I agree that you should not put money from the general fund into advertising. Something that could be done though is to create a pay pal donate button for search kindly on the website. that way if people feel the need to donate money to search kindly the money that is donated can be used for 1) advertising 2) hosting costs 3) possibly an online store...to sell SK shirts or something. Pay Pal is free so it would not cost money to start one. what do you think?
Skyler from San Diego , California, USA
Saturday, June 2, 2007 at 3:03:28 PM
I think to help promote SK you should write Oprah or something. She is all about helping.
Sarah G. from Arlington Heights,IL
Friday, June 1, 2007 at 1:01:13 PM
I agree with the people below that using money for marketing would detract from SearckKindly's reputation as an organization that donates 100% of the money raised. I will email the English newspapers published in Japan about Search Kindly. Prehaps if we all wrote to our local newspapers about Search Kindly, we can garner more publicity for free.
Madison from Tokyo, Japan
Thursday, May 31, 2007 at 9:09:27 PM
Another great organization is www.rpinternational.org this is dedicated to finding a cure for degenerative eye diseases such as RP and MD. This is becoming a big deal and restoring and imporving sight is a major concern.
Jeff from Denver
Thursday, May 31, 2007 at 12:12:50 PM
I voted no to marketing, but I thought I'd share my reasons:
1. It takes money away from the cause. Yes, it may result in an increase but:
2. It lowers our credibility: where exactly is my contribution going?
3. I believe the site is, or will soon be, good enough to grow on its own.
4. There are dozens of free publicity methods we aren't (to my knowledge) using. Put up posters around your workplace/college/school. Write to the 'tech section' or editorial of your local newspaper. Blog about it. Tell people in person.
If all that is being done and we feel more is needed, lets re-asses it, but until then, lets do the free stuff first!
On another note, I suggest a new charity for the donation:
The Amazing Change - a campaign to end slavery.
http://www.theamazingchange.com/thennow.html
Andrew
Thursday, May 31, 2007 at 3:03:37 AM
"And unlike most other websites and search portals, ALL of the money we raise through advertising is donated to charity. Every. Single. Penny."
Taking Marketing expenses from advertising payments would change in many ways some of the main concepts of Searchkindly...
I think we should stick to the original plan and ride this lower wave out...
Anon from Austin
Thursday, May 31, 2007 at 2:02:06 AM
One other thought:
A danger I can see with having @searchkindly.org email addresses is that people who see that kind of address assume that the user is somehow affiliated with the site (ie, works for it, owns it, manages it)
This could lead to (accidental or deliberate) abuses of this misunderstanding.
Did I explain that well? I dont think so...
--I understand your point completely, and it's something that Ramadev and I have been chewing on for awhile. This is why we really aren't sure how to move forward with this option. What to do, what to do...--Syed
Andrew
Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 3:03:47 PM
How would having to run an email server affect bandwidth? How much would it cost?
--It would actually not effect bandwidth at all--we'd be using one of Google's enterprise applications.--Syed
Andrew
Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 3:03:27 PM
To Write Love on Her Arms should be an upcoming poll option. It's a growing organization that could really benefit from the help.
--It's actually on the list of charities that we would like to support. Being that it hasn't been given a donation yet, it will definitely be listed in one of the polls this month.--S
Jackie from FL
Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 10:10:15 AM
I like the idea of the searchkindly email address. I'd be all about it. :)
Robin from Seattle
Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 10:10:41 AM
