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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 81 to 105 of 129. Go back in thread:
Posted by jb on March 29, 2001, at 1:23:36
In reply to Re: what others could help me with, posted by Dr. Bob on March 27, 2001, at 1:06:30
General advertising dollars are down, definitely, but I targeted dollars are actually up. Fewer advertisers are willing to pay Yahoo to host their site, as the click-through rate is horendously low, not to mention subsequent purchase rate. The problem is mainly with the general appeal websites, not a targeted site, such as this. Actually, Psychobabble is actually a very, very targeted site and, therefore, a marketers dream. Further, there is a potential to offer genuine benefit to users, as well as generate income for site maintenance and Dr. Bob's services. Some things which come to mind might be United States mail-order pharmacists (not the overseas stuff). A number already have websites, but they don't market themselves very well. Many PsychoBabble users could receive substantial benefit from lower cost prescription meds which their health insurers may not cover. Bookstores, such as Amazon, Borders, and Barnes & Noble are all other great ideas others have mentioned. Pharmaceutical companies may also be interested, somewhat in the same vein (excuse the pun)as their radio and tv dollars directed at the general public. Just think of the ad dollars we've all seen spent on Paxil. Also, I think there are ways to accomplish this while showing good taste and not detracting from users' experiences. That is, we should look for synergism among PsychoBabble and commercial interests.
I think the bottom line (another pun) is none of us should expect this excellent service to continue, indefinitely, without compensation from either ourselves, the users, or, something which I think we prefer, someone else. I think that someone else could be commercial interests or the government. And, I don't believe the Bush government is likely to ante up anytime soon.
JB
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 29, 2001, at 11:03:52
In reply to Re: A thought from a career Marketer, posted by jb on March 29, 2001, at 1:23:36
> Some things which come to mind might be United States mail-order pharmacists (not the overseas stuff). A number already have websites, but they don't market themselves very well. Many PsychoBabble users could receive substantial benefit from lower cost prescription meds which their health insurers may not cover.
> we should look for synergism among PsychoBabble and commercial interests.
There's an idea! I had thought about drug companies, but not pharmacies... Is this something you could look into for me? :-)
Bob
Posted by ShelliR on March 29, 2001, at 11:46:15
In reply to Re: mail-order pharmacies, posted by Dr. Bob on March 29, 2001, at 11:03:52
I know this probably is not the final answer, but until something else is in place, why not try a pledge week. Pick a week in April (not Easter week) and announce, perhaps in red, that this is pledge week.
Make membership $25, but all donations are accepted. If you are able to set up a credit card service to pay, that would be great. If not have people sign up and then send a check. Spell out how for a $25 pledge, it is only costing about 14 cents a day for a membership.Each day, change the number of days left to pledge--i.e. six more days to pledge.....and announce how many people have pledged--the announcement of pledges seems to stimulate new pledges. You might even set up a goal--I think it gets everyone united to try to reach a goal.I think it whould bring in some money now, so why not try?
Shelli
Posted by stjames on March 29, 2001, at 12:34:53
In reply to Re: mail-order pharmacies, posted by Dr. Bob on March 29, 2001, at 11:03:52
> There's an idea! I had thought about drug companies, but not pharmacies... Is this something you could look into for me? :-)
>
> BobJames here....
Hmm... the overseas pharmacies that don't require a script are of questionable legality (for the user). This would open liability issues, what happ-ens if someone is busted ? Is Br. Bob also on the hook for this. Even if you do have a script
and go overseas it is a grey legal area.How about US mail order pharmacies ? This would be legal (100%) and offer a savings to us.
Contacting the drug companies is a great idea; they are already advertising to users and this board is very targeted for them.
james
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 29, 2001, at 22:33:46
In reply to Re: Pledge Week » Dr. Bob, posted by ShelliR on March 29, 2001, at 11:46:15
> I know this probably is not the final answer, but until something else is in place, why not try a pledge week.
Hmm, interesting idea. Would the site be otherwise closed, or would there just be no posting, or would it be business as usual during that week?
Bob
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 29, 2001, at 22:42:40
In reply to Re: mail-order pharmacies, posted by stjames on March 29, 2001, at 12:34:53
> How about US mail order pharmacies ? This would be legal (100%) and offer a savings to us.
Right, that's what jb had in mind, I just didn't quote that part...
> Contacting the drug companies is a great idea; they are already advertising to users and this board is very targeted for them.
I used to think that, too, but (1) on the one hand, they have to be careful about seeming to support off-label uses, (2) on the other, what's posted here isn't always 100% pro-drug, and (3) advertisers may be anti-message board in general...
Hmm, (2) and (3) might also apply to mail-order pharmacies...
Bob
Posted by ShelliR on March 29, 2001, at 23:31:00
In reply to Re: Pledge Week, posted by Dr. Bob on March 29, 2001, at 22:33:46
> > I know this probably is not the final answer, but until something else is in place, why not try a pledge week.
>
> Hmm, interesting idea. Would the site be otherwise closed, or would there just be no posting, or would it be business as usual during that week?
>
> BobNo, definitely business as usual; that's important, so people continue to come to the site and remember why they're going to contribute to it. Perhaps reminder banners (and perhaps a short (!) speech) when you log on. If you could create another page for people to submit their pledge that would be good; if you could accept credit cards that would be even better. Maybe the amount of the pledge should remain anonymous, but the list of pledgers should be visible as incentive. ShelliR
Posted by JahL on March 30, 2001, at 16:57:40
In reply to Re: Pledge Week, posted by ShelliR on March 29, 2001, at 23:31:00
> No, definitely business as usual; that's important, so people continue to come to the site and remember why they're going to contribute to it. Perhaps reminder banners (and perhaps a short (!) speech) when you log on. If you could create another page for people to submit their pledge that would be good; if you could accept credit cards that would be even better. Maybe the amount of the pledge should remain anonymous, but the list of pledgers should be visible as incentive.Credit card facility is a must-contributing shld be made as easy & convenient as possible.
I would go one further & suggest a permanent CC click-on on the Support page. This wld make spontaneous donating easier. Say someone is finding Babble particularly helpful at a given time, they can make that donation while the 'moment' (ie emotional incentive) is still there.
J.
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 31, 2001, at 2:17:28
In reply to Re: Pledge Week:DrBob., posted by JahL on March 30, 2001, at 16:57:40
> > No, definitely business as usual; that's important, so people continue to come to the site and remember why they're going to contribute to it.
Doesn't public radio cut back on programming? Not that this is so much like public radio...
> > Maybe the amount of the pledge should remain anonymous, but the list of pledgers should be visible as incentive.
Some people prefer to be anonymous, and the number (and total amount) of anonymous pledges could be tallied, so I think it would be OK to give people the choice.
> > if you could accept credit cards that would be even better.
>
> Credit card facility is a mustIt looks like accepting credit cards might be much much easier now than it used to be. But I still think I should open a new bank account for that. And do my taxes. So it's still going to take some time, but probably not nearly as much as I was afraid...
Bob
Posted by ShelliR on March 31, 2001, at 8:51:54
In reply to Re: Credit cards, posted by Dr. Bob on March 31, 2001, at 2:17:28
> > > No, definitely business as usual; that's important, so people continue to come to the site and remember why they're going to contribute to it.
>
> Doesn't public radio cut back on programming? Not that this is so much like public radio...
>
No public radio does the same programming during pledge drives, just cuts in several times during the show to ask for pledges and tell you why they're important etc. and how far they've come to meeting that hour's goal.This year they've had a new thing, for two days during pledge week, they don't interrupt the shows, just tell you to go online to pledge
ShelliR
Posted by jb on March 31, 2001, at 13:33:41
In reply to Re: Credit cards, posted by Dr. Bob on March 31, 2001, at 2:17:28
> > > No, definitely business as usual; that's important, so people continue to come to the site and remember why they're going to contribute to it.
>
> Doesn't public radio cut back on programming? Not that this is so much like public radio...
>
> > > Maybe the amount of the pledge should remain anonymous, but the list of pledgers should be visible as incentive.
>
> Some people prefer to be anonymous, and the number (and total amount) of anonymous pledges could be tallied, so I think it would be OK to give people the choice.
>
> > > if you could accept credit cards that would be even better.
> >
> > Credit card facility is a must
>
> It looks like accepting credit cards might be much much easier now than it used to be. But I still think I should open a new bank account for that. And do my taxes. So it's still going to take some time, but probably not nearly as much as I was afraid...
>
> BobA couple of potential concerns -
(1)Married individuals or those otherwise living together, etc., may not want to explain the why/how, etc. of their participation in Psychobabble, upon the spouses or significant other opening of the credit card bill.
(2)Credit cards leave a "trail," and some people may not want their participation to potentially "leak out" due to that medium.
(3)New visitors may first want to experience the site for a certain period of time in order to understand the benefit and monetarily support the service. I realize you could time limit the free membership, as a "trial membership." However, it is another thing to think about.
JB
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 31, 2001, at 14:03:44
In reply to Re: Credit cards - privacy concerns, posted by jb on March 31, 2001, at 13:33:41
> (1)Married individuals or those otherwise living together, etc., may not want to explain the why/how, etc. of their participation in Psychobabble
>
> (2)Credit cards leave a "trail," and some people may not want their participation to potentially "leak out" due to that medium.I agree, those are drawbacks.
> (3)New visitors may first want to experience the site for a certain period of time in order to understand the benefit and monetarily support the service. I realize you could time limit the free membership, as a "trial membership."
Right, that's what I was thinking...
Bob
Posted by pandora on March 31, 2001, at 15:00:02
In reply to Re: Credit cards - privacy concerns, posted by Dr. Bob on March 31, 2001, at 14:03:44
> (3)New visitors may first want to experience the site for a certain period of time in order to understand the benefit and monetarily support the service. I realize you could time limit the free membership, as a "trial membership."
So, are you now thinking of making this as membership fee rather than a voluntary pledge drive?
Posted by ShelliR on March 31, 2001, at 15:06:33
In reply to Re: Credit cards - privacy concerns, posted by Dr. Bob on March 31, 2001, at 14:03:44
> > (3)New visitors may first want to experience the site for a certain period of time in order to understand the benefit and monetarily support the service. I realize you could time limit the free membership, as a "trial membership."
>
> Right, that's what I was thinking...
>
> BobWAIT A SECOND.... what is this about temporary memberships for a period of time? This is sounding more like you must eventually be a member. That is not in keeping with a pledge drive. If you don't pledge on public radio, you can still listen, participate; it is up to you and your conscience. When I suggested a pledge drive, I had in mind that all donations should be voluntary, not that psychobabble would now start to charge a mandatory membership fee.
That would upset me a lot because I think the entire flow of your website would change, be more limited, turn away people who by now have gotten used to full participation on the internet without fees. We do pay (most of us) to get our connection to the internet, but I have never been forced to pay for any services. I don't like that precedent at all. What happens if you are censored? Do you get back your membership fee? With a voluntary contribution, that is not an issue, because you chose to give. What if people hold back writing a message because: "oh, it's my fifth message and after this I have to pay and I'm still not sure if I want to." What if someone leaves for a few months and then comes back? Who wants to keep track of all that minutia?
I am willing to give money, but don't think I want to participate if I MUST give money. I don't want to be on a board with paid membership only--like belonging to a limited club. Also right now, Dr. Bob, you have a lot of power on the board, which is fine with me. But it I had to pay for membership, it might not be fine with me. Somehow donating to psychobabble feels fine to me, but being forced to join and pay a fee does not.
As to the privacy of credit cards, one doesn't have to pay by credit card. One can pledge money then send a check or a cashier's check. Credit cards are just one option to make payment easier.
Gosh, if this is turning into forced payment, then I'm sorry I mentioned a pledge drive.
ShelliR
Posted by JahL on March 31, 2001, at 15:19:25
In reply to Re: Credit cards - privacy concerns, posted by pandora on March 31, 2001, at 15:00:02
> > (3)New visitors may first want to experience the site for a certain period of time in order to understand the benefit and monetarily support the service. I realize you could time limit the free membership, as a "trial membership."
>
>
> So, are you now thinking of making this as membership fee rather than a voluntary pledge drive?Yeah. I thought we were talking voluntary donations. I thought the impracticalities & drawbacks of a membership system were covered a while ago...(eg what incentive would say, a CamW have to enrol?)
The CC facility I mentioned would be no more than a convenient *option*, in addition to cheques, money orders etc. If someone's worried about security then they shouldn't use the CC option. Simple as that.
J.
Posted by JahL on March 31, 2001, at 15:26:10
In reply to Re: Credit cards - privacy concerns » Dr. Bob, posted by ShelliR on March 31, 2001, at 15:06:33
.
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 1, 2001, at 16:02:50
In reply to Re: Credit cards - privacy concerns, posted by pandora on March 31, 2001, at 15:00:02
> So, are you now thinking of making this as membership fee rather than a voluntary pledge drive?
What I'm trying to do is keep an open mind...
Bob
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 1, 2001, at 16:33:40
In reply to Re: Credit cards - privacy concerns » Dr. Bob, posted by ShelliR on March 31, 2001, at 15:06:33
> WAIT A SECOND.... what is this about temporary memberships for a period of time? This is sounding more like you must eventually be a member. That is not in keeping with a pledge drive. If you don't pledge on public radio, you can still listen, participate; it is up to you and your conscience.
It's also up to how successful the pledge drive is...
> When I suggested a pledge drive, I had in mind that all donations should be voluntary, not that psychobabble would now start to charge a mandatory membership fee.
I know, this is something separate, which I've been thinking about for a while. It's never been a popular idea, which I guess I understand, but I think I can make it palatable. Although I might need to hire a PR firm...
> That would upset me a lot because I think the entire flow of your website would change, be more limited, turn away people who by now have gotten used to full participation on the internet without fees. We do pay (most of us) to get our connection to the internet, but I have never been forced to pay for any services. What happens if you are censored? Do you get back your membership fee? What if someone leaves for a few months and then comes back? Who wants to keep track of all that minutia?
It would be a change, and some people might be turned away, yes. No one would be *forced* to pay anything, of course...
Probably if people were blocked, they wouldn't get a refund. It would be an extra incentive to be civil. One of the reasons to do it, BTW, is to make it easier for me to *keep* disruptive people blocked.
The server would keep track of everything, it's good at that. :-)
> Also right now, Dr. Bob, you have a lot of power on the board, which is fine with me. But it I had to pay for membership, it might not be fine with me.
Can you say more about that?
> Gosh, if this is turning into forced payment, then I'm sorry I mentioned a pledge drive.
Again, this goes back a long time, it wouldn't be your fault.
--------
> I thought the impracticalities & drawbacks of a membership system were covered a while ago...(eg what incentive would say, a CamW have to enrol?)
Good question. What incentives could there be? :-)
Bob
Posted by ShelliR on April 1, 2001, at 17:57:51
In reply to Re: membership fee idea, posted by Dr. Bob on April 1, 2001, at 16:33:40
Dr. Bob,
The pledge drive could be really easy to put into place fast. It is at the least a temporary way to bring more money in.
Now that you're rethinking the whole membership fee thing again, I can see the time just goin' by again and no money coming in for a long time.
Why start vacillating again now? Why not just go for the pledge drive and debate the manadatory membership later, so at least one thing concerning finances gets done?
Personally, if you make this a paid site, I think you will be very disappointed at the outcome and truely regret it. You will need to explain why this board, out of all the hundreds of free boards, requires payment. There are boards with paid staff psychologists and psychiatrists answering questions, and they don't even require money. As far as I tell, you are the only one who thinks this would be a good idea. (And truely, I'm not being facetitious here, I "hear" that people are willing to pay a donation, or help you work to find a sponsor or grant, but don't want a membership fee for a myriad of reasons.) It might be worthwhile to really listen. You've got a lot of bright people participating on this board.
But that decision can still be made later. Hey, it's your board. But why not see what a pledge drive twice a year brings in and continue to look for a sponsor.
ShelliR
p.s., if you're truely headed towards a membership fee requirement, then I don't want to put any more energy into ideas to bring in money. It would just be a waste of time. (Again, not meant to be disrespectful, but it's frustrating to see people try to help think of ways to bring in money and have you return again to paid membership again. What is the point of brain storming if that is where you're going to end up anyway?)
Well, yeah, I guess I'm a bit annoyed that we're backtracking again.
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 2, 2001, at 2:56:01
In reply to Re: membership fee idea » Dr. Bob, posted by ShelliR on April 1, 2001, at 17:57:51
> The pledge drive could be really easy to put into place fast.
Not so so easy if it's by credit card. Or were you thinking checks?
> if you're truely headed towards a membership fee requirement, then I don't want to put any more energy into ideas to bring in money. It would just be a waste of time.
>
> Well, yeah, I guess I'm a bit annoyed that we're backtracking again.I do appreciate your help with this, sorry if I don't seem responsive. Think of it not as backtracking, but just as keeping that door open. We can pursue more than one option at a time, can't we?
> Personally, if you make this a paid site, I think you will be very disappointed at the outcome and truely regret it.
> It might be worthwhile to really listen. You've got a lot of bright people participating on this board.
I know, it might be a big mistake. But how about if we discuss whether or not to cross that bridge if we come to it? Thanks,
Bob
Posted by ShelliR on April 2, 2001, at 9:21:40
In reply to Re: membership fee idea, posted by Dr. Bob on April 2, 2001, at 2:56:01
We can pursue more than one option at a time, can't we?Absolutely.
It's just that the membership idea came up again while talking about a pledge drive, so it seemed to me (and others) that you were connecting the two. I do think you cannot do a pledge drive and have mandatory membership at the same time. But yes, of course you can do a pledge drive now and continue to think about membership dues.
I think checks could work for a pledge drive; I think credit cards would be better. How long would it take to put into place? ShelliR
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 3, 2001, at 1:37:31
In reply to Re: membership fee idea » Dr. Bob, posted by ShelliR on April 2, 2001, at 9:21:40
> It's just that the membership idea came up again while talking about a pledge drive, so it seemed to me (and others) that you were connecting the two.
I don't think I was the one who brought it up, I think I just responded to something...
> I think checks could work for a pledge drive; I think credit cards would be better. How long would it take to put into place?
I think the web page side of things is a lot easier than it used to be. But maybe I should open a separate bank account for this?
The main thing is, I have to do my taxes first. :-)
Bob
PS: BTW, I think I figured out a way to work a pledge drive into the site. :-)
Posted by NikkiT2 on April 3, 2001, at 20:37:52
In reply to Re: membership fee idea, posted by Dr. Bob on April 3, 2001, at 1:37:31
Woah....
As part of my illness I ahve run up HUGe debts, and as such have no way I could pay you, other than slowly by some sort of bankers draft or something... I have no visa, nothing.
*sobs* I'd be incredibly hurt to be exluded from chatting here simply because of this.
Nikki
Posted by Cam W. on April 4, 2001, at 8:47:30
In reply to Re: membership fee idea, posted by Dr. Bob on April 3, 2001, at 1:37:31
Dr.Bob - I haven't been following this thread very much, but have you considered drug company money. To be fair, you could offer all drug companies an option of participating with links to their sites (ie for monographs, drug information, etc) and their sites have mutual links back to PB.
To fund a site like this would be a drop in the bucket to any drug company. To cover a year's operating costs would cost less than one conference. The participating drug company links could be placed at the bottom of each page.
In return, you could allow access (which they really already have) to post marketing information on their drug &/or competitors' drugs. Almost all of the information on this site is balanced, eventually and it would give their marketing boys a chance to use the info to tailor the marketing of their product (ie Wyeth-Ayerst could fashion an ad campaign to educate doctors about how to handle &/or prevent Effexor withdrawl symptoms).
Also, how much would membership cost. I do think that a membership fee may chase me away. With all the expenses I have been incurring lately (and the awful exchange on the Canadian dollar) I can barely "pay" attention, let alone pay to give information (passionate or otherwise)
:^)- Cam
Posted by willow on April 4, 2001, at 21:46:36
In reply to Drug Company Money? » Dr. Bob, posted by Cam W. on April 4, 2001, at 8:47:30
Cam
I had mentioned something similar earlier and it got exed because of "conflict of interest" I believe. I didn't agree with the reasoning considering all the advertising that we get through the television and print ads already. Your way of presenting it with the links is a better idea though so perhaps it'll get more positive feedback.
I do believe this site gives good feedback to the general public. I remember yourself answering questions I had regards to my father when his doctors decided to change his medication. You had eased our distress and gave us a second opinion. I can remember my dad reading your posts over my shoulder and he actually followed your advice though it took him a little time. (He quit his Maximum Ice habit. : )
Keep posting, and don't take any of the emotional posts to heart. You are helping many!!
Willow
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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