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Post by septofclansinclair on Jan 4, 2008 20:18:14 GMT
Hey all,
As we all know, the Sword Buyers Guide is Paul's full-time job. It is funded by advertising, the sale of Cheness and Darksword models from the SBG Sword Store, some advertising, selling SBG Credits and the sale of Cafepress t-shirts/hats/etc.
These are all well and good and keeps the SBG afloat - but we want to hear from you, who enjoy the forum, benefit from Paul's hard work and own time and money invested, and occasionally get free stuff (also coming from Paul's pockets). We want to hear your ideas about how to keep funding the site so that we can keep coming back and enjoying it.
I really don't think that Paul wants to or ever will charge for membership. But maybe there are other things that we could do (buy more credits, perhaps - if 1/8 of the members of the forum bought 1 credit per month for 7 bucks it would be great revenue for the site). Or maybe there are other ideas you have - like selling more kinds of swords, or having direct paypal donations, or something - I don't know what else to suggest, and that's why we need you guys!
Ultimately, we all love SBG and want it and Paul to have a long, happy life online. So let's give something back. Start that brainstorming!
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Post by rammstein on Jan 4, 2008 20:27:51 GMT
No idea if this will work at all:
What if Paul is paid by companies to review their swords? I.E. Paul is asked to review asword from company X and Paul gives a good comprehensive review. Paul gets a small amount of money, enough for maybe a few credits, and the company gets 1.) exposure via SBG and we do get quite a few people who've heard of us, and 2.) the knlowedge that their swords can stand up to certain amounts of abuse and what they're capable of.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2008 20:36:32 GMT
I'm sorry, but I think that is a bad idea.
But then Paul loses his objectivity. Not just to us, but to all other members. The purpose of SBG was originally to be completely objective, and pointing out a swords flaws, as well as it's good points. If a company offers to pay Paul to review their swords, and they're absolute crap. Well, obviously the manufacturer doesn't want that to go into the review, so they refuse payment, blah, blah.
If Paul showed preference to certain swords, or even if it was rumored that he did, then many wouldn't listen to him. (This was brought up @ MyArmoury, IIRC, about the Cheness and Gen2.)
I really wish that the SBG store accepted Paypal, or the forum credit thing. I don't have a credit card,(never saw the use for it) and I really don't want to have to send a money order every month.
Maybe some more designs in the SBG store. Different artwork, ect. Other then the same logo.
I'd buy them if they looked really nice. Just go and type Medieval or sword into the Cafepress search, you'll see what I mean.
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Post by swordboy bringer of chaos on Jan 4, 2008 20:40:16 GMT
than the companys will expect to buy good reviews for total crap weapon turning poor paul into a corprate semprini
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Post by ShooterMike on Jan 4, 2008 20:41:56 GMT
No idea if this will work at all: What if Paul is paid by companies to review their swords? I.E. Paul is asked to review asword from company X and Paul gives a good comprehensive review. Paul gets a small amount of money, enough for maybe a few credits, and the company gets 1.) exposure via SBG and we do get quite a few people who've heard of us, and 2.) the knlowedge that their swords can stand up to certain amounts of abuse and what they're capable of. That would be a terrible conflict of interest and would call into question the integrity of the site. Getting paid for good reviews would be like your teachers getting paid based on how well you do on tests. Not that Paul would slant the reviews, nor that many of your teachers would "grade easy" on you. but the mere perception would be enough to call the whole thing into question with disinterested third parties. But keep on thinkin'. There are no bad ideas in brainstorming. So I guess I'm probably jumping ahead too much. Sorry. I don't mind contributing a small monthly stipend to help keep the forum and site vital. I just wish it was easier. How about an obvious "Click Here To Make A Contribution" button so I don't have to hunt it down?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2008 20:46:53 GMT
You don't even have to make it a forum credit thing. Just a paypal account tied into a donation button. I know lots of places that do it. The webcomic in my signature is one of them. The artist and his wife basically live off the donations of the fans, because it hasn't really been "discovered" yet.
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Post by septofclansinclair on Jan 4, 2008 20:47:50 GMT
Good discussion so far, guys.
Perhaps some user-submitted designs for the t-shirts and hats? Maybe someone could donate some artwork for the clothing line?
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Post by swordboy bringer of chaos on Jan 4, 2008 20:49:49 GMT
it's up to us to buy the shirts and calander to donate as soon as tere is phone orders I'll start shopping for my sharp'n'pointys through sbg store
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Post by YlliwCir on Jan 4, 2008 20:51:09 GMT
Darko, I use my bankcard to make donations. It works just like a credit card without the fees.
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Post by rammstein on Jan 4, 2008 20:51:37 GMT
Ah I see the issue. No need to be "sorry" DI, you're right
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2008 20:57:13 GMT
Darko, I use my bankcard to make donations. It works just like a credit card without the fees. Mine doesn't work that way apparently. It'll only allow me to withdraw from places that can access my bank account number, like ATM's and store checkouts. I'm pretty sure it doesn't work outside of Canada either, except for Paypal. Besides, the store says it only takes Visa, AMEX, Mastercard and Discover.
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Post by YlliwCir on Jan 4, 2008 21:02:00 GMT
My bad, Darko. I'm not real up on banking stuff really, she does all that. I had assumed they were all the same. Ya know what they say about assuming. I like the paypal donation button idea. I gotta say most of the time I take this site for granted. If there was such a button I would be more likely to think of donating.
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Post by rammstein on Jan 4, 2008 21:33:48 GMT
what about selling accusharps ;D?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2008 22:03:50 GMT
what about selling accusharps ;D? Now that is a good idea. Another one would be selling decent katana sharpening and polishing stones. I've seen and read so much I'm pretty danged nervous about what to get and what stones to buy in order get it done right.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2008 22:09:33 GMT
I think the SBG store is a wonderful idea so I will have to buy something soon from it to support it. I have yet to purchase a calendar so I will have to get on that if they are still available.
On another site I am a member of they usually generate funds for the site via auction of donations of rare, exclusive, or one of a kind products. The money is put towards a good cause and the items stay in the group.
If certain reliable stores donate something special to an auction that would help to Paul's site out. The only collusion would be Paul getting donations of items from those stores he already endorses.
Does any of the models from the calendar object to their picture being put on shirts? I would buy a shirt especially if it was emblazoned of the one picture of the model who was used to advertise the calendar.
If I think of anything else I will post more.
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Post by septofclansinclair on Jan 4, 2008 23:24:16 GMT
I think that selling accusharps (or other sharpening tools) is a great idea. I've used one to put an edge on a windlass and it worked very well.
Keep it up guys, you're doing great!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2008 23:33:33 GMT
If SBG is a for-profit business, in my opinion it should be supported through purchases. SBG, I hope, benefits financially from the forums through the advertising as well as the product reviews and discussions, rather than losing money by running them. To me it would be like my father asking for donations from people who visit his shop and ask questions but don't buy anything. In my opinion, if the SBG forum is important to you, try to buy something. Or offer expanded benefits to benefactors of the forum; e.g. with a $X annual donation get an SBG online photo album, or an email address Mr.Man@sword-buyers-guide.com, etc. Maybe I just need to get used to the idea of donating money to a for-profit business. To me the solution begins with expanding small impulse purchase items like the accusharp as has been suggested.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2008 1:34:49 GMT
what about selling accusharps ;D? Now that is a good idea. Another one would be selling decent katana sharpening and polishing stones. I've seen and read so much I'm pretty danged nervous about what to get and what stones to buy in order get it done right. ...and maybe also the very fine grit sandpaper (2000, 2500) that is used in polishing? That stuff is not that easy to find retail.
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Post by septofclansinclair on Jan 5, 2008 3:48:35 GMT
If SBG is a for-profit business, in my opinion it should be supported through purchases. SBG, I hope, benefits financially from the forums through the advertising as well as the product reviews and discussions, rather than losing money by running them. To me it would be like my father asking for donations from people who visit his shop and ask questions but don't buy anything. In my opinion, if the SBG forum is important to you, try to buy something. Or offer expanded benefits to benefactors of the forum; e.g. with a $X annual donation get an SBG online photo album, or an email address Mr.Man@sword-buyers-guide.com, etc. Maybe I just need to get used to the idea of donating money to a for-profit business. To me the solution begins with expanding small impulse purchase items like the accusharp as has been suggested. I do see your point, Jonathan. I see it a little differently, I think - Paul is providing a service (reviewing swords to help sword buyers find good deals, avoid lemons, and give information to beginners - plus providing this forum), and it's one that he doesn't charge for. But his position is more like a consultant than a shop owner, though there is the SBG Store that contributes to the site. Maybe it's just me, but I've always thought of SBG as a "Consulting/Product Reviewing Service" with the SBG Store as the 'Gift Shop" I know that not everyone sees it the same way, and there are definitely pros and cons to going to a donation system. I'm not speaking for Paul here, so don't take this as him fishing for donations, please! Mostly we are looking for some ideas, and there's been some really good ones so far - adding more smaller items to the store, for example. But what about some long-term consistent fundraising stuff? Something that will keep SBG going in the long run? I'm curious to hear what people have to say - there must be some savvy businessmen out there, surely!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2008 3:55:45 GMT
On another site I am a member of they usually generate funds for the site via auction of donations of rare, exclusive, or one of a kind products. The money is put towards a good cause and the items stay in the group. If certain reliable stores donate something special to an auction that would help to Paul's site out. The only collusion would be Paul getting donations of items from those stores he already endorses. Here's another idea. Paul, auction off the swords you used in some of your more famous reviews. Here's the O-KAT from hell that decapitated teh 55 galoon plastic barrel. Here's the Oniyuri that was used in the woodblock test. Here's the Kaze that went through the tree out back. Think of it as auctioning off movie props. It's almost like owning a tiny piece of history in and of itself.
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