Can Woody Boater Survive?
Ever since COVID began, I had cut the cost of sponsorships in an effort to help our community grow. And that combined with inflation, and also not doing an annual fund drive, because of all the reasons stated. The Boatress and I have been covering the loss’s of WoodyBoater. At first it was so small that it could be just shrugged off by being a passion driven effort. But things have been getting a bit much. We tried last year to cut the cost of hosting by a new design, and thus cutting the content in half. I have cut out most trips, T shirts, and extras. BTW, we always broke even on the t shirt sales.
The older days
So on top of the time spent doing 17 years of stories. It’s unsustainable. BTW, I make a good living by charging billable hrs. So doing woodyboater is a time donation to the community. Thats just time that is done for free. Combine that with what it takes a year to run WoodyBoater, hosting, investments in APP’s and other crazy efforts, you get the picture. It’s a dock shot with a big finger in it.
Oh boy
SO? How do we fix this? Shut it down, or try new ideas? Maybe we change the entire structure of it. Focus on another way to support and encourage folks to get involved in our community? If you look very closely at your favorite websites out there, they have been forced to change to survive. They have become brokers, membership driven, or affiliate sights. Ebay etc. But all that goes against what we stand for, helping the community, not ourselves. more like a PBS type effort. So, pledge drives right now, are the best solution.
Well, asking for support is a good start. I hate doing it, but love doing this, and having to do what I hate to do this may be the only way I can keep doing this… Dear god! LOOP ALERT! That could be a country music song. You know, like this classic.
Thank you for letting me do this, I love doing it. Your generous support will allow us to stay alive. So. Here is how you can do that.
Donate using the donate button here below.
I’m in. I don’t want the past week’s great coverage of Gull Lake to be a grand finale. It’s so worth the cost of a couple cans of varnish to keep the Sons of Varnish alive!
Rock on Greg! Thanks so much, see you in June
I’m in also,
I enjoy spending my mornings with you. Coffee, breakfast, woody boater then get to work!
Done. Thanks Matt for ALL you do for our hobby/passion. I dont know what I would do without your daily insight/humor/info to start my day. And you didnt have to mail out any yellow postcards! 🙂
I hope others will also see the value and support WB as well….
Every morning I start my day with your Tom foolery and every day I worry: How long can Matt keep this going? Dollars coming your way.
Woodyboater has become my daily read and keeps me engaged in the passion of wooden boats every day. I enjoy the stories, the humor, the amazing photography and definitely want it to continue. I am willing to pay a subscription to help this tradition continue into the future for me and for others who subscribe or don’t subscribe. I am in.
I also would be interested in purchasing Woodyboater merchandise through your site like a Woodboater and/or Sons of Varnish shirt, hat, mug etc.. if they were made available to order.
I’m in.
Hey Matt, I read mostly everyday so I’m happy to contribute plus you’ve answered my random texts, which is wild.
Though might I suggest using this website (https://richmondbizsense.com) as a reference for how to potentially structure a new system? I think it serves your cause and creates a bit of change in your pocket potentially.
The above website allows you to not be a member and read todays news stories (for free), however anything not from today you’ll need to be a member to read. So it allows those who don’t care or don’t want to or cant afford to to be able to continue to enjoy your site, and those who would like to contribute a fixed yearly amount that automatically renews and the woody boater world keeps floating.
Just my 2cents!
I read a study months ago about the consolidation of the internet that had me thinking hard about where I spend my time digitally. From 10 years ago on endless blogs, photo albums, travel sites, shopping, hobbies, movies, social media –> now its amazon, netflix, reddit. It’s all crunching down from the race for clicks. But WB is still here, and the community is still here! Keep on rockin!
Funds sent – thank you for the stories & photos, Matt. Hope you’ll be able to keep them coming.
I would say the “check’s in the mail” but that too has gone the way of all we grew up with….SOOOO the $$ is in the cloud with my credit card…like everything else….Glad to pay to start every day. John in Va
Asking for support is entirely reasonable. Without having any idea what it costs to run this and how many people regularly log on to WoodyBoater, what kind of number are we looking at? What would “membership” cost per week if you did memberships – $1 a week, $2 a week, more?
Coffee and WoodyBoater in the morning beats my former practice of reading WallStreet in the morning. Your Blogs give me inspiration so that at the end of the day, after dealing with home projects (retired), I can really appreciate my passion at the end of the day. Like last evening for example. Anchor Bay at Sunset and North Channel Moonlite returning home.
Gladly contribute to this worthy cause.
Matt, 17 years is just flat out amazing. But maybe it is just time to go into semi retirement? Instead of every damn day, why not post stories on the Wednesday hump day and Saturday? Not sure if that would save any cash, but it would take the stress level down many notches. And not to mention it would free up your personal time. Just a thought.
I always wondered why you stopped doing the annual fund drive.
“Keep on rockin’ in the free world”
I’m in!
I’m in. Woody Boater keeps me grounded, when the fluff of everyday life gets in the way. Thanks, Matt, and thanks to all you WB’ers out there!
Oh, and dang it, Ern. I’m supposed to be out there with you. We will be, soon enough………..
Done! And thank you.
A follow up to the above suggestion, do some reruns!
Some of us would forget that we’ve read that story before…
PS I need another “What knot” T-shirt. More $$$!
Always thought there should be a yearly contribution.
Just made mine.
Tks Matt for all you do for our hobby.
I tithed, sir. BLESSINGS always. SL
Thanks, Troy, for posting that old ad that Matt and I did. I just had my first granddaughter and had been thinking about that. She had her first visit to the cabin at three weeks of age and she’ll be cruising in “Rabbit” on Balsam Lake next summer and every summer afterwards.
Matt, I hope today’s message generates some real donations. A couple of thoughts on fund raising going forward:
– How about a constant donation link somewhere on WB like you see on sites like Wikipedia or some news sites? That wouldn’t be intrusive, but would be a constant reminder that all this goodness isn’t free.
– How about an annual “PBS-style” fundraiser/telethon, with all its cheesiness? Make it like your Holiday party. Invite the smoking chimp, Larry, the entire crew. Maybe even Jerry Lewis.
Keep this going!
Glad to help out Rabbit!
The due date for my first grandchild is tomorrow 9/20/24.
Another of my favorites from that series!
All in! Finally, something I can honestly support with no reservations. WB has become one of the few constants in my life. I look forward to a daily dose of humor, spelling and sausage plus the wonderful followers and contributors.
Completed. easy w/ Paypal. Thank you Matt for keeping this going!
Cripes, but of course we’re ALL in!!!!
I might also suggest a yearly renewal email for a WB subscription too.
One, two, three year plans for example.
I’m happy to send mine in for ten years to make sure you’ll keep us all afloat!!!!
Woodys Up!!!!!!
Count me in. Where else would I be able to post inappropriate pictures if I didn’t have WB? Maybe you could use this office help to alleviate the burden??
Some colourful yet feeble NZ dollars on the way to WBHQ.
I’m in! It also might help if we had an idea of how much was needed.
Did my small donation even make a dent?
The website Duluthharborcam dot com puts up donation drives when he needs to replace a camera or pay an internet bill, and he states exactly what’s needed and shuts it off once the goal is met. Sometimes, it almost looks like a race to be one of the donors he thanks the next day.
Hmmm? Should I deliver the donation via water in the Roamer or the Sea Pro?
I’m in.
I now cruise in a plastic Carver 33……But I USE TO own a 1930 CC Model 100 20′ triple……and kick myself daily for selling it!
I return daily to these heart-breakingly beautiful boats on this site! Matt, I hope you can keep up this good work…we need the fix!
Since I don’t currently own “a hole in the water into which one pours money”, I couldn’t live with my boat crazy self if I didn’t spend a stipend to support WB. I’m in!
I’m way late to the game, but donation just sent. Keep up the amazing work!