POST MORMON BILLBOARD DISCUSSION

[tjohnson]

"Teach the people correct principles and let them govern themselves." --Joseph Smith (or had you forgotten?)

I'm ready for this. I was not always for the billboard idea, but now I'm beginning to like it more and more... I think one of my favorites (that I heard from Jeff) was:

Save 10%
www.postmormon.org

:D :D

I would be game for a billboard even in a smaller community (less expensive). Who's interested?

[silverfox]

I'm ready for this. I was not always for the billboard idea, but now I'm beginning to like it more and more... I think one of my favorites (that I heard from Jeff) was:

Save 10%
www.postmormon.org

:D :D

I would be game for a billboard even in a smaller community (less expensive). Who's interested?

I'm interested in billboards where ever we can put them. Because I wish I had been aware of boards like this as soon as I started questioning the church years ago. Had I known I wasn't alone and had I had so many resources and links made available to me I would have gotten out sooner and would have been happier sooner.

What about flyers? Flyers we can post on community bulletin boards - several merchants in my little town have community bulletin boards. Jeff would you object if I create some flyers to hang up? I was surprised to find that a buddy of mine in my 'hood left the church right in the middle of being in the Primary Presidency. She kept it hush hush even from me until I started talking about it. And another neighbor whom I don't know so well left the church (her hubby was in the EQ presidency at the time) and joined the local Methodist church. There are more of "us" than we think.

Anyway, I am all for trying to get the word out. Now for you church monitors or TBMs who lurk here...this has NOTHING to do wtih trying to persuade anyone to leave the church. It's all about offering support for those who are in situations we have been in.

[dogzilla]

I'm ready for this. I was not always for the billboard idea, but now I'm beginning to like it more and more... I think one of my favorites (that I heard from Jeff) was:

Save 10%
www.postmormon.org

:D :D

I would be game for a billboard even in a smaller community (less expensive). Who's interested?

That's hilarious.

A friend of mine and I have toyed with the idea of collecting photos of church marquees (sp?) around the South, because many of 'em are so funny. We'd put 'em up on a web site, like mulletjunky.com.

[Jeff_Ricks]

I'm ready for this. I was not always for the billboard idea, but now I'm beginning to like it more and more... I think one of my favorites (that I heard from Jeff) was:

Save 10%
www.postmormon.org

:D :D

I would be game for a billboard even in a smaller community (less expensive). Who's interested?

I love the billoard idea Paul! Not for you but for others who may not be aware, I want to post the following caution:

When in my twenties and early thirties I made a living as an owner of a sign and billboard business in Rexburg, Idaho. I can say with some level of experience that because billboards are such a powerful (yet relatively inexpensive) medium we might only have one shot at it before the Church applies pressure in a few strategic places and shuts us down. Other former Mormon groups have tried to get billboards up and have not found a billboard company that would take their business. I’m as anxious as anyone to see some billboards go up but we have to be very careful and methodical in how we plan and execute a billboard program. While I was initially turned away too, after soliciting the help of an ACLU attorney I was able to get a verbal okay from the president of the largest billboard company in Utah. One thing the attorney pointed out was that as long as the billboards can’t be construed as offensive the law is on our side we are turned down. That said, the farther back we are from that line that becomes “offensive” the better off we are when we first come out of the chute. But once the Mormon public acclimates to our presence along roads and freeways we can begin trying messages that are a little bolder. My guess is we need an initial 3 to 6 months after we’ve put up our first billboards before we try something a little bolder. My ad copy that I initially approached the billboard company with said, “Be yourself!” Under that was the website address. Something as simple and non-offensive as that caused the president enough discomfort that he initially flat turned me down. But after talking with the ACLU attorney I went back and told him that I was determined to make it happen, so if he turned me down I had other avenues I could pursue to make it happen. He got my drift and changed his mind. But it's still an area we where we must tread lightly.

So, getting billboards up is something we have to do just right or we forever miss our opportunity. Don’t get me wrong, I have no doubt that we can get a billboard program up and in place for the long term; we just have to be very careful and methodical in how we plan and execute it. I would love to see a billboard someday that says, “Tired of Joseph’s Myth?” followed by “PostMormon.org.” (I don't take credit for the idea) But initially what we really want to do is get people to the website not anger them or scare them off with something a little on the edge. We can do anything and say anything we want on the website, but I feel that a tasteful non-offensive approach serves us best here as well.

So let’s keep up the excitement about our billboard plans; I don’t mean to throw any cold water on it. Just be aware that it’s an area where we must plan and carefully execute.

Jeff

[dogzilla]

but I feel that a tasteful non-offensive approach serves us best here as well.

Oh, well, then I'm out! :p

Kidding... This sort of sounds like a newsgroup sort of project, rather than trying to start a thread and organize this publicly, shouldn't we maybe recruit a committee of volunteers to help come up with non-offensive and tasteful slogans, someone else to organize working with the billboard companies on placement, etc.? What say ye?

[dogzilla]

(And only to tie this back to the original post)

"Open on Sundays!"
www.postmormon.org

[silverfox]

I love the billoard idea Paul! Not for you but for others who may not be aware, I want to post the following caution:

When in my twenties and early thirties I made a living as an owner of a sign and billboard business in Rexburg, Idaho. I can say with some level of experience that because billboards are such a powerful (yet relatively inexpensive) medium we might only have one shot at it before the Church applies pressure in a few strategic places and shuts us down. Other former Mormon groups have tried to get billboards up and have not found a billboard company that would take their business. I’m as anxious as anyone to see some billboards go up but we have to be very careful and methodical in how we plan and execute a billboard program. While I was initially turned away too, after soliciting the help of an ACLU attorney I was able to get a verbal okay from the president of the largest billboard company in Utah. One thing the attorney pointed out was that as long as the billboards can’t be construed as offensive the law is on our side we are turned down. That said, the farther back we are from that line that becomes “offensive” the better off we are when we first come out of the chute. But once the Mormon public acclimates to our presence along roads and freeways we can begin trying messages that are a little bolder. My guess is we need an initial 3 to 6 months after we’ve put up our first billboards before we try something a little bolder. My ad copy that I initially approached the billboard company with said, “Be yourself!” Under that was the website address. Something as simple and non-offensive as that caused the president enough discomfort that he initially flat turned me down. But after talking with the ACLU attorney I went back and told him that I was determined to make it happen, so if he turned me down I had other avenues I could pursue to make it happen. He got my drift and changed his mind. But it's still an area we where we must tread lightly.

So, getting billboards up is something we have to do just right or we forever miss our opportunity. Don’t get me wrong, I have no doubt that we can get a billboard program up and in place for the long term; we just have to be very careful and methodical in how we plan and execute it. I would love to see a billboard someday that says, “Tired of Joseph’s Myth?” followed by “PostMormon.org.” (I don't take credit for the idea) But initially what we really want to do is get people to the website not anger them or scare them off with something a little on the edge. We can do anything and say anything we want on the website, but I feel that a tasteful non-offensive approach serves us best here as well.

So let’s keep up the excitement about our billboard plans; I don’t mean to throw any cold water on it. Just be aware that it’s an area where we must plan and carefully execute.

Jeff

Thanks for the reminder of how damned controlling the church is. What are they so afraid of? We aren't bashing them, we don't want to persuade members to leave. We only want to offer support and understanding for those who are in the process. I don't get it.

So tell me what kind of crap do you think we will have to face using flyers? I am sure some TBMs will remove them. I can see it becoming a topic in Sacrament. "Dear Brothers and Sisters, as you know the TRUE church is under ATTACK! (how dramatic!) We ask that in your travels you remove any such weapons that are being used to attack the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Your awards await you in heaven."

But still I think it's worth the effort. As long as it doesn't cause more damage than good. Don't want to get all those suits' garmies in a wad right off. :Crazy:

[Jeff_Ricks]

Oh, well, then I'm out! :p

Kidding... This sort of sounds like a newsgroup sort of project, rather than trying to start a thread and organize this publicly, shouldn't we maybe recruit a committee of volunteers to help come up with non-offensive and tasteful slogans, someone else to organize working with the billboard companies on placement, etc.? What say ye?

I guess it's not widely known that an organization is being put in place for doing the planning and execution of this and other programs. Once that is solidified we'll announce it, along with an organizational chart so everyone can see how it all fits together. I'm in the process of working with an attorney on registering the organization as a non-prophet (that is, non-profit) organization. Yesterday I received the first draft of the Articles of Incorporation. Our Board of Directors and I will be reviewing them over the next few days. By the way, our Board consists of silverfox, hotrod, oomatrix, paul, and myself. I’m also organizing a staff that consists of some of the same people as well as tjohnson, dogzilla, and my son (he’s not registered yet – he helps with some of the artwork and photo manipulation, primarily for the Peep Stone).

Once we have our organizational structure in place and legally recognized by the State of Utah then we can begin serious planning of some of the programs we are talking about. I optimistically hoped last fall that we’d be farther along by now but my rough guess now is that we’ll be ready to begin executing a billboard program within about 2 or 3 months from now. :D

Jeff

[dogzilla]

Does that mean I will get a title soon?

:: claps hands::

I would like to be "Chief Magician and Miracle Worker," please.

What? Not appropriate for this forum? :(

I guess you boys will think of something to call me. ;)

[peter_mary]

Does that mean I will get a title soon?

:: claps hands::

I would like to be "Chief Magician and Miracle Worker," please.

What? Not appropriate for this forum? :(

I guess you boys will think of something to call me. ;)

You get a new name, and you have to learn a series of secret handshakes to pass the sentinals on your way into the Staff Meeting. Never reveal that name or tokens, lest you be subjected to the penalties, which in your case, include spending a long weekend in Provo in a series of blind-dates. :D

Paul

[silverfox]

You get a new name, and you have to learn a series of secret handshakes to pass the sentinals on your way into the Staff Meeting. Never reveal that name or tokens, lest you be subjected to the penalties, which in your case, include spending a long weekend in Provo in a series of blind-dates. :D

Paul

LOL LOL LOL LOL :D

[tjohnson]

You get a new name, and you have to learn a series of secret handshakes to pass the sentinals on your way into the Staff Meeting. Never reveal that name or tokens, lest you be subjected to the penalties, which in your case, include spending a long weekend in Provo in a series of blind-dates. :D
Paul

:D

"That's funny... I don't care who you are... that's funny there..." - Larry the cable guy

[j_anderson]

What do billboards cost - about 1-2K each for a month?

If billboards go out, it seems like it would make sense to do a radio campaign about the same time. Someone should pitch a show to Radio West, maybe even short interviews on Utah radio stations. You could probably do a full morning drive radio tour for $2000.

[dogzilla]

You get a new name, and you have to learn a series of secret handshakes to pass the sentinals on your way into the Staff Meeting. Never reveal that name or tokens, lest you be subjected to the penalties, which in your case, include spending a long weekend in Provo in a series of blind-dates. :D

Paul

LOL

In February, right? When I could least stand it?

And I don't get to learn the boys' names either I bet... :mad:

[Jeff_Ricks]

What do billboards cost - about 1-2K each for a month?

If billboards go out, it seems like it would make sense to do a radio campaign about the same time. Someone should pitch a show to Radio West, maybe even short interviews on Utah radio stations. You could probably do a full morning drive radio tour for $2000.

The huge billboards you see along I15 are $4,500 per month. The next size down, which is about half the size of the huge ones costs $1,000 per month. My strategy is to put our money toward the smaller ones. Four of those as opposed to one huge one will obviously get us more exposure per buck. And we won't have to raise the full $4,500 to get our first billboard up.

I agree that we should take advantage of other forms of media along with billboards. Thanks for the input!

Jeff

[david]

Jeff et al,
IMO, the most elegant message is the one you have up on another page on this site: "postmormon.org" with nothing else. It's beautiful for many reasons. It doesn't try too hard. It appeals to innate feelings that I think the vast majority of mormons have (i.e. what would life be like if I left mormonism behind?). It eschews an agenda, which is the most powerful way to get a message across. It cannot be understood as a cheap shot in any way. It is beyond subtle and therefore no advertiser could take issue with it.
As I've told Jeff, I would be happy to contribute $$ towards it. I expect to hear from you when the time comes!

[free thinker]

POSTMORMON.ORG


Let Life Begin!


Free Thinker

[Jeff_Ricks]

Jeff et al,
IMO, the most elegant message is the one you have up on another page on this site: "postmormon.org" with nothing else. It's beautiful for many reasons. It doesn't try too hard. It appeals to innate feelings that I think the vast majority of mormons have (i.e. what would life be like if I left mormonism behind?). It eschews an agenda, which is the most powerful way to get a message across. It cannot be understood as a cheap shot in any way. It is beyond subtle and therefore no advertiser could take issue with it.
As I've told Jeff, I would be happy to contribute $$ towards it. I expect to hear from you when the time comes!

Good to hear from you again David! Yes you will certainly hear from us when we're ready.

Jeff

[Born Free]

Jeff et al,
IMO, the most elegant message is the one you have up on another page on this site: "postmormon.org" with nothing else. It's beautiful for many reasons. It doesn't try too hard. It appeals to innate feelings that I think the vast majority of mormons have (i.e. what would life be like if I left mormonism behind?). It eschews an agenda, which is the most powerful way to get a message across. It cannot be understood as a cheap shot in any way. It is beyond subtle and therefore no advertiser could take issue with it.
As I've told Jeff, I would be happy to contribute $$ towards it. I expect to hear from you when the time comes!

I think it is very powerful too.

The core Mo paradigm is that they are the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End (ho hum!).

Post-Mo does not debate, beg or plead. It states simply that "There is a world and life outside. Come and play!"

Ok, I reneg. My old copywriting training is struggling back from the dark ages. Subtitle Post-Mo.org with that stunning piece of copy above as a subtle sub title. (In my oh so extraordinarily, exceptionally humble opinion!)

On a more serious note, such a sub title could hook those are fed up with the incessant grind, the lack of fun, the depression, the Gs, (and no Victoria's Secrets). and the endless duty and sense of obligations.

OK, let's up the anti, and try "Get a f#cking Life"

[silverfox]

Jeff, you shouldn't be alone in all your hard work and worry here.

I am sure there are TBMs and church monitors "keeping their eye on us".

What do we need to do to prepare for resistance? (I feel like I'm in a Star Wars movie now, heh heh) Are there copyright issues? Trademark? I know you are working hard with legal issues right now.

I anticipate a lot of resistance from the COB suits and lawyers, etc, etc, etc. No doubt they will do everything they can to cause grief. (remember they don't want the truth out!!!)

I still like the idea of posting flyers around, too, in the community bulletin boards at stores, etc. (I am sure there would be some resistance there, too) And all they would have to say is "www.POSTMORMON.org".

I like the ideas of ads in the newspapers, too. They could even be in the classifieds under "personal" (or is Lost and Found more appropriate??? heh heh). Inexpensive yet noticeable especially in the small town newspapers. I will be happy to be the first to do this in my town at my own expense.

I know in my little town a lot of folks don't venture out often so they may not see a Post Mo billboard for quite a while.

We will also have to prepare for the reaction we may get here from some TBMs, etc. I am not worried too much about that, though. Everyone here is respectful and gracious and I know we can handle it.

That's all I have to say about that. For now, anyway.

[noodle]

Sorry guys, I can't leave the funny billboard issue alone. It is part of my yearly entertainment when I visit my family in the south. I hear that these billboards are everywhere these days. Anyway, check out the following sites. The second one obviously pokes fun at these crazy billboards. :D

http://www.my-tgif.com/gods_billboards.htm

http://www.anti-heroart.com/godbillboards.html

On a more serious note... Jeff, I agree that "less is more" for the postmormon.org billboard. It will be fun to see the number of "hits" the site receives once the first one goes up! :p

[lsands]

The church spends hundreds of millions of dollars promoting their beliefs through TV, radio, billboards, and door-to-door salesmen and women. But if post-mo's put up a few lousy billboards, WE"RE offensive? And if we do get flack for it, what does that say about their fear level? We most be awfully powerful!

I think it is important to publicly expose any/all efforts made to silence our point of view. So please continue to post about it, Jeff, if anything happens.

I have more time than money right now, but I'm willing to donate some of what I have!

Laraine

[free thinker]

Truth is always more poweful than propaganda! That is why they are afraid! :cool:

Free Thinker

[peter_mary]

Truth is always more poweful than propaganda! That is why they are afraid! :cool:

Free Thinker

So one of our Billboard recommendations is:

"Be Afraid. Be VERY Afraid Postmormon.org"
:D

(Now don't anyone go getting their garments in a knot...I'm just kidding!)

Also, Free Thinker, let me congratulate you on the Quadruple Puke on one of the other threads tonight. That's a first! :D

Paul

[golfer]

Hello all. In my brief story posted a few weeks ago I advised this group of my new membership in this community as a result of sending in my resignation letter. While there are many events that have transpired including my children disowning me and ignoring my reasons for leaving and instead finding make up reasons for my Satanic move, I want to make an observation and pose a question to this community:
First, I note a number of angry people who spend a lot of their time here just venting and continuing the assault on the Church. I understand their feelings and have gone thru that.
However I would like to find a group who wants to move on and find Christ-oriented experiences to make the rest of our lives meaningful. There is a lot to talk about as to which if any church offers the most, or none or ? What to do with our lives is most critical now. Any interest? Golfer

[Jeff_Ricks]

Hello all. In my brief story posted a few weeks ago I advised this group of my new membership in this community as a result of sending in my resignation letter. While there are many events that have transpired including my children disowning me and ignoring my reasons for leaving and instead finding make up reasons for my Satanic move, I want to make an observation and pose a question to this community:
First, I note a number of angry people who spend a lot of their time here just venting and continuing the assault on the Church. I understand their feelings and have gone thru that.
However I would like to find a group who wants to move on and find Christ-oriented experiences to make the rest of our lives meaningful. There is a lot to talk about as to which if any church offers the most, or none or ? What to do with our lives is most critical now. Any interest? GolferGolfer, I understand your frustration. Been there myself. However, I also think having a place to vent is healthy. But venting isn't all that's done here. There have been a lot of discussions about morality, belief, philosophy, spirituality, reality, what now?, what do I teach my children? the nature of life, etc. etc.

Maybe we should each spend a few minutes and do a search for some of those discussions and point them out to golfer? Any takers? Here's a few to get things started:

What it means to be "Christian": http://www.postmormon.org/forum_vb/showthread.php?t=1330&highlight=morality

Moral dumbfounding:
http://www.postmormon.org/forum_vb/showthread.php?t=902&highlight=morality

Post-Mormon identity:
http://www.postmormon.org/forum_vb/showthread.php?t=28&highlight=morality

Natural Morality:
http://www.postmormon.org/forum_vb/showthread.php?t=621&highlight=morality

There's lots more. These were some of the first ones that came up in a search.

As Free Thinker touched on, because there is a fair amount of venting or complaining about the church it might appear that our lives are consumed with being "anti-Mormon" but the amount of time we spend her is a small fraction of our lives. Its too bad you can't see the other side of our lives to weigh against what you see here. I'll admit that my life is consumed by something that it wasn't so concerned with when I was an active Mormon. Nowadays I relish the opportunities to learn and experience life, nature, philosophy, science, music, poetry, art, far more than I did as a Mormon. As Mormon everything I did and thought was framed in and filtered through Mormism, which washed out and unnaturally colored much of the real richness and beauty of life. Now I'm free to take it all in without thinking, "I wonder what the church would think about this or that?"

Jeff

[papa]

I'm all for advertising, I'll even contribute some pittance. But a caveat for me is, will this board then become defined more as an "antimissionary" tool? If so, can "antimission" rules be far behind? We might censor every post for antimission worthiness, what a burden, and a real threadkiller to boot! :duck:

[helemon]

I'm all for advertising, I'll even contribute some pittance. But a caveat for me is, will this board then become defined more as an "antimissionary" tool? If so, can "antimission" rules be far behind? We might censor every post for antimission worthiness, what a burden, and a real threadkiller to boot!
:slap: :slap: :duck: ;)