How about a hobbyist sponsor spot?

[tony]

im with karin, there is no reason why we couldnt have a smaller fee for non-marine related stuff also. the kid that made the custom pens here is a perfect example. he wasnt hurting any sponsors. same as eric offering computer services. even heb sponsored us at one point. . .

as far as hobby related, it isnt hard to figure out who is trying to make a living selling livestock here. most are not even here anymore.

[Mr Cob]

im with karin, there is no reason why we couldnt have a smaller fee for non-marine related stuff also. the kid that made the custom pens here is a perfect example. he wasnt hurting any sponsors. same as eric offering computer services. even heb sponsored us at one point. . .

^we do have a non-marine related commercial sponsorship which is less than the other types of sponsorship. It's what ErikH is under.

[allan]

as far as hobby related, it isnt hard to figure out who is trying to make a living selling livestock here. most are not even here anymore.

I think it may be easy to tell in some instances, but far too difficult to see in most cases without a Gestapo-like mod squad "harrasing" members over real or percieved violations.


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[Europhyllia]

I am not pushing this idea anymore but I wanted to clarify:
I actually don't see why we would need to evaluate how much they make.

You purchase the full ad package and you get:
banner ads, dedicated forum, listing in the sponsor shop directory - that's a great value and lots of exposure

You purchase the small ad package and you get:
a thread in the shared hobbyist sponsor forum

Sell 1 widget, sell 50000 widgets ... it really doesn't matter. The full ad package is the better and more comprehensive deal but for those that want to participate but can't afford it the small ad package is an option. Easy as that. Done on/in gazillions of places all the time.

Haven't seen anything that would promise -implied or expressed- any exclusive advertising rights to sponsor stores. If I opened AquaEuro here on the Southside and mailed in my check for full sponsorship I am pretty certain MAAST would accept it even if I sold products similar to other fish stores.

Would the current sponsor stores feel less infringed upon if the members advertised their services for free? Doubt it. In fact as a sponsor it would make me feel better to know that my (preceived?) competitor has to pay for the exposure as well.

The fee is structured by how comprehensive the ad package is. Easy peasy.

No need to drive by anybody's house to see how many widgets they're really cranking out...

[MRSBIGBIRD123]

Since it appears that MAAST is looking to increase their revenue, why not also add a fee to those who sell in the "For Sale" forum...whether it is a one time sale, or multiple. Just like Ebay, you pay a percentage whether the sale is a completed transaction or incomplete. I am sure with the open "For Sale" forum, as it stands....no rules/limitations, MAAST could potentially make hundreds a week.
I thought we (MAAST) was once targeting NON PROFIT, but as it seems, as an outsider looking in, it is nothing but making a profit. I see no "Frivolous" spending on events or gatherings; giving back to the MAAST Members.

[Europhyllia]

Okey doke: once more ;)
the BOD has not approved this message. The idea is completely mine. I don't even know if MAAST, the organization and its officers, would find this option feasible, attractive, doable or whatever.

I felt that offering a low cost advertising opportunity could be something good for people trying to get the word out about their skills.

Here's why I (me personally and nobody else) thought charging a fee for this would be a good idea:

* it would limit participation to those that are serious about their craft giving the specialty forum more value as a real resource for people looking for a service to be performed (rather than having 3872 people posting about that their cousin would like to mow lawns and us buyers having to search through gazoodles of listings)

* it would require GM to spend his time setting up a new forum and subscription deal

* it would give a small income to MAAST that could be used in reaching our education goals, etc. I am guessing all these events, speakers, venues, etc. aren't free

* it would make it more fair to advertisers/sponsors that have purchased the 'big' sponsor ad pack

Honestly I don't know why this is so upsetting to people. I thought offering an option, an opportunity like this would be of benefit for both buyers as well as sellers.

Obviously nobody would be forced to participate. It's like you can buy the Big Mac Supersize Meal, or you can buy just a JR burger, or you can choose to not get anything at all. Don't like it? Don't buy it!

And just to make sure this is understood:
I had an idea. I thought it was a good idea. I thought lots of people on here could benefit from it. I didn't ask anybody before I posted this here for their input or permission. There's no need to wonder if this is some money making scheme from the MAAST organization because the organization had no input on this.

[FireWater]

Karin, I think it was a good idea and look forward to valid input and discussion on the topic. I think it could be a great opportunity for folks to get their name out. I applaud small business owners like Carl and Erik for taking the chance on advertisement and hopefully the pay offs it will bring them. I know there are several folks on this site that have tremendous talents that are related to our field and can offer products that may not be readily available at the LFS or can not be customized/modified as a buyer would like. Hopefully other members will be able to add their ideas and discuss the pros and cons of your idea.

[Europhyllia]

Thanks John. I think you understand what my idea was about.

There's seems to be great focus right now on having something taken away.

My small ad package proposal is strictly focused on offering an option that hasn't been available before.

It has nothing to do with the enforcement of TOU. There's no proposed amendment to the TOU. Nothing would change there. The TOU will find enforcement just as it does now.

Just like the regular sponsor spots though the small sponsor spots would allow users certain things that wouldn't be okay to do under the regular TOU.

The idea was to offer greater freedom in advertising for people who wanted to do this -not less.

Anybody not interested in this small sponsor spot would have the same rights they have now.

[jroescher]

I'm all for it, but I feel like arguing.

Still need to define where the line is between a hobbyist and someone who is only posing as a hobbyist.

For example, a discussion about stands and Steve replies that he can build you one. Where would that fall. Or a sump and someone else replies that Ace can do that. Or that Ace or ReefOne can do it. Does only one get to reply?

Another issue that came up in the past is a store owner wanting to sell his personal stuff. From his home. Wasn't store inventory, but I suspect that it was at one time.

[Europhyllia]

John are you referring to the sponsor thing now or the TOU?

To me hobbyist status wouldn't even matter in regards to the small sponsor ad package. If Fosters&Smith wants to just purchase a $50 spot fine with me. The spot costs less and is less comprehensive than the big sponsor package. Less cost, less exposure. You get what you pay for.

As far as TOU goes I'll let the experts speak on that. ;)