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Member retention is an issue in any group. I think that the ambassador program can be a great tool for new members, but that we also need to focus on members who are perhaps in their first year or two, but don't really qualify as "new" members, and also those who perhaps have contributed a lot to FT, but who may be a bit tired of "giving" and not receiving much back.
One of the ways to do this is to have "ambassadors" contact those who haven't posted or logged into the site in 2 or 3 months, inquiring as to if the member is doing ok, if something happened to cause them not to post/visit, or if they just have been busy.
Another way is to recognize those who reach certain membership or posting levels. I'm not suggesting "gifts" necessarily, but something, either a PM from Carol, an ambassador, or a moderator in their most-active forum, thanking them for their contributions on the anniversary date, or when they hit a certain posting level might go a long way to telling the member that their contibution is valued.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kipper
Another way is to recognize those who reach certain membership or posting levels. I'm not suggesting "gifts" necessarily, but something, either a PM from Carol, an ambassador, or a moderator in their most-active forum, thanking them for their contributions on the anniversary date, or when they hit a certain posting level might go a long way to telling the member that their contibution is valued.
Yes, something like that will make people feel proud, and they will keep on contributing.
Yes, something like that will make people feel proud, and they will keep on contributing.
Really? I would probably see it as a form letter or spam, just like the Happy Birthday notice I already get from many sites -- I can't remember if FT is one of them.
When I (occasionally) get a quick PM from someone telling me they like a specific post, well, that's when I get the warm and fuzzies. But the problem with that is that any organized program such as one like this -- it means that there are criteria for sending out messages (or people will feel neglected for not receiving one) and then it just becomes something to automate and for those receiving the messages to ignore.
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People come and people go. I think that trying to keep people could lead to those who don't want to stay staying for all the wrong reasons. I don't think this should be much of a focal point as the people who really matter to this board are going to stay and the ones who want to bring something to the table will also stay without prompting.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dinoscool3
Quote:
Originally Posted by kipper
....Another way is to recognize those who reach certain membership or posting levels. I'm not suggesting "gifts" necessarily, but something, either a PM from Carol, an ambassador, or a moderator in their most-active forum, thanking them for their contributions on the anniversary date, or when they hit a certain posting level might go a long way to telling the member that their contibution is valued.
Yes, something like that will make people feel proud, and they will keep on contributing.
I disagree and no disrespect meant or intended to my fellow F/t'ers but imho, some folks would simply "be in it for the money"-or in this case, points and/or gifts and being the good F/t'ers that we all are , there will be some who will find a workaround just as we find workarounds on airfares or how some folks who try (n.b. try and go on posting runs to gain access to coupon connection.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kokonutz
The way to retain posters is to give them what they want. IMHO what they want are:
- Clear, uncluttered direct answers to questions or issues they face in their program.
- A welcoming community where questions and issues are addressed in a friendly way.
Things that work to the detriment of this, imho:
- Mega-threading questions into threads that are impossible to navigate and end up making no sense when read in order post-mega-threading.
- The poor search feature. Although I've gotten pretty good at using the googs to search FT.
Bingo
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Really? I would probably see it as a form letter or spam, just like the Happy Birthday notice I already get from many sites -- I can't remember if FT is one of them.
When I (occasionally) get a quick PM from someone telling me they like a specific post, well, that's when I get the warm and fuzzies. But the problem with that is that any organized program such as one like this -- it means that there are criteria for sending out messages (or people will feel neglected for not receiving one) and then it just becomes something to automate and for those receiving the messages to ignore.
For the record, my birthday is in 9 days, so an email from FT would be nice
Quote:
Originally Posted by kokonutz
The way to retain posters is to give them what they want. IMHO what they want are:
- Clear, uncluttered direct answers to questions or issues they face in their program.
- A welcoming community where questions and issues are addressed in a friendly way.
Things that work to the detriment of this, imho:
- Mega-threading questions into threads that are impossible to navigate and end up making no sense when read in order post-mega-threading.
- The poor search feature. Although I've gotten pretty good at using the googs to search FT.
Hit the nail on the head. I absolutely HATE when newer posters are told "Search and you'll find different threads..." Have you seen FT search?! I NEVER use FT search! I always search FT by doing site:flyertalk.com on google, but unfortunately, I can't do that to search within a specific forum.
And the mega-threads have gotten out of hand.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joshwex90
Hit the nail on the head. I absolutely HATE when newer posters are told "Search and you'll find different threads..." Have you seen FT search?! I NEVER use FT search! I always search FT by doing site:flyertalk.com on google, but unfortunately, I can't do that to search within a specific forum.
And the mega-threads have gotten out of hand.
Yes, the search is terrible, and the mega threads, despite people thinking that you can find things easier, you generally can't find anything in them.
- Mega-threading questions into threads that are impossible to navigate and end up making no sense when read in order post-mega-threading.
- The poor search feature. Although I've gotten pretty good at using the googs to search FT.
I also cannot agree more. Search is one of the major areas where FT is lacking on its own. While I can use Google to search FT, it's still not well suited to answering questions new members (or even lurkers) may have. Consider the question "Do you earn miles towards elite upgrades towards on qualifying flight of an AA status challenge?" Google turns up some posts in the AA megathread, but a would-be searcher has to dig through those results. When I searched just now, the first hit turns up post 1773 (AAdvantage Gold & Platinum Elite Status Challenges (ARCHIVED)). I doubt August 2011 was the first time this question was asked.
Without emulating MP by adding a wiki that integrates with the forums, I really would like to see a better way of having an up-to-date information page for a particular program/topic (consider the AA Elite Challenges I just mentioned) than by the tireless effort of one poster and the moderators.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dinoscool3
Yes, the search is terrible, and the mega threads, despite people thinking that you can find things easier, you generally can't find anything in them.
I also totally agree with this. It is really hard to find things using the search function. Before I was a member, I would block results from Flyertalk because it was so hard to find the specific answers I was looking for by using the search. But, I gave it a try and I regret not becoming a member earlier
I think that we may have found one thing that everyone agrees on!
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I think the system that other sites use (i.e. MilePoint) is a good start. The idea of just posting to post and like just to like to achieve "status" is something that I personally do not like. I think that we can use that as a foundation to something better. A mixture of ideas would be the best way. Reputation is a good one. So is the "heart" system that Gawker uses.
I'm a member of 
, there will be some who will find a workaround just as we find workarounds on airfares or how some folks who try (n.b. try 
