Support the site.

It's been over 2 years since ChiefsPlanet has asked for any donations to assist in the operation costs of running a site this size.

As many of you know, I acquired half ownership in ChiefsPlanet recently. Kyle and I share expenses and income now. Unfortunately, the expenses are much larger than the income. We have developed a plan to make this site self sufficient within 6 months. That plan is in progress currently. We promised a trimmed database and improved performance for draft weekend. We delivered. We're going to continue to deliver on these promises.

We're going to purchase the upgrade to vBulletin and cease with this beta version. We're going to upgrade the front page. We're going to offer value added incentives to subscribe to this site while continuing to keep it free for those who are unable or unwilling to pay. We're going to become more active in ChiefsPlanet sponsored activities in the area including tailgating. We're going to take on advertisers/sponsors in a way that will not intrude upon your browsing pleasure. We're going to collaborate with other Chiefs related sites for even more entertainment value. We're going to open a merchandise store - a real store, not a cafepress hack. We're going to continue listening to you in order to keep this your site as much as it is Kyle's or mine.

This site provides a lot of entertainment value, IMO. You pay $50 a month to brick and mortar establishments in which you spend less time relaxing and enjoying yourself. You easily drop $100 on a couple hours at dinner and beverages. I'm not going to tell you what to give, but I am going to ask you to really think about what this site is worth to you. I'm going to ask for your maximum contribution because this is the last time I'll ask. After this, ChiefsPlanet is on her own (meaning that the site will be financially viable without donations). If you have to spread out your contribution over the next several months, that's perfectly fine. We're going to leave the gift doors open until Red Friday.

If you use paypal, please click here. or click the button graphic below (same destination).

If you're more comfortable sending a check:
Phil Kloster
7410 Larson Ave
KC, MO 64133

It has been a pleasure hanging out with you guys out here for the past 5 years. We look forward to knocking back some beverages with each of you at a future event.

Regards,

Kyle and Phil

p.s. When I organized a our donations drives several years ago, it was always the same, dependable people opening their wallets. We appreciate those people very much, but if more of you would contribute it would lessen the load on those guys. I hate to see a minority carrying the weight of a website that supposedly has 5,000 subscribers (and quadruple that in lurkers). FWIW, Lurkers and guests are eligible to support the site as well. Bandwidth is bandwidth. Students, we accept Pell grants, foodstamps, and keggar wrist bands.

[chiefs4me]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

I don't think it's too late at all. But, it does take a helluvalot of babysitting.

The deal is that you have to either know a little something about the people you are dealing with (financially speaking), and/or you need people on this bb to just fn pony up and make it happen. Most likely, you won't get the majority to pony up. People have tons of excuses why not to give, but they'll sit on here night and day with little problem. So we might have to use a little pressure on the people we know to open their wallets and donate.

I'm sorry if I'm pissing people off, but I love this site. If we have a chance to make it better, then let's get it done. Cut back on a couple of weekends (dinner/drinks), use a month's worth of entertainment dollars to go towards CP, donate over 3 months vs. lump sum, etc, etc.

I suggest making this drive a 4 month deal. May-August. People can then donate a little every month if that helps. I still like the donor format though. It really helps define what you need, and then we can tell people what we have to have in order to reach our goal. I don't want to chase people away from this site by asking for money, but this is by far the best NFL site I"ve ever participated in. I'd like to keep that way.

Really good idea.....but you have to be careful asking people for money. It is a very touchy subject with some. I know of a board last year that had lots of members, and they started to ask for money alot and make you pay to belong. Needless to say it is no longer on the net. People just kept leaving for a free site.....I love this site and don't want to see it go away, or lose members. I sent some last week and will send more when I can...... Keep up the great work Phobs.

[Kclee]

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

I am using the Firefox Mozilla browser perhaps it is related. I just tried IE and it did not happen. Happens everytime with Mozilla.

It's just a hint to hurry up and donate.

Originally Posted by chiefs4me

Really good idea.....but you have to be careful asking people for money. It is a very touchy subject with some.

Yeah, I'm very cognizant of that. I grew up in a family that was VERY touchy about money. I spread it around, myself. But, I understand many people are pretty tight with it.

Which, is why I'm trying to demonstrate the value of this place. Let's say you spent $50 a month here. Sounds expensive, huh? Not when you consider a 2 hour theater visit, a dinner for 2, a night at the local go-cart track, a ballgame, or any other form of entertainment you freqent. Each of them will set you back $50+ each VISIT. We haven't asked for a nickel in over 2 years. How much per hour does that equal for most of us? I know I'd be dropping major coin if it cost $1 an hour to play on the Planet. I'm sure glad to be holding the keys.

[Boozer]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Yeah, I'm very cognizant of that. I grew up in a family that was VERY touchy about money. I spread it around, myself. But, I understand many people are pretty tight with it.

Which, is why I'm trying to demonstrate the value of this place. Let's say you spent $50 a month here. Sounds expensive, huh? Not when you consider a 2 hour theater visit, a dinner for 2, a night at the local go-cart track, a ballgame, or any other form of entertainment you freqent. Each of them will set you back $50+ each VISIT. We haven't asked for a nickel in over 2 years. How much per hour does that equal for most of us? I know I'd be dropping major coin if it cost $1 an hour to play on the Planet. I'm sure glad to be holding the keys.

At the risk of stirring up shit, I think that some people might be more generous if they know what the long term plans for the site are. If the current setup is going to remain for the foreseeable future, you (and the "core" posters) shouldn't feel bad about pressuring others to donate. Conversely, if you plan on making this place a profitable asset for yourself in the near future (and I don't think anyone that matters would begrudge you that), you shouldn't expect extremely generous donations to your business venture.

Originally Posted by Boozer

At the risk of stirring up shit, I think that some people might be more generous if they know what the long term plans for the site are. If the current setup is going to remain for the foreseeable future, you (and the "core" posters) shouldn't feel bad about pressuring others to donate. Conversely, if you plan on making this place a profitable asset for yourself in the near future (and I don't think anyone that matters would begrudge you that), you shouldn't expect extremely generous donations to your business venture.

That's a fair question. I've tried to explain my vision within this thread. My first goal is to make the site self supporting. It would be nice to have a profitable fan site, but how many of those are there? Seriously? I know almost all the Chiefs site owners and several other team site owners and they're all augmenting their sites out of their own wallet. A site in our own AFC West Coalition folded due to expenses just a couple months ago. This was the site belonging to the division winning Chargers, goldenbolt.

I'm part owner of ChiefsPlanet because I pestered AustinChief about it. I felt like we needed changes or we were going to lose people to other Chiefs sites. I'm passionate about ChiefsPlanet and that has nothing to do with money flowing in or out of my wallet. I operate the front end and Kyle runs the backend.

The money collected during this donation drive will go towards improving the site. That means paying for software, hosting, and for individuals to make coding improvements. For the past 2 years, we've had no money and you see what happened to the site. It became a poorly maintained juggernaut. I'm sure we lost people due to performance problems. I'm not going to allow that to happen again. The money you're sending now is earmarked for correction of past neglect as much as it is for future growth.

When the improvements are made to ChiefsPlanet, we're going to ask our users to voluntarily subscribe through a nominal monthly fee. The site will continue to be free for non-subscribers, lurkers, and 'bots. The only change to the process will be the elimination of these periodic, humiliating donation drives. A subscription based Planet will be more professional and more fair to the generous people who have supported this place for the past 5 years.

Thanks for asking that question. I imagine you weren't the only one thinking it. I hope I've answered it frankly enough. I'm not eating caviar and lobster with the money you guys are sending. I think when you consider my track record with money the past 5 years, you'll know that I put the welfare of this site and 37 Forever over my own financial gain always.

[Boozer]

Originally Posted by Phobia

That's a fair question. I've tried to explain my vision within this thread. My first goal is to make the site self supporting. It would be nice to have a profitable fan site, but how many of those are there? Seriously? I know almost all the Chiefs site owners and several other team site owners and they're all augmenting their sites out of their own wallet. A site in our own AFC West Coalition folded due to expenses just a couple months ago. This was the site belonging to the division winning Chargers, goldenbolt.

I'm part owner of ChiefsPlanet because I pestered AustinChief about it. I felt like we needed changes or we were going to lose people to other Chiefs sites. I'm passionate about ChiefsPlanet and that has nothing to do with money flowing in or out of my wallet. I operate the front end and Kyle runs the backend.

The money collected during this donation drive will go towards improving the site. That means paying for software, hosting, and for individuals to make coding improvements. For the past 2 years, we've had no money and you see what happened to the site. It became a poorly maintained juggernaut. I'm sure we lost people due to performance problems. I'm not going to allow that to happen again. The money you're sending now is earmarked for correction of past neglect as much as it is for future growth.

When the improvements are made to ChiefsPlanet, we're going to ask our users to voluntarily subscribe through a nominal monthly fee. The site will continue to be free for non-subscribers, lurkers, and 'bots. The only change to the process will be the elimination of these periodic, humiliating donation drives. A subscription based Planet will be more professional and more fair to the generous people who have supported this place for the past 5 years.

Thanks for asking that question. I imagine you weren't the only one thinking it. I hope I've answered it frankly enough. I'm not eating caviar and lobster with the money you guys are sending. I think when you consider my track record with money the past 5 years, you'll know that I put the welfare of this site and 37 Forever over my own financial gain always.

Sounds great. I wasn't asking so much for myself (I thought I knew the answer), but for others who might be more suspicious.

Originally Posted by Boozer

Sounds great. I wasn't asking so much for myself (I thought I knew the answer), but for others who might be more suspicious.

It's no problem. I'm glad you asked. I wish we had started ChiefsPlanet before the great .com flairout - I probably would be eating caviar and lobster from the proceeds. Heh.

[Nzoner]

Originally Posted by Phobia

The thing I hate most about asking for contributions is it's always the same people opening their wallets deeply and carrying the ones who can't spare $10 while they blow through 2 packs a day

Sure isolate the smokers,it's always us

Seriously,I'll be getting you some soon,however,my personal disposable finances have most recently went to One Arrowhead Drive.

Originally Posted by Nzoner 338

Sure isolate the smokers,it's always us

Seriously,I'll be getting you some soon,however,my personal disposable finances have most recently went to One Arrowhead Drive.

Heh - that's just an example. Are you telling me we should have ran this drive in February before the season tix bills came?

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Heh - that's just an example. Are you telling me we should have ran this drive in February before the season tix bills came?

smoker guilt trip?

Originally Posted by stevieray

smoker guilt trip?

It doesn't seem to be working. Next, I'm going to play the sequins and conchos card.

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by Phobia

It doesn't seem to be working. Next, I'm going to play the sequins and conchos card.

Or expensive vehickles...

[Nzoner]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Heh - that's just an example. Are you telling me we should have ran this drive in February before the season tix bills came?

I don't know if that could have made a difference,I just know that 4 season tickets this year put a bit more of a strain on the finances than usual and personally as much time as I spend here I'd like to send more than $10.

Of course if I could just go cold turkey for a week.

[philfree]

I'm in for a little more.

PhilFree

[memyselfI]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Yeah, I'm very cognizant of that. I grew up in a family that was VERY touchy about money. I spread it around, myself. But, I understand many people are pretty tight with it.

Which, is why I'm trying to demonstrate the value of this place. Let's say you spent $50 a month here. Sounds expensive, huh? Not when you consider a 2 hour theater visit, a dinner for 2, a night at the local go-cart track, a ballgame, or any other form of entertainment you freqent. Each of them will set you back $50+ each VISIT. We haven't asked for a nickel in over 2 years. How much per hour does that equal for most of us? I know I'd be dropping major coin if it cost $1 an hour to play on the Planet. I'm sure glad to be holding the keys.

Your reasoning is sound. But I think rather than making $50.00 sound like a reasonable amount to donate you would be better off asking for a $15.00 'membership fee' which would entail you posting privileges. I gladly paid this amount on a Raiders site (and gladly sent you the same). Many on the Raiders site bitched and moaned when they implemented the cost but it did two things, it was a small price to ask for from people who usually post daily and kept the spammers and trouble makers away because they could not post unless they paid to do so.

So while your reasoning is sound, you would be hard pressed to get that much money from me when trying to 'reason' even though you are right. It's just the $50.00 at the dinner, ballgame, theater is spent living life with family or friends. No way could I justify donating that amount of money to a website that enables me to do less of the ballgames, dinners, theaters and interacting with people that I love. Sorry.

I think once you get over the $20.00 range in asking for 'donations' you are placing a value and priority judgement on this place that others may or may not share. My suggestion to you (this coming from a friend who works in the not for profit sector) is to NOT make those judgements for people. It turns them off. Guilt does not work. Instead, appeal to their generosity in ANY amount and if that does not work you are within your right to charge a membership fee and if people don't want to pay then they don't post. Most good things in life are not free...