Feb 20, 14:28 |
Guru - Would server costs be greatly reduced if you reverted back to the old message boards? If so, I'de say do it. The comraderie will still be strong without all the cosmetic bells and whistles here. | |||||
| 52 | Tosh ID: 31934212 Tue, Feb 20, 15:05 | By all agreeing to have one less mocha, one less beer, or one less pack of smokes a month ... we can keep this place alive! Let's do it! | |||||
| 53 | Mark L ID: 4444938 Tue, Feb 20, 15:28 |
Tosh, I am ideally suited to carry out your strategy. I don't drink coffee, quit drinking, and fairly recently quit smoking, so there is a fair amount of available Guru-cash in my household. Maybe I can even chew a little less of this foul nicotine gum. | |||||
| 54 | Pond Scum ID: 54420321 Tue, Feb 20, 16:30 |
As a business guy, I feel I need to weigh in here. First, a donation model will not sustainably work, IMHO. The click rate patterns, which were free and got lots of promotion, supports this conclusion. I would expect an initial surge of support, which would tail off faster than you’d think. It may be worth a try and I would probably participate, but I am very doubtful it would work. I think the value proposition with this site is strong enough, with some changes, to support a hybrid model of free and premium service. This site should not be managed like a charity but as a valuable service. This is how I would do it. Create a free set of services to include the forums, blurbs, links AND standings. The standings are key because they help drive demand for the site’s services, people want to win, therefore they want the advantage that this site can offer. They like to see STANDINGS. The more, the merrier, so don’t charge for them. In this vein, surely more can be done with the Hall of Fame? I would make all these services as spiffy as possible to attract and retain the casual and hard core customers alike. There are many more of the former, and for this to work, you need a steady stream of newbies an lurkers. With all due respect to KB8ers, I doubt going to the old server will be the answer, I have never seen any enterprise save its way to prosperity. There should then be a very simple premium package, probably to include the tools (sartibles, assimilator, player look up, schedule stuff) enhanced by a few “extras” to increase the value proposition. One extra would be a bi-weekly (or so) thought piece that gets much deeper than the typical blurb. These have shown up occasionally and contain good quantitative analysis that can be used for game management. One I recall was an article looking at the efficient frontier of point production and dollar salaries. These would go way beyond the typical Blurbs that summarize last night’s action. Since this model assumes that the hassle with advertisers is gone or substantially reduced, the Guru might have more time (and fun) providing these insights. I am sure other contributors to this topic will have other ideas of ways to add value to the premium package. With the premium services, I would suggest occasional time windows when the tools are free. A model for this are the premium cable channels who occasionally allow free sampling for non-subscribers to entice them in. One weekend might be the sartibles, another might be the assimilator, etc. Coupled with a little promotion, this will help convert casual customers into premium subscribers. Finally, the fee part of it should be very convenient, simple, and infrequent. Charging a little for small bits of functionality and requiring repurchase frequently will be very expensive to administer and will not succeed. Charge one fee for premium services per season (if not per year). If there is to be sale of merchandise, make it very high margin and high quality. Pond Scum | |||||
| 55 | Eville ID: 29017810 Tue, Feb 20, 17:52 |
Some good ideas Pond. As a programmer I'm not familiar with the particulars on how and what would be involved, but I do know that changing to member/non-member system could involve some extensive work. Guess we could use some feedback from Guru on this part. Depending on the system etc.. that might be a major task. | |||||
| 56 | Perm Dude ID: 331181719 Tue, Feb 20, 18:08 |
Good stuff, Pond Scum. A couple of (partial!) counterpoints: Guru is not looking to subsidize the site from donations. So, some pricing/donation model should not have that as the goal, or you're gonna fall short! Toward the donation front, I'm of the mind that the PBS model is a good one, including their collection procedures. Your PBS station can bill your credit card a small amount every month, and so is relatively painless. Same thing here--a set, small amount each month, billed automatically by Paypal (or whomever) who would credit to Guru's account the amounts collected. Little for him to do, once set up. I agree, though, that Guru should look into some sort of premium service, and have suggested some things about that elsewhere. Statistical tools on a CD, plus occasional e-mail essays on topics (written by Guru and others) would be of great interest, I think. Finally, merchandise, like donations, can help to a large degree, particularly when first offered. We're all looking forward to wearing our RotoGuru.com tee-shirts, hats, and so on. pd er, BSBA, Business Management, Xavier University | |||||
| 57 | Pond Scum ID: 54420321 Tue, Feb 20, 20:38 | PD - Greetings to another business guy. FWIW MBA, Harvard Business School, but that was a long time ago. Most of my knowledge comes from life since then. | |||||
| 58 | DR Stars ID: 4211161321 Tue, Feb 20, 22:23 |
Well I got my MBA in Tokyo, and I agree with most of the points PD and PS have described here, I don't particularly like the many small payments package, I'd rather get it over with in one or two payments per year, but that's just me, there should be an option for the user. Email notification, for example of injuries would be a great premium option, and expanding the Hall of Fame, or making it more visible is another idea. About the standings, I do think that paying 1 or 2 extra bucks to get your team in it is ok, if you adopt a paying scheme like paypal, but if not it's not that attractive (wouldn't really charge $1 on my credit card, or would I?). | |||||
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