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Help me Monetize TheWallStreetProtest.com [or maybe I shouldn't?]

by DiVincenzo
14 replies
So, I've built a pretty unique site (I think). Back when the "Occupy" movements were starting up, I snagged TheWallStreetProtest.com

That was 2 months ago. Since that time, I've developed the site into a poll and news site.

My question for you Warriors is how I can monetize the site?

I am using spreadshirt to sell t-shirts (zero sales). In fact, I have the shirts for sale on a page titled "Stuff" because I don't want to be accused of selling items on a site that is truthfully meant to raise awareness and be a fun interactive experience. I am using adsense (making a tiny amount of money). But I want this to be a big money maker, and I feel like with the right input, it can be.

I think I need a different product (or no product at all). So I'm interested in hearing any feedback/advice on how I can make this site generate revenue.

I do have an opt-in newsletter (but I am not pushing any products to this crowed, at this time).

So aside from adsense, t-shirts, or other apparel, how can this site be monetized? Or, perhaps it is a beast better left untamed
#monetize #thewallstreetprotestcom
  • Profile picture of the author tpw
    Most of the people in your audience are broke and whining about how the world "owes" them...

    They are people with an entitlement mentality.

    And they tend to frown on capitalists, who try to benefit from their movement... LOL

    When you understand your audience, you will know how to monetize the site.

    Think ringtones, video games, and free groceries... Think CPA offers as on-site advertising.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      Originally Posted by tpw View Post

      They are people with an entitlement mentality.
      True, true ... but in a way that makes it all the more gratifying and agreeable to try to monetize them. Oops, did I say that out loud?
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  • Profile picture of the author David Keith
    well, as tpw states, these are not people with money looking for a solution (for purchase) to a problem they have. which makes your audience less than ideal.

    however, if i had the site, i would be spending most of my time trying to appeal to your visitors to use social media to share your site. you will need to provide some incentives for them do this of course, but i would be urging people to share the site with other OWSers.

    if you focus on providing value, money will follow. but if you focus on making money, you will probably have a harder time making the site very popular.
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    Just a Little War Room Gift.
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    • Profile picture of the author DiVincenzo
      Thanks, truly great advice.

      I realized from the get-go this would be the toughest darn demographic to sell anything to. But holy crap, I didn't expect nearly 20,000 uniques and zero t-shirt sales!

      I've been hitting the social networks HARD. That's where most of my traffic is coming from.

      Ahh...what a terribly hard to understand audience of mine. :confused:
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    Well, I disagree with the sense of entitlement thing. Who has a bigger sense of entitlement? The people who want jobs or the big banks that demand bailouts from taxpayers because "they're too important to fail" and then turn around and feather their nests with enormous freaking bonuses funded by taxpayers?

    It will be a hard site to monetize. I have several news sites and they don't do as well as I had anticipated with Adsense.
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    • Profile picture of the author Spot the Ball
      Very well said,

      Maybe some on here wont be so dismissing of people when there is no one left to buy their goods from the shiny new websites because EVERYONE has been sold out. Lets it hope it never comes to that.

      Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

      Well, I disagree with the sense of entitlement thing. Who has a bigger sense of entitlement? The people who want jobs or the big banks that demand bailouts from taxpayers because "they're too important to fail" and then turn around and feather their nests with enormous freaking bonuses funded by taxpayers?

      It will be a hard site to monetize. I have several news sites and they don't do as well as I had anticipated with Adsense.
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  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    While this is a Canadian perspective on the whole Occupy thing...
    TheSpec - In Canada, Occupied is unjustified

    it could give you some insight why is difficult to understand these guys: they don't know what they wish for
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    • Profile picture of the author Spot the Ball
      Originally Posted by Istvan Horvath View Post

      While this is a Canadian perspective on the whole Occupy thing...
      TheSpec - In Canada, Occupied is unjustified

      it could give you some insight why is difficult to understand these guys: they don't know what they wish for
      Maybe they have been mis-representing in the MSM to give that impression purposefully, wouldnt be the first or last time the press did that.

      Enough of that though, how to monitize this damn website
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    • Profile picture of the author David Keith
      Originally Posted by Istvan Horvath View Post

      While this is a Canadian perspective on the whole Occupy thing...
      TheSpec - In Canada, Occupied is unjustified

      it could give you some insight why is difficult to understand these guys: they don't know what they wish for
      great article, i really like the simple experiment illustrating the power of incentives.
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      Just a Little War Room Gift.
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  • Profile picture of the author oda
    Maybe you should promote Lawyers, it sounds like a lot of people that are Involved will need them.

    Myself for an ANTI Monet making website to make money I would go with something passive like adsense or something similar.

    The visitors need to go somewhere after they get their information from your site so it might as well be via an adsense style link.

    The only other way that springs to mind for me is a LOW cost newsletter/sms service that notifies people of changes and news within the movement. The fee could be marketed as a donation style payment to fund the cause. Even kick a small percentage in to someones tin somewhere as a donation from proceeds.

    Not sure How close you are to the movement, but you seem to have some good background and if there was site to start a massive conversational brawl to attract visitors that would be it.

    Still i think capturing the exit traffic dollars could be a place to start.

    Hope my 2 cents is worth at least 5 cents to you.

    Take care

    Oda
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  • Profile picture of the author robnoble
    I think you should forget monetizing and get supporting. You have an ideal site name to help promote the cause.
    You could have a "buy me a beer" button maybe.

    Not to get onto a political debate but tarring a group of diverse people all willing to get off their butts and actually face up to the ridiculous levels of greed damaging our societies as people whining "the world owes them" is thought less.

    Being a capitalist doesn't mean having to condone reckless and self serving greed by big business now does it!
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  • Profile picture of the author CSS Architect
    If these guys have so much time to stand in the streets to protest.. . chances are they are out of a job, need money and don't what to do about it.

    How about something like them "home based business"
    I had many clients has that type of business and they welcome affiliate through ClickBank.

    Or if that's not really something you want to advertise, how about offering them a new hobby since they have so much time on their hands? Lynda.com has an affiliates program. https://www.lynda.com/partners/affiliates.aspx

    I haven't really put much thought in to this, but its just a general idea to get you started.
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  • Profile picture of the author LMC
    How big is the mailing list?

    I can monetize this niche... already have.

    What are your daily traffic volumes?

    Maybe we can do a JV, or maybe I'll buy the site off of you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Silas Hart
    I have about 2000 altered Guy Fawkes (V for Vendetta) masks for sale, I would be more than happy to dropship them for you at a competitive price. Other than that, you could sell shirts, and even become an Amazon affiliate and promote books that may be of interest to those who are interested and currently apart of the protest.
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