Encouraging new users to post

Midwifery Online · #1 (**permalink**) 02-20-2010, 12:25 PM

Since I moved my site and we have our new look, I have noticed that we have had a big rise in registrations on the forum. The only thing is none of them are posting (they are not bots or profile spammers either, but genuine users).

How can I or do you encourage and welcome new members to participate in posting on the forum?

Thanks
Jade
x

ChaibiAlaa · #2 (**permalink**) 02-20-2010, 12:43 PM

I got that situation once too, about 300 member and very little posting. I resolved that by making new threads with different names, and replying myself. Also, Install a SEO pack and make them automatically notified of new posts, this make them return and reply.

Midwifery Online · #3 (**permalink**) 02-20-2010, 12:50 PM

I have lots of active long term members already and over 7000 posts, but its just the latest newbies who dont seem to join in. I want some fresh blood participating but don't know how to encourage it. x

**Bob Barr** · #4 (**permalink**) 02-20-2010, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midwifery Sanctuary

I have lots of active long term members already and over 7000 posts, but its just the latest newbies who dont seem to join in. I want some fresh blood participating but don't know how to encourage it. x

The new folks may be a bit intimidated by what they perceive as a 'clique' of long-term members who all know each other well. I'd suggest putting up a "posting guidelines" thread (like Cricket has done here) to let the new folks know that their posts are welcome and that forum moderation will keep them from being dragged into a flame war.

While some folks may lurk without posting for quite a long time, a friendly forum with useful and interesting posts will eventually get most of them posting, at least a little bit.

sbfc · #5 (**permalink**) 02-20-2010, 01:40 PM

You could offer some sort of service/forum that people can access when they reach a certain post count though you can't force people to post and it is hard to tackle that issue.

Midwifery Online · #6 (**permalink**) 02-21-2010, 02:06 AM

Bob Barr a clique is what I have tried avoiding on my forum but I suppose they just form naturally! I can understand a user who has never posted before feeling a bit intimidated to post when everyone seems to know each other!

About a week a go I created a thread called 'welcome to all newbies', and it just basically welcomed them and invitied them to joining and become part of the community.

I have found that I do have a lot lurkers.

I suppose theres not a lot else I can do then.

Thanks anyway. xx

zanyhost · #7 (**permalink**) 02-27-2010, 06:13 AM

Best thing we did to get people posting was get a competition going for the most active users.
The sites posting went crazy when you give away phones and iPods

Does take alot of management though to stop spamming and cheating.

ChaibiAlaa · #8 (**permalink**) 02-27-2010, 06:24 AM

I have written something to make users return and post on your forum, by enabling the IEN feature of your forum.

seomarketingcompany · #9 (**permalink**) 03-10-2010, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaibiAlaa

I have written something to make users return and post on your forum, by enabling the IEN feature of your forum.

I am agree with chaibialaa thoughts. Practical experience has more weight than theoretical concept.

Midwifery Online · #10 (**permalink**) 03-10-2010, 03:23 PM

IEN what's that?

Birdie · #11 (**permalink**) 03-12-2010, 07:48 PM

Read up about the 90 9 1 theory - many do not believe in it, including me! as the numbers are not close to reality. But its still a framework of strategies that can be used to get people to post:
http://www.forumdr.com/the-90-9-1-pr...to-forums/764/

KGCustoms · #12 (**permalink**) 03-16-2010, 05:32 PM

You might try a contest of some sort? Perhaps along the lines of most popular thread as determined by your choice of (views/replies) within a timeframe (week/month) gets a prize of some sort, be it a custom title or trinket. Just a thought

Midwifery Online · #13 (**permalink**) 03-17-2010, 08:26 AM

With the most popular thread we have a yearly TMS awards, with catergories such as -

Best thread
Most offended poster
Poster with the biggest cleveage
Most popular unfolding
Most inhebitited (sp?) poster

The TMS awards seem to go down really well, the winner of each catergory usually puts what they are the winner of in their signature and we all have a laugh about it.

My forum seems to really of picked up at the moment, I am expecting a big increase of users in october as I will be representing our website at a huge midwifery conference, which should be fun!

ClientTell · #14 (**permalink**) 03-17-2010, 09:56 AM

Yeah guys, don't be so lazy! Remember that its our duty to be active and post something in the forums.

Midwifery Online · #15 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 05:35 AM

Another thing I have done if anyone else thinks it is worth doing.

I recently sent a message to all users who have registered but never logged on or who last visited in 2009.

I sent them an email saying -

Quote:

Don't forget you have registered on The Midwifery Sanctuary.

Why not come and visit us as we have made many improvements and we have
loads of content to share.

Come and introduce your self in our welcome forum, and let us know where
abouts on your midwifery journey you are!

Do you have a question about finances, pre course study, need support with
the course? What ever your question may be come and ask us as we are here
to help!

Hope to see you soon,
The Admin

Since sending that email out to all the non active users I have had a few members who have never posted say hello in the welcome and introduce them selfs. So worth a shot?