The End of Ricochet?
This isn’t a post we ever thought we’d have to write.
Ricochet is a labor of love for us. We envisioned it, from the very start, as a place for civil and witty conversation between and among our members and contributors -- a place for great audio content, political analysis, and even more importantly, cultural conversations.
But it’s also a business. And, to be honest, it’s a business in trouble.
We need more members. If you’re reading this, and you like Ricochet, and you’re not a member, we need you – need you – to join. Today.
Every month, we get somewhere between 400,000 and 500,000 unique visitors to the site. Every month, we get somewhere around 300,000 podcast downloads. And that’s growing every month. We repeat: Ricochet is growing.
But here’s the problem: only about 1% of those visitors are members. And that’s not enough to cover our costs paying our editors and technical team even the pittance we pay them.
We insisted, from the start, that Ricochet should be a business. We decided we wouldn’t try to cover our expenses by raising money from foundations. We should submit ourselves to the marketplace. That’s the best way to know if you’re reaching people or not; If you’re filling a need or not.
So here’s where we stand: unless we get more members, something closer to 2% of our visitors, we really can’t keep the business going. Our whole model is built on the 2% figure. That’s all we need: 2% of our regular visitors to join up.
In about four weeks, we’ve got some tough decisions to make.
That puts us roughly at January 21st, when President Obama takes the oath of office. And yes, we’re aware of the irony.
If you’re a regular visitor here, and you’ve been putting off joining, please: join now. Join today. There’s never been a better time to join: you get a year of National Review Digital, and you get to take part in our quest to win the country back.
If you’re already a member: thank you. Spread the word.
The next four years are going to be crucial for our movement, and for the country. We want Ricochet to be there.
Rob and Peter
UPDATE: This post was originally published December 14, and pinned to the top of the Main Feed for several days. We then revised the publication date to December 19, so we could unpin it and let it flow down the page from that point, instead of jumping to the fourth page or so according to its original publish date.
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Comments:
Jun '10
Re: The End of Ricochet?
At long last, I'm part of the 1%!!!!!!!
Jul '12
Re: The End of Ricochet?
I love you guys but guests like Mike Murphy don't help...
Oct '11
Re: The End of Ricochet?
Couple questions then. First, what is the easiest way to give Ricochet as a gift (It's Christmas you know). Second, if I do an early renew for this next year will I be out that money if Ricochet fails to bounce?
Jul '10
Re: The End of Ricochet?
Tell David to inform Rush.
Dec '10
Re: The End of Ricochet?
I recommend, again, that every time a contributor is on radio or tv that Ricochet should be given in his/her credits.
Jul '12
Re: The End of Ricochet?
So, you and National Review are both in need.
Does getting a "free" subscription to National Review with my renewal take money away from Ricochet?
I already subscribe to National Review, so I guess I'll just opt-out of the NR subscription when I renew my Ricochet subscription early.
Edited on December 15, 2012 at 1:48amJun '10
Re: The End of Ricochet?
All but teaser podcasts behind the wall?
Re: The End of Ricochet?
captainpower:
Does getting a "free" subscription to National Review with my renewal take money away from Ricochet?
I already subscribe to National Review, so I guess I'll just opt-out of the NR subscription when I renew my Ricochet subscription early. · 3 minutes ago
Edited 2 minutes ago
No, we do not lose money on the NR deal. And thanks!
Jun '10
Re: The End of Ricochet?
Ok, folks. Time for conservatives to develop a ground game. I promise to invite ten friends to join in the next week. And I'll give my son, one of the 99% who reads Ricochet but hasn't joined, a gift membership.
We can't let Ricochet die. My wife has banned my old-fashioned rants. All I have left is Ricochet.
Besides that, it's the best place on the web.
Edited on December 15, 2012 at 1:53amRe: The End of Ricochet?
The tricky part of this idea (one we talk about all the time) is that it deprives us of our biggest promotional channel and it deprives the the people who host the shows and our advertisers access to a much wider audience. But good thinking, Eeyore.
Jun '10
Re: The End of Ricochet?
And that’s not enough to cover...paying our..technical team even the pittance we pay them.
So Yeti doesn't just live in a cave, subsisting on passing hikers?
Jun '10
Re: The End of Ricochet?
Rob and Peter: I know this goes against your grain, but you could get word to George Soros that Ricochet is like Media Matters, only more liberal, and needs a $2 million infusion of cash.
When he finds out what Ricochet really is (and after you have the cash), all you have to do is tell him Ricochet is liberal, in the old-fashioned sense of the word.
Edited on December 15, 2012 at 1:57amAug '10
Re: The End of Ricochet?
More importantly , is this a chink in the armor of the lately constructed conservative media ?
While we all have day jobs, this is something we can rally to but to what end ?
Being the choir and talking to each other is a limited entertainment, easier than being a missionary , but not particularly enlightening.
We need more stuff about the Kardsahians - call John Nolte and figure it out.
I closed down my own blog after 10 yrs on and off, I think my brother read it and an old girlfriend (maybe) when Big Hollywood came along, then it got crowded and flamey . Ricochet looked like a mirage in the desert of LGF, et al.
So we are here, I think any money will work . But what will it work towards ? Is our demographic that chatty ?
Having been married more than once, I can do these baby-splitting arguments. I belong to more than one club, when times are tough, assessments or dues increase. Simple.
Edited on December 15, 2012 at 2:00amJan '11
Re: The End of Ricochet?
My subscription is up soon. And I'm considering not renewing. I've become somewhat miffed at all the handwringing about what's wrong , the commentary about which polices to adopt, and so on. I want more people here to suggest massive spending cuts to entitlements and tough talk begging our politicians to come clean and say to voters, "Promises are going to be broken and that you cannot expect government to be your mommy or daddy. Enough already."I do not have much faith that this will happen; mainly because many people here won't even go this far with their commentary - either because the don't think it is wise to adopt that style or they just don't believe in something that 'radical' themselves. I don't think I want to pay for the privilege to be frustrated by people who I do not seem to be a good fit with at this particular moment in time.Perhaps I'll come back if (when?) I see more things that appeal to me...like minarchism in heavier doses. I hope the plug isn't pulled before then.
Nov '10
Re: The End of Ricochet?
Seriously, this announcement is a two-edged sword. I have a couple of friends to whom I'd love to give gift subscriptions, but they would be pretty lousy gifts if they were only good for three weeks.
Aug '10
Re: The End of Ricochet?
Are you riffing on Christmas with the Geo Bailey ?
Shouldn't we be looking at this ?
Re: The End of Ricochet?
Tim,
You can definitely give a Ricochet subscription as a Christmas gift. Write us at support@ricochet.com and we'll get you set up. In answer to your second question, well, we honestly don't know the answer, but we're doing this now to hopefully insure that what you're asking about won't come to pass.
Hope all is well in Jamaica!
Edited on December 15, 2012 at 2:08amJul '12
Re: The End of Ricochet?
You could do like the National Rifle Association and offer a lifetime membership.
Sep '10
Re: The End of Ricochet?
tabula rasa: Rob and Peter: I know this goes against your grain, but you could get word to George Soros that Ricochet is like Media Matters, only more liberal, and needs a $2 million infusion of cash.
When he finds out what Ricochet really is (and after you have the cash), all you have to do is tell him Ricochet is liberal, in the old-fashioned sense of the word. · 8 minutes ago
Edited 7 minutes ago
Not good enough. Ricochet needs to get a new, green banner, position itself as the next Solyndra and score hundreds of millions in loan guarantees from the Department of Energy.
You're welcome.
May '10
Re: The End of Ricochet?
Okay, so everybody that's a member now gifts a membership to someone else. Maybe that obnoxious liberal relative. Give them Ricochet instead of a tin of popcorn for Christmas. Also, how about offering a premium membership package? Pay more and get a tote bag signed by the gang or something. I think you guys should also have more advertising. I don't mind another ad spot or two on the podcasts. Don't shut down guys, I've been around since the beginning. I've invested too much time with you to let Ricochet fail.