Forum Moderators: rogerd
There are some ways to encourage posting, and one is to give half-answers to questions that prompts others to post and helps to bring some of those lurkers out of their corner.
Some people are timid to be the first one to respond, some not knowing if they really know the correct answer or just nervous being the first. If you give just a bit of it, just enough and know when to stop, it's almost like they finish your thought in their heads - and know that they do know what the answer is. It'll get them "feeling" like finishing your post for you - so they're prone to jump in and post.
It's kind of like putting teasers out; I've seen it happen over and over again innumerable times. It takes a bit of practice to get it down, but it works and it's one of the most effective ways of driving people out of lurking.
Another way is when the first post is a question and it's really not clear what they're asking, the way they've worded it. Asking a few pointed questions to clarify what they mean *without* giving them the answer often gets them to respond to you. If not, it's clearer to others and by then there are 2 or 3 posts instead of the dreaded one post and it's not only a good way to pull lurkers out of hiding, but to make the whole discussion more comprehensible and productive.
Kind of sneaky little tricks of the trade, but it really is helpful to people both because it helps the ones asking and also the ones who would like to particpate but are just too hesitant, unsure of themselves or shy.
Anyone else know ways to combat the silent observer problem?
Another way to pull lurkers out is to make them feel comfortable, and that often starts with enforcing your TOS evenly, and not making anyone feel like they are above or below the law - everyone's equal.
Often lurkers are not only checking out the info, but how its moderated. If I find a forum with good info, but not well moderated, most likely, I'll never post.
I often lurk around forums (I lurked around here for quite some time before I posted - and you're right - once you get them to start - you just can't stop them :)), and it was the even handedness of the forum moderators, the enforcement of the TOS, and the willingness for mods to share info/start info posts, and not just enforce the laws or promote their own causes, that got me to finally post.
Lurkers? Dumb? Sheesh, I wonder why so many people lurk?What a really really stupid statement to make.
As a moderator of another forum, I think that your reply is totally out of line.
Apparently you (and everyone else) misunderstood my post... It was actually a little dig in response to the handful of recent threads about the insane number of people who "Agree" to software licenses, terms of use, etc. without reading it.
I wasn't implying that the Lurkers are dumb - although calling someone dumb might entice them to post, so add it to your list :)
I wasn't implying that the Lurkers are dumb - although calling someone dumb might entice them to post, so add it to your list
Its good to know that you are't refering to lurkers as such. I'm sure that those who happen upon this thread by accident and aren't members here (and the lurkers) will appreciate your reply. As I know that I do.
lol. I don't think I would want to add this to a list of how to get a lurker to post though. As your post was misunderstood, so was mine. Seems as though mine was read as my being over sensitive about my intelligence? lol.
A good quality of a person within a community is that if a misunderstanding should happen within the posting/community, for people to come out and say so shows the quality of the people within that community.
Thank you for clearing up the misunderstanding. I appreciate it. And I apologize for any on my part.
I have a warning that some of you might want to think about regarding lurkers (if you see them on the board a lot and they never post), you might want to make sure they don't have the ability to store up tons of private messages. Sometimes, depending on the forum topic, you might end up with people using it as a dating service. Sure, on an active board, that's bound to happen to regulars occasionally, but unless that's the purpose of the board, you should make sure their mailboxes have a size limit. As you can tell, I have a board full of teenagers. :)
Think of your neighborhood - you can peer out the window and watch your neighbors, or you can carry a few beers out on your front lawn (or maybe a nice Merlot with some glasses if you prefer ;)) and interact with them.If you saw my neighbours you would realise why have very little to do with most of them. The easiest way to contact most of them would be through a seance.:-) You can choose your friends but unfortunately (like your family) neighbours are largely chosen for you by fate or serendipity and I find they are mostly people you try not to offend rather than try to befriend. Perhaps that's because I'm English, we tend to be a bit reserved an stand-offish sometimes ;-).
Oh and from time to time like today with the cricket commentary its just pure stream of conciousness ..( rambling ) like this post!
</back on topic ..well nearly ..letting in the occassional "off topic" posts is also a good thing ...and lets me post ; ) >
Some people do need a comfort level before they post. And this has nothing to do with their sensitivites in regards to their intelligence level. How many people do you know of that can walk into a room of people that they don't know and are comfortable enough to go up to them and start asking questions about problems they are having? (I'm sure that if you have a job that deals with this sort of thing daily, it doesn't enter into your thought process, however, not everyone has a job that places them in daily contact with people they have never met before.) Well posting in a new forum is basically the same thing.
And a humor/joke thread is a good one to get them going.
No matter who you are or what you do, laughter is the most important part of any day.
Quote rogerd
(Unless you've got members like Seinfeld, Leno, etc. )
LOL, Unless I was sitting right next to them posting the joke, I don't think I would believe that the screen name of Seinfeld or Leno would be for real.
In the land of computer world, anyone can be anyone they wish to be ;)
lol.
Actually, one of the easier ways to overcome the intimidation factor in communities where it's possible or practical is to have a live, well-moderated scheduled chat something like once a week.
It's a live, interactive real-time venue and when the hostess and other members are friendly and welcoming it's practically impossible for anyone to insist upon not participating. People are generally more than eager, if not on their first visit then on the second, when they come back and see familiar faces.
It provides a very safe, comfortable environment and once people loosen up they find it easier to feel at home and start to participate and enjoy themselves in the associated forums.
I've never thought about initiating anything or wanted to, but if I were ever to consider it I'd start out with a scheduled chat. Once there is an active core of even only a few regulars it's a natural process to go further from there.
That may be because I've had considerable exposure and experience with chat hosting, but I've seen first hand and experienced the kind of positive, dynamic results that can be achieved with a combination of chat and board.
These are the keywords of any forum/chat or bb. I also think these are the words that would ease the "intimidation factor".
Another forum that I am active in has a chat. However it does not get used as much as it did in the begining. Most of the people do work and don't have much time to get into it.
Another good thing about the chat room is problem solving things. I had a virus hit my computer via a link to a joke site. I had a difficult time removing it. I had pm'd the admin on the forum. He and I were on chat for a while doing things. And offered to do a remote connection if I could not resovle the matter. The chat saved valueable time in regards to pm'n and waiting for the answers from each other. I also gained tons more respect for the admin of the forum for the extra time that he took out of his schedule to do the things that he did.
(Unless you've got members like Seinfeld, Leno, etc. ;))
"cultural differences..?"
Leno, occasionally he is funny.
Seinfield, never was someone on my like list.
However, as in all else, just a matter of opnion. I know there are many many people who do think that they are funny.
<wow do i know how to drag a forum off topic or what>
Quote LeosghostEver read the "emporers new clothes" or hear the Danny Kaye record of the story ...
Robin Williams is funny ...
<wow do i know how to drag a forum off topic or what>
I have read the story of the "emporers new clothes" but never heard Danny Kaye's record. Seems as though I missed something good.
Off topic? Sort of, but if you notice, it goes right back on topic.
Maybe a lurker has some commedians they admire or dislike that they would like to mention? ;)
My preferred radio station is BBC radio 4 ( who need a plug like bill g*tes needs a dime ) ...Old_honky will know it ...
Leosghost, I take it you are a fellow Archers fan, IMHO the best soap opera of all time bar none.:~}
I used to listen to R4 all the time but I now use Talksport Radio more,I still listen to R4 but their standards are slipping - I find some of the "comedy" they put on in the 6:30 pm slot has been written by someone who is obviously very easily amused.
I think Americans and Brits are usually divided by their different sense of humour. We laugh at very different things. Although some comedy breaks the rule (like monty pie-thon, fraisier, and fawlty towers) and works on both sides of the Atlantic.
Any other thoughts on how to ease the barrier to that initial post?
Then, in chat I'd be sending people to whichever boards (out of many, many out there) were appropriate to their particular situation to read and participate.
People who you new were lurkers because you never saw a post by them would turn up - you can see the nicks of those present on the chat screen. Very easy to get them to join in chat coversation, then they'd start posting, frequenting the boards as regular, active participants.
There's a built in capability for cross-promoting one to the other, and it can build a core of regulars very quickly. Not only those, I saw it happen over and over on a broad range of topics.
LOL! That could be an extremly interesting subject. Or maybe "what thread have you been in that you would have loved to have seen go off topic?"
"Any other thoughts on how to ease the barrier to that initial post?"
I have been thinking on this one.
Intro threads are pretty good, sometimes, but with a different twist from the norm, maybe one that just focuses on the person themselves and their lives, not what their job is, maybe what kind of job they would like to do, and what they are doing to get there? Are you self taught, going to school? How did you get your screen name if you aren't using your reall name?etc...
So far, two lurkers have come forward during this one. Two down, how many to go?
Marcia,
I do think your idea on a chat would be a great idea. Finding a way to make sure that people are participating is where the problem arises. Are there specific times for the chat? Or will it be always open. And could there be a notifier that would let people know that there are people within the chat?
One example: if it's home business related, it could be a question about different promotion methods on a local level - which it actually was in my case at one time. One left business cards in ladies rooms. Another shared that putting out flyers in yellow rather than plain white was tremendously effective. Another had success with postcard mailings - which gave an opportunity for someone to jump in and ask whether she made her own or had them done up. Ah - home made? What kind of software, where did they find the artwork or clipart, and was it card stock or printed on a sheet and cut up. Another (a man) made soap and hung little samples on neighborhood doors - pulled in many orders that way. Someone asked what kind of printed materials were included, and what kind of packaging.
For any number of subject areas, QOTW about dealing with difficult people can easily be applicable, whether it's workplace, clients, family or social situations.
For health issues it can be coping mechanisms for dealing with limitations, family relationship and support issues. When and if to change medical providers, and in some cases topics about adaptive devices.
On and on it goes. It involves a bit of brainstorming and not all work equally well but some do and it works to perk up interest enough to get people involved.
It isn't too much of a hardship to come up with something once a week, and not only does it bring out good ideas from regulars but newcomers have a focused topic to either contribute ideas to or ask questions to get more information about an idea someone else has already brought up.
One left business cards in ladies rooms.Where I come from you can get 6 months for that.
Seriously though, why does the consensus seem to be that you need to drag the lurkers kicking and screaming into participation. If they are happy lurking let them lurk after all not every viewer phones a TV station. Most people don't want to be interactive, proactive or whatever. My vote, if this were a democracy, would be for the right to be an observer and non-participant.
<edit> Old_Honkey, I think basically the idea is to get those who wish to participate, but still feel uncomfortable doing so. for those who wish to lurk and just learn, there is no problem at all with that as I see it. I just think that this is more aimed at the ones who aren't at a comfort level of participation. If that makes sense?</edit>
The simple equation: all lurkers + no participants = no community.
Really, it's a question of time. Usually, when I make a response, I like to give a well thought out answer. By the time I get around to replying, someone else has already posted something similar. I hate being redundant.
Plus, I prefer to stay in the shadows. It's my personality.
I'm also sure that you have more to offer then you think you do. ;)
Some other ideas to encourage the lurkers to post:
1. Polls. If you get people to participate in smaller, anonymous ways you can build them up to posting regularly.
2. Games. Games such as the Friday Foo Word Game are easy ways to get people posting.
WebmasterWorld does a great job welcoming its new posters. Somehow it's gained a community of friendly, knowledgeable people who are eager to help others. Other forums are full of "Why don't you do a search for your question before asking it for the millionth time!" posts, where WebmasterWorld has people who kindly refer them to the correct thread. Many newbs have come out of lurkerdom because they didn't know how to find the answer to their question, even though it had been asked many times. So even though regulars may dislike these posts, they are very important for the growth of a forum.
Why don't you do a search for your question before asking it for the millionth time
We would do that if the search function was decent here :P heh I think most of us search these forums with Google.
Goober
