Is there any money in forums like this?

[Jog On]

OK, so what's the income from a static advert (that I'm not going to read)

tim

Depends on the traffic volumes of the site/forum. Similar to advertising space in other mediums the advertisers will pay more money for more eyeballs.

A good example is these people being paid 6 figures a month by advertisers for space in their popular facebook apps - the more users of the app and page impressions the more you can charge (plan B anyone?). You can also charge more for more prominent parts of the page.

That's for the pay-per-impression model.

You can also use advertising that pays you an affiliate comission for every sale/lead you generate through the links and banners on your site.

There's also pay-per-click where you can display ads like Google adsense ads that pay you a percentage of the advertisers revenue every time someone clicks on one.

You can also stay in touch with your forum users with a newsletter and promote the odd affiliate program through it.

[AtW]

OK, so what's the income from a static advert (that I'm not going to read)

Depends on readership - some relevant advertisers (from the same field that specialist site is covering) would pay money just to be their advertiser to make news outlet more careful about what they write about their big advertiser. It gives priceless leverage when it is needed most.

This sort of thing can sustain a handful of people, but proper news outlets with thousands employed (like BBC) would probably suffer unless they have got tax revenue or something predictable as this.

[tim123]

They are trying to make money from job adverts (very, very, very expensive)

195 dollars doesn't look expensive to me.

tim

[tim123]

When was the last time you clicked on a TV ad?

OK, so what's the income from a static advert (that I'm not going to read)

tim

[AtW]

I'll know I've made it when the Guardian write about me, eh?

As long as it's not in the obituary section of it.

[TheFaQQer]

You do have a reputation?

Notoriety is everything.

I'll know I've made it when the Guardian write about me, eh?

[AtW]

it's more about reputation than anything else.

You do have a reputation?

[TheFaQQer]

...do they pay their way?

...or make a nice bit of cash?

...or just an expensive hobby?

what do the 'owners' get from doing it?

I am thinking of setting one up (nothing related to IT) and just trying to weigh it up - spend, work & return.

Spend is reasonably low - hosting and software (if you want to pay for vBulletin, but there are plenty of free ones out there).

I run a forum, but make nothing from it - it's more about reputation than anything else. But since it's no more expensive than my hosting plan anyway, and a bit of my time to answer questions.

[Beefy198]

And where is linkedin(.com)'s income stream.

They are trying to make money from job adverts (very, very, very expensive) and "InMails"

[AtW]

They've got about 20 people working for them, who I presume are paid for their time. But, just like CUK, all they have is a few banner ads (that I've never clicked on either)

When was the last time you clicked on a TV ad?

[tim123]

Funny that.....

I've been wondering exactly the same thing.

Though I was thinking further than just discussion sites.

How does something like theregister(.co.uk) make any money? They've got about 20 people working for them, who I presume are paid for their time. But, just like CUK, all they have is a few banner ads (that I've never clicked on either)

And where is linkedin(.com)'s income stream. They just been given 53 millon dollars by an investor. Where does (s)he expect to get that back from? OK the first person in expects to get their money back by selling on to someone other mu, um investor, who thinks that it's worth even more. But after ITV overpaid for Friends Reunited and eBay for Skype, you'd think that buyers were much more careful now, expecially as they now wont have a dumb bank awash with money to underwrite them.

tim

[TykeMerc]

Afterall when is the last time you clicked on an advert on this site?

Never.

[KentPhilip]

From what I've heard there's not much money in it. Advertising revenue is normally just enough to cover hosting costs.
Afterall when is the last time you clicked on an advert on this site?

[AtW]

Let us know when you do and we will come pay you a CUK holiday visit...

[Fishface]

...do they pay their way?

...or make a nice bit of cash?

...or just an expensive hobby?

what do the 'owners' get from doing it?

I am thinking of setting one up (nothing related to IT) and just trying to weigh it up - spend, work & return.