BALLAHOLLIC
Member
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2004
- Messages
- 10,496
- Likes
- 0
- Points
- 36
Re: Welcoming new members!
1) Welcome your new people.This doesn't simply mean post up a generic "Welcome to The Forums!" every time you run across a member whose screen name you don't recognize. This means taking a minute, reviewing new members' profiles, and maybe adding a personalized touch. It can be a comment on their hometown, their avatar, even their screen name. "Hey, welcome to The Forums! I see you're from Ozark. I was born about 10 miles from there. What's the area like now?" People LOVE to talk about themselves - after all, that's why they're on a web forum. This all but guarantees a return poster (which you want), and allows an opportunity for others to converse with the new member as well (which you really want).2) Answer questions.Yes, even those that are discussed on your forums ad nauseum. So many forums, especially those with a lot of technical information, make the mistake of saying, "Search, n00b!" to new people with seemingly obvious (or just plain dumb) questions. While it's more than acceptable to point out the location of the "Search" button and how it works, a rude response most likely will either turn them away, or worse, make them a "troll", eager to fight. Besides, if everything has already been discussed, and everything is searchable, then you have a LIBRARY, not a FORUM. Bleh.Lead by example here. Remind your team that they were all "rookies" once, and embrace a culture of assistance. While you don't need to respond to new questions by repeating basic information over and over, I like to take the following tack: "Welcome aboard! There's a TON of great information here related to your question - The quick answer is, yes, 300ZX brakes CAN be succesfully adapted for use on your 240sx. Here's a link to our Tech Forum, which will tell you all about it, and more information on other modifications you may be interested in!" You've just turned that person into a welcoming member of your community, and I can guarantee you they'll be among the ones who helps out new people in the future - That's STEP TWO in fostering loyalty on your forums.Got this idea from an admin forum.
1) Welcome your new people.This doesn't simply mean post up a generic "Welcome to The Forums!" every time you run across a member whose screen name you don't recognize. This means taking a minute, reviewing new members' profiles, and maybe adding a personalized touch. It can be a comment on their hometown, their avatar, even their screen name. "Hey, welcome to The Forums! I see you're from Ozark. I was born about 10 miles from there. What's the area like now?" People LOVE to talk about themselves - after all, that's why they're on a web forum. This all but guarantees a return poster (which you want), and allows an opportunity for others to converse with the new member as well (which you really want).2) Answer questions.Yes, even those that are discussed on your forums ad nauseum. So many forums, especially those with a lot of technical information, make the mistake of saying, "Search, n00b!" to new people with seemingly obvious (or just plain dumb) questions. While it's more than acceptable to point out the location of the "Search" button and how it works, a rude response most likely will either turn them away, or worse, make them a "troll", eager to fight. Besides, if everything has already been discussed, and everything is searchable, then you have a LIBRARY, not a FORUM. Bleh.Lead by example here. Remind your team that they were all "rookies" once, and embrace a culture of assistance. While you don't need to respond to new questions by repeating basic information over and over, I like to take the following tack: "Welcome aboard! There's a TON of great information here related to your question - The quick answer is, yes, 300ZX brakes CAN be succesfully adapted for use on your 240sx. Here's a link to our Tech Forum, which will tell you all about it, and more information on other modifications you may be interested in!" You've just turned that person into a welcoming member of your community, and I can guarantee you they'll be among the ones who helps out new people in the future - That's STEP TWO in fostering loyalty on your forums.Got this idea from an admin forum.
