Nicko
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Post by Nicko on Mar 31, 2013 14:08:25 GMT -6
I am an absolute novice at anything Internet. Even getting the forum where it is today was a major challenge for me. I'm just not knowledgeable enough in that area. I can research and figure out some ways. Banner exchange would be a good way I think. We should have some experts here I would believe that could help. I'm not one sadly but there are many out there.
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Post by aerome on Mar 31, 2013 14:55:49 GMT -6
Be careful what you wish for. Adverts cost money and those making the investments expect a reasonable return for it.
The easiest and most economical thing to do is to talk it up when you're posting. Talk it up when you're watch shopping, talk it up when you're discussing watches with your friends or even a stranger. Some may think it's rude to mention the forum on other places, some list Nazi's won't allow mention of another forum, but, hey, too bad! Selling a watch on fleabay? Reference WWF, get people clicking in. How about little biz cards with the site and a chance of winning a T shirt when they join. Remember you get what you want by helping people get what they want.
Now lets look at why new folks may come to a watch forum. If they're not WIS's they come to learn about or see any reviews about a watch they may be thinking about buying. They will come for the private adverts, whether to see what's available, check or compare prices, test the waters before making a decision or even toss a question out there. If they are WIS's they come for the camaraderie or to cut up with their pals, to learn something new and to put their two cents in. Folks stay because it is a benefit to them to stay. Educational, entertainment, friendship - - - - whatever!
So Chip, the first thing to do is figure out what you want, then figure out how you're going to get it. A clubhouse or a business? Comments and suggestions or pure data? Fun place or reference source? Any and/or all?
You know that the core group here will help you.
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aquajoe
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Post by aquajoe on Mar 31, 2013 20:54:20 GMT -6
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Post by iceman on Apr 1, 2013 5:31:27 GMT -6
Wow this thread has gone from Chip saying not enough action on the Panerai forum to the actual forum. I get the feel the forum will grow naturally with word of mouth, Aerome has some great points. I'd much rather the forum stay ad free, they do my head in :-) As for the giveaway's that's totally up to Chip or whoever decides its time for 1, but again I get the feeling that's for members who are already here not a drive for new members.
Again Chip your doing a great job with WWF.
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Nicko
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Post by Nicko on Apr 1, 2013 7:17:59 GMT -6
Wow this thread has gone from Chip saying not enough action on the Panerai forum to the actual forum. I get the feel the forum will grow naturally with word of mouth, Aerome has some great points. I'd much rather the forum stay ad free, they do my head in :-) As for the giveaway's that's totally up to Chip or whoever decides its time for 1, but again I get the feeling that's for members who are already here not a drive for new members. Again Chip your doing a great job with WWF. Wow, you're right that was on the Panerai forum and not the regular forum but sadly it applies across the board. Yes, Chip you are doing a great job. As free is the way to go I don't like them either but I fear word of mouth might not be good enough, if this forum doesn't get get seen then what good does it do. We need traffic and the only way to get traffic is to get more exposure. I am totally against ads well but sometimes it's a necessary evil. Like I said before I don't have the brains to promote this forum but others here might have some good ideas and I think it would be great if they came forward. This forum has been stagnant for over seven years And hasn't experienced much growth while other forums that were built around the same time or before have had much. In all honesty how many people do you see in a day that you could talk to about this forum? I still say that something needs to get done to promote this better.
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Baco Noir
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Post by Baco Noir on Apr 1, 2013 7:30:10 GMT -6
I think Marcus is right. I've invited a lot of people over and some have joined. Slow and steady growth is probably preferable to a massive influx. Why do I say that? Well, the forum's personality is driven by the attitudes of its members. If WWF grows at a slow and steady pace, the new members will take cues from the existing members on what the norms of acceptable behavior are. If too many come at once, the soul of the forum could be overwhelmed and it could become like some of the other forums.
That said, I think search engine optimization (SEO) could be helpful for new users to find us through search engines. Chip, since none of us seem to know "how to" do it, maybe that's a place to spend some of the Benefactor money on with a consultant who can help you out. It really shouldn't cost a lot. I had a guy help me with the web page at my last company and without paying Google to move us up in the search results, he just entered key phrases into the meta data for the different sections of our new website and we'd end up 2nd to 5th in the search results.
Also, Chip has mentioned that a FB page might be a good way to drive people here and that's easy enough. But to support that growth effort, we'd all need to "like" the page and promote it with our friends.
Anyway, I feel we have a great group here and I see that many of the newer members are contributing, rather than posting a few times and leaving, which means to me that the long time members are being welcoming and helpful to them rather than condescending and elitist like they can be on other forums.
Let's continue to promote it with the people we know who are not here yet, while Chip finds the time to do some of these other things as he has time, and WWF should see sustainable growth over 2013 and beyond.
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Nicko
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Post by Nicko on Apr 1, 2013 9:51:59 GMT -6
I like the way you think Roger the voice of reason. Like I said before the big problem is no one can find this place, albeit great but you can only talk to yourself for so long, believe me I know I'm an expert. I do post on a couple of other forums I wonder how upset they would be if I decided to make reference to this forum? Another thing I notice is some really key members here post primarily on other forums and that's their prerogative but if we really want to make this place grow may I suggest the key posters continue to be key posters but here and vice elsewhere. I imagine it all depends on how many posts, the quality of posts and the amount of people that we have posting. You're right Roger, slow and continued growth is the right way to do it.
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Post by iceman on Apr 1, 2013 10:46:23 GMT -6
I'll set a facebook page up, Chip has enough to do with the forum. If anyone has any ideas for it let me know. Also i'll need photos of some of you for the page
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Nicko
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Post by Nicko on Apr 1, 2013 11:29:12 GMT -6
I'll set a facebook page up, Chip has enough to do with the forum. If anyone has any ideas for it let me know. Also i'll need photos of some of you for the page Great idea but I'm not a Facebook fan some of you might be though. It's a good initiative nevertheless
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Baco Noir
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Post by Baco Noir on Apr 1, 2013 16:24:11 GMT -6
One thing I see forums do is post a link to hot topic threads from the forum on FB for their fans to comment on and hopefully draw them in. "Like" MTBR.com on FB and you'll see what I mean. They are my mtn biking forum.
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aquajoe
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Post by aquajoe on Apr 1, 2013 20:56:17 GMT -6
Since y'all don't want to talk about cheeseburgers, instead keeping this about forum traffic, I'll offer my two cents...
Who says it has to grow? It's not for profit. Even if it literally explodes, it's still really not going to be profitable. I don't think it's meant to be. It's about good clean fun and sharing a passion with like minded individuals - a time to escape from the daily grind if you will. The atmosphere we have here now is very personable and I enjoy that. If it grows and we can maintain that level of camaraderie, great. If the population stays the same, that's cool too. I guess bottom line is that I'm happy with what we've got (and I like bacon on my cheeseburgers).
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Post by iceman on Apr 2, 2013 1:12:53 GMT -6
Since y'all don't want to talk about cheeseburgers, instead keeping this about forum traffic, I'll offer my two cents... Who says it has to grow? It's not for profit. Even if it literally explodes, it's still really not going to be profitable. I don't think it's meant to be. It's about good clean fun and sharing a passion with like minded individuals - a time to escape from the daily grind if you will. The atmosphere we have here now is very personable and I enjoy that. If it grows and we can maintain that level of camaraderie, great. If the population stays the same, that's cool too. I guess bottom line is that I'm happy with what we've got (and I like bacon on my cheeseburgers). 100% agree Joe. But a few new members now & again always helps.
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Nicko
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Post by Nicko on Apr 2, 2013 2:49:11 GMT -6
Since y'all don't want to talk about cheeseburgers, instead keeping this about forum traffic, I'll offer my two cents... Who says it has to grow? It's not for profit. Even if it literally explodes, it's still really not going to be profitable. I don't think it's meant to be. It's about good clean fun and sharing a passion with like minded individuals - a time to escape from the daily grind if you will. The atmosphere we have here now is very personable and I enjoy that. If it grows and we can maintain that level of camaraderie, great. If the population stays the same, that's cool too. I guess bottom line is that I'm happy with what we've got (and I like bacon on my cheeseburgers). 100% agree Joe. But a few new members now & again always helps. Couldn't agree more
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Post by katgirl on Apr 2, 2013 7:58:28 GMT -6
I love this forum, just as it is. Though I AM a member of other forums, THIS is my home, and rarely do I take time, anymore, to post on the others. Why do I like it here? It's small, welcoming, cozy, friendly, etc. For ME, it's perfect.........
KAT
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Nicko
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Post by Nicko on Apr 2, 2013 8:56:24 GMT -6
I love this forum, just as it is. Though I AM a member of other forums, THIS is my home, and rarely do I take time, anymore, to post on the others. Why do I like it here? It's small, welcoming, cozy, friendly, etc. For ME, it's perfect......... KAT Here, here!
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