Hey guys,

We've been getting e-mails from members asking how they can support Outsports. We really appreciate the incredible verbal support we already get from you all. Thank you.

The best way to support us financially right now is to visit our store and, when you're going to buy merchandise or buy a book or send flowers, do it through our partners.

You can visit the store at:


Outsports Store


We are now beginning to seek out potential advertisers for the site. Another way you can help is by letting us know if you have any conncetions at potential advertisers.

We know our growth to this point has been in large part due to the efforts of our members and readers. We know it will be with all of you we continue to grow in 2002.

Thanks, Cyd. One question... How do they know that we went to their site from Outsports??

Just ordered myself a t-shirt and a pair of boxers! Can't wait to start wearing them!

All of the links have coding that says you got there from Outsports. So, if you're going to buy something from Amazon, just go to our store page first and click on the Amazon link. We get a kick-back for it.

Again, thank you all for your great support. George, send us a pic of you in the boxers and T when you get them

Outsports Store

Only if I get one in return, Cyd!

[ November 30, 2001: Message edited by: George_vikingfan ]

I did my little bit. I ordered 2 shirts and a cap two weeks ago, and I put the link to the store in the thread we had about what we are thankful for.

Oh, and one thing about ads: please, please, PLEASE -- no pop-up or pop-under windows.

[ November 30, 2001: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

Perfect timing! I am going to send flowers to my partner's grandmother for Christmas (She is kind of my grandmother, too, of course!). He is out of the country until January so I am alone for the holidays. but I am glad I can help out one of my favorite sites.

Happy Holidays to all!

If we were to build an affiliation with a travel site, whom would you all recommend? Orbitz? Priceline? Travelocity? Do any of you use these services?

Cyd, I use Travelocity regularly. Their ability to find you cheaper flights and to give you a choice of dates is unequaled in my opinion. Orbitz has always come up with exorbitant prices for me. I have never had the guts to try Priceline, because I always thought they would get me a flight on Gulf Air and was too chicken :eek:

I've been checking out Expedia and Travelocity and some other sites, looking for prices on tickets (for a trip that apparently I won't be taking, but that's another story). There's a site called Hotwire.com which offered lower prices, but they don't tell you what airline and flight times until after you buy the ticket. Since I needed specific times, this did me no good. Same with Priceline.com.

On all the other sites, I got the same prices all around--and they're the same prices offered directly by the airlines. I'm wondering if these are the bargains everyone keeps talking about.

I use Expedia the most. They have the easiest search for vacation packages and seem to have pricing that is almost identical to Travelocity. I, too, have found Orbitz to be the most expensive in my searches. I don't like not knowing times or airlines so I don't use Priceline or Hotwire (personal preference).

Thanks for your help. We'll be checking into all of them.

Oh sure NOW its free shipping!!!! :mad:

[ December 06, 2001: Message edited by: George_vikingfan ]

Sorry, but we don't make the rules on the store or we'd make it free shipping all the time.

Cyd,

I work in advertising and am specialized in media planning and placement. Although I can't offer any business to your site at this point, I can offer you some preliminary advice on how to start acquiring advertising on your site.

My first suggestion is to study the current advertisers in Advocate and Out magazines. These are the two largest gay publications which attract high-profile advertisers. These advertisers have obviously pegged part of their advertising budgets to reach the GLBT commmunity, so you're chances with them are enhanced from the start.

For the male sports-related nature of your site, concentrate on liquor and tobacco advertisers first. These accounts have the largest budgets and are always seeking "niche" audiences such as your site attracts. Also, several of these accounts, Absolut is the first that comes to mind, are very pro-active in supporting GLBT ventures.

If you can't immediately find out which advertising agency performs their media planning and buying, it is usually easy to get that information from corporate headquarters by asking for the Advertising Director. While you probably won't speak directly to that person, it is usually easy to get the name of the people to contact that handle media planning and buying.

This is very general information, of course, but I'd be more than happy in helping you get started. Private e-mail me with any questions.

Bill-sf