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The Lounge => Help Desk => Topic started by: Zachary The First on August 29, 2007, 10:26:04 PM

Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: Zachary The First 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.
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: Serious Paul 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!
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: RPGPundit 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.

RPGPundit
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: Abyssal Maw 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.
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: Cab 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.
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: Zachary The First 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.
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: RPGPundit 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.

RPGPundit
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: Cab 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.
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: RPGPundit 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?

RPGPundit
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: Zachary The First 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...
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: Kyle Aaron 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!
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: Zachary The First 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?
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: flyingmice 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.

-clash
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: Zachary The First 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? :)
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: flyingmice 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

-clash
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: RPGPundit on August 31, 2007, 12:43:22 PM
Well, if we did that, I would judge it, I suppose. The charts could also end up seeing print in the eventually-published "Forward... to Adventure! Gamemaster's Notebook" (a.k.a. "FtA!GN").

Of course, if it was going to be for FtA! the rules would require that ALL tables be devisable on D6 rolls only.

For the prizes, I would guess "equivalent Flying Mice PDF"; since the idea would be most of the winners would already have FtA! at least on PDF.  The print copy is still a good prize. On top of that, the winners plus possibly other contestants might end up seeing their name in the credits of the FtA!GN sourcebook when it is released.

RPGPundit

PS: I know a lot of people don't exactly think of me as "Impartial", but dude, we're talking about me in the role of Game Designer here, judging the creation of Random Tables for an Old School RPG.  I don't care if Ron Fucking Edwards himself wrote the best Random Monster Weakness Chart I ever saw, as long as its the best, and its something good and old school (extra points if it emulates Nethack!), then I'd give the man the prize.
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: flyingmice on August 31, 2007, 12:53:54 PM
I'd be cool with you as a judge, Pundit. I also LOVE the name FtA!GN! :D

-clash
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: RPGPundit on August 31, 2007, 05:52:16 PM
I thought you might!

RPGPundit
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: Zachary The First on August 31, 2007, 11:19:46 PM
Dude, cash money always sells.

So would we have two sticky threads in the main forum, both to draw folks in and to keep it all neat?  I thought one could be submissions only, one could be commentary.  Sound ok?

And should we perhaps tell jrients and doc rot they're being requested? :D

Sites to advert at:

-Gaming Report
-Big Purp
-RPGNews
-Folks' Personal Sites and Blogs

I can also see the ENWorlders and Dragonsfooters doing a helluva job on this.
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: RPGPundit on September 01, 2007, 02:51:37 AM
Sounds good; again, you'll be in charge of organization and publicity, right Zach?

I agree with appealing to the Dragonsfooter and EN-guys, since the old schoolers there might certainly be drawn to FtA!

RPGPundit
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: Zachary The First on September 01, 2007, 06:42:00 AM
Quote from: RPGPundit
Sounds good; again, you'll be in charge of organization and publicity, right Zach?

I agree with appealing to the Dragonsfooter and EN-guys, since the old schoolers there might certainly be drawn to FtA!

RPGPundit

Yeah, I'll organize everything, but for a public face, I don't know.  ENnies-wise, it does not look good to have a judge associated with pimping a particular game.  What do you guys think? I think its a great idea, but I don't want to do anything to call anything else into question.
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: RPGPundit on September 01, 2007, 10:13:58 AM
You have no association with the game, you're pimping for the website. There's nothing against that, is there?

Hell, you won't even be a judge... just theRPGsite's PR guy.

RPGPundit
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: HinterWelt on September 01, 2007, 10:44:34 AM
Quote from: Zachary The First
Yeah, I'll organize everything, but for a public face, I don't know.  ENnies-wise, it does not look good to have a judge associated with pimping a particular game.  What do you guys think? I think its a great idea, but I don't want to do anything to call anything else into question.

Zach,
As your friend, I seriously advise you to discuss this with Denise and get her blessing. It may have started as promoting theRPGSite but it is most definitely become pimping FTA. If FTA is a nominee in the Ennies you need to distance yourself from it in order to appear neutral. Right now, you are "Hey, Look at this game and enter a contest that you need to purchase a copy of it for...oh, and sign up for the site" not "The RPGSite is cool, sign up now!". A subtle but important difference.

Just my opinion though.

Bill
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: Zachary The First on September 01, 2007, 12:20:00 PM
Quote from: HinterWelt
Zach,
As your friend, I seriously advise you to discuss this with Denise and get her blessing. It may have started as promoting theRPGSite but it is most definitely become pimping FTA. If FTA is a nominee in the Ennies you need to distance yourself from it in order to appear neutral. Right now, you are "Hey, Look at this game and enter a contest that you need to purchase a copy of it for...oh, and sign up for the site" not "The RPGSite is cool, sign up now!". A subtle but important difference.

Just my opinion though.

Bill

Yeah, I'll discuss it beforehand. I want to help out on theRPGsite, but can't be seen to be associated with any "one" game.  If nothing else, it might mean I might be able to direct one of our other folks on what to do, and let them take it from there. I just really, really don't want to mess anything up, so if this'll keep for a just a few, let me get an answer back, OR, I'll help set up publicity for the site, suggest course of action/where to post, but hold off from there.  Better safe than sorry...
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: Zachary The First on September 01, 2007, 05:40:19 PM
Yeah, I looked over the restrictions for judges and whatnot.  This is definitely a no-no.  So, the question is, I'll happily generically point someone to where I'd do things and advise, but I can't be the public face or the one to post the announcement. Someone want to step up for my lame ENnies Judge ass?
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: flyingmice on September 02, 2007, 12:57:31 AM
Does it make a difference that I am not submitting anything for the Ennies?

-clash
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: Zachary The First on September 02, 2007, 01:02:58 AM
Quote from: flyingmice
Does it make a difference that I am not submitting anything for the Ennies?

-clash

As I read it, no.  Any sort of publisher relationship like that, submitting or no, is not considered proper.  

(I hope you might consider at least going to the ceremony next year.  It'd be fun to hang out and meet some cool hobby people!)
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: RPGPundit on September 02, 2007, 12:53:48 PM
Ok, does anyone else want to be in charge of organizing this?

RPGPundit
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: flyingmice on September 02, 2007, 02:43:52 PM
Quote from: Zachary The First
As I read it, no.  Any sort of publisher relationship like that, submitting or no, is not considered proper.  

(I hope you might consider at least going to the ceremony next year.  It'd be fun to hang out and meet some cool hobby people!)


Now I think that is a bit excessive... You don't have to be Ceasar's wife! Anyway, if I am there, I will be happy to go to the awards with you.

-clash
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: flyingmice on September 02, 2007, 10:51:55 PM
Quote from: RPGPundit
Ok, does anyone else want to be in charge of organizing this?

RPGPundit


You'll probably have to move it to the main forum . This place doesn't get a  lot of traffic, and tihe title is misleading.

-clash
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: Zachary The First on September 02, 2007, 11:21:30 PM
Quote from: flyingmice
You'll probably have to move it to the main forum . This place doesn't get a  lot of traffic, and tihe title is misleading.

-clash

Well, what likely needs to happen is a PM to the other judges first, then a sticky thread explaining the contest in the main forum (and ofr discussion of entries), then the addition of the other thread for entries only.  Follow this up by reporting it to Big Purp (http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=307577), Gaming Report (http://www.gamingreport.com/), RPGNews (http://www.rpgnews.com/), Flames Rising (http://www.flamesrising.com/), Dragonsfoot (http://www.dragonsfoot.org/), ENWorld (http://www.enworld.org/), Story Games (http://www.story-games.com/forums/), and encoruage as many blog listings as humanly possible. :)  That way, folks register to compete, everyone can see the threads at the top, and it's all gravy.  3, 4 week contest?
Title: "Organic" Growth vs. A "Membership Drive"
Post by: Zachary The First on September 05, 2007, 11:54:56 PM
Well, I had hoped there'd be someone to step up to assist in organzing this and doing the actual posting by now.  But clash is right--this is a low-traffic subforum.