Cost of running Talkbass

Ernieballer · #1 06-29-2006, 09:09 AM

I discovered talkbass about a month ago and my time at work has become ever more bearable. Talk bass truely unites the bass community. Anyways, I was curious, How much does it cost to run Talkbass, I suppose yearly. Does talkbass turn a profit from it's supporting members or is Paul Determan's(the founder) wallet really taking a hit for keeping this site up?

Figjam · #2 06-29-2006, 09:23 AM

Theres a lot of supporting memberships, and I know a thing or two about hosting stuff like this because my brother does similiar things. The server that runs Talkbass is very nice so it can't be cheap. I don't tihnk he'd be taking a hit from this, though, because I dont see it lasting so long if it was hurting him.

PMC89 · #3 06-29-2006, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Figjam

Theres a lot of supporting memberships, and I know a thing or two about hosting stuff like this because my brother does similiar things. The server that runs Talkbass is very nice so it can't be cheap. I don't tihnk he'd be taking a hit from this, though, because I dont see it lasting so long if it was hurting him.

there is also a good amount of advertising to help out. on the top and sides of every page. so bewtween supporting memberships and that, the money probably adds up quick.

ith the amount of bassists that view this page, advertsing can prolly fetch a decent dollar. i know i end up clicking on an ad from hear probably once or twice a day.

Figjam · #4 06-29-2006, 09:28 AM

I agree. Except that Dont Crack one, I really wish that would go away ><

I love the bass related ads.

**cheezewiz** · #5 06-29-2006, 11:12 AM

I'm willing to be that Paul is NOT taking a loss on this site.

JayX · #6 06-29-2006, 01:16 PM

it would generally depend on what kind of deal he gets on the advertising. given the popularity of the site, i'd imagine it was a set fee, but if popularity exceeds a reasonable figure from advertising its going to be tough.

there's a lot of cheap deals when it comes to hosting, but they are generally proven to be cheap for a reason when you start putting sites on their boxes and they cant cope with the demand. i've never had a problem being on here during what i imagine is a busy period, so i'd imagine admin have chosen a reliable but more expensive solution over a cheap and nasty one.

even on my small-ish site, which has had its fair share of free hosting, donated money, and been half bought by a colleague.. i've still lost a chunk of money in order to provide a decent service to my users.

**Pacman** · #7 06-29-2006, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezewiz

I'm willing to be that Paul is NOT taking a loss on this site.

However, I'd be willing to bet that it's not exactly making him rich. I'd bet more on somewhere near breaking even....

Phil Smith · #8 06-29-2006, 01:58 PM

It probably costs less to host than it did 2 years ago. Dedicated hosting is insanely cheap these days compared to what it was four years ago and the hardware is much faster.

SuperDuck · #9 06-29-2006, 03:45 PM

Has anyone else noticed that the "level" of the ads have been going up? Now we have Toyota and more high-end retailers. I remember in the beginning when the ads were for more obscure items and services. I hope that's an indication of an upswing!

gottawalk · #10 06-29-2006, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperDuck

Has anyone else noticed that the "level" of the ads have been going up? Now we have Toyota and more high-end retailers. I remember in the beginning when the ads were for more obscure items and services. I hope that's an indication of an upswing!

Probably the level goes up as his membership goes up. The more people he's got, the bigger companies will feel it's worth their time (and $$) to advertise there.

XavierG · #11 06-30-2006, 09:01 AM

Advertising revenue must be pretty hefty considering the salary levels (and bonus rates for us "senior" moderators). Not too many other sites actually pay their mods this well.

**john turner** · #12 06-30-2006, 09:14 AM

----^

we need to get more smilies.

SuperDuck · #13 06-30-2006, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XavierG

Advertising revenue must be pretty hefty considering the salary levels (and bonus rates for us "senior" moderators). Not too many other sites actually pay their mods this well.

I always regret resigning from moderatorship because I miss my fleet of Ducatis.

vindy500 · #14 06-30-2006, 09:33 AM

+1 for more smilies... i vision a world of talkbass when we dont need to type, that there will be a smiley for everything!

MikeBass · #15 06-30-2006, 10:00 AM

A good friend of mine "owns" the guitar forum www.thegearpage.net.
It's the second largest forum (in terms of daily traffic from the subscribers) on the web for guitar (second behind Harmony Central).

It's not real cheap, but at the same time, they don't have ads that we have here.
It's a donation site. Fully user supported.

I think Paul is doing OK with TB.

And yes, we need more smilies!!!

SuperDuck · #16 06-30-2006, 10:31 AM

Heck, back in the day we had to get by with only 11 or so of the current smilies. When they were added, several people commented that we suddenly had too many!

**cheezewiz** · #17 06-30-2006, 10:32 AM

I would guess the real answer lies in the answer to the question of how many of talkbass's 48000 plus registered members are supporting members. Getting $20 per year per supporting member (or more for Gold members), plus the income from all the banner ads, I seriously doubt it's anywhere NEAR a break even proposition. I'm sure Paul's not going to retire at 35, but he's certainly making an income from this site. I don't hold that against him in the least, that's what it's all about!

Michael Jewels · #18 06-30-2006, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XavierG

Advertising revenue must be pretty hefty considering the salary levels (and bonus rates for us "senior" moderators). Not too many other sites actually pay their mods this well.

Quite true.

I was recently on Xavier's new yacht - the one with the helicopter on the back, so yes, the mods are living large.

Paul and all the mods do what they do as a labor of love.

We can't thank you guys enough.

Mike

Dragonlord · #19 06-30-2006, 12:52 PM

Paul is definitely making money. Don't know how much, I guess it doesn't make him rich but it must be a good income. I remember the time when supporting members used to keep this site alive by donating, but I'm sure that's not the case any more, with the amount of traffic this site has the adverts must not be incredibly cheap... plus all the donations. If you want to donate to Paul (instead of some guy dying round the corner) go ahead, just don't think that if you don't then the next day this site will be down.

**Thor** · #20 06-30-2006, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XavierG

Advertising revenue must be pretty hefty considering the salary levels (and bonus rates for us "senior" moderators). Not too many other sites actually pay their mods this well.

LOL!

That brooks the question of whether we are getting the
full measure of what he is paying you for.

Can I get a ride in your new Porsche?

I haven't seen Paul quit the symphony yet. Making money
as a professional musician ain't easy.