IHC Survival Question

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

While many inline hockey industry bigwigs were meeting in Las Vegas last week, I was here in California trying to figure out ways to make Inline Hockey Central continue to be of service to the sport, without putting myself through a second bankruptcy.

I'm curious to know if the current advertising program on Inline Hockey Central is viewed by readers as negative, positive or neutral. Are the banner advertisements too intrusive and annoying? (I've seen a helluva lot worse, and have never had a single "pop-up" advertisement on IHC, and never intend to. I hate them as much as you do.)

Would you, as a reader, pay $10 a year in order not to have to see banner advertising?

I think I know the answer to that, but I need to ask the question so that I'm not creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. /wtimages/icons/wink.gif

I understand that I could perhaps bring in more income (a necessity) by having Google or Yahoo ads on site, or to use several other options, but I'm not sure which way to go. I've ruled out gambling and pornography links from the beginning, so please forget that option. /wtimages/icons/smile.gif

For instance, we all know that inline hockey's equipment manufacturers are generally struggling as much as any other portion of our sport. Would it bother you to see non-inline hockey advertisements on site? Until today, every single banner ad on IHC has had SOME relation to our sport. I felt that was important, but now I'm realizing that keeping the site alive is more important than my admittedly "old-school" philosophies and ideas. What would you think if IHC earned income by having non-inline hockey advertisers on site?

Any insight from IHC's readers would be very much appreciated.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[damage_96]

I think Yahoo! or Google ads are fine and opening yourself up to non-inline advertising is cool. I'll check out the banner ads when they catch my interest. Mainly, when I'm looking for gear, I do a search on Yahoo! Having suppliers listed on the IHC main page would mean I come here first.

I'd stay away from pop-ups though. They drive away readers.

I don't think this site will work as a pay site.

[SWAMPDONKEYS29]

Hello Richard,

I feel that you, as a businessman, have to do whatever it takes to keep the ship afloat. I would have no problem whatsoever if you were to start having advertisements that are not industry related. I would even understand if you were to go against your policy and invite advertisements of the dreaded pop up variety. I believe that most readers have the ability to disable pop ups, therefore avoiding the annoyance associated with them. The issue at hand here is keeping IHC alive and well while understanding that generating revenue is of paramount importance.

I've found IHC to be very helpful and informative in many ways. The question remains, would I consider paying $10 a year to avoid banner advertisements? I have to answer that with a very definite "not sure". What's important to me is the contents of IHC and not whomever decides to advertise with you. Your sponsors should be aware that I have purchased products in the past from a number of them as a direct result of them advertising on IHC. Otherwise, I may not have even known that they existed. Beyond that, other companies could choose to advertise with you and their products or services would simply go unnoticed on my behalf if they were not relative to my current wants or needs.

I suppose that I would consider paying an annual fee to gain access to IHC if there were more coverage of local, independent tournaments. I know that it would be nearly impossible to cover each and every league out there, but a recap of some local tournaments would, in my opinion, be enjoyable. Perhaps if there were to be a small and reasonable subscription fee to IHC, you could pay a reporter(s) in the field to send you wrap up information of some of the smaller, but no less important, tournaments being conducted around the country and even around the world on a regular basis.

Well.....there's my two cents. I hope it helps.

Ruppy Hailey
Hyper Swamp Donkeys

[SWAMPDONKEYS29]

Just one more idea in regards to IHC carrying a subscription fee.

Let's say that there was a one time, $10 lifetime subscription fee. Maybe, as a result of a person subscribing, they would automatically receive a coupon, redeemable with any of the companies who advertise on the website, for the same $10 for an order of $100 or more. That would achieve three things.

#1 It would generate the necessary revenue for Richard to continue to operate the website as well as adding new features to IHC.

#2 It would almost guarantee an advertiser a certain return on their investment in regards to advertising on IHC.

#3 It would offset the subscription fee to the readers of IHC, virtually giving them free access to the website in the event that they choose to put the coupons to use.

Again, these are just my thoughts. I am in no way suggesting that IHC become a paying website. However, if Richard is forced to start charging us to view IHC, then steps along these lines could make it a pill that's a little easier to swallow.

Ruppy Hailey
Hyper Swamp Donkeys

[JohnHockey1798]

Richard, I do not see anything wrong with Yahoo or Google advertising on your site. I use them both to find things on the web. I have used them to find info about Roller Hockey and to find pplaces that sell hockey gear/jerseys. I would consider paying $10 dollars a year because you get somegood information and can discuss roller hockey information.

Joohn

Toga!! Toga!!

[boardman]

Richard,
Your site is International and as such I think your advertising should follow that theme, local corner shop advertising is not so cool if they don't do international sales. Go for the big boys such as the banks and insurance from around the world not just little America.

[Davis8817]

Do what you have to do. Nothing wrong with making a few bucks. Your integrity speaks for itself

[johnny2suede]

Hope you work things out. I think you should go for whatever advertising you can get but exclude porn, alcohol and tobacco. As for the $10, I think it would hurt the traffic. Best of luck.

[CoachFoo]

Rich,

I'm keep this short.
I always wondered why you posted adds for companies that can't seem to make any money. It's holding you back, I think. I'd love to see IHC make a ton of money. I trust you would grow something bigger for the sport with some of the returns. Go for it, you've done emough for nothing.

Rich Furia
Colorado Blizzard

[RichardGraham]

Hi Damage,

Thanks for your advice; I appreciate it.

I completely agree with you that pop-up ads suck. I'll never put them on IHC. I also agree that IHC won't work as a pay site; I'm not sure why I posted that question, since I knew the answer!

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[RichardGraham]

Hi Ruppy,

Thanks for the detailed response, and your ideas. I appreciate them very much.

As I said, I won't permit pop-up ads on site, but it's good to know that non-inline hockey banner advertisements would be OK with several of you who responded to my questions.

I also agree that I have to do a better job of covering local tournaments from across the country; I'd hoped that tournament directors would use the IHC Message Board more than they do. I guess that they're much too busy to do that, so I'll have to figure out something to solve that issue.

The coupon idea is a pretty neat idea. I'll kick that around with some of the industry's companies and see what they think about it.

Thanks again, Ruppy.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[RichardGraham]

Hi John,

Thanks for your advice. I'll look into the Yahoo and Google advertising ideas and see what I find. Thanks!

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[RichardGraham]

Hi Boardman,

Great suggestion. I've considered larger companies in the past, but decided to stick to inline-hockey related companies only. I think I have to open up to other possibilities to make this site work financially.

Thanks again!

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[RichardGraham]

Hi Davis,

Thanks for the very kind words. I appreciate them. Keep rolling.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[RichardGraham]

Hi Johnny,

I agree that I need to exclude certain advertisers, and I believe you're right that IHC won't work as a subscription site. Thanks for your advice.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[RichardGraham]

Hi Rich,

Thanks for the response, and the advice. I appreciate it. I'll see what I can do to bring some larger -- and not necessarily inline hockey -- companies to Inline Hockey Central.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[MDE3]

Hi Rich....as I suggested once before..what about a voluntary contribution button....these help support lot's of other sites..then no-one has access excluded, but the oportunity to support your site is up front and center..seems to work on these other sites..based only on their longenvity, not personal discussion however.

Maybe a short term answer until you get some larger accounts jumping on board.....I know I will kick in to the kitty.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Mike,

Excellent suggestion. Besides PayPal (which I know some people dislike), is there another similar service?

However, you have already supported IHC far beyond the average bear! Thanks, amigo.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[slapsh0t61]

Richard...

I am all for whatever it takes to keep IHC online...

I dont have a problem with banners or ads of any sort, and I have to admit that being online for 10 years or so, I have learned to see only what I want to see so the ad probably wouldnt generate any sales from me...

I like the idea of a voluntary donation button...Having a pay-Pal account with money in it, I am always looking to spend online....

Glad to see so many readers throwing ideas out there too...

Thanks for all ya do Richard!

Rick