We Need Ideas!

[HazelMagic]

Haha! Unfortunately I have a gran in Cape Town who owns a bead shop, so I have plenty of that. Maybe Harry900 wants something beaded?

And I will be able to be the head of the Southern African Knitting Department

[Rhynn]

I sent the ideas so far to Hagrid, so we can work on implementing them

Keep the ideas coming - we can always use more, of course!

[xAppleChaix]

Rhynn- I love the designs you put up in the art gallery. Sorry for posting here but I didn't want to disturb anything there, but I have a question/suggestion. I saw the men's clothing had blazers and got super excited! Are there blazers for the women as well? I didn't see any, but maybe we could get women's blazers or post a size chart on the men's that could show what to order if you're a girl (and wear it like a boyfriend blazer lol). I really like them and would love to order one if it came in my size!

[Rhynn]

Hrm, the blazer is incredibly limited - a real shame, 'cause I love how it looks! Here's a size chart:


Size - L - XL
Measure A (inch) - 28.0 - 28.3
Measure B (inch) - 21.7 - 22.8
Measure C (inch) - 26.8 - 26.8

It's only available in blue/grey... when I first saw it I thought maybe I could make hogwarts blazers, but that won't really fit xD Maybe I'll make Beauxbatons jackets though Or, if you have another idea, let me know - I'm almost done with the topic

Oh it costs $67.90, and that's without any designs or shop commission on it, so the eventual price is likely to be around $4 higher!

[PhoenixCharm180]

It's really lame, but I do feel that just setting up a 'donate' button is the easiest way to get money. Not only for the forum but also for the people on the forum. It's simple and easy and not too expensive to just donate a couple of bucks every once in a while. Buying T-shirsts or what not is a lot more expensive plus there are hidden shipping costs for those who don't live in the same country as where the merchandise is located. It can get to be complicated very quickly, producing more headache than income or satisfaction.

[Mika]

Open a portal to facebook. Have every one registered like it on facebook and share. Then go after advertisers like Amazon (Kindle Fire) Barnes and Noble (Nook) Try some of the cell phone companies. Us, South America, Canada Uk, other parts of the world. Remember Harry is now on E-books. Don't forget to tell them how many registered users you have. Good luck Mika

[xAppleChaix]

That's too bad about the blazer, it would have been awesome to get a black one with the school and house crests on it (with colour buttons to match the house). I think Beauxbatons would be a neat idea, but probably wouldn't be as popular as a Hogwarts blazer (does Beauxbatons even have separate houses?). The facebook is a good idea as well, however on the forum I think we're a bit about privacy- especially with the younger users. I dunno if facebook would compromise that. I still think a donation button is the best way to go. A lot of dedicated users wouldn't mind pitching in a couple of bucks now and then.

[Jemby51]

Looking at its title I thought this topic would be about ideas for PFF - as in suggestions on things to do!

Perhaps a new post with a title more like: "We Need Ideas to Keep PFF Up and Growing" would get more participation?

I agree with earlier posts that expressed concern about too many ads making the site too trashy...in the early days I spent hours and hours on Mugglenet but I never go there now. It used to have really excellent articles and discussions, and now it's all about the ads and blogs (sigh).

Also, there are many complications involved with buying and selling; I think Diagon Alley is a terrific concept, but the other posters are correct - it needs more shops. I'm wondering if adding eyeballs that link to existing Potter-related sites is an option? Thinking of Alivan's (wands and robes) or The Noble Collection (jewelry & chess sets & stuff)...would they pay to advertise their HP related merchandise in PFF's Diagon Alley? You might even get eyeballs for the HP theme park. The only workaround I'd be concerned with there is the perception that PFF actually endorses those sites, so you'd need a disclaimer. As long as the ads/eyeballs are only on the Diagon Alley section of PFF, the rest of the forum wouldn't be trashed with pop-ups and animations and blinking...blinking...blinking.

[Silvanna RavenWing]

New here myself but Run a few forums and websites myself and I can tell you getting funding can be difficult. All of these ideas are great I think implimenting multiple options is a good idea. Regardless of how much money comes in, always have a donate button. I didn't see donations for over a year on one onf my forums, and one day there was $300 dollard donated by a single individual, so it does pay to have it available.

Ads are a necessary evil and Amazon.com is not the only site you can earn money from. There are several sites that work with website owners to gain traffic and the site can gain a portion of the funds. Ebay is another one that does it. I have about 7 different ones on one forum I help run, I will get a full list and instructions on how to use them if you would like.

Also adding smaller cheaper products to your shop is a great way to not only make money but to promote the site. The idea of members making handmade items is also great. If running that out of the shop here is not possible, why not create a PFF etsy account and allow people to post their items there.

Personally I make jewelry, art, and other things. The jewelry I make is also completely customizable and you can either order a premade item or I can make something custom and unique for each individual. So I can offer up my services there. I know a few artists and writers that can help out.

One other option that is perfectly legal but some people might find a bit unfair is to hold raffles. There are online raffle ticket services and you can make the tickets worth any ammount like $1 or $5 each. People would buy the tickets and the funds can got to the site, and prizes or all the site and have members donate prizes. There are several ways to work this and it could be nice to do say once a month or once every few months.

I am sure I can come up with a few more ideas given some time. I will look into some of the other forums I run and see if there is anything I can gain from them that can be duplicated here.

[Niffz]

The Raffle is a great idea!!

PFF Quilt may be my next project XD