Launch Team

[The Sandman]

One of the most difficult parts of launching a new Community is getting the first wave of members registered and posting. Often, the Admin does most of this alone, either under their Admin username or through dummy accounts. And we've all seen requests at various Boards asking for help with a launch.

Now, since many of us with existing Communities will from time to time launch new Communities, what if we formed a "Launch Team" - a group of us who go to a new site, register, and make X number of Threads/Posts to give that Community a head start. Think it would work?

[Nicholas]

Let me put this simply: this is going to solve 95% of a new site's admin's problems.

I recall asking a bunch of friends before to do this within our small closed group where each one will participate and make (useful) posts on a new forum for a fixed period (after that it's all optional), but this was a tiny group. If there was something of a more diverse "launch team" organized, then that would definitely make a huge impact on a starting board. In fact, it may even have a positive and significant effect on reviving and rejuvenating an existing board that's slowed down lately.

[Kathy]

Ohhhh! I like this idea! It could be loosely managed or organized strategically. It could work like a barter system. An admin needs the launch team to help get their site off the ground....they give XX time at XX other sites.....?

Could also be an additional usergroup here...complete with badges. Reputation could be based on it....

[Max]

I would be very happy to help out!

[The Sandman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kathy Could also be an additional usergroup here...complete with badges. Reputation could be based on it....

I was thinking that I could ceate a spcial usergroup and Private Forum for the Launch Team. Badges and reputation I hadn't even considered...

[croft]

man this is exactly what i would need
And i would be glad to help anyone ellse out to =)

[_| () R | Z]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Sandman I was thinking that I could ceate a spcial usergroup and Private Forum for the Launch Team. Badges and reputation I hadn't even considered...

good idea, count me in

[Quiet Anders]

Sounds very interesting.

[Bryan]

I'd gladly help out

[Mr. J]

Sounds like a keen idea, i'll help out if needed.

[Subhadip]

That's a great idea! I am sure that will help hundreds of communities fare much better. This is exactly what 90% of new forums struggle to find. Which is why no one joins their forums, and eventually leads to closure.

I will certainly be willing to help, although I am committed not to run a community before Mar 31, 2006. So, not much to gain for me till then.

[Kathy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subhadip I will certainly be willing to help, although I am committed not to run a community before Mar 31, 2006. So, not much to gain for me till then.

It would be a nice gesture even if you didn't need the help yourself.

[rooshine]

Count me in. I don't have plans to start another forum in the near future, but I remember how tough those first couple of weeks were. I'll be glad to pitch in.

[wizard1974uk]

I'd be happy to help.

[KeithMcL]

I had thought of setting up a site exactly for this. My community needs this kind of help right now too

[The Sandman]

OK, based on the favorable response I've set up a Private Forum where we can start planning for this, and a new Public Usergroup called "Launch Team" which you can join by going to your UserCP > Group Memberships and clicking on the "Join Group" link to the right of "Launch Team".

[tamarian]

I have mixed feelings on this.

Some decent number of members and posts will encourage delurking.

However, posting as a SWAT team may have some bad side effects.

The forum theme may not be relevant to the launch team's expertise. So if they do post, it may degrade the focus of the forum and the topics, and would give the community a "fluffy" image, and cast doubt on the quality of members knowledge..

I'd be glad to help, but say it's a new gaming forum, I don't know much about gaming, and can't even post as newbie on such forums. I do remember Prince of Persia though, from 15 years ago

Some themes are easier than others, say politics for example, but the rest will need to attract people interested in the new community's focus.

[vB Floris]

I'd like to follow this

[The Sandman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tamarian I have mixed feelings on this. Some decent number of members and posts will encourage delurking. However, posting as a SWAT team may have some bad side effects. The forum theme may not be relevant to the launch team's expertise. So if they do post, it may degrade the focus of the forum and the topics, and would give the community a "fluffy" image, and cast doubt on the quality of members knowledge.. Some themes are easier than others, say politics for example, but the rest will need to attract people interested in the new community's focus.

This will take some planning to accomplish, but if anyone can do it a group of Admins can.

Anyone interested in further discussions of this idea should join us in the Launch Team Forum, which you can join by going to your UserCP > Group Memberships and clicking on the "Join Group" link to the right of "Launch Team".. This Thread will no longer be active...

[The Sandman]

So far there are 37 Admin Zone members in the Launch Team Usergroup, and we are currently discussing the preliminaries such as quantity and quality of posts during a launch. If your interested in the Launch Team, join the Launch Team usergroup via your UserCP and join in the discussion!