Question about forum sponsors?

[Lorah]

So, I'm not clear on the sponsorship deal for some of the forums.

What is their purpose? What do they mean to us as members? Do they provide a special deal for us or anything? Or are they just a sponsor and therefore get to advertise via logo within that particular forum?

Sorry if this seems lame, I just never really understood it and was wondering.

[becky]

i don't think its a lame question at all.

I can only answer for myself but I have mine up since all the tombstone spots are filled but its not like you all don't know who I am anyway. I pay to be a sponsor as another means to support SCM. I don't know where I would be without SCM so if i can give back i will.

As for specials I know for myself I always have specials just for SCM members which you can see in my HBA thread.

I think forum sponsors are a great idea and also help show new and current members what biz are here whether they are SCM members or just local biz KWIM?

[Lorah]

I think this is where I am a little confussed .... the differences between the members who have advertisments who also have a Biz page and such, and then just the "forum sponsors"... cause I know all the members who pay for their pages and ads and such are involved in the site, and most of them offer specials to the other members as well. And that makes perfect sense to me... but the non-member forum sponsors seem to just sit there as a simple logo, or so that's what it seems....not sure if there is more to it than that is all I guess...

[becky]

well all but one forum sponsor is a member on SCM which is Prenatal Peek. Every other forum sponsor is a member though some are not as active as we are. I think Prenatal Peek had offered a special when they first signed up but i forget now that it has been so long.

The HBA forum and Biz pages are only available to those members who are active members and have a senior membership so its not like just any one can join SCM and start an biz thread in the HBA forum.

I hope this helps

[Brookepanda]

also, I am sort of confused as to what you're asking Lorah, but the zumba ad is what I think you're talking about as far is an ad just sitting there....as you said...
but there are two different types of tombstone ads for sale....one that you get a little slide show effect and one that is just plain, obviously the plain one is cheaper....

[becky]

that is a good point Brooke. I guess those on the side would be forum sponsors as well but more of a general SCM forum sponsor rather then a specific forum like I was talking about.

[Lorah]

I think I'm getting more confussed as I try to understand it all, maybe I just need to not. It's hurting my brain. ;)

Thanks for trying to answer my questions ladies, but I think I'm just still lost. :dunno

[becky]

sorry to confuse you more. I think its just hard for us to answer since we are not exactly sure what you are asking.

[karen-clark]

I think the basic simple answer is it's a paid ad, that's all! :)

[Lorah]

Okay, lets see if I can ask this a different way.

As I can tell, which might be wrong anyway, is that there are 3 types of ads on the board.
1. The ones on the left column that are a single non moving image.
2. The ones of the left column that are a rotating image (i.e. they move or flash, etc.)
3. The logos listed within a specific forum: Coffee Shop = Sitter's Place, Pregnancy & Childbirth = Prenatal Peak

I think I'm just wondering if all of those spots are open to both members and non members?

I was also wondering (but probably only because I know most the sponsors are also members and have a Biz page and also offer "deals") if the non member sponsors also offer the members deals? I'm guessing the answer to this really has nothing to do with the ad's per say, but rather the individual choice of the sponsor, right?

Maybe I'm just wondering if all the sponsors offered deals cause most of the sponsors are members and have Biz pages and also offer deals from time to time so that is probably where I got thrown off a bit.....

does that make it more undersandable?

[Brookepanda]

nobody has to offer a deal....
it's not a rule to be a sponser that you have to offer anyone a deal....

[Lorah]

Okay, that answers that part. Thanks Brooke. BUt they can if they want or choose to correct?

[becky]

yup that is right.

[becky]

The ads on the left are called tombstone ads. The cost varies as to whether or not a sponsor wants an animated banner or not which is why you see both.

Now if a person would like they can choose to sponsor a specific forum like I have for the Photo Album forum. Those prices also vary (at least they did) depending on whether or not a sponsor wanted a text banner like prenatal peek or logo banner display like sitters place.

Sponsorship was not limited to just members so anyone can be approved to purchase a sponsorship depending on Admin and what is available.

Now not all have to give deals or are they required but some do which is nice :) All these banners link to the biz site which is great and members can check them out on their own.

Does that help clear it up?

[Marisa]

:lol Ok, well, my job here is done... thanks ladies. ;)

[becky]

:lol Ok, well, my job here is done... thanks ladies. ;)
:lol your welcome Marisa. Anytime :D

[TinaMaria]

the zumba ad is what I think you're talking about as far is an ad just sitting there....

awww. That makes my ad sounds so :(

[becky]

awww. That makes my ad sounds so :(:( does it help that i didn't think of you like that. I knew you were a member but just not here as much as me.

[Lorah]

The ads on the left are called tombstone ads. The cost varies as to whether or not a sponsor wants an animated banner or not which is why you see both.

Now if a person would like they can choose to sponsor a specific forum like I have for the Photo Album forum. Those prices also vary (at least they did) depending on whether or not a sponsor wanted a text banner like prenatal peek or logo banner display like sitters place.

Sponsorship was not limited to just members so anyone can be approved to purchase a sponsorship depending on Admin and what is available.

Now not all have to give deals or are they required but some do which is nice :) All these banners link to the biz site which is great and members can check them out on their own.

Does that help clear it up?


Actually, I think this is exactly what I was trying to find out! THANKS! I just always noticed them and never really paid any attention to their purpose and so I wanted to learn more about why they are there and their function....I think I totally get it!:thumb

[becky]

glad i was able to help Lorah

[TinaMaria]

No big deal at all Becky. I know you didn't mean anything by it! I just thought the wording was funny! Obvs from our post #'s, you definitely have been around longer than I have!

[becky]

No big deal at all Becky. I know you didn't mean anything by it! I just thought the wording was funny! Obvs from our post #'s, you definitely have been around longer than I have!what are you trying to say? I talk to much :lol i am totally kidding by the way. No worries. I just wanted to be sure you knew that I do pay attention and knew you were a member here :D