Dilemma deja vu
Two years ago I was running a struggling camcorder site known as dvspot. People loved the reviews, but I just didn't have time to put into it, especially with the DCRP doing so well. On October 30, 2005 I announced that the site was no longer going to be updated. A few months later I put in "on hiatus" until I had the resources to give the site the attention it deserves.
I'm finding myself in the same mess this October. This time it's a printer review site (PrinterSpot) that never really took off, because neither myself nor my co-editor had time to put into it. Both of us had higher priorities -- me, the DCRP, him, his job, so PrinterSpot fell by the wayside. I bought the other half of the company hoping that I could keep it going myself, but I should've known from dvspot that this wasn't going to happen.
What I'm facing now is this. I can't afford to hire someone to run PrinterSpot when that money could be better used funding the expansion of the DCRP. For PrinterSpot to succeed, it needs more attention than I can give it right now. The question is, do I try to update the site when I can, or do I put it on hiatus as well, with the hope that one day I'll be able to hire someone to actually run the site for me.
I'm struggling with feelings of failure regarding these sites. In both cases myself and my co-founders bit off more than we could chew, and the sites quickly fell apart. I think both dvspot and PrinterSpot have a lot of potential, but right now it's hard to justify spending money on either of them, especially with the DCRP hurting financially this year. I once dreamed about having a network of related sites, but I'm getting the feeling that this may not happen -- at least anytime soon.
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Hi Jeff,
I'm sorry things don't work out as you desired... A hiatus would be a good idea for now, in order to concentrate on DCRP. Who knows, maybe something like Phil's DPReview could happen to you and you will be able to bring them back to life. Personally I don't think it was a bad move for DPR, but time will tell...
Keep up the good work!
I think you should put it on hiatus. It isn't a failure to decide to focus your resources on DCRP. Sometimes we have to refocus our dreams as things go on and it isn't a sign of failure, but a sign of maturity, intelligence, responsibility (take your pick) to recognize when something needs to be put on hold.
Hey Jeff,
I have noticed the DCRP not doing so well financially lately.
I've become a more responsible pixel peeper, and started to follow the advertising on your page.
I hope that both myself and others can make a difference.
DCRP is great.
Focus is good when something needs attention.
Have you considered a small business loan? Maybe you could give both the other sites a kickstart!
I think you already know the answer to that one. It love the DCRP site. The last four cameras my family have purchased have been due to your reviews. Mine just died, and I'm starting the hunt for another. One guess as to where I'll be looking. >:D