Only if everyone helps out will it succeed

The internet is free, but everything you do on it costs money. The same goes for the Zeepost Foundation. Without the help of subscribers and donors, we are not going to make it through the coming year just like that.

It seemed an orderly undertaking when we started it: there were many subscribers who received the newsletters, and there were advertisers. Both provided revenue, which paid for the software Wouter used to format and send the news. In fact, we could take over everything like that, we thought.
But that turned out to be an illusion. Willem, our webmaster, soon came to the conclusion that much of the ‘background’ of the sites and newsletters was in dire need of renewal. Contracts were expiring, there was outdated software, and you didn’t necessarily see the same on a mobile phone as on a computer screen, even though that’s how it should be these days. Moreover, a large part of the current ads had already been paid to Wouter; money that could not just be passed on. And a multi-person editorial team, which cannot do it all for nothing like Wouter, meant an extra drain on the budget.

Appreciation

Nevertheless, last year was successful: there was enough news, and financially we kept our heads above water. But, as it turned out when we evaluated the past year: the house of the ‘Posts’ is not yet on fire, but financially it’s getting hot under our feet. The foundation is currently too dependent on the – fortunately – very well-heeled advertisers. Traditionally, the Zeepost and Scheepspost attract a number of committed businesses that are happy to show up, and there is increasing interest in the Zeilpost as well. We hold these advertisers high, and we are actively looking at how to make them even more visible.

85% of subscribers do not pay

The Newsletters, however, are a problem child. Apart from the sites, which are and remain free of charge, a huge number of people appreciate the weekly sending of one or more newsletters. That adds up to thousands of subscribers, which we are very happy about. They are invited to make a voluntary contribution: for 20 euros a year, they will receive the newsletter (or newsletters) of their choice every week. And while we think that is not a high amount, only just under 15% of subscribers pay that contribution. And that, unfortunately, is too little to sustain those newsletters.

Availability remains paramount

Mindful of our roots, we do not want to put the news service behind a pay wall. Quite apart from whether that would be commercially convenient: we choose, as a matter of principle, to keep the news available to everyone. That does not take away from the fact, however, that we very much need the voluntary contribution of 20 euros per year (and it’s allowed to donate more, of course) to continue to exist.
As a demander, it is of course difficult to beat the drum very hard. We are also well aware that in the sectors we write about, money isn’t there for the taking. Nevertheless, we are convinced that an annual contribution, the size of perhaps a few mere metres of rope for your ship, is not too much to ask. So if you are a subscriber to one or more newsletters, we sincerely hope that you are willing to do something in return. Making a donation is super easy via our donations page. Make use of it: we desperately need you!

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