Mr. Neil (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} mister_neil) wrote,@ 2008-10-26 23:20:00 |
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Bail Out Infidel Guy
So, I got an email from Reggie Finley, that, if you've ever been a subscriber, I'm sure some of you received as well. Basically, IG.com is in dire straits and, barring some major bail-out in the way of donations, the site may disappear forever, and he'll be forced to rejoin the army.
Here's the thing. We're all feeling the hurt right now. I wish I could help IG out, but I can't. I have my own website I pay for every year (okay, so it's just the domain name), in addition to all the other bills that each of us have to pay every month. I'm lucky enough if I have the flexibility to buy stuff that I want, and it's going to be like that for a while. I presume a lot of people are in this position right now.
Unfortunately, I don't think Reggie's ever going to get that site to be what he wants it to be, which would be a regular source of income. There are way too many free podcasts out there, and, while they're not of the same caliber, they do offer comparable content that doesn't cost listeners a dime. Heck, YouTube is ripe with skeptic programming, from people like Thunderf00t and Shanedk. It seems that being a web celebrity amounts to little more than a hobby, and those who accept this plight are the ones who last.
My suggestion to Reggie is to get his own affairs in order first. If he needs income, he should just join the Army. He'll probably have to do it anyway, so just go ahead and do it. Second, reserve yourself with the fact that InfidelGuy.com is only ever going to be a hobby. Buy off your domain name for however many years you enlist, and park it. Take all your content down, and either leave a blank page or redirect it to Talkorigins.org. Then, when you come back, relaunch the site with a new focus. Content yourself with the fact that this is only ever going to be a hobby. Don't over spend yourself, and don't rely on your fans as a reliable source of income, or you're just going to find yourself back in the same situation you're in right now. Consider paid sponsorship instead of site membership, and use free hosting from sites such as YouTube, Podango, Talkshoe or other free media content providers.
And no, you won't be able to afford getting high-profile names to come on your show anymore, but if you're smart and are able to rebrand yourself, you may find yourself able to bounce back and be as big, if not bigger, than what you were before.
Just don't expect to make any money.
So, I got an email from Reggie Finley, that, if you've ever been a subscriber, I'm sure some of you received as well. Basically, IG.com is in dire straits and, barring some major bail-out in the way of donations, the site may disappear forever, and he'll be forced to rejoin the army.
Here's the thing. We're all feeling the hurt right now. I wish I could help IG out, but I can't. I have my own website I pay for every year (okay, so it's just the domain name), in addition to all the other bills that each of us have to pay every month. I'm lucky enough if I have the flexibility to buy stuff that I want, and it's going to be like that for a while. I presume a lot of people are in this position right now.
Unfortunately, I don't think Reggie's ever going to get that site to be what he wants it to be, which would be a regular source of income. There are way too many free podcasts out there, and, while they're not of the same caliber, they do offer comparable content that doesn't cost listeners a dime. Heck, YouTube is ripe with skeptic programming, from people like Thunderf00t and Shanedk. It seems that being a web celebrity amounts to little more than a hobby, and those who accept this plight are the ones who last.
My suggestion to Reggie is to get his own affairs in order first. If he needs income, he should just join the Army. He'll probably have to do it anyway, so just go ahead and do it. Second, reserve yourself with the fact that InfidelGuy.com is only ever going to be a hobby. Buy off your domain name for however many years you enlist, and park it. Take all your content down, and either leave a blank page or redirect it to Talkorigins.org. Then, when you come back, relaunch the site with a new focus. Content yourself with the fact that this is only ever going to be a hobby. Don't over spend yourself, and don't rely on your fans as a reliable source of income, or you're just going to find yourself back in the same situation you're in right now. Consider paid sponsorship instead of site membership, and use free hosting from sites such as YouTube, Podango, Talkshoe or other free media content providers.
And no, you won't be able to afford getting high-profile names to come on your show anymore, but if you're smart and are able to rebrand yourself, you may find yourself able to bounce back and be as big, if not bigger, than what you were before.
Just don't expect to make any money.
