Time to evaluate the issue of replies in the classified ad sections.

Originally Posted by nickolasanastasiou

Has the desired outcome (reversal of site traffic decline) since institution of this change been achieved? Prior to the Facebook page creation, I mean, since that would be a confounding factor that could independently improve traffic statistics.

Corrected.

Originally Posted by nickolasanastasiou

Has the desired outcome (reversal of site traffic decline) between institution of this change been achieved? Prior to the Facebook page creation, I mean, since that would be a confounding factor that could independently improve traffic statistics.

In my opinion, no. Or at least only in a negligible sense. Traffic here was the highest when replies were allowed to the classifieds, dropped down drastically when I restricted such replies, and hasn't really rebounded back much, if any, when I reopened the replies. So perhaps my closing replies to the classifieds will prove to have been a fatal mistake. That policy change being coincident with the growing popularity of FaceBorg (including the trademark infringing copycat pages and groups, ie: Board of Inquiry and BOI) might have made an irreversible turn for the worse here.

Of course, an unanswerable question would have to be, "Would things be even worse had I not re-enabled replies?" Again,

Oh well......

BTW, the site is STILL operating in the black, so as long as that holds true, I have no pressing reason to deep six this site in the foreseeable future. But I will say that paid memberships, banner advertising, and Google ad income have all taken a dive over the last couple of years. So what is true today isn't necessarily going to be true next year.

Thank you. I do appreciate having that information.

I am ignorant of the banner and Google Ad matters, but I do have some connections to various paying members. While I (and others, I think) have made experimental attempts to co-promote membership purchases/donations in combination with product sales, I have seen (some valuable) people electing to downgrade levels for varying reasons.

If you do not mind sharing this, what is the rough proportion of cost coverage that is derived from the paid membership levels? I ask about that because it is the source with which I am most familiar. While I would certainly not ignore any particular income streams, I would likely be inclined to direct energies towards preserving that which is (or those which are) primary.

By the way, regarding it being a fatal mistake, maybe and maybe not. It could be parallel and not conjoined. Not enough bridging information to be sure, I would think.

Originally Posted by nickolasanastasiou

If you do not mind sharing this, what is the rough proportion of cost coverage that is derived from the paid membership levels? I ask about that because it is the source with which I am most familiar. While I would certainly not ignore any particular income streams, I would likely be inclined to direct energies towards preserving that which is (or those which are) primary.

To be honest, I really just do not know. I run several sites and actually run two servers. Everything is pretty much intertwined concerning expenses that there is no feasible way to itemize expenses and comparable income streams. Let's just say that I just look at this as a "whole ball of wax" sort of business. If the time comes that I find myself having to rape the retirement funds in order to pay the bills for this internet venture, then the whole ball of wax will just have to go bye-bye. I'm hoping that won't happen, but quite honestly I just did not really expect the downturn that is taking place now to happen right now as it is.

Beyond that sort of vague analysis, I really don't discuss details of my income with anyone. It's much like discussing paychecks with fellow employees. No good can come of it.

But I will say that I will be turning 65 years old in July of this year. I am going to be applying for Medicare soon, am collecting some retirement from my state job, and am holding out applying for Social Security until I can get the most out of that benefit. So that will be sometime between my being 66 and 70 years old. As long as the income from this internet stuff can hold up till then, I guess I can't really hope for more than that. And, of course, I do have assets that I have accumulated over the years that I could always liquidate if need be. I did sell off most of my gun collection a few years back, but used that money to buy into a new interest, which I think will be just as liquifiable if push comes to shove.

Ah well, I never really cared to be wealthy, and I certainly don't want to live forever. So just one day at a time.... The nice thing about being retired is being able to take time now to smell the citrus flowers. Literally...

I can appreciate that (all of that). As to the discussion of financial details being a private matter, I agree, and that is why I asked about proportion rather than absolute figures, as that 1) helps for prioritization/re-prioritization and emphasis whther $10 or $10 million and 2) is plainly more polite of me.

I never thought I would say it when I left it, but I miss FL in my own way and actually hope to return someday.

Thanks.