It is triky, I must admit.

Our goal is to stay independent, with strong connection's to the brand!That is always hard to achieve without financial support, but one thing that is great is that you achieve to run this site without any serious help from B&O. Fact that they come to you is great success, and I'm really happy!

IMO the best way to stay independent and in same time to have strong connection with the company is to give company one section of site, let say link with name official reviews or official statements, so that they represent themselves and products in way they want. Not classical banners and commercial !

And B&O than should be involve in prize draw !

I think in that case we will keep our independence and everybody will have choice to read independent opinions and official once, which I think is a point !

In this model you will minimize potential influence from brand !

You know how it goes "when I paying I give conditions" ....

Dave wrote:

but i cannot see how this will benefit B&O... At all!

Kindof the way I see it.  Are we really a desireable target audience?  We're already sold on, nay, addicted to the brand.  Do you need to advertise alcohol to alcoholics?  They need to expand their customer base, not preach to the choir.  IMHO.

i think it's absolutely wonderful !

i post at lots of boards and the fact that the person or company that you're so enamoured with , the one you post about all day long , actually wants to advertise on the board , giving it their seal of approval if you will , really is most impressive

never seen it before tbh 

Couple of points to above - we have 10,000 + members - the number of gold members is around 500 and stable for some time.

We get a large number of people asking for advice off site who are not active on the forum - a fair percentage think we are B&O!

Lee,

no problem with that. See it as an regulier advertiser. They have to pay for that and a very good option is with prizes for the draw.

Advertisers may not interfere with the content and or the purpose of the site.

Piet

After a few hours sleep, there may less "standard" collaboration (than banners) that could be additionally be implemented and benefit both B&O and Beoworld.

- Beoworld issuing member cards, that would give you discount in shops. Companies do like this kind of advertising as they can see how their campain is effective. It is also directly benefiting members as they get discount. It benefit Beoworld as it drives the number of paid membership.

- More interviews with Beo staff. Maybe a different guest each month that would be invited to chat on the forum. For example, a tonemaster could come on the forum and answer questions, for an hour...

- B&O could give us some hints on some upcoming products a bit before others. 

- This one is a bit cheeky:  they could give us the Beo5 config software officially, available for members.

I agree that it's a good idea🙂

Tobeyone

I'm also onboard Lee.

Go for it! 

I think it would be great for BeoWorld

Lee ...

i think go for it.

the only issue i can see is that some people may see this as a more offcial site and get on various high horses a little more in the hope that B&O will take more notice of this as they are now advertisers. not a major issue i know, but it might happen.

but apart from that....charge them a hefty fee......when you price it..just remember the recent price increase..you could mention FOREX issues..labour....costs of production...lol

andy