FR: Bookmarks to Support Mudcat

Subject: FR: Bookmarks to Support Mudcat
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Jun 01 - 04:10 PM

FUNDRAISING IDEA

Because Max has always preferred not to use banner ads at Mudcat, we are free to just enjoy all the Mudcat is. The only blinking thing in our view is the little "Help Support the Mudcat" box with the banjo-fish logo... and since it does not look and act like the intrusive banner ads we see all over the Net elsewhere, many of us never think of clicking it. Because the Forum is so attractive, other site features get missed, too-- if it ain't a thread, chances are it will escape day-to-day notice.

But there are lots of cool things in there.

I am proposing that we use the links that start from that box, in a number of ways, proactively. If we bookmark these links ourselves, and ask our off-Cat friends to do the same, it would put action with intent in a practical way.

1. We can do our own purchasing through the Mudcat Record Store.

2. We can do our own purchasing through the links that lead to companies that give Mudcat a cut. These include recordings and other products.

3. We can use these links as part of our response to song requests-- I have done a few clickies today that way and they are easy to do. (The Mudcat Record Store even lets you search by SONG TITLE, as well as by the title of the recording or the artist name!)

4. We can go to our address books, and initiate a message to our music pals asking them to do their purchasing through these links. Just copy and paste the shortcuts (URL's) into a message, and send it out with an approriately humble request. It isn't spam. It's sharing a great resource. You can do the same for other products available through these links, to send to people you know use such products.

5. We can extend the number of sites giving Mudcat a cut, by approachiung the ones we have added into the LINKS section of the Mudcat, explaining that Mudcat carries a permanent link to them and that their products are often recommended in the threads. To avoid duplication of efforts, I would be willing to coordinate who is being contacted and by whom, and I would be happy to work with anyone and with Max to draft approriate letters and Mudcat information for them. The first one I think of is Elderly-- it seems odd to me that we don't already have an arrangement with them.

6. We can invite offCat pals to the auction.

Now most of you know that I am still fairly new around here, so I don't know what other arrangements there may be with Folk Legacy, and with CAMSCO-- for all I know these are all included in the Mudcat Store or some such-- someone please fill us in on that OK?

If any of you are aware of other links that benefit Mudcat, please, post them here.

My next post will include all the clickies I know about.

~Susan

Subject: RE: FR: Bookmarks to Support Mudcat
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Jun 01 - 05:10 PM

Just bookmark these and use them next time you shop. Once you have used them, if you liked them, recommend them to friends through e-mail, using these URL's.

You can PURCHASE MUSIC AND BOOKS and benefit The Mudcat

MUDCAT RECORD SHOP

CD NOW
(Other purchases made without this link, i.e. from their regular address, do not benefit Mudcat.)

AMAZON
(Other purchases made without this link, i.e. from their regular address, do not benefit Mudcat.)

BARNES & NOBLE
(Other purchases made without this link, i.e. from their regular address, do not benefit Mudcat.)

CD UNIVERSE
(Other purchases made without this link, i.e. from their regular address, do not benefit Mudcat.)


You can PURCHASE OTHER PRODUCTS and benefit The Mudcat

SPREE
"Home of the Web's best brand-name stores in one easy-to-use, convenient place. By coming to SPREE before you shop, you'll get Cashback on the purchases you make -- no matter what marketplace store you shop at. You get the same great selection, prices, and service as you would by shopping those stores directly PLUS Cashback and satisfaction -- GUARANTEED!"
(Other purchases made without this link, i.e. from their regular address, do not benefit Mudcat.)

OMAHA STEAKS and more
Retail, wholesale, and employee/client incentive programs, with the following product lines: Meats, Seafood, Entrees, Desserts, Kosher Foods, Appetizers & Sides, Sauces & Seasonings, Gift Plans & Ideas, Cookbooks.
(Other purchases made without this link, i.e. from their regular address, do not benefit Mudcat.)

ACUMIN VITAMINS
(An employee-owned company that provides individually-designed custom-formulated vitamin programs.)
(Other purchases made without this link, i.e. from their regular address, do not benefit Mudcat.)

EQUATORIAL TRADING COMPANY
(HEPA and commercial restaurant equipment of interest to restaurateurs and FOLK CLUB owners.)
(Other purchases made without this link, i.e. from their regular address, do not benefit Mudcat.)

THE MUDCAT AUCTION
Music-related and other products, including items hand-crafted by Mudcatter artisans.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE AN ITEM TO THE MUDCAT AUCTION.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER MUDCAT T-SHIRTS.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER AN ITEM YOU CAN USE TO MAKE A FLAG FOR YOUR NEXT MUDCAT GATHERING.

For a description of the reseller program,
CLICK HERE.

~Susan

Subject: RE: FR: Bookmarks to Support Mudcat
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 01:03 PM

Susan, I thnk Dick's CAMSCO MUSIC and Sandy's FOLK LEGACY deserve to be in front of any of the others. It's a good idea, though.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: FR: Bookmarks to Support Mudcat
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 01:10 PM

Someone should approach Elderly Instruments in Lansing, Michigan, for a banner ad. I'm sure Stan would be agreeable and he runs a great nationwide store. If someone would provide me the appropriate solicitation form, I would be happy to approach him myself. However, if I do this myself I want to do it correctly and not get snapped at by someone for doing the wrong thing. Who signs off on this?

Cheerily,
Charlie

Subject: RE: FR: Bookmarks to Support Mudcat
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 01:20 PM

Charley, it's a Max thing. And Mick and I have both suggested it before. I dunno' how much biz Stan gets from this place, but I know there is a decent bit! I'm willing to bet that at least once a day and sometimes far more often, Elderly is linked as a suggestion for buying whatever. I've sung their praises no end as far as the phone guys go and the overall store. We'll keep pushing and see if we can't get Max to grab this one........

Spaw

Subject: RE: FR: Bookmarks to Support Mudcat
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 05:06 PM

Thanks, Spaw, I don't want to muddy the waters, especially for the chief Mudcat. I do personally know (and played music with) a lot of the long-time Elderly staff. It's only appropriate that their store occupies all three floors of a former Odd Fellows Hall. I will cool my heels.

Subject: RE: FR: Bookmarks to Support Mudcat
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 05:45 PM

I think that a cut for any referred biz might work with Elderly. How it works with the links above is that those links are keyed into the vendor's books to set aside a MudCut. If you could determine their possible interest, Max could work out the details. You might start by asking them to see this thread.

Kat, as I said, I of course want CAMSCO and Folk Legacy supported, I just was not clear, since they do not appear on any of Max's reseller links, whether they participate like that, and so I did not feel I could run those links myself.

Is anyone else aware of any others that exist, or should be pursued?

~Susan

Subject: RE: FR: Bookmarks to Support Mudcat
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 10:42 PM

There are over 450 messages mentioning Elderly, via Forum/DT Search.

~Susan

Subject: RE: FR: Bookmarks to Support Mudcat
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 10:49 PM

Susan, I bet there's more than that....Seriously. Maybe the engine isn't picking up, but I'dbet the number is closer to a thousand.

Spaw

Subject: RE: FR: Bookmarks to Support Mudcat
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 11:14 PM

No, Spaw - those other mentions of "elderly" are referring to the average age of the average Mudcatter....
-Joe, aging quickly-

Subject: RE: FR: Bookmarks to Support Mudcat
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 01:06 AM

Catspaw, I dunno if those included all the times the word is used as a link.

Given the limitations of this 'puder for loading long searches, be nice if somebuddy'd check it out and post the real deal info.

~S~

Subject: RE: FR: Bookmarks to Support Mudcat
From: Michael in Swansea
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 08:33 AM

I bought a video from Amazon a couple of weeks ago, I didn't know about accessing them through Mudcat.
Sorry, won't happen again.

Mike

Subject: RE: FR: Bookmarks to Support Mudcat
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 08:45 AM

Is there already a perma-thread that points this (Amazon connection) out to newcomers or reminds those already terminally addicted?

Subject: RE: FR: Bookmarks to Support Mudcat
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 08:48 AM

Oh, yah, that jumpin' fish on a banjo! Well, we also need a banner and search engine for used books.

Subject: RE: FR: Bookmarks to Support Mudcat
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 10:46 AM

I believe Amazon searches used books. Hmmm.... it either searches them or has listings that have been posted to them. How about you go see and report?

The FAQ thread contains a tip about "Support the Mudcat." But we are already experiencing trouble getting people to read the FAQ... I would say that the fact people continue to say "Gee I never knew" indicates a need for a more prominent feature. Also, in the fish-banjo link, not everything one CAN do is listed and linked.

That is why I pulled them together here.

For instance if CAMSCO and Folk Legacy give Mudcat a cut, one would not know that except by soaking up local lore-- no link in the Support page. I know CAMSCO lets Dick do DT as a volunteer, and of course we all want him to keep doing that! But these are links intended to directly fund Mudcat through a steady, bankable income stream.

~Susan