Forum Promotion Proposals

[Trinity Coulter]

In case you haven't noticed, we don't see very much chatter on this board. Its mostly a few of the Board of Directors, and a few persistent others.

I would like to propose several ideas for promotion, and without objection, just work on implementing them.

1. Mention the forum occasionally on a Main chat notice.

2. Mention it in a notice, but also add some sweeteners... like wonderful cash and prizes, or even something simple like a title of "NCI Forumologist" or something less cheesy.

3. Have some games or hunts inworld that rely on clues and stuff in the forum. That gives people a reason to keep coming back and adds an element of fun to things also.

4. Have a direct to inworld RSS feed from the forum.. maybe based on certain topics only... not sure if this forum supports that sort of possibility or not.

5. Solicit specific types of posts from people, again inworld.... like news, or fashion tips, or fun places to go, or so on.

6. Work with advertisers inworld to create forum-based promotions/coupons for items. Maybe if people say "I just love B&W Homes" or whatever other AdNode sponsor on the forum, they get a special prize or coupon at that shop.

7. Work together with other online services to add interesting or compelling content to the forum. Animoto comes to mind for now, but there are tons of places.

[Afon]

I like some of the ideas, but we have to be careful. Some folk don't like forums and others don't want anything off-world to be associated with their in-world life. For, much of my SL life, the only blog I followed was the LL ones. Even now, I don't follow many SL orientated blogs and I don't follow any SL forums other than this one. We need to make sure that we are not seen to exclude folk who just want a SL.

[Trinity Coulter]

That is a great point, Afon. It wouldn't be considerate to cause anyone to feel left out by any promotional approaches that might be done for the Forum. Do you have any suggestions for how that balance could be maintained, so that people feel welcomed rather than excluded, but still having the Forum be promoted and encouraged as a tool for people to communicate? I can only see more benefit in having more people from NCI actively using the Forum as a way to communicate with one another and see and share ideas.

[Saz Ninetails]

From my perspective it's either promote the forum, or accept feedback on the chat groups. Some may prefer a feedback format inside SL so if you want to keep it in SL then either chat group or suggestion box?

Staff (some) direct us to the forum, but those not there at that time, or those who don't click the link in time, have to hunt around for the small notice that takes you to the NCI website.

People often dont see things unless you put them right under their noses. Hands up who hasn't spent ages looking for something that is right there in front of them?

[Paulina]

Can't say I disagree.

But from what I recall, a certain balance is needed between all the information we'd love to provide, and how much is actually digestible, especially for new folks.

SL is information overload for newbies.
So we try to focus on the essentials. In the past we have received feedback that suggests our Kuula plaza is too cluttered as it is. Yet another sign in yet another place is not going to help, I'm afraid.
Plus, you said it yourself, one can whack people in the face with it, they might still miss it. Best example for that is our schedule board. Or the "Freebies" sign.

I believe that those who seek the information can find it.

[Saz Ninetails]

As stated on another thread (in different words maybe). How would they know to seek something when they dont know it is there to seek?

[Janet Rossini]

I like the idea of an online thing with useful information in it. I believe that this forum does not rise to that level. Perhaps it could. I think it would require reorganizing the top level, with some pinned important topics. I believe it would require lots of work. If we have volunteers who would actively cultivate it, I'd be all for it. Right now, I'm not so convinced.

Still, we could try it. I believe we should try more ideas. Even trying an idea that doesn't work out teaches us.

[Paulina]

Added a promo sign that offers links and / or landmarks.
Let's see if it helps.

=^.^=