Google Adwords & other things

[SteveColes]

As some of you may have noticed, the traffic on the site is actually dwindling. The number of active users is up but not as a percentage of total users.

We need new members and we need more traffic from our existing members. So I have done a few things. First I restarted the google adwords campagin. That has already shown some results in new members.

The Photo Contest was something that I started in hopes of increasing traffic, but that seems to be going nowhere. I think part of the problem is that people are are intimadated by the requirements. Anyone have any ideas on that.

But I am going to add a list of the prizes. I've been collecting these for a while thinking there would be a set of smaller contests, but I never have come up with one before. This one requires 13 prizes ( the cover) so that will probably exhaust my cache. I even bought a few more today. Tomorrow, I'll dig as many out as I can find then add it to the thread. I think telling people what the prizes are, may help.:eusa_pray

Also, I am extending the deadline a bit to give people more time.

 

[cskipper]

I realize this sounds silly, but I just didn't realize how close we are to November. I've been trying to get everything cut for the gallery and just put trying to get pictures sent for consideration. I'll do better.

 

[clowman]

I plan on entering the contest, I just need to finish up my project. I think some people could potentially be intimadated by the technical requirements, many people have no idea what a pixel or dpi is.

 

[SteveColes]

I don't figure I have any chance of winning so I haven't taken any photos. Probably a lot of other folks feel the same way.

But Mike you are an administrator, you fiddle with the results:eusa_danc

 

[Monty]

The contest is a great idea - I don't think 13 prizes are necessary... maybe one prize for the cover (most votes) photo, maybe a runner-up prize if you want to. I think just having your project featured is a prize in itself.

I may have overlooked it, but I gather this will be a printed calendar for sale at some point? I don't know how much they will end up costing, but having calendars like this would be a great promotional item for the site if they end up being cheap enough to give away. We could have them in woodworking stores around the state.

With regard to the photo requirements, my own style would have been to just accept any entry as long as it's a high enough resolution that we can work with, then we can just work on the 13 winning photos to make them fit the calendar format. Some people will have pics that just won't fit exactly right no matter how you crop them, and there will be some "color" space on either side or top/bottom. Again, we can easily do that... and it would be easier to do for 13 pics than for 20 or 30 pics that people will need help with before they'll submit an entry! :roll:

I think I can dig up a couple of pics to enter as well... I'll take a look probably this weekend.

 

[McRabbet]

Monty -- your bench should be added to the contest. There are many other projects that members have in their galleries that certainly are worthy entries and I suspect they just are a little timid. I entered because I'm proud of the project, not for any prizes -- I mentioned the calendar to my client and he said he'd love to have one even if the wine cellar picture didn't make the final cut. I have one other project I could enter, but I would rather see this limited to one entry per person, so I won't. I hope more folks jump on the bandwagon and enter their projects -- some that come to mind are Lorraine, DavidF, Steve D, Ozzie-x, Tim in Mayberry, Timsparents, DL Ames, Skeeter, Clowman, Sapwood, Junquecol, Bernhard, SteveColes, Kota62, GregSmith, NZappi, to name a few...

Rob

 

[SteveColes]

Well, I already have prizes:lol: might as well use them.

As for the cover I actually had something else in mind, which would be another contest:eusa_danc I'll write something about it here first to see if you agree.

The calendars will be available from cafepress just like the rest of the logo'd stuff. Individualy, they cost 14.99 unless we buy in bulk. If the calendar really looks good (the photos), then we should consider getting a real printer and buy enough to get them cheaper. But I really want to see how the photos turn out before we go that route.

As for accepting anything close and then do the rest of necessary work, then we become part of the creative process. That's why I suggested people get partners to help. That way they can blame their partner for a lousy composition, etc.:rolf:

But if you think we should do it for them automatically, then I have no problem and will help. But if you go that way would you please announce it with any caveats that are needed.

I hope I answered everything, my new saw awaits:yes4lo:

The contest is a great idea - I don't think 13 prizes are necessary... maybe one prize for the cover (most votes) photo, maybe a runner-up prize if you want to. I think just having your project featured is a prize in itself.

I may have overlooked it, but I gather this will be a printed calendar for sale at some point? I don't know how much they will end up costing, but having calendars like this would be a great promotional item for the site if they end up being cheap enough to give away. We could have them in woodworking stores around the state.

With regard to the photo requirements, my own style would have been to just accept any entry as long as it's a high enough resolution that we can work with, then we can just work on the 13 winning photos to make them fit the calendar format. Some people will have pics that just won't fit exactly right no matter how you crop them, and there will be some "color" space on either side or top/bottom. Again, we can easily do that... and it would be easier to do for 13 pics than for 20 or 30 pics that people will need help with before they'll submit an entry! :roll:

I think I can dig up a couple of pics to enter as well... I'll take a look probably this weekend.