Attracting and Keeping New Members

CoralLevang wrote on October 11, 2015, 12:27 PM

I would also like to add that we must always be cognizant of the "tone" we take in talking about our family. That is not to say that we need to try to blow smoke and shine up the mirrors, but we must be aware that we are representatives of this community and have a responsibility to it, individually and collectively.
Great post, Feisty56 !

Dawnwriter wrote on October 11, 2015, 12:34 PM

I like the Welcome committee idea. I always try to welcome every new member but it is sad to see that very few stay after the initial couple of posts. I cannot understand why people can remain to a site as untrustworthy as Bubblews and keep writing there and not see the potential of this site.

Rufuszen wrote on October 11, 2015, 12:35 PM

I have been trying to convince few to join, no nibbles yet, so I shall keep badgering them.

Feisty56 wrote on October 11, 2015, 12:45 PM

Perhaps it's because I so enjoy the sense of community here that that is what I share with those I invite to join here. With few exceptions, members here seem able to agree to disagree and maintain a civil tone while doing so. We are each ambassadors of the site, whether we think so or not.

Feisty56 wrote on October 11, 2015, 12:48 PM

I concur with everything you say. Not every one of us will be able to find folks who want to join the site. I don't have a particularly large following on any of the social media, but I do try to get a referral message out there now and then as you never know when someone will be open to the idea.

Feisty56 wrote on October 11, 2015, 12:52 PM

Thanks for the thumbs up on a Welcome Committee. If enough people are interested, we can loosely work out some details on how best to do it.

I don't understand the loyalty to the "B" site myself, or why being a member there would preclude someone from joining here. I think some people hope "B" will regain its former glory and earning potential.

Feisty56 wrote on October 11, 2015, 12:55 PM

Lol, sometimes it just has to be the right moment to catch someone's interest -- but we never know when that is going to be, do we?

WordChazer wrote on October 11, 2015, 12:56 PM

I was originally doing something similar working through the members' list when I last had time off (Christmas/New Year). I plan on continuing with that slowly now that things have shaken down at work and updating the members' list I have on this machine accordingly.

Kasman wrote on October 11, 2015, 2:05 PM

When our new moderators are finally chosen one of their responsibilities should be to welcome new members and include a few words of advice about connecting with admin and reading the rules/FAQs. Reading and commenting on the first 2-3 posts of new members should also be a priority for all of us. We don't have to follow every new member but we should at least make them feel wanted!

laksh wrote on October 11, 2015, 2:33 PM

Great idea! On the similar lines there could be a welcome committee for RETURNING members :P hhehe just kidding!
I recall something like this being done back then when I was active here... maybe as time passed by, that practice stopped. We can get it rolling again for sure.. I'm ready!

melody23 wrote on October 11, 2015, 2:59 PM

A site I used to write on had a new member guide, we had forums and she would always welcome new members there and make sure they knew to come to her if they needed any help with anything. I don't think its a bad idea at all.

Feisty56 wrote on October 11, 2015, 5:34 PM

I think everything we do to interact with others, to read posts, etc. is for the overall benefit of this site and thus ourselves, too. You've reminded me -- I used to work my way through the member list, too, but haven't done so in a while.

This post is as much to inspire me as it is to gather other people's ideas and methods.

Feisty56 wrote on October 11, 2015, 5:37 PM

This is good food for thought, too. I connect because if I don't I won't remember to go back, but yes, for all those who have better memories than I do or actually consult a list they've made, connecting with all new members isn't necessary.

I notice that you and cheri have been doing a nice job of welcoming new members. Thanks for standing in for the rest of us who haven't been. : )

Feisty56 wrote on October 11, 2015, 5:40 PM

Welcome back, welcome back, seriously...welcome back. : )

There was talk of a welcoming committee a year or so ago, but at that time it was decided we'd just do it informally. And that can still work as long as at least some of us make it a habit.

Feisty56 wrote on October 11, 2015, 5:42 PM

I rather like the idea myself, but also think that Kasman 's idea of the eventual moderators welcoming new members and providing pertinent information has merit. Perhaps those of us interested in a welcoming committee can just decide among ourselves how we'd like to proceed and go from there.

6snowroses.6doves4peace wrote on October 11, 2015, 6:00 PM

Very true and wise words, Feisty!

Feisty56 wrote on October 11, 2015, 6:30 PM

Thank you. Most of us are likely not used to being on fledgling sites who find each and every member a vital part of the community. Sites such as Facebook and Twitter and myriad writing sites have large volumes of members and a brand that is easily recognizable. Our sharing quality posts on social media helps get the Persona Paper brand out there. Hopefully with familiarity will come interest and more folks joining.

wolfgirl569 wrote on October 11, 2015, 6:45 PM

I think you covered it well, the big thing is they need to know its not a get rich quick site. Sadly many are only looking for that

DWDavisRSL wrote on October 11, 2015, 7:37 PM

I have been working lately to visit the profile pages of new members as I note them, and to read their posts and follow them. I want them to feel welcome.

Feisty56 wrote on October 11, 2015, 7:50 PM

I think that being realistic with people from the get-go allows them to have realistic expectations. There's no sense in those who want to make a lot of money quickly coming aboard only to find out that isn't how it works here. Yes, they may sign up initially, but it's likely they wouldn't return.

Feisty56 wrote on October 11, 2015, 7:53 PM

I think that's a great practice to have. New folks here can meet a wall of silence unless some of us members take the little bit of time to welcome them and read a few posts. Not every new member will know they need to begin to connect with others and read their posts to start the ball rolling, which I think would be quite off-putting.

markgraham wrote on October 11, 2015, 10:13 PM

I have only been here for close to two months. I do not plan on getting rich but I am still hoping to make this a regular writing job if readers do not get too tired reading what I have to offer.
I do like to teach and I plan to more tutorials.
This is a learning environment.

cheri wrote on October 11, 2015, 11:10 PM

Its hard to invite friends who are not really into writing but I am sharing this anyway

Paulie wrote on October 12, 2015, 12:11 AM

A "Welcome Committee" is an excellent idea for welcoming and retaining the new members we get. Perhaps we could all contribute in establishing a learner center with tips for success for all members.

allen0187 wrote on October 12, 2015, 1:57 AM

Great ideas here!

I already share other posts in my Twitter feed. Although, I do not currently have a means to check how many visits does this generate.

I constantly update my 'following' list as well. Every week or so, I go ahead and add five to ten new members.

The 'Welcome Committee' is a good idea and hopefully, the site admin can look into it. Perhaps, have the new moderators handle this?

BarbRad wrote on October 12, 2015, 3:06 AM

I'm afraid my brain has fizzled out tonight. I'm still recovering from a being on the road a good part of the weekend. I do still promote on social media, but I just don't have the same amount of time to spend here as I used to. I will try to check out the new member list when I remember. Another thing that might help is someone who reads posts by new people on a regular basis promoting the best of them during a week in a post to the membership as a whole. I came here tonight because CoralLevang wrote a post that featured some of her favorite recent posts. I trusted her to promote the gems.

CoralLevang wrote on October 12, 2015, 4:02 AM

*laughs* I hope that I am not one of those "few exceptions." I know I THINK it (lack of civility) sometimes. LOL

CoralLevang wrote on October 12, 2015, 4:03 AM

The phrase "pipe dreams" comes to mind here.

CoralLevang wrote on October 12, 2015, 4:05 AM

I put out referral messages on Twitter. I have yet to get someone to join. I used to promote when I was on FB. I had three join. The only one that did anything was Ruby3881 . I miss her around here now. Hope she is doing well, and wish she would come back to visit ...

CoralLevang wrote on October 12, 2015, 4:08 AM

These are the types of threads that I hope that elitecodex and maeLou are reading. I hope they see just how many of us actually are willing to help this site grow. I cannot be a moderator, but I am willing to push as hard as I can with writing and interacting to start getting some movement going. I don't know if it's been helpful these last couple of months, but there seems to be a bit more of a positive note around here lately, so may be?? I dunno.

CoralLevang wrote on October 12, 2015, 4:19 AM

This is why I try to put a kibosh on the rash of "that site is better than this site"..."can't make money here"..."as soon as I make my $20 here, I'm leave for that site".... blah blah. Quite honestly, I'm tired of it. Again, I have no problem if people are not happy and have complaints, but to be disparaging this site, especially after you have been asked to cease, I think is cause to take action. It would be no different than someone who works on one person's political campaign for some sort of compensation writing on a politico-blog, saying something like "(Candidate A) is really a nut case, and I like (Candidate B) better. I am only here until I get my pittance of what is owed to me, then I'm saying, 'Sayonara'!" *RME*

Sorry.... and I digress.

CoralLevang wrote on October 12, 2015, 4:21 AM

Thank you BarbRad . I am happy to see a great discussion thread on Feisty56 's post!

Feisty56 wrote on October 12, 2015, 9:36 AM

Not by a long shot! I think we all wax and wane, sometimes super positive, sometimes very realistic. But the "gloves" are always kept on -- no name calling, no sideways glances -- you know, just good old adult conversations.

Feisty56 wrote on October 12, 2015, 9:38 AM

I didn't realize you referred Ruby3881 ! I miss her too and hope we'll see her around here soon.

Feisty56 wrote on October 12, 2015, 9:40 AM

CoralLevang , I think you have been an inspiration to many and have get a lot of us going, so kudos to you on that!

Feisty56 wrote on October 12, 2015, 9:43 AM

It doesn't make sense to me, either, to disparage the very site you are a member of on that site. Constructive criticism, suggestions and new ideas, sure, but otherwise you're shooting yourself in the foot, or at the very least, the other community members here who have been part of your success.

Feisty56 wrote on October 12, 2015, 9:45 AM

I agree with you -- it is a learning environment here, sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly. I've learned about people and cultures to which I would never have had exposure otherwise and new ideas and ways of looking at things all the time.

Feisty56 wrote on October 12, 2015, 9:49 AM

I understand completely, cheri . I don't have personal friends who are interested in this sort of writing, at least not now, but am always hopeful that perhaps someone with whom I'm connected on a social network might have his/her interest piqued. I haven't brought many people to the site thus far, but hold out hope that there may be more in the future.

You can only do what you can do and your contributions here as a writer and community member have positive impact. : )

Feisty56 wrote on October 12, 2015, 9:54 AM

I think the FAQs and How It Works form a solid base for starting here as a writer. Any of us can write posts in the "Tutorial" designation that others can find (theoretically anyway) through the site's search tool, which is a good way to go.

Now that I've had more time to think about it, and with the suggestion that Kasman has made about the potential for new moderators to welcome new members officially, I'm not as sure that a Welcome Committee is needed as much as each of us as members checking in on the new member list once or twice a week, doing what we do with other members -- reading and commenting.

Feisty56 wrote on October 12, 2015, 9:59 AM

allen0187 , you and Kasman think alike! I like the idea of the new moderators handling the official welcome to new members, but I don't want to take away from the idea that it would still be great if each of us took a few moments each week to check out new members as well. Can you imagine what a warm reception it would be to have your first post(s) read by 10 or more people, with many comments? It would be a motivator to me and I think to newcomers also.

Thanks for sharing posts to Twitter. I think that helps not only the individual posts, but also helps in establishing brand recognition for Persona Paper.

Feisty56 wrote on October 12, 2015, 10:02 AM

BarbRad , you've long been an ambassador for Persona Paper -- certainly for as long as I've been here and I'm sure before that. : ) I'm so glad that you are able to find time with your very busy life right now to write a post as you are able.

I like the idea of writing a post that features newcomer's best posts to help point people in that direction.

Feisty56 wrote on October 12, 2015, 10:03 AM

Thank you again, CoralLevang ! You're a great friend and community member. : )

bestwriter wrote on October 12, 2015, 10:49 AM

The old members I know have done work in this direction. It is now the turn of newbies to do their bit.

Kasman wrote on October 12, 2015, 2:29 PM

On a related note we could encourage new members (and existing members) to join the Official Persona Paper Facebook Group. I know not everyone is a fan of FB but it is possible to join FB and only use the PP FB Group. Members could then communicate amongst themselves about any issues on FB. This would be particularly handy for the new moderators!

Kasman wrote on October 12, 2015, 2:32 PM

Feisty56 - See my comment about the Official Persona Paper Facebook Group - that could also act as a learning forum for new members.

Feisty56 wrote on October 12, 2015, 3:15 PM

That a good suggestion for those who are interested. Lol, I had lost my FB log-in, so haven't been there in weeks myself, but have found it now so will do my best to remember to check in with the group.

Feisty56 wrote on October 12, 2015, 3:19 PM

You're certainly entitled to feel this way; I just don't happen to agree with you on this point. I do think that as new members come along, some of them will begin to do these things because they want to. When that happens, the efforts for everyone else become less. I enjoy the promotion, the welcoming, etc.. It's much easier to ask others to do what you're doing than to do what you're only saying.

Kasman wrote on October 12, 2015, 3:27 PM

Thinking some more about this subject Persona Paper has a Pinterest page which isn't currently being used. Perhaps our new moderators could pin interesting posts to that. There is also Google+ which I don't believe Persona Paper is on at all. We could make good use of a Google+ page. No doubt we could think of more places the site could be more well-known on - every little helps!

Feisty56 wrote on October 12, 2015, 3:33 PM

Really great ideas you've got! I'll keep a keen eye out for future developments. : )

allen0187 wrote on October 12, 2015, 7:53 PM

Thank you Feisty56 ! What can I say? Great minds think alike! LOL! Although, between the two of us, Kasman , has the better mind than mine!

A warm reception will definitely go a long way in making new members stay here in the site.

Paulie wrote on October 13, 2015, 4:02 AM

Checking in on a new member once or twice a week is a great idea.

ViperGirl85 wrote on October 15, 2015, 9:21 PM

I like this post; and I would love to have more of my friends join. :) I think one of my online friends did join actually, I just need to get her username and follow her. I gave her my name on here so hopefully I hear from her soon. :)

Feisty56 wrote on October 15, 2015, 9:48 PM

That would be great if more of your friends joined. We'll all do our best to welcome them with open arms.

Kidame wrote on December 10, 2015, 6:44 AM

I agree with you and we should also try to check on old members who were active and now they seem to be letting go. I was one o f them but i am back now