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Sleuth Costs/Money
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Sleuth Admin
Sleuth Admin
Tale Spinner

Oct-6-2004 11:35

Although I try to run Sleuth as professionally as I can, realistcally, it is more of a hobby than a business. Since I began offering subscriptions in April, it has made enough money to pay for it's recurring costs (advertising and hosting), with enough left over to occasionally invest in hardware upgrades.

So, the time I spend working on the game is donated, which is fine with me, since I enjoy offering this service and watching the community grow, and there is always a small chance that this will lead to something bigger.

Over the last few weeks, there have been a few interesting trends. One, rate of traffic increase, has sped up. We now are visited by around 200 new players a day, which is great, but it means there has been a cooresponding increase in my hosting charges since I'm now over my previous bandwidth limit.

At the same time, subscription levels have actually dropped significantly. I have no idea why that is happening, but it is noticeable.

Consequently, we're now in a place where Sleuth is actually losing money on a monthly basis. A situation I can't leave it in for more than a couple months.

So, I'm looking for ideas about how to bring in a little more cash:

1) Does anybody have any ideas as to why less people are choosing to subscribe to Sleuth, even as there are more players? This seems quite strange.

2) I'm thinking of carrying ads on Sleuth, at least for non-subscribed players. I can't just slap on Google ads because Sleuth requires a login, but there are other options I can look into. What is people's opinion on that?

3) Would anybody be interested in purchasing Sleuth merchandise (t-shirts, mousepads, etc) if I opened up a Cafe Press store?

4) Should I add further limits on non-subscribed players to encourage more of them to subscribe?


Replies

Sleuth Admin
Sleuth Admin
Tale Spinner

Oct-10-2004 17:17

Hello Franco,

Yes, I think PayPal does accept Multibanc card payments. Just click the buy now button and you should see that as an option after selecting your country.




Sleuth Admin
Sleuth Admin
Tale Spinner

Oct-10-2004 17:18

I've purposely not been too obnoxious with "Subscribe Now" messages all over the place. If people are actually having trouble finding the links though, maybe I should add that to the toolbar for non-subscribers.

Jojo
Jojo
Old Shoe

Oct-10-2004 18:31

Ben, why SHOULDN'T you be too obnoxious? I say, "PUT THEM ALL OVER!" You run this site and are now LOSING money. I say, "Do what ever you have to do!"

Dr. Falco Maltese
Dr. Falco Maltese
Well-Connected

Oct-10-2004 19:40

Certainly having "Subscribe Now" on the toolbar for non-subscribers would be pretty non-invasive (and apparently useful as well.)

Also, while away on a bike trip this weekend and thinking of sleuth, I thought of another website I like (this is not meant as a plug, just an example), bookcrossing.com, where you can sign up for free but earn "wings" by your name that last for a month by either making a minimum purchase at the site's shop or by making a donation to the site. To keep your wings current, you have to keep buying or donating every month.

These wings have turned into a bit of a status symbol. Another fun part is that you can donate wings to someone else who doesn't have them. Maybe here we could earn cute little magnifying glass icons next to our names? Check it out for some inspiration, Ben!

jstkdn
jstkdn
Well-Connected

Oct-11-2004 15:19

Dr Falco....as usual you come with the great ideas! I would be more and willing to support Ben doing something like on bookcrossing.

Ben, stick the "subscribe now" all over, for those that are not subscribed. Perhaps even when people get a false, or quit a case, describe the benefits of being subscribed (i.e. being in an agency.)

I agree with Jojo, Ben you should be less modest, and commercialize this place a bit more. You are loosing money.

Jojo
Jojo
Old Shoe

Oct-11-2004 17:47

Ben, you get your butt posting subscribe now messages all over this site. EVEN for the subscribers! How about reminders every month about how your subscription is ending soon?

Ben, this whole subscribing thing...It's for MAKING money; not LOSING it!

jstkdn
jstkdn
Well-Connected

Oct-12-2004 04:32

Ben, I think you really have your answers. People seem to be OK with raising subscription prices, commercializing this place more.

Unless a lot of people speak up and complain. I think you can go implement. Rather have it sooner, then loose this game.

Richard Gilmore
Richard Gilmore

Oct-12-2004 14:35

I just started playing this game and I plan on subscribing. I think more people would subscribe if you limited the amount of play to one month like dogberta sugested. Give new players just enough time to get hooked. Also, I dont know if you have plans to expand the world to beyond that one city, but you could limit non subscribers play in that one city. Maybe you could find some other interested people to run other servers and expand.

Ericka Jones
Ericka Jones

Oct-13-2004 03:35

personally, i am only 16, so i can't subscribe, and it is a pain to only be able to play 3 cases a day.

Rivergallery
Rivergallery

Oct-13-2004 18:05

Ericka- you could if your parents pay ;)... Or if an online friend pays for you.. You could also send money to ben via snail mail
Also you can pay if you have a Checking account.

I also agree with the one month for free. It took me about that long .. and along with this post! to finally break down and subscribe.

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