Somewhere in the messages a few days ago I read that Weavolution depends on donations from us to survive -- and that donations have been on the decrease. That thought has been haunting me ever since. Weavolution is successful and growing, but being bigger (and getting better!) costs money.
So let me confess to something: I tend to log in, read and reply, look at the nice images, and occasionally click on ads... and I forget all about the "Donate" link at the bottom of the page. (I suspect I'm not alone in this!)
In fact, I knew that Weavolution depended on us to keep it going -- but I forgot; and because I rarely scroll all the way down to the bottom banner, I never see the link to remind me about donations. Never. Now that I've been reminded and have scrolled down expressly to look at the link, I notice it's more discreet than it probably should be.
Could the link be placed up higher on the page (perhaps by the Weavolution logo, or even near the orange box at the top)? Could it be accompanied by a link that would open a window to explain why donations are important?
If so -- then please, let's do it! I think it might help.
Ruth
Weavolution is becoming stronger every day - it offers things like video rooms for weavers to meet - strong classes - and increasingly more and more information - It's been exciting to see the growth and direction since the inception - I would like the opportunity to donate as well as volunteer because I really like having it available - Weavolution is an important resource in my weaving life.
Ruth is right, Weavolution's needs.... needs to be more in my face! : )
Mary
You're right, we do all need to know how much Weavolution needs donations in order to function AND improve.
To that effect I just made a small donation! Long live Weavo!!
Beth
What about running a "fundraiser" maybe a couple times a year, or even an annual request or optional membership fee?
Dawn
Claudia has several times run fund raisers - I've donated hand wovens to be auctioned off. But Weavo users need to understand that nothing comes for free and either donate or participate in the fund raisers....and it doesn't hurt to let the advertisers know that customers are coming their way because of the ads they see on Weavo. Shops need to know that their advertising dollars are being well spent and attracting business.
cheers,Laura
This is a great topic and many people have made great suggestions! I can't say exactly how much things cost, but I know that since Weavolution started the cost of virtually everything has increased! A site like this isn't something you can just run out of your home or on your own.
Thaks to everyone who is helping keep Weavolution accessible,
Erica
I like the way NPR and other NFP stations run subscriber fundraisers. Maybe a multi level membership drive? Pay X amount over a set period of time (I wrote this out far more eloquently but my post went "poof")
I find a few small payments over a set period more manageable than one large payment. However, all ideas require planning and time to implement and I think Claudia does way too much already - I can help but would need direction.
Dawn
Thanks for bringing this to our attention, I didn't have a lot to donate now but I suspect that every little bit helps and if we all did at least a little bit routinely it would be helpful.
I love it that we're all coming up with ideas of ways to help Weavolution! (And now that I know where the "donation" button is, I followed through, too.)
The idea of multiple small payments is great, Dawn, and NPR and PBS have proven that fundraising drives are effective (even a lower-key one would do well). Auction fundraisers like the ones Laura has made possible are super, too, and get lots of people involved. It would be great to have regular auctions.... Both of those would raise the profile of Weavolution's need for donations.
I'm glad we're having this conversation. :-)
Ruth
