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Question Ads, EU law, and Patrons

6 years 11 months ago #1 by Kristin Darken
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    • Speaking of Whateley Universe ads...

    Another good reason to have left Google Ads for the shiny lands of Patron supported web sites... is the new EU laws on data gathering and retention. Because I'll tell you, just trying to work out when I'm required to do and not do just to use Analytics to track web site/page hits (which, btw, is as unobtrusive as I can get... because I can, in theory, do demographics tracking based on your cookie data from online shopping and social media)... is a nightmare. At the very least, I'd have to have a front page locking out EU users until they agree to a basic consent document... just to have done the level of ads that we were doing in the past.

    So... yay, Patreon accounts. Thanks for the donations everyone. Note: we do have a couple high value donors and we're especially thankful for them... but I'd love to see a couple dozen people with $5 donations. Larger numbers of supporters is likely to be more stable... and shows that the community feels that what we're providing is worth supporting. Which in turn, is likely to bring in even more supporters. At the moment, we have 37 members of the community contributing via Patreon (which, in theory, can be a completely anonymous donation, I believe, if you're worried about someone finding out about your reading vice). But we have 2000+ people who visit the site at least once per week... more than 5000 who visit it at least once per month... why only 37 supporters?
    Fate guard you and grant you a Light to brighten your Way.
    6 years 11 months ago #2 by CrazyMinh
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    • I just had ad blocker turned on, and didn't actually see any ads. Sorry if that's a bad thing, just I never even noticed that the site had ads. Or has. I have no idea whether there are still ads or not.
    You can find my stories at Fanfiction.net here .

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    6 years 11 months ago #3 by Valentine
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    • I used to shop through the ads deliberately.
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    6 years 11 months ago #4 by Polk Kitsune
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    • CrazyMinh wrote: I just had ad blocker turned on, and didn't actually see any ads. Sorry if that's a bad thing, just I never even noticed that the site had ads. Or has. I have no idea whether there are still ads or not.

    Thanks to Patreon, we don’t have anymore google adds on the site. At most, only those asking for adds through the Patreon subscription.

    It used to have a lot of adds on the website. Now, it loads a lot better.

    As for the number of Patreon, I don’t know how we can boost it... Not everyone will sub, of course.
    My story: Evershade: Reforming
    6 years 11 months ago #5 by marie7342231
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    • I'm a $10/month patron. It isn't much but it's what we can afford right now and small enough I don't need to justify it to my spouse.

    I hope more will jump in and help out.
    6 years 11 months ago #6 by Katssun
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    • Maybe...update the Sponsor's page?

    ;)
    6 years 11 months ago #7 by Kristin Darken
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    • Indeed, the sponsor's page needs to be updated. And has been. It hasn't changed much along the way and none of the 'upper amount' subscribers have made any use of the advertisement and weekly mentions value in their subscriptions. I'm keeping track of it, if they ever want to claim it and have something they want to advertise or whatever... but i am considering the possibility of other little physical rewards and/or merch. Like... how many people would wear a Whateley Academy sweatshirt with one of the Course tracks on it (Mystical Arts, Department of Psionics, Advanced Science and Engineering, etc...)?
    Fate guard you and grant you a Light to brighten your Way.
    6 years 11 months ago #8 by Rose Bunny
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    • A "Property of ARC" shirt would be a riot.
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    6 years 11 months ago #9 by Polk Kitsune
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    • Merch, you say?

    Pastel pink Wondercute shirt. Make it so. ;3

    Maybe one with the Imp logo? Or an Alpha pin? Oh! Or maybe GEO?

    ... And of course, a Brass Monkey CD, pre-shattered.
    My story: Evershade: Reforming
    6 years 11 months ago #10 by Valentine
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    • Polk Kitsune wrote: Merch, you say?

    Pastel pink Wondercute shirt. Make it so. ;3

    Maybe one with the Imp logo? Or an Alpha pin? Oh! Or maybe GEO?

    ... And of course, a Brass Monkey CD, pre-shattered.


    en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brass_Monkey_(band) would be upset with you.
    Don't Drick and Drive.
    6 years 11 months ago #11 by Polk Kitsune
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    • Valentine wrote:

    Polk Kitsune wrote: Merch, you say?

    Pastel pink Wondercute shirt. Make it so. ;3

    Maybe one with the Imp logo? Or an Alpha pin? Oh! Or maybe GEO?

    ... And of course, a Brass Monkey CD, pre-shattered.


    en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brass_Monkey_(band) would be upset with you.

    ... Point. My bad.

    Kinda tricky to think up rewards though.
    My story: Evershade: Reforming
    6 years 11 months ago #12 by Rose Bunny
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    • rewards like a Whateley Academy Diploma ( suitable for framing)?
    High-Priestess of the Order of Spirit-Chan
    6 years 11 months ago #13 by Kristin Darken
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    • Polk Kitsune wrote: Pastel pink Wondercute shirt. Make it so. ;3

    www.customink.com/designs/wondercute/sjc...ent=shared%20desktop
    Fate guard you and grant you a Light to brighten your Way.
    6 years 11 months ago #14 by Polk Kitsune
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    • Kristin Darken wrote:

    Polk Kitsune wrote: Pastel pink Wondercute shirt. Make it so. ;3

    www.customink.com/designs/wondercute/sjc...ent=shared%20desktop

    Yeeeeeeessssssss!
    My story: Evershade: Reforming
    6 years 11 months ago #15 by Anne
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    • It needs a bow printed on the back...
    I wouldn't want one, but merchandise makes sense. We're small so T shirts work. Have someone do a good rendering of Outcast Corner's new tattoo on a shirt and I might want it if I could give at that level!
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    6 years 11 months ago #16 by Yolandria
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    • Maybe one with the Imp logo?

    I would soooo wear a hoodie with that on the back!
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    6 years 11 months ago #17 by Rose Bunny
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    • Sounds like we are getting into the territory of "Should the Crystal Hall open a store"... like a teespring or other type merch store, and what should be in it...

    So... Kristen, or Warren or other behind the scenes persons... what say you about that topic?
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    6 years 11 months ago #18 by Mister D
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    • Valentine wrote:

    Polk Kitsune wrote: Merch, you say?

    Pastel pink Wondercute shirt. Make it so. ;3

    Maybe one with the Imp logo? Or an Alpha pin? Oh! Or maybe GEO?

    ... And of course, a Brass Monkey CD, pre-shattered.


    en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brass_Monkey_(band) would be upset with you.


    I met Martin Carthy once at a folk festival around 30 years back.

    He has a very weird sense of humour, which shows in his writing.

    He would probably appreciate WU.

    Also, Brass Monkey in the WU are a niche band based in West Coast USA, so may not have heard of the UK folk band.
    Measure Twice
    6 years 11 months ago #19 by Mister D
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    • Kristin Darken wrote:

    Polk Kitsune wrote: Pastel pink Wondercute shirt. Make it so. ;3

    www.customink.com/designs/wondercute/sjc...ent=shared%20desktop


    It's a good start, but it needs more glitter. :D
    Measure Twice
    6 years 11 months ago #20 by marie7342231
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    • Sadly I don't see myself buying any merch as my Whateley presence is private. With the limited market, I can't see how this would be profitable but hey I've been wrong before.
    6 years 11 months ago #21 by Valentine
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    • marie7342231 wrote: Sadly I don't see myself buying any merch as my Whateley presence is private. With the limited market, I can't see how this would be profitable but hey I've been wrong before.


    Those sorts of websites are print on demand, so every sale is a profit. There shouldn't be any overhead for Kristen.
    Don't Drick and Drive.
    6 years 11 months ago #22 by Sir Lee
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    • For me, it's not so much the keep-it-a-secret thing (I don't quite advertise it, but I do mention I participate in a writing community that involves a superhero school theme) as much as the international shipping rates+customs that make purchasing merch impractical.
    Don't call me "Shirley." You will surely make me surly.
    6 years 11 months ago #23 by Kristin Darken
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    • Mister D wrote:

    Kristin Darken wrote:

    Polk Kitsune wrote: Pastel pink Wondercute shirt. Make it so. ;3

    www.customink.com/designs/wondercute/sjc...ent=shared%20desktop


    It's a good start, but it needs more glitter. :D


    Ya, actually planned glitter but for some reason, that t-shirt design system doesn't allow for it. I'd have to go to a completely different site to do them right (with glitter and more colors).

    And no, Marie, it wouldn't be profitable. At best, if I set up on online store, we might make a couple dollars off it... total. Too many people still see the WU as a niche (taboo) market because of its TG Fiction connections to publically associate themselves with it. That's why we have such a small percentage of our total audience actually registered with the site or even offering feedback. We could probably get more feedback and involvement if we allowed unregistered / anonymous use of the forums and feedback systems. But the flip side of that is needing people more actively moderating the site.
    Fate guard you and grant you a Light to brighten your Way.
    6 years 11 months ago #24 by CrazyMinh
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    • The problem I see with this site is that too few people sign up for membership. Seriously people, it's not like your putting a 'kick me, I'm a loser' sign on your back because you privately signed up for a website!!! The web is all about anonymity. You could be a three legged troglodyte in the real world, and still be a well-respected member of the online community without anyone thinking otherwise. Vice verse as well in some sad cases where people have gone online, made a fool of themselves, and done things they wouldn't do IRL. The point is that even if it is taboo to sign up to this site, so what??? It's only a freaking website!!! I mean, I used to be careful 'bout using this site, but the only thing other people have said about it when I mentioned it to them idly is 'Oh really??' in a disinterested, monotonous and frankly blasé fashion. People. Really. Don't. Care. Unless there's something for them to gain in terms of power over you, they really don't care. Hell, even bullies wouldn't use a website as material, as frankly most aren't smart enough to think that that'd be a good approach. In addition to that, people have short memories for things that don't concern them, and even if they glanced over your shoulder and saw a story that happened to look sus, then what of it??? People read worse stuff (My Immortal) for the Shits and Giggles. Seriously people, sign up and stop lingering
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    6 years 11 months ago #25 by Katssun
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    • CrazyMinh wrote: You could be a three legged troglodyte in the real world, and still be a well-respected member of the online community without anyone thinking otherwise.

    Hey! There was probably someone in Twain who is a three-legged troglodyte, but graduated to become a pillar of their community!
    6 years 11 months ago - 6 years 11 months ago #26 by Phoenix Spiritus
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    • Yeah, he’s currently holding up the the Golden Gate Bridge but any month now they’re promising to pass that infrastructure funding bill and do it with concrete instead, for now he has all troll rights he wants as long as he keeps holding up the bridge pillar.
    Last Edit: 6 years 11 months ago by Phoenix Spiritus.
    6 years 11 months ago #27 by lighttech
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    • Phoenix Spiritus wrote: Yeah, he’s currently holding up the the Golden Gate Bridge but any month now they’re promising to pass that infrastructure funding bill and do it with concrete instead, for now he has all troll rights he wants as long as he keeps holding up the bridge pillar.


    considering the morons that work for Caltrans I could see them paying a Troll to hold up a bridge and Pay him to it a million a day to do it!

    these are the spectacular idiots that had a prefab bridge built in China to save money??? ohhh that worked out SO well--NOT!
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