Readers: Normally, we block political ads from appearing on our web site. However, we have a unique opportunity over the course of the next week, until election day on Nov. 6th. Google has informed us that $34 million worth of political ads are being made available from now until election day.
With the fortunes of the Virginia Tech football team being down this year (relative to other years), our subscriptions and site traffic (and therefore ad revenue) have taken a beating, so we would like to take advantage of this opportunity to recoup some lost revenue.
We plan on opening our site up to political ads for the next week (we can always turn them off after election day), unless you, our readers, overwhelmingly vote no on the poll below.
So, do you think it’s okay for us to run political ads over the course of the next week?
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Doesn’t bother me. Sorta the “New Norm” anyway, like our offense and ST’s.
Sure take the money and run the ads as long as it isn’t for our current socialist president!
I have an Ad blocker anyway so take the money! :-)
Take the money. You run a business. I just hope running political ads after next week won’t continue.
Take the money! Help keep the cost down for us paying and the ones that use the free board. I have no problems with it, but try an run more Romney ads LOL!
All you need to do is ask. Anything to help out you and the site is OK by me. Besides, we can ignore them on TV so can ignore them here just as easily.
It’s your business, do what you want. I voted “no” just out of principal. Really surprises me that a business owner would poll their customers before making a decision that directly effects the business’ revenue/profit while said decision has zero effect to the service provided .
you’re running a business. take the $$ and keep your lights on.
I come to this site to get away from the election, but reluctantly voted “yes” because I understand and am sympathetic to the financial implications. My biggest concern is that allowing ads often leads to comments on said ads, which may lead to long discussion threads on the election. Would it be possible to add a “political” forum for any and all political comments up until the election and strictly ban all political comments from any other forum?? That way, if visitors insist on posting a message (it is a message board, afterall) there is a forum for that, and the rest of us can stay away (but you still get your money).
I voted yes! But, I would like for you, Will, to have them vetted for truth. Think that’s possible.
Ha-ha! Good luck on that! Vetting for truth would kill all ads.
Q. How do you tell when a politician is lying?
A. Their lips are moving.
Anything to help Will & TSL- sign me up!
anyone who votes ‘no’ is a selfish prick
Just don’t take ad’s that I have to change the page if my kids are around.
Been ignoring this crap for the last month. Go for the bucks!
It is your site, do what you think is best.
Changing the format is the large part of what has killed your traffic.
I’m still at a loss as to why the Sabre can deal with that “antiquated” or “outdated” programming format, and still survive (maybe ‘Hoos are just smarter?).
Seems their traffic, at least message boards, are still on par. Traffic would actually be at all time levels, given the football meltdown, if people were not so turned off by the vBulletin, or whatever it is, format.
Also, I couldn’t vote – don’t know why I couldn’t, but could only comment.
I guess I’ve got no problem with it. Revenue is revenue. I only hope that the mix is about even. One caveat, however: If I see something blatantly inaccurate in one of the ads, don’t be surprised if I weigh in with some fact-finding to rebut it.
As long as Culpeper “weighs in” on the correct board, fine.
i voted no, but economically if you have to, just don’t endorse anyone
I voted yes because Will promises to stop the Robo calling campaigns. (TIC)
You guys save me in these times. Do every thing that you need to do in order to continue to give us your assessment of the Emperor’s suit!!!
You’ve got Ads on this site? Ha, it does not offend me for you to take any money which could come your way.
Thanks for asking take the money and run
Take the $$$
Nothing wrong with being a good capitialist, I say go for it. Of course I’ll just ignore the ads anyway.
Sports should be apolitical
go for it, i can ignore them if i don’t like them. make some $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
There are ads on TSL? Take the money, ’cause I won’t see them anyhow.
I rarely pay attention to internet ads anyway, so these should be just as easy to ignore.
Have at it, Mr. Stewart
I HATE the adds but voted yes, because you got to do what you got to do. Try to keep it equal (between parties) and allow NO comment on the adds or any other political opinion expressed on any boards.
take the $. I HATE the ads, but it’s not TSL’s fault that we stink this year. recoup the revenue.
While I despise political ads, along with all the professional politicians who run them, for the greater good of TSL’s financial position, I voted yes.
Take the money, we Tech people can ignore the BS, which in this case will be everything from both sides. Vote Tuesday!
Take the money .
more money from political ads is nice; i’ve already voted so i’m all good with it. Let ‘er rip!
Chuck Norris gets my vote anyway.
Is there an election coming up?
Take the money. Next year depending on who wins you may not be allowed to make money.
I kind of feel that way now, but someone has to go to work for those that won’t, 47% and growing. It’s sickening to know 47% don’t pay taxes and yet get a return at the end of the year for a job they didn’t do in the first place!
Oops, sorry, VOTE YES! I had to get in my daily political rant.
Feel your pain brother.
Yeah — want you to be able to keep the lights on… they’re no more annoying than other adds!
Take the moolah! I have decided my vote and will vote next Tuesday. I am immune to all political ads after the avalanche of TV ads since 2010. Get all the money out of this political campaign you can muster. I hope you get some millions in SuperPac dough.
I have already voted so no affect on me! Sell the heck out of em’ is my position. Hard to believe folks would be undecided at this last date anyway.
Absolutely take the money.
sure…i’ll just ignore em anyway….grab the extra revenue
Will, in these tough economic times I think anything you can do to increase revenue for TSL is a positive. I only hope that the ads are not audio. I can ignore the written word, but the audio is intrusive, IMO.
Post the ads and collect the revenue…this is still America, right?
Just don’t run any for our communist president.
Take the money! You are in business to make money!
I actually voted HELL NO as a knee jerk to being absolutely SICK of the constant propaganda. I am also concerned about a “supposedly” intelligent and informed citizen who needs an advertisement to help them make up their mind (about a candidate or ANYTHING).
Still, after reading the responses, I concur that if it helps put money in YOUR pocket, I’m fine with it…It isn’t like I won’t have to hear it EVERYWHERE else all week anyway!! Go for it, at least I feel like it’s doing TSL some good!
Will, I normally would say “hell no” , but in order to help keep TSL afloat I say go for it. I believe they are a waste of money, but they may as well waste it on TSL. Thanks for asking.
Will, I normally would say “hell no” , but in order to help keep TSL afloat I say go for it. I believe they are a waste of money, but they may as well waste it on TSL.
Freedom of speech is never a bad thing.
Have some principles… and take the money. :-)
Go ahead and do it. I voted on the first day of early voting in NC so it won’t affect me at all.
Sell the heck out of them, and use the proceeds to give us free subscriptions for a year. Start with your longest term subscribers until the money runs out.
lets do it i would also like to see how your members woul would vote on the president election a romney donation and subscriber
Take the money. Those who care will use Ad Block.
Take the money, If i am persuaded by a political add then I deserve what I get.
Take the money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go for the revenue but the first one I see I will stay off the boards until after the elections.
I have had my fill of the commercials for both parties and their inane content.
Two billion spent on political adds this election; what a waste!
grab some easy money
Looks like some are sneaking in already, and we haven’t turned them on yet.
I think that is actually a good thing a shows that Hokies try to be informed on the issues regardless of the side.
Do whats best for Techsideline! It’s your organization!
Only for the cause. I hope people don’t use ads to influence their voting.
I can ignore them…for a good cause!
If you need me to click on an ad or two I can do that too. I need to get up and go to the restroom sometime.
First of all, thanks for asking. I say, YEP. I can ignore those morons on here as easily as I ignore them elsewhere.
Can we vote to only see ads from one party?
Can we use the IGNOR feature? lol
IGNORE!
Yes, I would like to see you guys make up the lost revenue if you have an opportunity. Go for it!
Be selective. No cheap shots.
Please do. Thanks for the warning. lol
Go for it!
See you in a week.