More forum activity

Have things always been this slow on the forums? I just joined and was hoping to get lots of insight and help from an active community of forum members, but it seems that there is not a lot of activity. Even the admins seem a bit slow to react.

Why not open the forums up to anyone who registers? Give them permission to post and use the forums normally. Then set aside some areas of the forums for members only. Like parts swap, classified listings, judging help, etc... You could make these separate from the regular forum so that only members could see the postings. You could also give club members a special badge to put in their signature lines, just to make their posts stand out and to make other users ask about membership.

I came to the MCA as someone new to the classic Mustang restoration scene. I figured that there couldn't be a more active, helpful, and informative forum than the one belonging to the Mustang Club of America, right? Open it up. Email all the people who signed up for a forum account, but never joined, and invite them to come back and participate. Let people know that Mustang enthusiasts have a home here. I could guarantee you more paying members, and better ad revenues.

Brian
concerned community member

Strange you should ask. I am sitting in the first 2011 meeting of the Mustang Club of America as I type this. This is a topic that we just discussed, how to get more people involved, increase participation and make people want to be part of the MCA and share the passion that I as well as most of the members do. For some feedback what type of car dor you have, age range and what are your interests. Feedback of what we need to do to changes to improve and make everyone feel like they have a voice and are part of the club. This website is a beginning of such a program.

Keith
MCA#69582

I just purchased a true "Barn Find" '65 2+2 C code, parked since '79. My dad had three different classic Mustangs when I was a kid, and since I was 10 I have wanted to restore a '65 fastback. Just happens that I have waited until I turned 38 to do it.hehe

I don't know what the age, or interest set, the average visitor to the site is, but maybe they could ask new visitors to take a quick poll. A four question poll could tell you a lot about how people get here, their age, and if they are interested in restoring classics or driving new ones. You could take the poll down after a week or two and tally the results. Someone should really pour through the web stats and find out where people come from to get here, search engines, web sites, etc... Pick the top three sites and buy banner ads on them. I found the club because the YearOne catalog lists some parts as "MCA Approved".

Brian

Quote:

Originally Posted by FBmundy

.... Let people know that Mustang enthusiasts have a home here. I could guarantee you more paying members, and better ad revenues.
Brian
concerned community member

+1 good post!

just got out of the First MCA meeting of 2011 just in time to watch the end of the game. Don't feel bad I am a Ravens Fans so I am out as well. Great post. The MCA is about new and old and more to come to the 50th.

I just got to see the Youth Program rollout from one of the newest and the youngest member on the board. To say that i am excited on where we and (Ford) are going is an understatement. The 2012 Boss Auction at BJ was the highlight of the event.

With all of the MCA people as well as ford fans and all the kids from JD there is was a really cool moment in time.

Speaking of a Moment remember once you hit the "SEND" key it is there for all the world to see.

In closing in concur with with the last line right to the point.

We have a lot of cool stories to share when we get back home.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FBmundy

Have things always been this slow on the forums? I just joined and was hoping to get lots of insight and help from an active community of forum members, but it seems that there is not a lot of activity. Even the admins seem a bit slow to react.

Brian

Sorry if I have been slow lately to respond to questions, etc. I have been on vacation for the past week and a half and at the MCA BOD meeting. I am back now though so will try to be more responsive. Regarding activity on the site the reason there is not much right now is because we just updated our website to include forums so this forum has not been in place but a couple of months. We would love your input on how to generate activity. Perhaps a contest?

MrFarmdog

MrFarmdog

I didn't realize the forum was so new. I hope you don't take my comments the wrong way. I was under the impression that maybe the forums were dying off. But just building up is a great place to be!

I think a contest would be a fine idea. Some free MCA schwag would make anybody happy!

Brian

there are so many mustang forums, seems there is 1 for type, model, colorertc.

I agree this site is a work in progress, since it is so new. Maybe BamaBrad could help set up some more specialized area'a like his former TMS site ie. performance mods, interior mods,V6,V8, etc. I do like the idea though of limiting access or at least having a MCA members only section. If you open it up to everyone then we will be no different than all the other forums.

My only contention to limiting access is that it drives people away and off to the other forums. You want as many clicks and posts in this forum as you can get. A very few limited "Members Only" areas would be fine. Imagine what an incentive to join it would be if the MCA forum housed the largest member supported parts swapping classified section on the web? I think you would have more activity in the forums and more paid memberships as a result.

Make everything open and have one or two areas closed for "Members Only". I'm not sure what kind of money gets brought in from the site, but it could potentially be a nice cash cow if fed properly. More clicks = More money.