Changes to Attract New Members

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Changes to Attract New Members

#1 Post by admin » Wed Dec 02, 2015 7:26 pm

Let me say at the outset after just three months of operation I think we have cause to be proud of what we have achieved. Ppruned is a good place to be to while away an hour or so in pleasant company. But we cannot rest on our laurels.

Our demographics would suggest that we are predominantly older/retired people with a long history of association with aviation in some form or other. That suits me just fine, and is a demographic I would wish to retain, but in order to attract new members feel we need to present as more than just "Jet Blast".

I have no hesitation in stating that Ppruned started off as a rebellion against the forces of evil on TOP, but feel that is probably time to look to our future. Personally hate those expressions rolled out at management training sessions that seek to present a succinct view of some aspect, but in this instance one does have relevance. "Those who fail to plan - plan to fail". So what should we be planning to do? Where do we want Ppruned to be in a years time? Small steps - a years time would be more than acceptable.

I would like to re-visit many of the forum titles, their descriptions and placement order. Hopefully without upsetting too many. I believe we are essentially aviation people - intelligent, widely travelled with an engineering/technology focus, and many many years of experience in aviation. Should that demographic represent any new potential membership? And how best can we achieve visibility to attract new members that fit? If some feel we need to broaden the demographic, then what direction would be acceptable to most?

Alison

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Re: Changes to Attract New Members

#2 Post by Boac » Wed Dec 02, 2015 9:21 pm

Alison - as you know I agree with you - and indeed you should rightly be proud of what you have achieved.

It is my view that as we 'spawned' (lovely word, that!) from an aviation orientated site and fled here to escape Mad Rob that we should try to preserve the aviation core that conceived us. I assume that all the 'rejects' from JB (who comprise the major number of our members) over there had arrived on TOP through some aviation interest or connection, and that 're-focussing' this site would not upset them - they will of course still be able to talk titties, TOP spies and other things, but I do suggest that if we aim to attract more from TOP (and surely we must?) that there should be some more serious aviation input. I know many at TOP are not interested since the level of posts is of no interest to them. This is, of course, assuming that this is the 'plan'. The alternative will be to become a JB type site with all the issues that will generate, and, I reckon, a residual membership of around 50-100 at best.

We have a classic aviation disaster - the Air Asia crash - which is pretty much dying on its feet, relying on a kiss of life every now and then. No one from TOP will be moved to post on that.

As the saying goes, Rome cannot be built in a day, but there is no doubt TOP is being destroyed from the inside and it would be FANTASTIC to offer a 'rescue flight'.

Over to the rest of the 'floor'?

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Re: Changes to Attract New Members

#3 Post by limeygal » Wed Dec 02, 2015 9:29 pm

I agree, keep aviation as the main focus. I also don't think that JB should be the central attraction. At the moment, I don't think we have any current cabin crew on here, so a CC thread would last about 5 minutes. We need a younger demographic who are still in the flying biz. I have no idea how to achieve this :(

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Re: Changes to Attract New Members

#4 Post by probes » Wed Dec 02, 2015 10:20 pm

It could be confusing (or even scary) that everyone around here seems to know others. Maybe it should be 'manifested' somewhere that newcomers are welcome, too?
As for younger people, most of them are probably active elsewhere. Or can't be very vocal due to their jobs.
As for the lot in TOP, many of them seem to be after audience numbers. Even I (non-aviation anyway) have lost interest in R&N, even though it's not fair - there still are some who know about things, but it's so time-consuming to find them.

Also, it seems to me, the 'main board' should not be too long or too complicated.

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Re: Changes to Attract New Members

#5 Post by CharlieOneSix » Wed Dec 02, 2015 11:09 pm

I really have no idea how we attract those aviators who are still in the business but may I suggest that aviation forums occupy the top part of the forum list, moving down from professional fixed wing (airline and corporate together as I've always thought TOP looked down on the latter), through rotary wing to private flying, and that JB be moved to the lower half of the board. Engineering, Ops and Cabin Crew should also feature in the top part of the forum list. The eye is naturally taken to the top of the list if you are a newcomer.

I wasn't ppruned from TOP and I can still post there - although I don't. The attraction of this place was that it looked as though it would be a gentler and more pleasant place, both in terms of moderation and in terms of incisive postings, and so it has turned out to be. Following on from that maybe it is time to modify the Board title of "A home for ppruners who've been ppruned" - maybe some visitors see that and go no further......and probably most of the 'ppruned' are already here anyway.

While I'm on a roll I don't think that attention should be drawn to those who decide to deregister. Let them go and let us move forward without the negativity such attention can engender.

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Re: Changes to Attract New Members

#6 Post by admin » Thu Dec 03, 2015 1:50 am

CharlieOneSix wrote:The attraction of this place was that it looked as though it would be a gentler and more pleasant place, both in terms of moderation and in terms of incisive postings, and so it has turned out to be.

Thank you for your kind thoughts. Hopefully others find it so as well.

CharlieOneSix wrote:Following on from that maybe it is time to modify the Board title of "A home for ppruners who've been ppruned" - maybe some visitors see that and go no further......and probably most of the 'ppruned' are already here anyway. :ymparty:

Rather than pruned from TOP, perhaps pruned from the industry by virtue of age might be appropriate. I would like to retain the element of maturity if acceptable.

I believe that a significant aspect of our forum is the contribution it makes to to the lives of individuals who are used to interacting with similar people to themselves on a daily basis. Retirement or semi-retirement will often see them divorced from this mental stimulation by virtue of loss of contact. Living where I do in a small seaside town on the NSW South Coast of Australia the opportunities to discuss world affairs are nil. And I would definitely miss the banter and comments that emanate from the bunch of smart *rses that hang out here. :D

I would like to feel that new members, either retired, semi-retired or close to being so from the aviation industry would best fit our target demographic. Would be extremely grateful to read the thoughts of others on this.

As for your other suggestions C16, in full agreement with moving away from being TOP rebel site, to becoming a worthwhile aviation site in it's own right.

Alison

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Re: Changes to Attract New Members

#7 Post by Cave Canem » Thu Dec 03, 2015 9:38 am

from being TOP rebel site, to becoming a worthwhile aviation site in it's own right.


That seems a worthwhile aim and I am sure there are a number of fulltime (professional) aviation folk on the other site who, while they may not be rebels or retired, have become somewhat disenchanted with the arbitrary, silly, arrogant and erratic moderation at TOP, who may be enticed here if they thought they may still have the ability to get a whiff of genuine Jet A here from time to time.

As for maturity I am not sure I can opine on that subject save to say that I am getting older and despite getting sillier (if that is possible) as I get older, I feel the sense of security one gets when one notices that the Captain and his crew have a few grey hairs and stern demeanours with just a hint of amused cynicism and ennui that comes from experience hard earned.

Perhaps TOP should simply cease to be of much interest here. As you say, ppruned has proved it has the wings now to fly by itself without looking back at what was once a great forum but sadly is now on a gradual descent to God knows where?

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Re: Changes to Attract New Members

#8 Post by Pinky the pilot » Thu Dec 03, 2015 9:47 am

Really cannot argue with all of the above. Unfortunately I also cannot, at the moment anyway, suggest anything to improve/expand this place either.

This place is certainly IMHO of a far superior place as regards quality of threads and the discourse thereupon. Many thanks to Alison for not only setting up this place but also for tolerating (albeit through I suspect, gritted teeth :-? ) some of the posts by myself and the inimitable Slasher (I mean; Slash, really!! Asking Alison to ......Oh dear! :ymsigh: )

What to do? Maybe just continue on as we have been and just see where each day takes us. My personal opinion is that one day we will be the site for all Aviation Professionals, current and retired plus others, all of whom will be seen, with one or two exceptions unfortunately as is real life, as articulate, mature Adults who enjoy communicating with others on this place! :-BD
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Re: Changes to Attract New Members

#9 Post by limeygal » Thu Dec 03, 2015 10:20 am

I think rearranging the order of threads is a good idea. As some have said, let's put TOP behind us. When the trolls call-ignore them. By replying to their posts you are playing their game. They love the attention. How do people feel about perhaps changing our name altogether? We are a NEW place, not the dregs of TOP. Perhaps our site name should reflect this. The first threads people see are the ones banging on about TOP-it would certainly put me off joining. We should all get over it and move forward. Let's make this "Our Place"

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Re: Changes to Attract New Members

#10 Post by Ex-Ascot » Thu Dec 03, 2015 11:25 am

Alison, again a big well done. Yes I think it may be time for a reshuffle.

It is by definition a 'rumour' network. This should be close to the top. Followed by 'professions' civi, military, rotary, etc. Not quite sure what F700 is supposed to cover. Couldn't this come under professions (nuts & bolts)? Social should be way down. Don't worry we will find Trabb! What about a 'wannabe' section. 'Careers Advice Aviation' should be a Google grabber and attract new blood, and some plonkers of course. They are mine to bait!
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Re: Changes to Attract New Members

#11 Post by limeygal » Thu Dec 03, 2015 12:38 pm

'Careers Advice Aviation' should be a Google grabber and attract new blood


:-BD

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Re: Changes to Attract New Members

#12 Post by rgbrock1 » Thu Dec 03, 2015 12:52 pm

I will say one thing right off the bat: the title of the home page should be reconsidered. Not so much ppruned.org but the description underneath: A home for ppruners who've been ppruned? Which is all and good for people coming over from TOP but for someone new, or someone who stumbles across this site? Wouldn't have a clue what that means. Perhaps something more descriptive of the site?
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Re: Changes to Attract New Members

#13 Post by Ex-Ascot » Thu Dec 03, 2015 2:21 pm

RG, excellent point. Our web site designers are always hammering us on key phrases etc. If we want this site to be picked up it needs all the meta tag ducks all in a row.
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Re: Changes to Attract New Members

#14 Post by probes » Thu Dec 03, 2015 3:25 pm

Cave Canem wrote:Perhaps TOP should simply cease to be of much interest here. As you say, ppruned has proved it has the wings now to fly by itself without looking back at what was once a great forum but sadly is now on a gradual descent to God knows where?

true.
Also agree with the "element of maturity" - and great stories of the past - like the Rotary have started - it has to be somewhere as long as there are someone to tell the stories.

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Re: Changes to Attract New Members

#15 Post by om15 » Thu Dec 03, 2015 5:07 pm

Interesting views above, I agree with LG and RB1 regarding title of site, the original "ppruned" title was a cheeky thumbing of the nose to the other place, however we are beyond that now and should be disassociating our selves from pprune.
Those that wanted to join us from TOP probably have done by now, some came such as Mr Drapes and SSD, had a look and went back, so I really think we should be dropping the link with pprune and be establishing our own identity. This may be a good idea from a trademark issue as well, we don't want problems over identity theft.

We need to keep the aviation link in a new title, we do have a high percentage of aviation professionals on board and we should be able to generate serious discussions on current aviation affairs, incidents, news and so on. The JB and associated trivia forums are going well., but agree that there is a need to tighten up the titles and prevent multiple threads.

How about something like "Aviation Matters - free as air", might attract interested people who at the moment just think of us as a bunch of ex ppruners with a chip on their shoulders, and so may be reluctant to join us.

Anyway, we are still going and have enough enthusiasm to improve the site providing Alison can continue with the magic of continuing to keep it active.

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Re: Changes to Attract New Members

#16 Post by stuart » Thu Dec 03, 2015 5:21 pm

I think a new title should have aviation and forum in it to attract google searches, 'Aviation gossip forum' or similar.
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Re: Changes to Attract New Members

#17 Post by admin » Thu Dec 03, 2015 8:56 pm

Always considered NOTAMS to represent the very essence of what it is to be an aviator/aviatrix. Particularly within the concept of a network, with it's members contributing valuable information. I have just re-registered notams.net as a domain name. Would be interested in thoughts on same as a potential new name for our community.

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Re: Changes to Attract New Members

#18 Post by Tom Joad » Thu Dec 03, 2015 10:35 pm

Agree, time to consign TOP to history and stand apart. I think we need to decide what the forum focus is to be - a mix of rumour mill, serious stuff and social as it currently is or a more specialist theme. I think the more specialist side would be difficult given our eclectic mix. Aside from anything else that should leave us free of the idiots trolling - on my part I do offer my apologies I can't resist toying with them. Whatever road this forum takes I think we have something worthwhile here, something worth protecting.

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Re: Changes to Attract New Members

#19 Post by admin » Fri Dec 04, 2015 7:16 am

Before making any changes I will attempt to collate all the views presented, and then post what I perceive as a consensus with regard to a way forward. If there is general agreement then I will work on a plan to make it happen. No intention to have anything happen without the members say so.

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Re: Changes to Attract New Members

#20 Post by Rwy in Sight » Fri Dec 04, 2015 7:37 am

limeygal wrote:
'Careers Advice Aviation' should be a Google grabber and attract new blood


:-BD


I am concerned about what quality/efficiency will keep the new blood. It is a kind of a vicious cycle; if you don't have people to give efficient advice, (do we have such people here?) new members will come and go.

I definitely agree about breaking the connection with TOP and Probe's comment about the feeling that since we "know" each other that is a barrier to new members: we all have seen that in physical hangouts.

And agree with Ex-Ascot about pushing the site up on google.

And my thought: why people visit sites such as this, a1r1n3rs.n3t or TOP? Maybe if we know the answer we can focus our efforts better.

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