It’s hard times all around, and here at BC, things are no different. We have a budget for 2008 that will keep us up and running, albeit on our usual shoe string.

And there are two ways we can meet expenses:

Addressing the latter – decreasing spending - is something we take very seriously. We’ve hit what we consider to be big ticket items by changing our hardware provider, and by learning to do more of our own programming but we’ve also found ways to save $20 here, $50 there, and  will continue to look for savings in the cost of bringing BC to you each week.

As to the former – increasing revenue – we’ve done two things:

This list includes BC Paid Subscribers, Complimentary BC Paid Subscribers and readers who are not members, but who have signed up to receive the weekly email. This list represents about 6% of the total weekly readership of BlackCommentator.com as determined by the weekly activity of unique visitors to BC.

Here are the results of our fundraising drive:

That’s actually not a bad start, considering that only about 6% of our readership is on the Weekly Notification of Publication Email List. Clearly, it would be nice to get contact information from more of our readers, and it would be especially good if more readers would become BC members by purchasing a subscription.

Here’s a link to get on the Weekly Notification of Publication Email List (it’s free), and here’s a link to become a BC Member by purchasing a BC Paid Subscription (either online or by check) or by requesting a Complimentary BC Paid Subscription. As always, the current issue is free to everyone.

So to all of you who responded to our plea, thank you – thank you. Whether you sent in $1 or $300, thank you. We realize you have other ways to spend your money, and truly appreciate the support you continue to show for BlackCommentator.com.

If you didn’t receive our fundraising letter, it’s printed below. All you need to help out, though, is this link to the Contributions Page, or send a check or money order for any amount to:

And while you do whatever you can to support BC, we’ll be looking to find more savings in the budget, and maybe even come up with a whole new source of income that will support BC. Wish us luck.

Thank you for your support and your readership,
Peter Gamble
BC Publisher

Here’s the email of January 28th, in case you didn’t received it:

Hello BC Reader,

I am writing to you to ask for your financial help.

BlackCommentator.com is at a critical point. After more than five and a half years and 261 issues of our publication, we are now in a fight for our survival.

We did not make our year end goal in fundraising and now face the prospect of not being able to fund our 2008 budget, lean as it is.

I am writing to you because you belong to a group we consider to be our "base". You are a member of one or all of the following:

1 - you receive weekly publication notification messages via email

2 - you have requested and received a Complimentary BC Paid Subscription

3 - you are a BC Paid Subscriber or have made a financial contribution to BC

Our request is very simple. If it is at all possible, we ask that you send us a contribution of only $10 (ten dollars). If you can do this and if each person in our "base" joins you, we will have the financial backing we need to continue into the future.

You can make a contribution by visiting on the link below to use your debit or credit card via a secure page on our website.

http://www.blackcommentator.com/contribute_now.php

You can also send us a check or money order payable to BlackCommentator.com. Our postal address is:

We are asking you for only $10 (ten dollars). If this is possible for you, please help; if not, we understand. If you send more than $10, you will help to offset the many readers who are not in a position to contribute.

Whether you can help us at this time of need or not, please feel certain that BC will continue to challenge you, listen to you, and treasure your attention.

Your generosity will make it possible for us to thrive and grow. 2008 is going to be a year BC grows substantially and adds numerous new features.

Thank you sincerely for taking your time to read our plea.

In solidarity,
Peter Gamble
Publisher
BlackCommentator.com