How to expand the current poster base?

[PattayaMale]

I don't have an answer to this. But I am hoping that others may have suggestions. It seems to me that there are only a handful of posters. With the current contest underway encouraging posters to post 300 posts by November 30 it may seem like an active board, but the number of posters is small.

 

Anyone have suggestions on how to attract more posters from different areas? We seldom get posters outside of Pattaya (1 or 2 from Bangkok) asking for information about gay Thailand.

[Moses]

It's easy: just have more info about Thailand, give to search engines to index it and be visible with this info in SE To check which keywords about Thailand are popular in SE and write some info about. After that submit posts to SE...

 

With readers will also come people who will ask questions and another people who will share their info with other members of forum...

[Guest]

We need to ensure the registration process is relatively seamless. I recall it was quite difficult to join back when I did. Hopefully it's better now.

Maybe our recent newbies could confirm if this is the case?

 

Then ensure new members know their first post is moderated, just in case they don't understand why it does not appear.

 

Also, trying to bring in a few potential gay visitors to Thailand's neighbours could expand the site to cover an area where there is not so much competition.

[kokopelli]

Now that there is a change in management, I believe a more tolerant view of what can and cannot be posted will insure more participation. Furthermore, a more hands off approach by the moderator(s) will allow for more participation. In the past the Moderator had to be the first, middle and final poster of all things and woe unto him who defied his rules.

A moderator should encourage and moderate, not chastise and dominate.

[Guest beachlover]

We need to ensure the registration process is relatively seamless. I recall it was quite difficult to join back when I did. Hopefully it's better now.

Maybe our recent newbies could confirm if this is the case?

 

Then ensure new members know their first post is moderated, just in case they don't understand why it does not appear.

 

I agree. I only joined a few weeks ago. It took me a while to find where to register and it was confusing because I didn't know whether I was registering for the forum or other parts of the site. It was too cluttered. If you look at other forums they have very few buttons up there and the "Register" button is very clear to spot.

 

I didn't know that my first few posts were moderated and would've given up if GT hadn't PM'd to tell me that was the case (I PM'd him to ask).

[Guest fountainhall]

I didn't know that my first few posts were moderated and would've given up if GT hadn't PM'd to tell me that was the case (I PM'd him to ask).

Now we know who to blame!! (Just a joke!)

 

But this thread is indeed serious. As I mentioned on another thread, I did an analysis of posts between 00:01 on August 23 and 23:59 on September 1. In that period, there were 50 posters. 15 had made 10 or more posts, of whom 6 had made more than 100. So 35 had made less than 10. Of these, 25 had made less than 5.

 

Looking at the poster list for that short period, one worrying feature is that, as a rough guesstimate, 29 have made no posts since September 2 (make that 28 because I know one has been on holiday over the last few days). I do find that strange.

 

Equally worrying is that a number of posters who have posted occasionally over the last couple of years have made almost no contribution recently. Further, if you look at the list of the top 11 posters in the last contest (see New 5 Year Anniversary Contest: Post #19), Monkeysee has just recently started posting regularly again (welcome back!). But Khortose and Shebavon had made only 3 posts during my check, whilst Steve 1903, Slackersam and Laurence have totally disappeared (I accept, though, they may have had other reasons for giving up posting).

 

Then thirdly, we seem to have picked up just one new regular poster in recent weeks. So, far from picking up a bunch of new posters during the competition, we appear to have been losing older ones.

 

Why the absence of more posters? This can only be guesswork on my part. But I think there are probably 4 main reasons.

 

1. Thinking this site was closing down, a considerable number have moved over to GB's new site. That is obvious looking at GB's posts. Now quite a number of posters do post on both. But, I think I am right in saying that some have migrated and have not returned. If true, that issue needs to be addressed.

 

2. For reasons which have already been discussed, the issue tackled and settled, the quality of posts degenerated for a while. I believe the discussions are now moving back more to what they were before. Hopefully, the number of regular posters will now increase.

 

3. The sheer volume of posts may have put some people off. I remember last week when I took Tuesday off reading the site, when I returned on Wednesday morning, I hardly had time to read through 24 hours of posts. This is good for the site, except it was the same old posters. No new ones.

 

4. This may be the most contentious one of all. Gaythailand has always been mostly Pattaya based. A lot of the posts continue to be largely Pattaya issues – news about bars, restaurants, events, weather etc. All important in the overall context of the site, but perhaps too limiting for those who dip in to read before considering whether or not to post and/or to join.

 

What to do about it? I wish I knew. Scooby’s changes will I believe help. The new threads on surrounding countries and more emphasis on the gay traveller (which has always been part of the GT site but never as focused) will help. Personally I wish we could find more contributions from those living in Bangkok. This is after all where most of the gay activity is located (but because a lot of it is geared towards Thais, Pattaya may seem more active) and where most of the tourists visit. But how to attract them? I have no idea!

 

One final thought.

 

What were your most memorable posts over the last couple of years? Can we get any guidance from that? I know I have forgotten most, but two do stick in my mind. The first was GT's stunning series about his bicycle ride around Thailand. Spread over 10 days or so, it was a bit like a mini-novel, interesting, exciting, great photos, great insights, a bit of suspense (would the bf make it or not?), great fun - and wonderfully written. True!

 

The second is a another series of much more recent posts - from Ya! Now he may have been advertising his bar, but what a novel, fun, interesting way to do it. Ya's posts always make me smile. Thanks Ya - keep them coming!

 

OK, that’s my contribution for this morning. Come on guys! Let’s have some other ithoughts.

[Guest beachlover]

But this thread is indeed serious. As I mentioned on another thread, I did an analysis of posts between 00:01 on August 23 and 23:59 on September 1. In that period, there were 50 posters. 15 had made 10 or more posts, of whom 6 had made more than 100. So 35 had made less than 10. Of these, 25 had made less than 5.

 

Sounds like there were more than 1,000 other posts then... *poke*

 

1. Thinking this site was closing down, a considerable number have moved over to GB's new site. That is obvious looking at GB's posts. Now quite a number of posters do post on both. But, I think I am right in saying that some have migrated and have not returned. If true, that issue needs to be addressed.

 

That's a good point. I first registered about two months ago. But a couple of days later GT announced the board was closing so I didn't bother coming back, even though a few days after that I heard the board had been bought and would remain.

 

It was only when I heard about the competition on another board that I thought I'd come back and check it out.

[Guest fountainhall]

Sounds like there were more than 1,000 other posts then... *poke*

Take your time to read the post properly. All it tells you is that there were at least 775 posts.

[Guest beachlover]

I did. I'm sure you and GayGuySac could easily have made up the other 225 posts. But let's not go off topic now.

[PattayaMale]

One of the things that sort of got me hooked on reading the meaasage board several years ago was that I had been receiving a news letter called the Pattaya Gay Report back when Allen Briggs as GayPattayan published it, Even though the name would focus on Pattaya, the report covered other cities and travel ideas inside Thailand.

 

There maybe several that just read the board (I received 2 PM from people that I haven't seen post) about travel to Burma

[kokopelli]

N Khortose and Shebavon had made only 3 posts during my check, whilst Steve 1903, Slackersam and Laurence have totally disappeared (I accept, though, they may have had other reasons for giving up posting).

/quote]

 

I believe that Khortose may be in Europe for a visit.

 

Laurence left the forum with a parting remark from the moderator, "don't let the door hit you in the ass". Perhaps others left for similar reasons?

[Gaybutton]

Laurence left the forum with a parting remark from the moderator, "don't let the door hit you in the ass". Perhaps others left for similar reasons?

Actually it was Khortose who was the recipient of that remark. You forgot to include the fact that I later posted a public apology to him, on this forum, which he accepted.

 

Laurence left because he knew he was about 1 post away from being thrown out.

 

I've misjudged you. Until now I thought you were a pretty good guy and I was disappointed you chose not to register on my board. After reading this post, now I'm glad you didn't. I'd appreciate it if you keep it that way. People who alter "facts" to suit their own agenda are precisely the kinds of people I don't want. Considering I am no longer a moderator on this board, and you knew that, you conjure up this post, getting it wrong of course, as a totally unprovoked put-down. You even spent time hunting up that cartoon.

 

This board is welcome to you - or maybe a better way to put it is this board is stuck with you.

[kokopelli]

Actually it was Khortose who was the recipient of that remark. You forgot to include the fact that I later posted a public apology to him, on this forum, which he accepted.

 

Laurence left because he knew he was about 1 post away from being thrown out.

 

I've misjudged you. Until now I thought you were a pretty good guy and I was disappointed you chose not to register on my board. After reading this post, now I'm glad you didn't. I'd appreciate it if you keep it that way. People who alter "facts" to suit their own agenda are precisely the kinds of people I don't want. Considering I am no longer a moderator on this board, and you knew that, you conjure up this post, getting it wrong of course, as a totally unprovoked put-down. You even spent time hunting up that cartoon.

 

This board is welcome to you - or maybe a better way to put it is this board is stuck with you.

 

The above post by GB speaks for itself. In light of GB's remarks I will amend my statement about Laurence. Laurence left the forum because he was one step from being thrown out. Perhaps others left for the same reason?

Now that we both have had our say, hopefully this will be the last of the exchange and not let it go on ad infinitum/ad nauseam as the exchanges on the BahtStop.

 

Below is GB's actual reply to Laurence.

 

Gaybutton

 

Posted 05 July 2009 - 01:28 PM

QUOTE(laurence @ Jul 5 2009, 01:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As usual you can and will have the last word.

 

 

That's right. And my last word to you is don't let the door slam you in the ass as you leave. We'll try really hard to struggle along without you. Meanwhile, I'm sure people who wish to ask questions appreciate your departure announcement. Now they'll know they can post their questions and they'll know I mean business when I assure them they won't have to put up with put downs.

 

Apparently you thought being a moderator means I'm going to allow you to insult and name call. You thought wrong.

[Guest]

Fountainhall

I agree with Fountainhall that a few would jump ship to the Gaybuttonthai forum. Reasons for that would include not wanting to be moved over to the male escort review site. Also following the moderator who's respected by many posters.

The spam posts that were attracted here would put people off too. I could hardly bear to check the forum myself at that time.

 

Beachboy

As I thought, registering is still not a slick process and once you have registered, it's not obvious that the first post requires approval by a moderator. Some people may give up for ever when their first post doesn't appear to work.

 

 

One more thing, I don't want to keep reading the kind of personal feud that's cropping up again here.

[Bob]

I believe that Khortose may be in Europe for a visit.

 

He surely is and won't be back home to Chiangmai until the end of the month. I think he and the beloved are visiting 29 countries in 30 days (okay, three or four countries) so he's a bit busy to bother with us yokels here.

[Guest YardenUK]

If there was a way of improving the search facility I think more people may get into the habit of using the site, and the forum. I have tried many times with the search option but it really doesn't narrow results down enough. I am sure if more people saw this site as a really up to date source of first hand information, they may be more inclined to hang around and post.

 

(As an example I just searched "Pinnacle Hotel" and got over 2000 threads then went to advanced search and it came down to 64 but it was just throwing up any threads with the word "hotel". Perhaps there is a way of performing a better search already - eg should I enter "Pinnacle AND Hotel"? If the site has better search facilities maybe a simple guide to effective searching would encourage more people to not only lurk.)

[kokopelli]

 

One more thing, I don't want to keep reading the kind of personal feud that's cropping up again here.

 

The offending posts have been deleted courtesy of the management.

[KhorTose]

He surely is and won't be back home to Chiangmai until the end of the month. I think he and the beloved are visiting 29 countries in 30 days (okay, three or four countries) so he's a bit busy to bother with us yokels here.

 

Very busy having a great time, but I hope none of you feel you are not loved just because I have not be active on the boards. AAAAhhhhh

[kokopelli]

The offending posts have been deleted courtesy of the management.

 

I was wrong, the offending posts have not been removed, for better or for worse.

[Guest fountainhall]

One more thing, I don't want to keep reading the kind of personal feud that's cropping up again here.

I seem to recall these cropped up from time to time, but GB kept a pretty good lid on it - whether or not you liked his style of moderating the Board.

 

It has cropped up again in recent weeks with a huge number of what many called junk posts. This led to a great deal of - well, lets be frank - anger on the part of some posters and names started being thrown around. GT stepped in firmly on that one, and I do believe matters have improved. But not totally. I have written on another thread today a polite post to one poster who continues to make bland assertions about things in Thailand with usually absolutely no supporting facts. When asked to provide facts, most often these are not provided, the questioner is met with a disapproving put down, and the poster then tries to deflect the issue by moving on to another one.

 

That to me is a 'junk' post. The value of a site like this is, I believe, is the variety of its posts and the experience of its posters. The posts often include information on a wide range of topics that will be of interest to other posters about visiting or staying in Thailand, or discussions on topics about which some posters will express strong and often passionate views, with some less serious ones adding a bit of fun and light relief.

 

Where a post contains sweeping generalisations without an iota of specific fact, this in my view degrades the site (unless it is a deliberate tongue-in-cheek type post). In such a case, I feel it is important that the generalisation is challenged so that facts are then provided. If they are not, I will keep on at this for a reasonable exchange. And I will continue when similar postings are made in future. So I am curious: do you consider that a "feud"? If so, how do you deal with it? Are we to allow sweeping generalisations to become the order of the day? If not, how do you deal with any poster who decides this is how he wishes to have "fun" (his description) by posting in such a manner?

[TotallyOz]

We started an ad on Facebook and have been getting many new members to the site. How to convert those members to posters in the forum is a much harder area to conquer but we will continue to try to bring "new blood" into the site and the forum.

 

We thank you for all the suggestions you are giving. It is appreciated and we welcome them and hope that you keep communicating ways to improve the site and the forum.

[Guest]

So I am curious: do you consider that a "feud"? If so, how do you deal with it? Are we to allow sweeping generalisations to become the order of the day? If not, how do you deal with any poster who decides this is how he wishes to have "fun" (his description) by posting in such a manner?

 

I see a feud as when poster X and poster Y regularly argue with each other just for the sake of it, rather than debating some particular issue. My preference is to delete both posts, although board policy requires clarification.

 

Also, I have no interest in reading Walter Mitty style spam posts done for "fun". There are other boards where this style of post is dominant & the result is nothing worth reading.

[Guest fountainhall]

I see a feud as when poster X and poster Y regularly argue with each other just for the sake of it, rather than debating some particular issue. My preference is to delete both posts, although board policy requires clarification.

Thanks for the clarification. Purely out of curiosity, what is the policy when, for example, the debating of certain points between two posters throws up a record of inaccuracies? Is debating inaccurate postings any different from debating the quality of breakfasts in one restaurant vs another?

 

My own view is that inaccurate posting - for whatever reason - that then goes unchallenged, devalues both the relevant threads and the integrity of the Board in general.

[Guest YardenUK]

Surely it depends what the inaccuracies are? Are they libelous? Or in this case, are they really that important?

 

Every forum is full of generalisations and petty inaccuracies - a bit like wikipedia and random google searches:P It's the downside of the information highway. I don't think the majority of users expect encyclopaedic accuracy on each and every post.

 

When threads become a 2 way bickering over things that actually aren't very important (eg variations on a cooked egg and time differences between cities), then the poster base will decline not increase - that is tragic and dare I say so selfish. It's like entering a room when a petty domestic is going on between 2 people - the human instinct says "walk away".........

 

Can we all just make this like it used to be, and for god's sake give Scooby a decent honeymoon period!

[PattayaMale]

Since there might be several new members from Facebook I thought I would start some Post about the different venues in Pattaya. To make it easier for people to search, I will make each post about each venue separate. I hope other people than will make comments about these venues.