RedsZone State of Affairs - Please Read

All,

Just to give everyone an update on where the site is at from an overall standpoint, both subscriptions and particularly advertising revenue are and have been on a downward trend for some time. I'm not currently in any danger of being unable to pay the bills necessary to keep the site up and running, but community forums like RedsZone are not nearly as popular these days compared to places like social media or Reddit as they once were. The site has never been nor ever will be my day job, but there is a good amount of time it requires to help administer and moderate, so if I'm being honest, I do need to regularly evaluate if it's continually worth the time and effort to keep things running after 26 years. Suffice to say that while I'm definitely not about to close up shop, the more the site makes through those channels is certainly incentive to keep this thing going in to the future.

There's not much you can do from an advertising standpoint to help out, but if you're currently at all on the fence about purchasing a subscription, now would be a great time to do so. I've kept the annual price at $30 for a very long time, as it has not been raised to cover inflation. The nice thing about this option is that you're not just donating money, but you're paying for an ad free experience for the duration of your subscription. If you're already a subscriber, I want to thank you for being one. If you're interested in a subscription, you can do so here:

https://www.redszone.com/forums/payments.php

Thanks for reading and your consideration, and if you have any questions, please let me know.

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Originally Posted by Boss-Hog

All,

Just to give everyone an update on where the site is at from an overall standpoint, both subscriptions and particularly advertising revenue are and have been on a downward trend for some time. I'm not currently in any danger of being unable to pay the bills necessary to keep the site up and running, but community forums like RedsZone are not nearly as popular these days compared to places like social media or Reddit as they once were. The site has never been nor ever will be my day job, but there is a good amount of time it requires to help administer and moderate, so if I'm being honest, I do need to regularly evaluate if it's continually worth the time and effort to keep things running after 26 years. Suffice to say that while I'm definitely not about to close up shop, the more the site makes through those channels is certainly incentive to keep this thing going in to the future.

There's not much you can do from an advertising standpoint to help out, but if you're currently at all on the fence about purchasing a subscription, now would be a great time to do so. I've kept the annual price at $30 for a very long time, as it has not been raised to cover inflation. The nice thing about this option is that you're not just donating money, but you're paying for an ad free experience for the duration of your subscription. If you're already a subscriber, I want to thank you for being one. If you're interested in a subscription, you can do so here:

https://www.redszone.com/forums/payments.php

Thanks for reading and your consideration, and if you have any questions, please let me know.

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Done. I probably should have done that for you 10 years ago! You're the best Boss

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Originally Posted by Puffy

Done. I probably should have done that for you 10 years ago! You're the best Boss

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Thanks so much

What if you do not have a PayPal account?

Honestly had no idea the subscription was even a thing -- well worth it though. The Reds reddit is fine but it's more of a meme-ing and gut reaction sort of place. Redszone is on another level in terms of in-depth discussion.

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Originally Posted by Tuff Nut

What if you do not have a PayPal account?

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Good question - I really prefer to have everything go through PayPal because I have my business checking account tied to it. Unfortunately, for that reason, PayPal is currently the only option. If there are enough people who are interested in subscribing and have Venmo but not PayPal, I could look in to setting up something similar on Venmo. Thanks for your interest.

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Originally Posted by Tuff Nut

What if you do not have a PayPal account?

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I think you can pay through paypal as a guest

Boss, thanks for the reminder. I've always meant to do this and somehow got around to it. It's a steal, and bonus, no more nose hair trimmer ads!

Thanks for all you do to keep this corner of our lives alive.

Timely post Boss. My subscription was set to expire later this month. Renewed!!

I CANNOT believe I let my subscription lapse. Need to put it on the calendar. Thank you for everything, Boss.

Re-upped. I don’t think it was due but I added it anyhow.

Thanks for all you do Boss.

I’ll definitely re-up when mine is due and I sincerely thank you for everything you do!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Subscribed. Appreciate you and the site. Tell my cousin hi, if you ever see him. Christmas is about the only time I see that guy anymore.

I’ll be re-upping too. Thanks, Boss - there’s no better place on the internet where people can gather to share the joys and miseries of Reds fandom. I hope you keep up the good work for many years to come.

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Originally Posted by Z-Fly

Subscribed. Appreciate you and the site. Tell my cousin hi, if you ever see him. Christmas is about the only time I see that guy anymore.

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Thank you - just saw him last weekend!

Glad to know he's alive and well!

I am a regular visitor / infrequent poster, and I couldn't recommend the subscription enough. It's very worth it if you come here daily -- or multiple times a day, as I do.

I understand some folks may be up against it and just can't justify the $30 right now, even if they really want to.

I'm offering to buy 1 user a $30 subscription. First come, first served. Just send me a DM. There's no way to vet anyone, so just going with the honor system here. Your username will be safe with me. I'll update this post when the slot is taken.

Happy Easter!

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Originally Posted by Kilgore_Trout

I am a regular visitor / infrequent poster, and I couldn't recommend the subscription enough. It's very worth it if you come here daily -- or multiple times a day, as I do.

I understand some folks may be up against it and just can't justify the $30 right now, even if they really want to.

I'm offering to buy 1 user a $30 subscription. First come, first served. Just send me a DM. There's no way to vet anyone, so just going with the honor system here. Your username will be safe with me. I'll update this post when the slot is taken.

Happy Easter!

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This is very generous - thanks again to you and all other new (and certainly current) subscribers.

Thanks Boss!

Ordered! Thanks so much for what you do. I should have done this years ago, but thanks for putting so much effort into maintaining such a great community!

Have subscribed ever since I joined
Would gladly pay more or simply donate if that’s an option

I really like this community. - well most of it

[emoji14]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

As a former moderator, you granted me lifetime ad-free access. However, I count on this site for Reds news and (generally) intelligent discussion. It was well past the point where I should have contibuted financially.

Just an idea, but The Bengals Board asked followers to contribute to cover costs awile ago. Those of us who did got a "Bengals Supporter" badge that appears every time we post. The effort raised over $1K in a very short period.

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Originally Posted by RedsfaninMT

As a former moderator, you granted me lifetime ad-free access. However, I count on this site for Reds news and (generally) intelligent discussion. It was well past the point where I should have contibuted financially.

Just an idea, but The Bengals Board asked followers to contribute to cover costs awile ago. Those of us who did got a "Bengals Supporter" badge that appears every time we post. The effort raised over $1K in a very short period.

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Thank you very much - I'd love to at least take a peak at how that looks and how they implemented it. If you don't mind sending me a link when time permits, I'd appreciate it. Thanks again.

Subscribed. I appreciate the forum and the work you put into it @Boss-Hog

Feel the pain Boss, recently told a coworker I spent time on a "chat board" she laughed and asked if that was still a thing

I hate ads so I am always in, I also understand the grind of continuing or ending and the pain in finding stewards for the board, we sometimes soldier on as much as we can.

But we all don't know how it will end

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Originally Posted by Puffy

Done. I probably should have done that for you 10 years ago! You're the best Boss

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This.

Did my part. Thanks for hosting this place for all these years, Boss!

I don't use paypal. I'd rather send you a check.

PM me somewhere I can send it to.

I've been a member of this site since the beginning. I'm also a subscriber. But if one wants to financially contribute more can they?

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Originally Posted by RedsfaninMT

As a former moderator, you granted me lifetime ad-free access. However, I count on this site for Reds news and (generally) intelligent discussion. It was well past the point where I should have contibuted financially.

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You're absolutely right. I have followed suit. I don't read it as much as I used to but it's something I have in the background all the time.

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Originally Posted by GAC

I've been a member of this site since the beginning. I'm also a subscriber. But if one wants to financially contribute more can they?

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You can, but please don't feel compelled to in any way. If you'd still like to do so, just send me a PM. Thanks so much.

Done. Will Say my wife's name if you are confused by that...LOL I appreciate your efforts Boss for all these years.
Jonathan

Thank You for All that you do. As an out of market fan I really like coming here to catch up on the Reds. I don't post that much but do like reading many of the threads and posts. I just renewed my subscription. Thanks Again.

My subscription was due in a month so I just paid it! Love it here - Thanks Boss.

I really think you should maybe take another look at merch. Drop shipping has become incredibly easy. And it's not like you need more than 30-40 sales per year to help offset. plus RZ surely has more than a few graphic designers that might donate some time and a design or two.

Think about it. 4-5 hoodies, caps, t-shirts, tanks, and coffee mugs. I'd probably buy 1-2 a year.

Just a thought.

I went to the link, and it looks like I was able to pay with a card as I ditched PayPal years ago. Hope it all goes through. Well worth it, thanks!

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Originally Posted by cobike

I went to the link, and it looks like I was able to pay with a card as I ditched PayPal years ago. Hope it all goes through. Well worth it, thanks!

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Thanks for this info. :thumbup:...taken care of...keep up the great work Boss.

Done!

How about a tip jar?

I'm a subscriber but don't mind contributing more for the amount of entertainment I get from reading the site throughout the year.

$ per hour is nowhere near the cost of a movie :)

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Originally Posted by GullyFoyle

How about a tip jar?

I'm a subscriber but don't mind contributing more for the amount of entertainment I get from reading the site throughout the year.

$ per hour is nowhere near the cost of a movie :)

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Thank you for being a subscriber and for offering that. It's certainly not expected, but if anyone truly wants to go above and beyond what a subscription entails, just shoot me a PM.

Thanks for adding payment options!