15 May 2019 06:33:34
Ladies and Gentlemen, I would just like to take a moment to tell you about two new features to the Liverpool Rumours pages.

These changes have come about because of our advertisers collapsing, and in the process leaving us very much out of pocket.

Firstly, you will notice a Paypal donation button above the drop down menus just above the start of the posts. This is pretty much as it says on the tin you can decide on the Paypal page whether this is to be a single donation or a monthly recurring donation until you decided to cancel it.

And anyone who does donate (any amount) will receive a Liverbird badge, as i am showing, next to their username, for 30 days. Stand out from the crowd!

Secondly, is our sponsorship grid on the right of the page (currently on pc / laptop, soon to be on mobile) This is aimed at local, or national companies. In April there were 600k page views on this site, and it is even higher in the summer months!

So if you are a local merseyside company, this is the ideal place to show yourself. You can buy one, or multiple squares, and with your logo spread over them, they will also be clickable, with a link to your website. We hope, this helps our local companies as much as it helps us. To enquire on the price and duration of squares, click the red tab above the grid.

Thank you for your time.

Ed091

{Ed001's Note - I have been told for years that we would have to do this at some point, to move over to subscription, but I dislike the thought of anyone having to pay for the site, as the net should be free imo. So, rather than just give those who subscribe just what they are currently getting, I would like to offer something more for subscribers.

Does anyone have any ideas for what kind of extra thing/s they would like for their subscription money or, for those who have yet to subscribe, what would tempt them to subscribe? It has to be something over and above what you currently get, as I would not want to remove anything from the free service, just want to add value to the subscription.}


1.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 06:44:55
I want Ed002 to tell me what an insightful and faultless contributor I am :)

{Ed001's Note - even I can't perform that kind of miracle!}


2.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 06:49:32
Ed002 on retainer? 😁
First of - will subscribe later today - this site is worth it (and then some! ) .
More to the point of the question asked - match reviews you do are a massive part here.
Two proposals:
1 maybe some time difference between putting the match review for subscribers vs. none subscribers?

2 match reviews again. Time and time again, your analysis proves me I know zilch about football. Maybe adding diagrams (or similar) explaining extra about the game for subscribers?

Just for the record, I actually don't think you have to offer anything new as the site is already brilliant as is.

Cheers!

{Ed001's Note - I did actually, a number of years ago now, get one of those pen and drawing tablets for exactly that reason. Well not to prove you know zilch, that is just an added bonus, but to add diagrams or even create videos for the sites. The problem is that they never came with software, so I ended up never doing anything with it. I had assumed it would come coupled with a software package like the one I had bought my daughter to draw comics with. I had completely forgotten I had it until you reminded me, that is certainly something I can look into doing, along with a time delay on things, as then people are still getting the articles, so not losing out because potentially they can't afford to pay.}


3.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 07:19:42
Ed001 😀
Another thing came to mind.
It involves ed002 though - sharkpood (or alternatively - his insanely detailed answers he gives every now and again) only for subscribers?

{Ed002's Note - I know nothing about this and will not be accepting any money so please don't drag me in to this.}


4.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 07:23:46
I think the badge is enough mate, I wouldn't offer anymore, you do enough and I'd like to think the majority here will subscribe, especially the regulars (if of course they can afford it) I will be doing monthly.


5.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 08:50:10
Agree, just the badge is awesome.


6.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 07:04:56
ED091/ ED001/ ED002

I appreciate the situation and needing to raise money, ED001 raises valid points if there's additional benefits you can receive to make it more appealing rather than just a badge next to your name!

1. If you do pay (Do you get priority from the Eds over your questions being answered over those that do not pay)?

2. Regarding Ed001 stating 'what would tempt people to subscribe'?
I think if you're more specific what will subscribers money being going towards, I think this is an important piece of information you may have missed.
Is it running of the website? enhanced features to make it more efficient and transparent? Do the Eds get paid for their time?

Excuse my ignorance, I just feel for any buy in its important to be clear and transparent with what the payment is actually contributing to, other people could also have the same question as me.
This should help with subscriptions.

3. Is it possible to also include PayPal?

Much appreciated.

Tommy T.

{Ed001's Note - 1. Not right now and I doubt we would go down that road as everyone on the site is valued. If every subscriber asks the same repeat question, it would be silly and ruin the site for everyone if we put that ahead of answering another question that would actually make the site more interesting to read.

2. The running of the website is one things, it also pays for Ed033 and myself, all the other editors give their time free. Enhanced features would be great but it has never made that much money to pay for much more! I have no problem with you asking, I have said this many times over the years.

3. It already does.}


7.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 07:58:06
Hi Ed001,

Firstly I really love that you are moving to a subscription / donation model. I am sure i speak for many when i say that i would be more than happy to subscribe.

My opinion is that even if you just pay a few quid a month, that is the same that some of us would spend on a cup of coffee without even thinking. Now what bring us more joy? the hours spent on this website or some tacky cup of coffee?

I personally would really love to hear more podcasts from you (and Ed002 - or any of the Eds for that matter) .

I do love your long form articles, but also really loved your podcasts back in the day.

So maybe as part of the premium package you could do a weekly podcast and let the premium members pick what they want you to talk about?

Would be keen to hear your thoughts

Red Sandman
P. s. will donate / subscribe today when i get a moment.

{Ed001's Note - the problem with podcasts is it is difficult to do them these days, VPNs are unreliable and most voice chats are terrible quality, even if not blocked here now. I will see if I can figure something out.}


8.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 08:30:53
To be fair ed you all give a lot of time to these rumours page's I would rather pay a subscription for what I'm getting than ask more of you Ed's and add to the strains to your work life home life balance.

{Ed001's Note - thank you berg. It does take up a lot of time, but you know what they say about doing a job you love!}


9.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 08:58:11
Totally agree about the badge lad's and I'll sign up later to day. But just as an added incentive why not throw in a weekend away spa break with Ed025👍.

{Ed001's Note - not sure that is an incentive!}


10.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 07:11:46
I will donate at some point to day your all well worth it eds.

{Ed001's Note - thank you L76!}


11.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 09:11:41
Ed01, I will happily donate to this site and understand the reasons for this move. I'm with Salah on this one, I do not think you need to offer anything more as the site is great as it is.
Saying that maybe you could persuade Harry to return to us as I loved his posts.
All the best.

{Ed001's Note - Harry has his own, unique, mind and I am not sure anything I could say would persuade him.}


12.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 09:28:28
I believe he has lovely soft hand's😁.

{Ed001's Note - well I am glad that we have had the opportunity to gain some insight into your fantasies, even if they are extremely worrying.}


13.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 09:57:02
The badge and a guest appearance at my sons birthday party?


14.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 10:28:40
Ed, I appreciate it’s kinda of a donate what you can scenario, but is there a suggested amount? By no means a minimum/ maximum but a kind of if everyone who’s registered donated £1/ £5/ £10 etc would cover all that needs to be covered sort of thing. What kinda of figure would work?

{Ed001's Note - we have never done this before so I have no idea. I mean it depends a lot on how many people subscribe! Without seeing how many subscribers there are we won't know. Though I would think long term it would probably be best, once we see how many we have, to shift over to a standard amount to make it easier for everyone.}


15.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 10:43:42
Fair enough mate. Have just made a donation anyway. Keep up the excellent work.

{Ed001's Note - thank you mate. I really do appreciate that.}


16.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 10:46:22
Following on from LFC Hopeful, would a tiered approach work? I. e. x amount gets you the badge, x amount some liverpool rumours merch etc etc.

Also as a side thing would competitions drive additional revenue? Say run them every few months but have varying liverpool prizes on the line?

I don't see what you could add to the website to make it much better as there is plenty of content to go at!

{Ed001's Note - so a say, for instance, Bronze, Gold and Silver sub? That might be worth considering once we have some add on established.

Competitions are something I have been keen to expand on for a while, though they don't make a huge difference to page views or anything, they are just a bit of fun.}


17.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 11:23:30
Very welcome mate, I’m grateful for this site which I. Came across about 5 years ago I think. Looking forward to my badge! One thing I do hope is that there doesn’t become any snobbery about having one. Some people won’t be able to afford it and I hope all users will treat each other with respect, badge or no badge 👍.

{Ed001's Note - I would hope that will never be the case, we are all a family after all. I mean no one hates on Ed025 and he has an affliction far worse than no badge!}


18.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 09:47:34
I think the site gives great information that many benefit from. I am sure as time goes on more will be able to donate / subscribe as they can. I've seen sites in other industries offer competitions / prize draws for monthly subscribers but could be a something that would take a bit of thought.


19.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 10:30:22
I've got problems with Paypal which essentially mean I'm unable to use it. Is there another way to subscribe/donate?

{Ed033's Note - Hi Seano_, a Patreon.com account is being set up for those who can't use Paypal


20.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 11:13:13
Set up a monthly payment this morning, well worth it for the site as it is in my view, would be willing to pay more if the subscription service was even better.


21.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 13:01:05
are there options other than paypal?

{Ed033's Note - Patreon.com account being set up by Ed091


22.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 16:33:25
Not sure I’d change much and would advise against the tiered approach.
Donations are fine. Subscriptions are often the beginning of the end I’m sorry to say.
Honestly don’t know what the answer is long term.

{Ed001's Note - ok Ron thanks.}


23.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 18:35:17
Evening all, forst time poster long time lurker, (well one attepmted a post in a drunken stuper after last years champs league final) . First off a quick thanks to all the edsthat make this site possible, usual candidates id ed01, 02, 025 but to the othera that clearly make it work without any upfront recognition. Personally, i will donate every month to the site, i am in perhaps a better position than some and think that there is no real addition that would make me subscribe more, i think it is the fact that all have their say irrelevant of subscriptions and mone.

{Ed001's Note - it is not so much about making people pay more, but just to give more value to those who do subscribe.}


24.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 21:06:22
Adding additional tasks from the Ed's for subscribers could impact the site as a whole due to Ed's times being prioritised for subscribers. I don't believe any additional actions from the Ed's are required however if an advertiser was to offer a prize to be raffled for subscribers only at end or start of a season that might prove interesting without taking too much of your time, just an idea.


25.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 11:42:02
Maybe link them through the facebook page? people may share it then and increase views/ entries. Don't know what kind of prizes you could lure people in with but for arguments sake say it was two tickets to Anfield I know i'd try my luck!

As for the subscriptions, brewdog do something similar (although they include shares) but they tier their benefits, also ties in with an above poster who says it could help knowing what the subscribers get for their money.