Sorry if this has already been proposed. I think a good way to raise some funds for our friendly neighborhood message board would be to add a few more items to the store. Maybe a mouse pad and a few more t-shirt designs at least. Howzaboot a t-shirt without Slug’s artwork on it? (Sorry, I might get flamed for this, but I have never liked his drawings at all, I just can’t get into his style.) Anyway, I’m sure plenty of people would shell out a couple bucks for a mousepad, hell I probably would and I don’t even use a mousepad. I’d even buy a t-shirt if it looked cool enough (read: simple enough. logo, url, 'nuff said). And I’m sure someone can think of a few more creative items to throw in there too rather than just mousepads and shirts. So does anyone else think this is a good idea or am I an idiot? Would you buy anything from the remodeled SD store?
If you wanted the easiest way, just make the page an amazon affiliate, and everyone goes through the page to buy gifts and things. I doubt it would cover costs, but I think it would put a chunk of change in the pot.
The official Straight dope T-shirt & Mug plus all the books are available here
I think you would need to sell a hell of a lot to make the $45 000 a year (A figure estimated in an ATMB thread)
But I think that it could be marketed better, and more goods could be offered. How many of the registered users own any of the items above I wonder?
Wow. That’s not a bad idea at all. I buy stuff from Amazon all the time, as I’m sure alot of other people on the boards do. Like you said, it probably wouldn’t cover costs, but it sure help out.
So now we got a refined store and making the site an amazon affiliate (tiiiiiiiny little banner at the bottom?). I think whoever is calling the shots should at least experiment with these types of things before making people pay. I sure would miss the diversity around here when there’s only 7 of us.
Apparently Amazon offer up to 15% to associates when directed from the associates site. You can also use their tools to create an online store.
Find more info here
For other products (mouse mats, t-shirts etc) cafepress offer the tools to build a site and provide all the products and transactions. But I don’t think you get much of a profit margin with them.
These offer easy to set up solutions to online stores, but the Chicago Reader may be better off running their own site, however this would need a higher investment initially in terms of cash and time. The Amazon and Cafepress store can be set up immediately.
Amazon Associate link: here
[sub]I must preview my posts, I must preveiw my posts[/sub]
Sorry to bump this…I’d really like to know what some other people think though.
Here’s a surefire way to make money… online prostitution! Set up a ring where customers pay the Straight Dope, and then they can have cybersex with certain skilled Dopers! Hey, I can see Cecil as a pimp, can’t you?
Paperweights, neckties, stain-glassed windows.
Redesign the ask the 8 ball for Straight Dope.
Buttons: Mr. Know it All; Look it up moron; I’m with stupid; Fountain of Misinformation
Beanie propellers
Straight Dope candy
Collection of Slug art. (Not my cup of tea either, but I do think the style compliments Uncle Cecil’s writing style).
The Straight Dope can of whupass
Uncle Cecil’s canned farts
Blue pencils personally chewed by Ed Zotti
I’m with you, Cisco. I would have asked for something from the store for Christmas it they didn’t have the Sluggo art on them.
The art may work with the column, but I don’t want to stare at it with my coffee, or have it on my chest.
If they could work with someone who can personalize stuff, that would bring in more orders too.
I have a great idea!!! The mods can all pose for the Straight Dope calendar. You could buy a G-rated calendar for $10.00, a PG-rated calendar for $25.00, an R-rated calendar for $50.00, or an NC-17 calendar for $100.00. If you were feeling especially flush, how about buying a calendar filled with 90% naked pictures of your favorite mods and 10% of an actual calendar somewhere on the back page? Sounds like a good idea to me.
As long as we’re making t-shirt suggestions, I’d like to see a women’s fitted tee in some colour other that white. Fitted cos they make me feel sexy and regular tees make me feel frumpy, and non-white cos I don’t like to wear a bra, and white shirts won’t let me do that and remain modest, if you get my drift. And I really think that the Straight Dope should encourage young girls to wear tight t-shirts with no bra, don’t you? 