Suggestion for membership drive

This .

I have to say, the only reason - as a non-flashaholic - that I actually joined BLF was because of the complete absence of all the elitist red tape that was such a turn-off over at that DX sponsored place. I'd have to vote 'no' to anything that takes the smallest step in that direction.

The message, however tactfully it might be phrased, that "Sorry you are not authorised/ do not have enough priviledges to access this page/area/information.." will instantly put me off.

Also, as some of the others have said, I'd question the value of increased membership that's the result of people joining just to access information, or worse, to participate in a giveaway. Do we really need extra members like that? People who want to join in and contribute will usually do so anyway sooner or later, surely?

+1 and +1 to between rides above.

That too. Wish I knew how to quote multiple posts.

pretty much agree

if you build it (and post it), they will come

I agree with everything from Fishmaniac down. Why would we want to take hostages? The vibe of this community will keep bringing new members in that really want to be here. Coercion only leads to resentment.

So actually Chicago X's suggestion about getting more members is not a good idea, since guests and members should have the same access to content...

Thus why shouldn't guests be allowed to post without being members? This also happens in blogs and forums with the use of captcha to avoid spam and bots of course. Or now maybe guests being able to post is not a good idea? :P

I think that all of the generous BLF users who do giveaways and organize group buys are already doing us a huge favor in this regard. Many of the giveaways are open to anybody, and all the group buys are open to everyone. So a lurker only has to register here to benefit from them. And invariably many new ones do register in order to participate in giveaways and group buys. I would also prefer to keep BLF as open as possible.

New and active members would be great, but the ones that want to be here will eventually join. For instance, I lurked for about a year before you guys won me over; a decision some of you regret. :p

If it were members only I would have assumed that it was like the elitist snobs with the same B.S. at CPF. Being rather new, from my perspective but at the same time as a professional sale man, people can not lust after or want something they can not see. To create the want and the need is visual. If there are lurkers out there, they will come in when they see the content if they are truly interested. If they are only curious they would come in and clog up the member list with dead accounts. I can understand the desire for new members but at the same time, it is happening, new BLF members are coming simply because of the "Cluster F" that perpetuates at CPF. I believe that BLF will be much more successful than CPF as a Forum and not an Online Catalog for a select few vendors who all must bow to, bought from and worshiped. I like this place because its not about the money, its about sharing our passion for lights.

I personally do not want this to become too much "members only" -place.

I think part of strength and advantage in BFL is easy access and easy start of membership (no mandatory 3 posts to test area for example).

People will come by the time.

Giveaways is one thing that draws attention and people but also items for Sale.

Both the membership AND Mr.Admin have spoken !

Thanks for helping me see both sides of the coin. One of the many reasons I love this place...

I'm chiming in late on this one (not much new there) but I'm with Dave. All sites have more guests than members. The only reason for membership is to post and most are just looking to receive info, not contribute info.

We are already doing the one thing that will entice guests into joining as members and that is by doing all the free raffles we do for each other. Even with that I'm not too thrilled as people are joining only for the freebies and that just dilutes the prize pool for the dedicated users. Things are good as they are and the site will grow at a natural rate that it can support. Accelerating memberships will only create more issues than can be easily resolved. By continuing to do what we already do by being the true friendliest flashlight forum on the web is what will slowly turn the tide to swell our membership ranks. Even the looky lou's will eventually want to get in on the family spirit we engender here whether or not they feel they can contribute by simply being BLF (Best Little Forum!!).

Johnny

I like that, JohnnyMac!

Great discussion and a good topic, Chicago X. It's a testament to the Best Little Forum that we can have have a free exchange of opinions without a lot of mud slinging and argument...

:love:

We should all be happy that we get so many guests.

It is not the number of illusive members that gets a website fame and fortune. It is its "hits" via search engines and "traffic" via people clicking the links.

Why should it be such a good thing to have many members? There is no reason.

A company who wants to negotiate an agreement about advertising will look at traffic and hits.

Not members.

So the lurkers are helping the forum even if they never sign up or post anything.

That is a beaut! You can lead a horse too water, but you can"t make it drink (yea, I just made that up). Many (most?) people are painfully shy (yes, even behind a screen) and will not put their words out there for scrutiny for fear of saying the wrong thing, not fitting in, confrontation etc. Some just can"t put their thought"s in print (I am very well spoken in person but not so much so in print). While you may be able to entice one into registering, they will most likely NEVER actively participate for reasons cited. I was on a forum many years ago with about 10,000 members and at most there would be about 300 of us participating. Some people just like to listen/watch. Members for the sake of members, IDK, just don"t seem right. Just let folks jump in or out as they please without restriction. I feel that (in the long run) is what will draw new members that will be more likely to actively participate. A guest that is made comfortable (while lurking?) is more likely to become a active member then one that feels they have too jump through a hoop. I am going to try Dragon software (you speak, it types) because being a two fingered pecker it is oft times difficult to get my thoughts from my brain to the tips of my fingers in a coherent fashion HaHa. Someone said "if it ain"t broke". There are some good ideas in this thread but in the case of BLF, I feel "less" is "more". Just one mans not so coherent thought"s. BLF is cool!

Keith

Maybe we should tease them with a warning about joining this forum

*Warning* Highly addictive forum. If you came here just looking for information on ONE light, leave ASAP or you will find yourself spending more than you have on more lights than you need. Joining this forum could be expensive in the long run...but enlightening.

Yeah, use a little reverse psychology on them.

Wet paint *DO NOT TOUCH* HeHe

Keith (who always touches wet paint)

So I'm not the only one who can't resist poking wet paint to see if it is wet. :)

Positive reinforcement ++.

Elitism --.