Drumming up new members

MadArchitect · Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 1:05 pm Post subject: Drumming up new members

Chris asked in another thread if we could think of any ways to drum up new posters. I'd say one of the best ways to do so is a grassroots movement. Chris does a lot of work to get the BookTalk name out there, but he's one guy trying to do the work of a small team. What would be most useful is BookTalk regulars looked for their own opportunities to drum up interest in the site.

For example, some of you guys visit other forums. Some of those forums have rooms dedicated to ads from other forums. While you're posting in another forum, you might take a moment to post a link and a description of BookTalk in the room set aside for it. (But at the same time, be careful not to post that sort of advertising in the wrong place, as that will make BookTalk look rude.)

If you're contributing to a discussion elsewhere, and a similar discussion is taking place here, mention the BookTalk discussion in your other discussion. (But don't make that your only contribution to their discussion; we don't want to come off as spammers.)

Any other grassroots ideas?

Chris OConnor · Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 3:20 am Post subject: Re: Drumming up new members

This is an excellent way to spread the news about BookTalk, so thanks for helping motivate our members to take action. I make posts on other boards frequently, provided that they allow such posts. I'd really appreciate this help folks.

Loricat · Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 2:50 pm Post subject: Re: Drumming up new members

I've started a blog on the topic of books -- so I've added BookTalk.org to my links list, and I'll mention it regularly.

"All beings are the owners of their deeds, the heirs to their deeds."

Loricat's Book Nook
Celebrating the Absurd

Chris OConnor · Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 8:38 pm Post subject: Re: Drumming up new members

Thank you. That type of advertising is so valuable. ::01

Dissident Heart · Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 10:51 am Post subject: Re: Drumming up new members

Perhaps one approach would involve contacting the Literature, History, Humanities, Sciences and Philosophy departments at various Universities.

Find their department homepage, locate some contact e-mail folk (undergrads, graduates, profs, people who participate in groups and clubs corresponding to disciplines of study within the University system, etc.).

Quote:
Subject: Bring your love of books to Booktalk, a Web community that will feed your mind and respect your intellect.

Message:

Ima Thinker
Undergraduate Dept. of Philosophy
University of Colorado, Boulder

Mr. Thinker, Booktalk cordially invites you to bring your passion for books, love for learning and appetite for discussion to our webcommunity. We are a community of freethinkers who engage the leading writers of our day.....our forums explore the defining issues of contemporary society.....we need astute thinkers like yourself to increase the vitality and richness of our discussions.....it's free and user-friendly.....sharpen your writing, thinking and debating skills.....bring your favorite books to discussion...etc.....

Sincerely,

Chris O'Connor, Booktalk Owner and Moderator
Booktalk www.booktalk.org

We could tailor the message to accentuate the field of study for each department, yet making it clear that the gambit of intellectual exercise is part of the package.

Perhaps we could encourage these folks to submit drafts or chapters of papers, journal articles, or books they are writing for feedback and discussion.

We could encourage them to submit their MA/PhD ideas for Thesis for feedback and discussion.

SoftWarmThunder · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:35 pm Post subject: Re: Drumming up new members

gotta tell ya....I read alot of comments on this site.
I find it hard to recommend that someone join, and post their opinions, when they get shot down by Chris.
Rudeness and ignorance in dealing with the public is no excuse either.
Another thing, is that people get sick of reading about athiests. It's like kicking a dead horse. Over and over and over again. When someone mentions something that Chris doesn't personally like, they get shot down.
Sorry I feel that way, but it's just the way it is.

Classical Celt · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 6:23 pm Post subject: Re: Drumming up new members

SWT:

Quote:
gotta tell ya....I read alot of comments on this site.
I find it hard to recommend that someone join, and post their opinions, when they get shot down by Chris.
Rudeness and ignorance in dealing with the public is no excuse either.
Another thing, is that people get sick of reading about athiests. It's like kicking a dead horse. Over and over and over again. When someone mentions something that Chris doesn't personally like, they get shot down.
Sorry I feel that way, but it's just the way it is.

You gotta be kiddin. Where have you been and what posts have you made to this site?

Chris OConnor · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 8:14 pm Post subject: Re: Drumming up new members

Just like I thought. ::204

I clicked on her name and went back to her first post she created in the Members Intros & Journals forum. As predicted...

Quote:
I've been brought aboard by God Defiles Reason.

Naturally, she is defending her friend. This is commendable I suppose. But she has a total of 5 posts and doesn't understand the entire story behind why God defiles Reason has been teetering on the edge of being banned. Plain and simply she is defending her friend.

The reality is I have never seen a community where the owner asks for the opinions of the members more than I do here on BookTalk. Heck, what is this thread all about? You're actually participating in a thread devoted to soliciting opinions. MadArchitect created this thread, but I have created dozens and dozens where I am asking for opinions. Obviously, if I don't like an idea I'm not going to implement it. But I do ask for opinions and I do make changes based on those opinions.

What happened in the current Nonfiction Book Poll thread? A group of members complained that "A Peace to End All Peace" wasn't on the poll. What did I do? Shoot them down? No, I added the book and it looks like it will be winning the poll.

But you're in behind-the-scenes communications with God defiles Reason so you're naturally leaning towards him. The fact is you're his friend, whether simply online or in "real life," so you're sticking up for your buddy. But if I'm such a bastard why have I only banned ONE active person in 5 years? And then I felt bad and invited that person back. They came back. They contribute here daily. (Oh, I have banned dozens of spammers that stopped by and posted about Viagra)

This thread is a prime example of what being a "freethinker" is and what it is not. Simply joining sides with your buddy is the opposite of being a freethinker. You should get all the available information and then think for yourself. Your friend is on my shit list because he continuously takes jabs at me. Other members disagree with my opinions all the time and they aren't teetering on being banned and also aren't on my shit list. It is the tone of your friend’s posts. He mocks just about everything I say and I don't need or deserve that. The point where one member becomes more of a liability to the community is the point where I have to remove them.

And who are you anyway? You have 5 total posts. And you're bitching about us talking about atheism? Get serious, please. That will never end around here. I don't want it to end. We market to atheists and want them here. If this means we are less appealing to a certain segment of the general population than so be it. I am not working so hard to create a community for the ignorant masses.

Mr. Pessimistic · Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:22 am Post subject: Re: Drumming up new members

Quote:
Another thing, is that people get sick of reading about athiests. It's like kicking a dead horse.

What? Do you have numbers on this? Do you mean people who believe in god? I do not tire of reading about atheists (do you mean biographies? What DO you mean?). Atheists are considered second class humans mostly and I think that a site for atheists is not a bad thing at all. I feel that atheists do need to stick together in the face of the mindlessness of religion and any other faith that has no substantial undergirding on which to rest its structure. History, tradition and human ignorance is not the type of foundation I am thinking of.

We need to be more vocal IMO. But if you cant stand the heat...leave. Not that we would notice since you really have contributed nothing.

Mr. P.

The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.

Once you perceive the irrevocable truth, you can no longer justify the irrational denial. - Mr. P.

The pain in hell has two sides. The kind you can touch with your hand; the kind you can feel in your heart...Scorsese's "Mean Streets"

I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper

Edited by: misterpessimistic at: 6/14/06 9:22 am

GOD defiles Reason · Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 10:34 am Post subject: Re: Drumming up new members

Hey, don't drag me into this.

Loricat · Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:16 pm Post subject: Re: Drumming up new members

Quote:
Simply joining sides with your buddy is the opposite of being a freethinker.

Well, Chris, that was right to the point, that's for sure. ::80

Marketing to atheist groups is one strategy...I find it a little odd to think that 'atheist' is a marketing demographic. I know I've commented on this before, but this is an interesting, not-so-subtle cultural distinction between Canada and the United States. Is it more than the lack of God-driven politicians?

"All beings are the owners of their deeds, the heirs to their deeds."

Loricat's Book Nook
Celebrating the Absurd


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