A Suggestion: MGoBlog Day

Submitted by Swayze Howell Sheen on
Introduction As the football season approaches, I find myself checking into this wonderful site on an increasing basis. Replace "increasing basis" with "every 5 minutes", and that last sentence will be true. Yes, the fall fanaticism is upon us.
Here they come
As well all know, MGoBlog* is an incredible and irreplaceable resource for Michigan football** fans. It has a unique space in the blogosphere, and we all, as fans of U of M football, are lucky and privileged to have it. So why am I writing this diary? To get some more mgopoints? To state a bunch of obvious truths? No, rather, to first state a concern, and then suggest a possible solution.
These are truths you can handle, actually
The Concern: Brian Leaves MGoBlog The concern is simple: that one day, perhaps sooner rather than later, one Brian Cook may pack up and decide to do something else with his life. I'm not saying this is going to happen, and I certainly have no particular indication that Brian is anything but happy and content as leader of the mgoblogosphere, but each time I read one of his brilliant articles, I find myself thinking: this guy is going to get swept up by some bigger media outlet. His writing is terrific, heartfelt, funny, thoughtful, and even occasionally poetic (I could link to dozens of examples here, but what is the point? You all know what I mean).
This is a train leaving a station. Imagine if Brian were on it?
Envision, if you will, the tragedy that would result. Certainly, my own personal Michigan football experience would be greatly lessened***. Worse than any freep scandal or crazy coaching search, the thought of Brian Cook leaving this fine site for some greener pastures is too painful to consider. The Solution: MGoBlog Day So let's not consider it. Or rather, let's take steps to make it less likely. What I suggest today is an alternative: a celebration of the best. Specifically: let us create an unofficial MGoBlog Day. On this one day a year, each of us would tune into the site, perhaps write a little bit about why the site is so great for us, but, more importantly, DONATE. If each serious reader donated as little as $5 or $10 or $20 (or much more, if desired) each year, I suspect Brian and company would become notably better compensated for what he does, and presumably this would (perhaps greatly) lower any future possibility of Brian thinking of moving onto some bigger or different stage. Let's make Brian rich!
Pledge Drive: Everyone hates these, but...
This NPR-ish pledge drive would just take place once a year, which begs the question: which day should such a celebration of all that is MGoBlog take place? The day that came to my mind is this: the last Thursday before the first game each year. This year, it would be 09/02 before the UConn game. Why this day? Well, as that first game approaches, I think we all sense with great anticipation the beginning of the season. Thus, some time right before that first game is when I appreciate MGoBlog the most, and look forward to the season full of UFRs, Unverified Voracities, and all the other standards that this blog has created for us. And why not take advantage of the fever pitch that is undoubtedly building anyhow?
Fever Pitch: actually not a bad movie
The most important thing about having such a day is that it serves as a reminder to donate. I have donated a few times myself, but personally can never remember when or how much. By having a single day where we all donate, it simplifies things quite a bit. Kind of a "subscription" of sorts, but still in the pure voluntary spirit that has driven the site thus far. In Closing Anyhow, it is just a thought. I would be curious to hear your thoughts on this idea. Some questions to ponder:
  • Should we have such a day?
  • If so, does the day proposed (the last Thursday before opening day) make sense? If not, which day?
  • If agreed to, how can we track progress of donations? Would Brian be willing to state how much was raised on that day? (at least a ballpark figure?)
Your input is truly appreciated****.
Notes: * What is the proper capitalization, anyhow? ** Yes, there are other sports, but come on *** "greatly lessened" = "would suck a lot more" **** well, not truly. but kind of. isn't that good enough?
Football
mgoblog
i loves me some mgoblog

Comments

Magnus

August 13th, 2010 at 8:46 AM ^

I get the feeling that Brian does pretty well with his blog.  And with his contributions elsewhere in the blogosphere (for which he probably gets compensated), I don't see why he would have to leave MGoBlog to do bigger and better things.  Is he going to move to ESPN or Sports Illustrated?  If not, then I don't see any big reason to leave the #1 college sports blog.

But anyway, a donation drive isn't a bad idea.  Whenever it is . . . I'm sure I'll be around to find out about it.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 165915

corncobb

August 15th, 2010 at 12:40 PM ^

Brian, is this a real "I'm not going anywhere", or a Nick Saban "I'm not going anywhere?"

 

Either way you could have grifted the whole MGoCommunity by phrasing it like this: "I am not planning on stepping down as The Man of this institution at this time."

We would be putty in your hands.

Joined: 08/31/2009

MGoPoints: 1042

RichRodFollower

August 13th, 2010 at 8:52 AM ^

I think the date you propose is perfect.  It seems clear that more people check the site and realize its value the closer we get to kick-off.  I'm All-in for MGoBlog Day!

Joined: 08/16/2008

MGoPoints: 1114

Wolverine0056

August 13th, 2010 at 9:03 AM ^

I am also all in for the day. I really hope Brian does not leave but at least on this day we can show how much we all love and appreciate this blog. The date to me sounds good, but if it does change I'm sure I'll find out when the date is.

Joined: 08/02/2010

MGoPoints: 7773

ImSoBlue

August 13th, 2010 at 9:14 AM ^

it is the right thing to do, not because we need to ransome Brian to this site.  I believe the terrific, heartfelt, funny, thoughtful, and even occasionally poetic writing your mentioned comes from the passion/obsession Brian feels for this football team.  UFR's slaved over testify to that.

This forum was created to express that passion and fortuantly allowed us along for the ride.  While Brain definatly hold this together, I must also mention that I believe that this site has evolved to something more with outstanding contributions from many (Tim, Tom, ect.).

So let's pick a day.

PS - The other reason Brian can't leave is the gypsy curse placed on his manhood.

Joined: 07/10/2008

MGoPoints: 1038

Seth

August 13th, 2010 at 9:17 AM ^

Coach-

I don't believe Brian is leaving this site anytime soon, but if his life is anything like the professional bloggers I know, once MGoSpawn enter the picture the kind of devotion this blog necessitates, and the kind of renumeration that requires, means that either this must become a bigger franchise, or else other things must be done on the side.

I don't think annual drive quite covers it. But an annual fundraiser-type-substance might be just the thing.

I would recommend making it a tailgate. I know people have their own tailgate traditions, and not everyone can get to the games. But it would be a heckuva lot more fun than covering the board with saccharine appreciation for a day (I donate to NPR but I never tune in during the telathons -- it's the most annoying part of the summer for me).

The tailgate would work as such: one game per year (not homecoming, not the biggest game of the year, not Jewish holidays) we have an MGoBlog tailgate. We set up sponsors for it (one main sponsor, and also denoted food/beverage sponsors). MGoShirts are available at a markup (and old ones at move-'em prices). There's a donation box. There's a fee to get in: $10/person for students, $20 for alums (with an ID checker and maize and blue wristbands for alcohol). There's a raffle with prizes like, I dunno, a seat next to [MGoPerson], or inclusion on the next podcast, free shirt, free copy of HTTV, or a date with MGoJen or something.

I suggest Illinois for this year.

Joined: 10/14/2008

MGoPoints: 149086

NomadicBlue

August 13th, 2010 at 12:49 PM ^

Not only would this serve the purpose of creating adequate income for Brian, but it would also give the site some notority to people wo might be walking by (maybe they have had their head in the sand and don't know about the site).  It would also serve as an additional reason for me to make it up to AA for a game - not that I need more reasons, but additional ammo to throw at the wife never hurts - "But honey, if I don't go, Brian might starve.  We CAN help.  The time is NOW!" 

Joined: 05/07/2010

MGoPoints: 3836

Seth

August 13th, 2010 at 1:39 PM ^

If you guys want to have an MGoBlog charity fundraiser, for charity, not Brian, I would be down for that.

But we're not doing this, or calling this, or even joking about this being an event to raise money so Brian doesn't go hungry (sorry Brian).

If the community wants to do an MGoBlog Tailgate annually because it has value to the MGoCommunity to meet up and have access to each other, then that is what this is. It's another product. Please let's treat it as such.\

Sorry to be out of the fun of it. The reason I'm being srsly guys about it is that there is only X amount of goodwill/charity people will do in a given timeframe, and if they think "hey, I supported MGoBlog," then they might think "...so I don' t have to do Lloyd's Carr Wash this year."

Before moving forward, I would want a consensus on whether this should be organized as a charity, which I would be all for, or as another product that this blog can provide that we are willing to pay for in order to support our Michigan habit. Which I would be all for.

Joined: 10/14/2008

MGoPoints: 149086

MDTCaptain

August 13th, 2010 at 1:21 PM ^

You could probably get some ancillary sports groups to participate.  Band, cheer, and dance are pretty good about making appearances when asked, and some of the lesser-publicized teams would probably be game for participating in some way (roller hockey demonstration in the parking lot?).  I mean there's the holy grail of getting Red to stop by or something, but nothing should stop the organizers from asking around.

It could be a *really* cool event for Michigan faithful. 

Joined: 05/09/2010

MGoPoints: 44

bronxblue

August 13th, 2010 at 10:11 AM ^

I like the idea as well, but I think we need to take it to another level.  We need to set up little buckets up and down Main with pictures of Brian on them, have volunteers decked out in UM clothing with fake beards at mall entrances, and maybe even a flyover during the game against UMass or something.  Heck, even go the Sally Struthers route and put together a short commercial that says "For just 5 dollars a month, you can keep this man

Firmly planted to this comically-old couch, writing witty and insightful pieces about UM sports."

I think this would work.

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 171032

MAgoBLUE

August 13th, 2010 at 10:17 AM ^

I know Brian is a Christ-like figure to most people on this site but I don't really understand why.  I'm a fan of this blog just as much as the next guy but, I for one, didn't hold a gun to anyone's head and force them to create it.  I make next to no money.  I live in the ghetto.  I don't pay a dime for any other sports coverage in print or on the web so why am I going to start giving money to this site?  Also, (and here is where you all start hating me) I don't really like Brian's style of writing.  I've been reading the blog for about a year and a half and I still don't know many of the inside references and abbreviations that he uses.  However, the information on the site is always very valuable and I enjoy the communal aspect of the blog.

In closing, if the site is good enough to make money on its own merit then it will.   If it doesn't and Brian eventually leaves for greener pastures then so be it.  Someone else will have to carry the torch of producing the best M blog.  In the meantime I'm not going to feel guilty for enjoying sports coverage on the internet.

Joined: 05/21/2010

MGoPoints: 2485

Magnus

August 13th, 2010 at 10:32 AM ^

What's your point?  Nobody was trying to make you feel guilty.  Is your point just to insult the creator of the blog because you don't like his writing style?  I mean, honestly, why would you go to someone's site and speak up just to insult it?

Anyway, if you don't make any money . . . don't donate.  What a weird concept, huh?  Just like nobody held a gun to Brian's head and forced him to create it, I don't see anyone holding a gun to your head and telling you to donate.  It's a suggestion.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 165915

bouje

August 13th, 2010 at 1:36 PM ^

And using the new "pay as you go" voting system. What you said is extremely douchey to the writer of this site. So you don't like his style of writing yet you've still been coming here for over a year. Clearly it's not enough for you to leave because you find the CONTENT that he generatesmore then makes up for your distaste of his writing style. Furthermore isn't the point of writing not how you say it but what you say? (yes I know it's bothbut in print media I feel it's more what you say). Because if Brian cook is the best journalist out there for Michigan football information he can post whatever else the fuck he wants and you'll still come back. Aa magnus said if you're too poor to donate that's too bad but clearly you can afford an Internet connection (or you're going to the library). I hardly think that 5$ will break you. /end rant

Joined: 09/30/2008

MGoPoints: 4705

BrewCityBlue

August 13th, 2010 at 4:04 PM ^

You are the first person i have negged at the risk of costing myself one of my own mgopoints. This speaks to how truly moronic that post was.

Noone is forcing you to donate. Noone will think lesser of you if you don't.

My personal belief is Brian's writing style is above you.

This is proven by the fact that after a year and a half you have not been able to pick up on some of the intricacies of the blog.

Also, going to the links at the top right and learning about the acronyms, sayings and such will prove to be truly helpful to you. Taking 5 minutes and doing so may help to increase your enjoyment of the site.

Edit: I don't know if i haven't figured out the new format yet or if i'm displaying the threads improperly, but this post of mine is showing up in a wierd spot when i see it. It was meant as a reply to "i'm broke living in ghetto and you can't make me donate and I don't understand Brian's writing and after a year and a half i can't figure out this blog" guy...  many thanks.

Joined: 09/07/2009

MGoPoints: 2336

MAgoBLUE

August 13th, 2010 at 5:18 PM ^

Please show me where I can find explanations of some of the abreviations, acronyms and/or terms that are being used.  The FAQ page under Useful Stuff on the top right is more of a guideline for posting.

I think your reply ended up in the right place.  There were other replies that came before yours and they received responses of their own so they appear above yours.

 

EDIT: I found the FAQ page under the About drop down menu is helpful but it is far from comprehensive:

http://mgoblog.com/content/mgofaq

Joined: 05/21/2010

MGoPoints: 2485

MGoLiteral

August 13th, 2010 at 10:29 AM ^

Why hasn't a rich alumnus come forward and offered to bankroll Brian's salary? Surely this site offers more value than many university endowment projects.

Joined: 06/19/2010

MGoPoints: 1490

evenyoubrutus

August 13th, 2010 at 10:47 AM ^

Am I the only one who went to see Fever Pitch with a SO and nudged her (or him?) every 5 minutes saying "hey that's just like me!" and the SO finally said "shut up, that is so annoying!"?

Joined: 11/04/2008

MGoPoints: 178160

JeepinBen

August 13th, 2010 at 10:50 AM ^

and i like Misogopon's Tailgate suggestion as well. I'm up for whatever, keep us posted! 

I think that other raffle items might go over well too. 

Tickets to upcoming games?

Some cool "M" kicks like we saw in the adidas thread?

gift certificates to restaurants?

A coaching clinic with some of the coaches on the board?

10000 MGoPoints?

I'll donate cash, or something to the raffle, let's here more ideas

Joined: 01/22/2010

MGoPoints: 32224

MikeUM85

August 13th, 2010 at 10:56 AM ^

Honestly as someone who works a "normal" job, I have almost literally no idea of the economics of blogs.  I've assumed that the business case for blogging is weak for most people and that it's done as an act of creative expression / hobby.  But that for a few sites that really capture a lot of eyeballs the economics can become attractive due to, I assumed, compensation from click-throughs.  I'm not asking for any inside info, but is the Coach's premise based on reality? Does a blog like this really depend to a large extent on voluntary donations?

That asked, I'm all for both ideas (donation day and sponsored tailgate event).

Joined: 06/09/2010

MGoPoints: 190

Seth

August 13th, 2010 at 12:33 PM ^

Let's stop before we have people actually trying to figure out how much Brian makes.

One of my best friends runs the biggest Metal music blog, and I got to see that grow from "dude, we registered a really cool name" to what it is today. The business is a lot more involved than "clicks." There are a lot of moving parts, and side-jobs that are blog-related, so for each blogger it's different. This being a relatively young businesss, the differences can be pretty huge.

Coach's goal, as I understand it, is to grow MGoBlog, so that we may retain the services of one of best sportswriters -- perhaps the best -- in the country. Toward that goal, I recommend doing something that is a lot more related the blog's mission -- to inform and bring together the Michigan fanbase, whether that be a tailgate, or a paid Seminar at the university, or...

Joined: 10/14/2008

MGoPoints: 149086

brandanomano

August 13th, 2010 at 7:05 PM ^

I don't really have any sort of knowledge of how to make money off of the internet, but I'm assuming it's a lot like how TV stations make money. Companies pay to have their commercials on certain stations at certain times. They try to get as many viewers, who are also the people they want to target to buy their product. The more viewers a show has, the more it costs the companies to advertise, hence why it costs so much to advertise during the Super Bowl.

So if this is anything like TV, you're actually helping out by visiting this site, albeit not a lot.

Joined: 09/05/2009

MGoPoints: 5086

leftrare

August 13th, 2010 at 11:14 AM ^

Until today, I had on numerous occasions attempted to make a donation from the "donation" button, but could not get it done.  I have a paypal account but kept getting caught in a window loop that said I didn't or something.  I know, I should have let Brian know.

Anyway, if there's anyone who's encountered the same problem, I found out just now that it's fixed!  And so, I went ahead and made a donation large enought that it should make up for five years of not donating.

Recently, I clicked on "brian @ bucknuts".  I learned that Brian doesn't post there often -- maybe because it's a frickin pay site.

We should all be grateful.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 3213