Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2015 20:17:00 GMT -8
Dante: I completely agree with this, and the Whills have started down this path several times, without getting as far as we had intended. I'm not going to make excuses for why it hasn't happened, but it wasn't at the top of my priority list until recently. I feel like we actually had this entire discussion several months ago in another thread.
In the last 2-3 months we have initiated the following initial phase actions aimed at marketing JvS:
1) Started using the JvS Twitter account again (although there is more we can do).
2) Gained control of the JvS Facebook page from the retired Whill who controlled it, and started posting content.
3) Created a landing page at jedivsith.com that explains what we are, in place of the old archive site, so that anyone visiting the URL from an old link or bookmark can find us.
4) Introduced spontaneous RP initiative to create opportunities for new players to jump right in, or for former players to return.
5) Recognized past donors with a profile badge, to set a precedent for soliciting future donations, if needed.
Those items, along with 1 or 2 others that are pretty much ready to go, were the first phase of our plan for advertising JvS. Phase two includes some of the items you mentioned, and the others are excellent complementary suggestions.
Thank you for the links you posted as well -- I will add those to our existing internal list.
And that honesty right there, honestly, means quite a lot. The reason I'm short with you guys is because I love this place. Hell, I've been here for six plus years of my life - and, seeing it start to go down the drain is frustrating. The fact that things ARE in the works though is reassuring - the fact you guys are honest about it even more so.
Anyway, sharing information. I recently opened up my site (And for clarification: I'm not tooting my own horn or anything like that about my site. More, I'm getting an admin perspective of implementing various marketing ideas that I'd like to see come about HERE.) and by FAR the RPG directories are a LIFE SAVER. Hell, I've been open a week and a half, and I've already had three members join through the directories. For a site that has a member base of SIX, that's pretty huge. For a site like JvS who already has a HUGE member base, you guys could get listed in the directories and have your member base vote for your site - you'd pretty much see instant traffic.
Second thing I've found that works, is implementing shoutbox. Yes, I know everyone hates shoutbox, and I hated it as well, but it honestly DOES serve a function. I've found if I tack it to the bottom of my site globally as a footer, open up the permissions for anyone to be able to chat in it, that it honestly gets a fair bit of traffic that is interested in your site. This tactic is WAY more effective than chat (And yes, I've got the whole chatango room as well), but the simple fact is that no one wants to go through the process of finding chat, entering it, making a name, and etcetera. Having something there that you can just type and click does wonders for the stranger wishing to inquire about the site. I literally had a nice long conversation with a guy on it before writing this message up. And, again, with this sites user base, you basically have a nice 24/7 help center going on.
I was going to suggest making a landing page, but you already covered that on topic number three. Which is a good thing!