Vewy Vewy Vewy interesting.. :f
Like several other 'commercial members' here, I began using a signature that reflected what I do for a living to qualify the answers to forum members queries. It was never intended to be advertising. My original 'commercial signature' did not even have a contact number.
I changed that when i recieved a u2u requesting my number for some adivce, as the member hated typing, and he still doesn't post here, simply reads :) As a result, I get roughly 1 call per month, from a forum member asking advice. Advice that is given freely and cheerfully.
I originally joined this forum, some 6 years ago when I began working on a mates mustang, like many others for advice. That has evolved to become a relaxing hour or so on the PC giving advice to other people who have a passion for stangs.
So today we stare at this issue of paying to advertise.. hmmm this generates a mixed bag of thoughts.
a) Banner Advertising.
I HATE banners! As suggested above, check out a few other car sites with banner advertising, just make sure you book in to see a good opthamologist first.
b) Unpaid Signature Advertising.
As stated elsewhere. If you don't post, you don't get seen. You contribute your advice freely, and if you're lucky you might pick up some work out of it.
Someone suggested that this form of advertising makes the forum harder to read. I question how it differs from someone that posts a sig that contains 20 lines on their cars specs, or they have a mini banner with a photo of their pet dog or whatever?
c) Paid Signature Advertising.
Hmm, so now we PAY to give FREE advice, in our SPARE time. (for the purpose of the discussion, we shall assume this to be acceptable, as it will generate enough work to cover the expense)
If we don't post, our ad isn't seen. Provided the cost isn't ransom money, this is would be fine, as you are paying for the privilege of being 'recognised' should you wish to contribute.
As an interesting exercise, I ran through my customer list of work completed that has been generated directly through this forum simply to see how much it generates for me. Given that no dollar value has been put forward as to what advertising here might cost, i chose an arbituary figure of $100 per year.
For the work received, if I was paying that amount, I would have to face the commercial fact that advertising here is not viable for my business. For the record, the total amount spent with me by forum members over the last 6 years totals $6837, including parts. At $100 per year, it would bring new meaning to the expense column on my balance sheet.
d) Paid Forum Membership.
Sorry to whomever it was that suggested this, but it would be the end of this forum, as you would be lucky to get 10 people to pay, as there are so many other free alternatives.
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I find it intriguing that with the length of time this discussion has been going, that there has been no contact from MOCA. Tell me I'm stupid if you like, but given the nature of the discussion, and its implications, I would have thought MOCA would have made formal contact with those here that clearly have commercial interests a long time ago. To me, that would force an 'official' response from the businesses here, that would give substance to the discussions held at the MOCA meetings, good hard solid data with which people can make decisions.
I look forward to my future mail from MOCA :+
Cheers
Jas
