17 replies to this topic

[Gregg]

Check out our new advertiser, Micro-Mark.

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[george 53]

Gregg, I've ordered from them plenty of times. Where do I check em out at? they don't run an ad on the forum do they?

[Gregg]

Gregg, I've ordered from them plenty of times. Where do I check em out at? they don't run an ad on the forum do they?

No ads on forum as far as banners and such
I'm working on an area of the main site for ads, links, etc.
The ad in the post should print up full size

I'd like to get feedback on what would work best for everyone here
I personally don't like banner ads, but I do feel that ads provide a good source of info, products, and of course, ad revenue, but I want to pursue this in the most reader friendly way possible.

I don't want to shove ads down everyone's throats.
I have philosophy that if I won't read, use, or check out an advertiser, then more likely than not, neither will our readers.
I build, I love to look at ads that interest me, and I don't run ads from just anyone.

I do have or have had some diecast ads in the past, and that follows the above: if I run an ad, it's because I like or use the product myself.

May be kind of hoaky, but oh well, so am I, right?

Now, where's my cup of coffee at.....

[george 53]

Well so far you seem to have made the right decisions, the forums not all jammed up with garbage ads, an what you said makes sense to me,I'd go for it. But thats just me, maybe the other guys might have some good input.Thanks for puttin it out there for us.

[MikeMc]

I give MM a rave...they have always been fair to deal with,and replace damaged goods quickly.

[Brendan]

Gregg,

How about making a section for them? Then they could put in coupons or special deals for members of the forum. Just an idea.

[sdrodder]

probably going to order from them in a few weeks.

[MrObsessive]

I'm about to order some Parafilm from them.........that's the only place I know of that has it! That stuff is great for masking next to Tamiya Tape.

Was at the LHS today to pick up a couple things...........they had a somewhat reasonable facsimile of Parafilm, but a roll was $17.99!!!??

[Gregg]

Make sure you guys mention the ad number on the bottom of the ad, helps track what works.
Thanks!!!!

[George]

Though this works for the magazine Gregg,I think banner ads on the forum may start a war among other vendors as to hey why ain't my ad on the forum???I believe this is why you have a Links,Advertisers,web sites section on the forum.Just my 2 cents and don't mean to step on anyone's fingers or toes. ;)By the way I too have ordered from Micro-Mark a few times also,and I get a catalog from them in the mail quite often.

Edited by George, 16 August 2008 - 08:34 PM.

[RyanSilva]

I dont mind ads, just dont do it like that "other" magazine forum..that is the worst ad setup I've ever seen! Thank gosh for adblock plugins for firefox!


If there was a ad section, where all the ads were compiled..i would visit it.

Edited by RyanSilva, 02 September 2008 - 09:39 PM.

[Foxer]

I order most all my general modeling tools from Micro-Mark and have for all the tears I've been modeling. I would like to click thru an ad here to help the forum but I don't want ads pasted all over. I would rather a specific ad area to go to to get a link for something I'm looking for. I might shop a few depending what I'm looking for. I don't click ads that pop in my face .. EVER! Shove an ad in my face and you may as well write me off as a customer. Give me somewhere for an easy link when I WANT you and I'll be your customer forever. I wouldn't mind a hot button that's always accessible and goes to pages of ads even.

[Gregg]

This is the fine line I have been trying to thread for a long time.
How do I make the forum and the site the ultimate modeler's resource without coming across as the corporate advertising company that I am not.
I build
I bought and started this magazine because of my love the hobby
I have done okay over the years, and always strive to do better
But making money is not my top priority.
I want to put out the best model car magazine out there, in print, and on the Internet.
Sure, I'd love to have my mid-life crises Porsche, paid for by a huge corporate entity, but that's not me, not MCM, and not what you guys would like to see or be apart of.
What I need to do is find that fine line that will let everyone find what they want, when they want, here on the forum and on the main web site.

One thing I have seen on Yahoo, CNN, and other web sites is that when there is a key word or phrase that may be of interest, if you hover over it, it pops up a small window for a link to an external site, that you can go to for more info.
Would this be something you guys would be okay with?

Of course, it would not be for every post or thread, only pertinent ones.
And it would be a lot of work, unless, of course, you are a two-fingered text messaging 12-year-old wizard!

So, you see my dilemma. What will be the fine line?
I am open to all suggestions, ideas, and help on this.

Thanks, guys.

[Foxer]

This is the fine line I have been trying to thread for a long time.

One thing I have seen on Yahoo, CNN, and other web sites is that when there is a key word or phrase that may be of interest, if you hover over it, it pops up a small window for a link to an external site, that you can go to for more info.
Would this be something you guys would be okay with?

I would like you to find a way on this, so I'm not being purposely negative, but these "hot word" pop up messages I find to be THE MOST irritating ad techniques there is. At times I've wanted to copy and paste a word that has been treated so and finally give up after the ###### thing brings me somewhere I don't want to go 15 times. I am old enough to know how to go somewhere I want and also old enough to ignore a company that tricks me into teleporting to their site. This would be totally unacceptable to me. Something I would expect from "that other site".

I really have no objection to you getting revenue from ads, Greg. That is the way of the world now and something that would help insure the continuation of this great site and reward you for all your work is welcome. I just have objections to tricks and traps popping up in my face that I don't ASK for.

[Gregg]

Thanks, Mike.
I'll look into what will work the best.

[Jantrix]

I've been a MM customer for a long while now and have always been happy with the prices and service. It's practically one-stop-shopping for a hobbiest. I'm glad they are on board..

[Blue coyote]

I know I'm not a particularly active member here, but I've been around a few web sites...

I definitely agree with Foxer on the word-links. I always found them annoying to deal with.

Easiest would probably be to have a single forum that only the admin and mods can post in, with each thread starting as a link to the advertiser and maybe a short description (whatever they want).

Keep it separate from the magazine itself, just to make sure none of the magazine sponsors gets upset about not being included in the forum list.

Another way that doesn't get in the way of navigating the forums would be a small link at the top of each page (on the right, opposite the "Model Cars Magazine" header) that randomly scrolls through the list of advertisers each time the page loads.

Each has its good and bad points, but neither of them is intrusive in any way...

[Michigan Madman]

These guys are good- a pants-poopingly huge selection, great prices, and quick service. I don't (can't?) buy as much stuff from these fine folks as I'd like to!