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.

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by Phobia

So, my pipedream goal is $25k. We don't quite have $2k. I think a more realistic goal would be $6k by Sept 9th. We could probably do that.

Geez

Thats disappointing. I thought we'd be doing better than that.

We need to outline what you need to make your goal. Like this:

5 Donations @ $200

40 @ $100

100 @ $50

250 @ $20

500 @ $10


That gets you $20,000. The 1st 2 categories are the most difficult to find, but you only need 45 total donations at those levels. The $50 level should be met for, at a min., by the top 150 posters on this bb. The next 250 @ $20 should be met by anyone that posts a min of once week. The last 500 @$10 should be met by those that visit to get information, but rarely, if ever post. Just a thought.........

We do a $ drive like this every 3 years, right? This is excessively cheap entertainment for 36 months.

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

We need to outline what you need to make your goal. Like this:

5 Donations @ $200

40 @ $100

100 @ $50

250 @ $20

500 @ $10

That gets you $20,000. The 1st 2 categories are the most difficult to find, but you only need 45 total donations at those levels. The $50 level should be met for, at a min., by the top 150 posters on this bb. The next 250 @ $20 should be met by anyone that posts a min of once week. The last 500 @$10 should be met by those that visit to get information, but rarely, if ever post. Just a thought.........

[PastorMikH]

I'll bet the Planet would bring in a lot of dough if the girlie thread were switched to Pay-Per-View.

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by PastorMikH

I'll bet the Planet would bring in a lot of dough if the girlie thread were switched to Pay-Per-View.

REP

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Geez

Thats disappointing. I thought we'd be doing better than that.

We need to outline what you need to make your goal. Like this:

5 Donations @ $200

40 @ $100

100 @ $50

250 @ $20

500 @ $10


That gets you $20,000. The 1st 2 categories are the most difficult to find, but you only need 45 total donations at those levels. The $50 level should be met for, at a min., by the top 150 posters on this bb. The next 250 @ $20 should be met by anyone that posts a min of once week. The last 500 @$10 should be met by those that visit to get information, but rarely, if ever post. Just a thought.........

We do a $ drive like this every 3 years, right? This is excessively cheap entertainment for 36 months.

Very cool idea. I'd love to do something like this, but I really don't like "begging" for contributions - which is why I'd rather do a subscriber model. Subscribers get more features and benefits and freeloaders get vanillaPlanet. 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. I think the coolest donation this time around was from a college student who took the time to send $2. I got the feeling that $2 hurt. Now I'm rambling, but I did want to acknowledge your response, ChiTown. Do you think it's too late to try that with this fundraiser?

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by Phobia

... Do you think it's too late to try that with this fundraiser?

Not at all. It would give us something to shoot for! Football fans are competitive by nature...

And it may prevent "good intentions" from slipping away into apathy--or the ole "I'll get around to it sometime"--but-never-do-syndrome. For example, I've said I'll send more; if somethin' like this were hangin' out there, I'll definitely be more likely to actually do it.

[go bo]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Very cool idea. I'd love to do something like this, but I really don't like "begging" for contributions - which is why I'd rather do a subscriber model. Subscribers get more features and benefits and freeloaders get vanillaPlanet. 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. I think the coolest donation this time around was from a college student who took the time to send $2. I got the feeling that $2 hurt. Now I'm rambling, but I did want to acknowledge your response, ChiTown. Do you think it's too late to try that with this fundraiser?

hey, some of us can't afford luxuries anymore...

that doesn't make us "freeloaders"...









well, yes it does...

Originally Posted by go bo

hey, some of us can't afford luxuries anymore...

that doesn't make us "freeloaders"...









well, yes it does...

Heh heh. You're not a freeloader. You always kick in despite your limited disposable income these days.

[Logical]

Why does this thread try to automatically open paypal, that is annoying. By the way I will likely be mailing my contribution in the next couple of days.

[Stinger]

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.

Actually you find that in fundraising of any kind that this holds true. That in a community of a town large or small, or bulletin board in this case, that it more than likely the same people who give to the causes and the masses don't.

I think ChiTown's outline is very doable, in fact I would think that if you would raise the top dollar levels some, even a little, and package it as also a donation to the 37 foundation you might open more avenues. Especially if you are going to go after corporate or businesses.

With the top donators throw in some extra perks to the sight, possibility of a discount in the store (just throwing out ideas), Entry into the 37 Forever banquet or being recognized if they wish, etc.

[Rausch]

I absolutely hate paypall, but I owe Kyle n' Co. about 12,492 hours worth of enjoyment.

I need a debt card option...

[Logical]

Originally Posted by ENDelt260

???

I'm mostly quoting this to increase the chance Phil notices your post. I'm not sure what you're describing, but it sounds like an unintentional side effect.... one which I, personally, am not experiencing... and, therefore, Phil may not be aware of as well.

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

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.

I'm using Firefox, too. It's not happening for me. No idea. There's just a little html button sitting there. It shouldn't be opening paypal at all.

I'm baffled.

Is anybody else experiencing that?

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Very cool idea. I'd love to do something like this, but I really don't like "begging" for contributions - which is why I'd rather do a subscriber model. Subscribers get more features and benefits and freeloaders get vanillaPlanet. 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. I think the coolest donation this time around was from a college student who took the time to send $2. I got the feeling that $2 hurt. Now I'm rambling, but I did want to acknowledge your response, ChiTown. Do you think it's too late to try that with this fundraiser?

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.

[PHOG]

$25.00 coming your way thru Paypal.

Keep up the good work..