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Author Topic: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"  (Read 2563 times)

Zachary The First

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"Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
« on: August 29, 2007, 10:26:04 PM »
Now, I've been on sites before where they've done like a membership drive;  if new folks sign up and post X amount of times during a month, they're eligible for a drawing or somesuch at the end of the month.  I've also seen stuff like "organic growth", sort of what we see here--just taking new folks as they arrive, losing some, and so on.

So would a membership drive be worthwhile?  Yeah, we'd likely never see 75% or more of the folks again, but who's to say who'd stay and who wouldn't?  I mean, pimp it as a promo at Big Purp, Gaming Report, etc., and possibly get a rush of new folks.  It'd be interesting, if nothing else.

And no, I don't think this is anything the site needs.  Just sounded like a bit of fun, and might bring in some interesting new folks! :)

I just wanted to hear thoughts on what folks would think about the site doing something like this.
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Serious Paul

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"Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
« Reply #1 on: August 29, 2007, 10:46:24 PM »
New growth is always good in my opinion-so at least color me interested in this conversation!

RPGPundit

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"Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
« Reply #2 on: August 30, 2007, 12:32:37 AM »
I agree that anything that promotes growth is generally good, still, I'm not sure if literally bribing people is the way to do it. Still, tell me more.

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Abyssal Maw

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"Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
« Reply #3 on: August 30, 2007, 05:49:01 AM »
A fun way to promote membership is to do a contest, and have as a requirement that they somehow post their contributions on the forum.

I've done a couple of art contests like that, and I think I originally joined Enworld to participate in an encounter design contest. Which came with a prize.
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Cab

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"Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
« Reply #4 on: August 30, 2007, 06:07:43 AM »
Where a topic or article here is of interest outside, post a link to it. Thats how I found the place, and its a good way of encouraging people along who you know will be interested by what they're reading.
 

Zachary The First

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"Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
« Reply #5 on: August 30, 2007, 07:53:53 AM »
Quote from: RPGPundit
I agree that anything that promotes growth is generally good, still, I'm not sure if literally bribing people is the way to do it. Still, tell me more.

RPGPundit

Well, yeah, bribery sounds bad.  "Incentive" would be would I'd choose, possibly something like Maw suggests.

Hell, we could even have a "Gazetteer" contest or something--the person to put forth the best 16 or 32-page campaign setting primer or whatever.  Something fun like that, perhaps, though certainly you could also go for just a simple "new members drawing" as well.
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"Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
« Reply #6 on: August 30, 2007, 11:27:19 AM »
The main thing I'd be worried about with a "new members drawing" would be to suddenly have 2000 people sign up who'll post ten (or whatever the minimum number is) post of "Me too!" or "you suxxors" or whatever... that could actually harm the site much more than help it.

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Cab

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"Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
« Reply #7 on: August 30, 2007, 01:09:47 PM »
Quote from: RPGPundit
The main thing I'd be worried about with a "new members drawing" would be to suddenly have 2000 people sign up who'll post ten (or whatever the minimum number is) post of "Me too!" or "you suxxors" or whatever... that could actually harm the site much more than help it.



So open a new forum somewhere for introductions.

Frankly, I strongly doubt whether you'll be inundated with snivelling idiots posting drivel. Make it clear that you're after on-topic contributions and you'll be fine.
 

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« Reply #8 on: August 30, 2007, 04:28:08 PM »
Well, Zach, do you have something to offer for the Draw? And would you be willing to organize it all? Or is this talk all academic?

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Zachary The First

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"Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
« Reply #9 on: August 30, 2007, 10:14:21 PM »
Quote from: RPGPundit
Well, Zach, do you have something to offer for the Draw? And would you be willing to organize it all? Or is this talk all academic?

RPGPundit

Academic, for starters, but if someone is willing to organize/track it, I'll help publicize, and I'd be willing to throw in a few ducats towards building up a prize pack from various publishers...
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Kyle Aaron

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"Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
« Reply #10 on: August 31, 2007, 01:47:19 AM »
Talk to Clash. He has stuff people actually want ;)

I know, cos I see the sales figures!
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Zachary The First

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"Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
« Reply #11 on: August 31, 2007, 08:33:54 AM »
Quote from: Kyle Aaron
Talk to Clash. He has stuff people actually want ;)

I know, cos I see the sales figures!

Hmmm....maybe I can put together a pdf bundle from a couple of companies.  Somethin' bitchin'.

So, Pundit, fellow fellows, does that mean this is something you'd like to see or no?
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flyingmice

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"Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
« Reply #12 on: August 31, 2007, 09:07:04 AM »
Quote from: Zachary The First
Hmmm....maybe I can put together a pdf bundle from a couple of companies.  Somethin' bitchin'.

So, Pundit, fellow fellows, does that mean this is something you'd like to see or no?

How about a FTA! based contest?

I'll put up prizes: money, books, pdfs, whatever.

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Zachary The First

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« Reply #13 on: August 31, 2007, 09:19:16 AM »
Quote from: flyingmice
How about a FTA! based contest?

I'll put up prizes: money, books, pdfs, whatever.

-clash

Wow, thanks clash!

FtA! indeed!  Make the drive FtA!-themed, or a submission contest of some sort?  Perhaps something suitably old-school...not too involved but requiring a bit of work for an entry...something open to as many folks as possible that would get them to check out the site (and FtA!).  Perhaps a first prize, and perhaps two honorable mentions getting a pdf?

Hey, perhaps Best Chart/Table for Gameplay?  FtA sure could utilize them!  And folks love making charts, and it isn't too time-consuming...but who would judge?  I can't--clash, you're pretty impartial--perhaps a panel, maybe you jrients, and Doc Rotwang?  You're all respected folks, I think.

Obviously, this is the brainstorming period....thoughts? :)
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« Reply #14 on: August 31, 2007, 10:04:30 AM »
Quote from: Zachary The First
Wow, thanks clash!

FtA! indeed!  Make the drive FtA!-themed, or a submission contest of some sort?  Perhaps something suitably old-school...not too involved but requiring a bit of work for an entry...something open to as many folks as possible that would get them to check out the site (and FtA!).  Perhaps a first prize, and perhaps two honorable mentions getting a pdf?

Hey, perhaps Best Chart/Table for Gameplay?  FtA sure could utilize them!  And folks love making charts, and it isn't too time-consuming...but who would judge?  I can't--clash, you're pretty impartial--perhaps a panel, maybe you jrients, and Doc Rotwang?  You're all respected folks, I think.

Obviously, this is the brainstorming period....thoughts? :)


Sounds good to me. How about Grand Prize is cash, Second Prize is the FtA! print book, 3 Honorable Mentions of FtA! pdf (or equivalent Flying Mice pdf if they already have FtA!.)

I can't be a judge - I'm way too busy to give it the attention it deserves. Doc and Jeff would be perfect! Any other candidates? I think 3 would be right.

-clash

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