Browncoat Marketplace instead of Google Ads? by Succatash

FIREFLYFANS.NET CENTRAL

Browncoat Marketplace instead of Google Ads?

POSTED BY: SUCCATASH
UPDATED: Friday, May 7, 2004 20:51
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VIEWED: 5317
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Saturday, March 27, 2004 4:46 PM

I have an idea that would replace the Google ads and help Haken raise extra money to maintain this website.

You see, I have a slight problem with the Google Ads on this site. That's because I get paid to manage Internet ads for several small business accounts and I know how expensive those clicks can become.

Many small businesses use Google ads and they are very expensive.

Even though Haken only gets pennies per click from Google, the company could very well be paying $1.00 or more per click. And Google ends up the winner. And the small businesses lose big time.

Google may be the Alliance, but it's the Little Guy who pays when we click on those links.

So, I propose a Browncoat Marketplace. Name it after the marketplace in "The Message" where the cow fetus floats in the tank. A new page on FFF dedicated to Browncoats who want to advertise their business or service to other Browncoats.

I imagine plenty of us own a business or would like to promote the company we work for, or know someone who wants to advertise online.

This new B2B (Browncoat to Browncoat) marketplace would generate a lot more money for Haken, and it wouldn't be offensive advertising because it's just Browncoats tradin' and sellin' amongst ourselves and we support each other.

The difficulty would be setting up a payment structure. Haken already has a Paypal account. The cost breakdown might be as follows:

Business Rate (Over 15 Employees]
$15 per month for 453x62 banner link
$8 per month for text link

Small Business (Under 15 Employees]
$10 per month for 453x62 banner link
$6 per month for text link

Very Small Business (Individually operated)
$5 per month for 453x62 banner link
$3 per month for text link

Just a suggestion on the costs. My friend owns an online costume company, and he would greatly benefit from something like this. He's a Browncoat and he occasionally lurks here. He would love to pay.

I bet lots of Browncoats would sign up. What do you all think?

- Succatash

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Saturday, March 27, 2004 5:32 PM

SUCCATASH

I would like to add:

Although the "small companies" did make the choice to advertise on Google, they signed up to appear on keyword searches on Google. Most of them don't know they are appearing on keyword-related affiliate sites as well. It's a tricky business.

Google does allow advertisers to turn off this feature, but it can be a little confusing.

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Saturday, March 27, 2004 8:48 PM

BEEJ

This is a great scheme and, as a solo-preneur, I'd be happy to participate.

That's what space trash does...

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Saturday, March 27, 2004 8:50 PM

BEEJ

I should add that I used Adwords when I launched my website and it turned out to be a very bad, very expensive undertaking. I set a budget and they sailed right by it, making me liable for costs I did not intend to incur.

Big time second on Succatash's comment about Adwords being hard on small businesses.

But regardless of Adwords suckiness for the likes of me, the marketplace is a great way for like-minded people to support each other.

That's what space trash does...

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Saturday, March 27, 2004 9:28 PM

BLINKER

That's why I've only been clicking the "big business" links like eBay, not the humanitarian organizations.

As for the plan... I dunno, middlemen don't often take kindly to being eliminated.

_________
Sliders: Gate Haven - http://slidersweb.net/blinker

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Saturday, March 27, 2004 11:39 PM

SUCCATASH

Quote:
Originally posted by Succatash:
So, I propose a Browncoat Marketplace. Name it after the marketplace in "The Message" where the cow fetus floats in the tank.

Does anyone happen to know the name of this location in the 'Verse?

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Sunday, March 28, 2004 8:37 AM

SUCCATASH

I don't think the Marketplace in the Message has a name. The script just calls it the Bazaar.

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Sunday, March 28, 2004 9:21 AM

HAKEN

Likes to mess with stuffs.

It's something worth trying, but I would like to take it one step further in that instead of just running banners, perhaps I can provide a full online store option with a shopping cart and using Paypal to accept payment.

I've been looking at setting something like that up to help fund the site by taking a percentage of the sales of the items sold. Perhaps I can expand that and provide the same service to fellow Browncoats. What do you think?

There are technical and logistical issues to work out, but we can start small and expand further as thime progresses.

Would your friend be interested in doing something like that? I could make his full catalog available online and allow people to order from it.

The same can also be done the Firefly dolls, the hats, patches, T-shirts, and posters that fans have made.

What do you think?

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Sunday, March 28, 2004 9:33 AM

ASTRIANA

I think this is the best idea, Haken! I'd certainly shop through the site.

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

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Sunday, March 28, 2004 10:33 AM

SUCCATASH

Haken, what a big idea!

I spoke to my friend, he's on his way over so maybe I can get him to post a message.

He did say that it might confuse things if you collected the money. They couldn't ship the order until you payed them, and the delay might prove to be troublesome.

Also, he said his merchant account offers a better percentage than the cut Paypal takes.

It was a quick phone conversation.

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Sunday, March 28, 2004 11:29 AM

HAKEN

Likes to mess with stuffs.

Perhaps I wasn't too clear the first time around. I'm not collecting the money. The individual sellers are. There are certain technical issues we'll have to solve, but the way this might work is as follow:

1. Seller create store and post what he wants to sell on this site.
2. FFF.NET will handle the shopping cart for seller.
3. On checkout, FFF.NET sends buyer to seller's paypal account for payment along with some order info like a order ID, etc.
4. Buyer pays Seller via PayPal.
5. FFF.NET sends Seller with order info and id that matches Paypal payment to seller.
6. Seller fulfills order and pays FFF.NET a percentage of sales--kinda like a commission.

FFF.NET acts as a middleman.

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Sunday, March 28, 2004 1:33 PM

P_DOG

Hi Browncoats. I'm p-dog. I lurk in the FFF boards often, but I don't often have any thing to add. This time I do.

One really viable option to consider is the already easily available affiliate-type relationship with retail (or pay-per-click) websites. This provides the same effect you are going for without as much complication on your side.

I suggest considering affiliate-type relationships with browncoat internet retailers. Any of us who have online stores setup simple affiliate management software on their website. You use the available links and/or datafeeds to post content in your Browncoat Marketplace.

You fill up the marketplace with things that you like and are also being sold by browncoats. You get a good cut (3-15% typically depending on what's being sold). You can program something to read the datafeeds to update the content in the Marketplace. Really, it's a beautiful vision.

Of course, your angle (FFF hosting products and checkout) allows people to sell things without having to be in business with their own website. Maybe that's more the angle you're looking for.

Both can certainly work together.

Good talking to you.
.p

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Sunday, March 28, 2004 2:03 PM

SUCCATASH

P-dog, good ideas. I would like to add that some Browncoats may wish to advertise their business but they don't have tangible items to ship.

For example, my homebuilding company might pay for a link to advertise but we wouldn't be selling anything online.

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Thursday, April 1, 2004 2:08 PM

BROOKIE

I think it's a great idea!!! I would love to buy a Firefly shirt, Jayne style hat, or something to that effect. Cafe Express (or whatever the website is called) sucks when it comes to Firefly merchandise. They have a good amount of Blue Sun merchandise but not anything else.

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Thursday, April 1, 2004 2:25 PM

BOOMERGOODHEART

As a small business owner myself (just me & hubby), I think it would be a much more economical way to advertise our products. I would definitely be interested in learning more about it, Haken (even if it is just a banner to our website). Thanks!

BoomerGoodheart
"I love my Captain."

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Friday, May 7, 2004 8:51 PM

IRONCLADOTTER

Brookie, you're thinking of Cafe Press... and maybe you're just lookin' in the wrong place there, 'cause I've got a Cafe Press store with tons of Firefly goods, and I'm adding more all the time:

http://store.fadedpress.com

That said, I'd probably buy advertising for the aforementioned store here if Haken set that up. :)

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