Help me with a Decision! Please Read

[Tex_Cattleman]

Need your input and response, please.

I’ve been a TBH sponsor (your mortgage lender) for several years. Started that after being an active member since 2001. Overall, it’s been a fantastic investment. From 2019 – 2021 I closed loans for well over 100 of you guys. Crazy times, for sure!

Since the site shift last year, we all know usership is way down. So now I’m at a crossroad of deciding whether to continue. I’m hoping responses on this thread will justify the sponsorship.

Please reply here – I’m looking for the numbers. Lurkers? Jump out of hiding for a minute and let me know you’re still out there!

EDIT AFTER SEVERAL REPLIES BELOW - making this decision has nothing to do with a lack of loans in general. That's a 100% product of the market-driven downturn in all mortgage volume over the last two years - no relation to TBH. I'm trying to determine how many people are still on here and reading threads compared to a few years ago.

Thanks!
Trey

[TX_Kevin]

Trey, to me, we all used to recruit members, and add content. I see that dropping a lot. I'd like to see it rise up again. I vote you stay and put effort into increasing the TBH footprint. TBH is our place. It's our responsibility to grow it. All of us. We get out of it what we put into it. Review products, write stories, answer questions. I try every chance I get.

[woodsbound]

Long time member, but lurk a lot more than I post. I don't know what dues are for sponsorship, but if at all possible I say hang in there another year or so & see if what happens. Its a tough time to buy right now with the market & current admin, not to mention the website changes. Luckily I own my home, but there are still several current & future TBHers that will need your services here when the time is right for them.

[manwitaplan]

I’m with woods bound on this…… There is a “cost” of doing business. I’m not sure you can blame TBH vs the current economy. There are lots and lots of people staying put right now due to inflation and higher cost of home ownership. Not sure where else you market your services so it’s hard to answer your question. Should the mods not give you metrics on membership and time on site?

[Phorizt]

You should make decisions based on what is economically responsible for your business. if you are paying sponsorship fees that were established at a much higher traffic/views rate then they should reduce those sponsorship rates based on the new traffic/views. Looks like raffic levels the past year or so have been 1/3 what they were for 5-6 years before that. **edit: I believe this is just traffic from search engines and not overall traffic**

[mooch]

Definitely more of a lurker here but you did help me secure a mortgage on our rental property.

This site was the single biggest resource for me when learning archery back around 2000 (in the days of velvet elvis). Unfortunately it’s not the same community today though.

[Greenheadless]

We appreciate your sponsorship, and if I was in a buying position, would definitely be reaching out to you.

I wonder if it is the site changes, or more of the market conditions? I don’t know for sure, I am sure you would know better than anyone, but I would think with the way interest rates have been, I could see that as a significant cause for a slow down in loan applications.

Also, the vibe for the site has definitely changed. It seems to be brought on by a select few, and it does get old.

[BrianL]

I would think it is worth the $ but only you can figure your bottom line. I'm sure business has dropped way back, but I think the increase in rates have stopped a lot of buyers. If rates start dropping again i think you will be pretty dang busy. I think the site changing is just a coincidence with the rate increases.

[rowdybass]

Hey Trey, you helped us with a refi a couple years ago and it was a super easy process thanks to you. I’m mostly a reader here, not much of a contributor but I enjoy getting on here and keeping up with what’s going on archery wise and all the other topics discussed. I think that the economy has everyone buckling down on extracurricular activities so that may be a factor in the downturn on TBH. I know at our 3D archery club we’ve noticed a slowdown in attendance for sure. As for you keeping your sponsorship I think that’s up to you and your bottom line. Whatever you decide, keep on posting and sharing stock show success I enjoy reading them!

[Bayouboy]

What is your cost?

[happy bowhunter]

Still here

[bowhuntertex]

I am still around and lurk almost every day, but just don't post hardly at all anymore. in 3-4 years I will need your services, but I do know how to get a hold of you.

[Tex_Cattleman]

Tried to edit my original post but it's not working.

Number loans over the last two years is based on all the factors several have mentioned above. Interest rates are the reason any reduction in loan volume, not TBH activity. I'm simply looking forward and planning the next year. And knowing how many of you guys are still here and seeing this is important.

[curtintex]

Trey, you and your team did me a fine job on my refi. I will say that not once did I click on your banner ad. What I did was listen to other TBHers that had a good experience with you. I've since recommended others do the same. So I'd say TBH has been a great avenue for you to acquire business whether you had the sponsorship or not. TBH Sponsorships are relatively inexpensive and you've gotten more than your money's worth out of the advertising dollars spent. So my opinion, and it's worth exactly what you paid for it, is that you continue to sponsor. In support of that, I will take out a sponsorship for Joslin Development Group. My other businesses wouldn't have ever really benefitted from advertising here, but this one just might. I love this site and want to see it continue to succeed. It cannot run on love, prayers and pea gravel jokes alone. Thanks for being a great sponsor and a contributing member.

[bobc]

From what I have read on here, you will be my first call when the time comes.