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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

Deayts
Deayts
Well-Connected

Oct-7-2004 14:03

someone new even :)

Bryola
Bryola
Well-Connected

Oct-8-2004 23:01

I have nothing new to add, except support. I agree with Elven and Deayts that unsubscribed players shouldn't be allowed to stay in agencies for extended periods. Also, I would fully support any ads or price increases. The game is well worth it.

Rivergallery
Rivergallery

Oct-9-2004 06:38

Ok. As a non-subcriber why have I not.....
First $.. we don't even pay for cable so even though the $ is small it is the main reason for not signing up.
Second I don't have time to do 8 cases everyday and have limited will power so might not be able to stay away .. and with two little toddlers, I can't spend TOO much time on the computer :).


I think ads for non-subcribers is a great idea. I would definately click them. A One month trial is a good idea also.

What would get me to subscribe?
I like this idea.

"One bizarre idea I had based on someone's request on the message boards to have a tutorial or demo that showed what it was like to be subscribed was the idea of an agency intern or apprentice. This could be someone who is on the fence about subscribing. An agency could take them in for a day without worrying about their maximum number of agents. They could store cases, use the agency contacts, participate in every way. If there was a way to do this, then at midnight, or when 24 hours was up, instead of "turning into a pumpkin" they would be back to their unsubscribed status again, and back with whatever accessories they brought into the agency."

After reading this, I am thinking more about subscribing even if I don't join an agency.

About items I think starting with Cafe-press is a good idea, it is easy to set up a "store" and you don't have to deal with product.

Rivergallery
Rivergallery

Oct-9-2004 06:43

I've been trying to even find where to subscribe and can't find in at City Hall, maybe we should make a separate link, as well as a link within the Subscribtion FAQ at the bottom of the page.

Franco
Franco

Oct-10-2004 14:18

i am from portugal.
is there any other way of payment?
how much is the subscrib in EUROS?
have you think about that?
thanks, sorry if any wrong writing.

Franco

p.s. pay by multibanc card?you now wath that is?

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.

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