ok, i got $1100 to spend

[Cloughie]

Hey all,

My affiliate program has been running for like a year... Its not a great performer but I do have about $1100 saved up.

So......

What would you do if you were me?

I am considering spending the money and making a load of Wannabebig t-shirts and selling them on the forum as there seems to be a big demand for them.

Is there another area I could spend it and get a better ROI?

Any other cool ideas?

I should also note I cannot spend this on At Large Nutrition advertising. The money is half mine, half the guy that I run the forums with so we have to spend it on the forums or at least on WBB stuff.

[Westech]

If you go ahead with the t-shirt idea, you might want to look into cafepress.com . There's no initial invensment required, so you wouldn't have to risk your $1100. You send them the shirt design and set the price and then they handle all manufacturing/ordering/fulfilment for you. They do cost a lot per shirt though, so if you want to keep the price down for your members, you might do better going another way.

[Cloughie]

Yeah I definately don't want to go cafepress.

You make jack per product and I don't like the idea of everything being so the same..

I would prefer to make funky new t-shirts,.

Thats just me though :)

[moonshield]

yea do some shirts... you should be able to find a local press or something to do it for you... or you could do it yourself :) and save some money.

[Emancipator]

$1100.00? IS that from a year a month? I tend to spend depending on that factor. Considered re-investing to further enhance your performance?

[michael_gersitz]

What other profits do you have? Your site seem very big. You should be raking in more than 1.1k a year...

[Chris]

Do you have a Yahoo listing?

[Cloughie]

Chris, I don't have a yahoo listing.

I should re-iterate that because this i revenue generated for WBB it has to be spent on something cool for WBB as there is someone else involved and its half his. Something venture like so that it can tie him into the picture.

Michael, I agree, though my situation is a touch different. i could plaster google ads, fast click stuff over it, etc but I chose to set up a sports supplement company so it really does limit what I can do in terms of maximising revenue. I guess I am trying to go for the longer term thing.

ALN has been up a year and has brought in $35 in its first year. No profits due to all of it being reinvested in promotional items, advertising etc ... Also costs were higher than revenue for the first 3-4 months, but thats growing pains.

We are now at the point where we are starting to have a bit left over monthly even after some promotional stuff.

Any other ideas would be welcome!

[chrispian]

I think your best bet is to donate the money to me. I'm sure you and your parter will feel better knowing I'll put the money to some good use ;)

Seriously though, I think the t-shirts is a good idea. If your community is into it and have been wanting it, I think it's a win/win for everyone. If you do your research you can get your shirts done with really good quality and almost double your money if you sell them all.

[incka]

Want to know why ATL isn't working? I can't tell you but I can tell you how you can find out - Your forum. It's teaming with your target audience, they can tell you why they don't shop there. Perhaps your prices are too high? Perhaps they find it easier to buy offline? Perhaps you don't stock the brand they want? Ask them and they will tell you.

[Chris]

Buy a Yahoo listing. Its worth it.

[Cloughie]

ok, I will.... thanks!

I'll get it done asap...

Inka, we have actually sold to a lot of people on the forums, its more about trying to expand out of there... The ones that donlt buy are mainly just very price sensitive, but saying that quite a lot do buy from us..

[Cloughie]

Buy a Yahoo listing. Its worth it.

Chris, do you mean for Wannabebig or At Large Nutrition?

I donlt have one for at large nutrition, so if you mean that what category would you submit to?

http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Shopping_and_Services/Health/Nutrition/Supplements/Sports/Bodybuilding/

http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Shopping_and_Services/Health/Nutrition/Supplements/Sports/Brand_Names/

http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Shopping_and_Services/Health/Nutrition/Supplements/Brand_Names/

I am thinking number 2?

If you mean Wannabebig, we are listed here:

http://dir.yahoo.com/Recreation/Sports/Weightlifting/Bodybuilding/

[michael_gersitz]

Chris,

Have all your Yahoo Submissions been accepted? It is alot of money for me to put on the line (or anyone for that matter), if in there terms it says they can simply decline your listing for no reason and no refund.

[Chris]

All mine have yes.

I mean both Cloughie.

[Cloughie]

Gotcha, thanks Chris!

[Cloughie]

Sorry Chris one more thing. Some q's on yahoo if you don't mind :)

I'll get ALN in, as I said WBB is already in.

There seems to be a few different and all relevant categories to submit to. $295 is a lot of money so I just need to make sure i get it right.

What would you recommend I submit to?

I don't know if you remember but you actually came up with the name At large Nutrition :) Should I sumbit it as @large nutrition? (I think thats why you chose it)

What if I don't refer to it as @large nutrition anywhere else?

If it were only for alpha indexing At large would still be at the top of the list.

[AndyH]

Does being in the Yahoo! Directory have the same affect as being in Dmoz -> Google Directory? Possibly even more of a PR boost?

[pas]

Buy a Yahoo listing. Its worth it.

HOw much more worthwhile than the recurring $300/year? Have you bought a lot of listings? And renew them every year?