Advertising in your Signature - out of hand

[SpeckWick]

Is there a way to add some sort of button or link or whatever to a signature that would take an interested person to a seperate business section or something? The different jig tiers, lure makers and guides have a place on Crappie.com in my opinion. Just maybe not in the forums so much or with big pictures. I personally haven't seen much blatant hawking of anyone's products, but there are a few who only seem to chime in when they can make a buck. Most of the people mentioned previously do share info and knowledge every chance they get, and I have personally PMed some of them and got freat info without pressure to buy their products. Maybe if an advertising business pays a small flat fee to be able to place a link in their signature that would take you to a Crappie.com business section, where their info could be accessed that would be the best way? That way everyone still has access to the products if they are interested without the bulky signatures or whatever. And if someone wants more exposure they could buy a flash banner? I don't know a lot about how all this website stuff works, but I would think something like that could be arranged.

[danny]

Think its about time to move along and find another site. To much useless info i drive for a living sounds like a c.b. radio when i get on here anymore whatever happened to the fishing talk. Lots of useful info on here but i guess thats the way it goes.

[bentpole]

Think its about time to move along and find another site. To much useless info i drive for a living sounds like a c.b. radio when i get on here anymore whatever happened to the fishing talk. Lots of useful info on here but i guess thats the way it goes.

We'll miss you.:rolleyes:

[Slab]

OK, I've received a ton of great feedback and ideas. I agree with so many of you, I don't want to push away small business at all. As Grizz said it, let's not throw out the baby with the bath water.

I think signatures are fine, I think the real problem is the long, large, blatant, over the top, advertising, adding immensely to load times and to often boring, overly repeated content.

And so it will be, if you want to advertise on Crappie.com in your sig, you have to be a sponsor. There will be a minimal fee, as I know first hand, there's not a fortune to be made here. These small businessmen and businesswomen, are more often than not, major contributors themselves. A small fee will indicate to all that they are financial contributors as well, helping to keep the site open. Something we should all be proud of.

Oh, I want to thank all of you for your ongoing donations. I am amazed and honored, at what you all have given. I never woulda thought a small donations link would bring in more than selling products, but it does. It shows you all care more about the site and its people than the products that are sold here. That says a lot!!!!!!!!!

So, now I have to come up with the mechanics of implementing the sponsored signatures feature. I will also try to make it a more clean look so that even sponsor sigs are not a half page long.

I'm also closing this thread as I think we're done beating this dead horse once and for all.