Forum v chatroom v Facebook

[Signalong]

???We're in the process of redesigning our website and want to know about your preferences.

Quite a few look at the forum but not many post views, news or questions. The Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/82451315934/) does receive more responses but has fewer registered members, although it is slowly growing.

Some other websites have chatrooms, although I'm not entirely sure what the difference is between a chatroom and a forum.

What do you want us to do?

[anddav87]

Hi Mike

It's good to see you ask this question and I really hope more people respond! The only way you can provide a better service to the users is if they tell you what they want.

I have to say while I follow Signalong on Twitter I am not a regular checker on there and use facebook every day instead. Unfortunately I didn't see the link on your homepage to follow you on facebook, so ended up searching ages ago for 'Signalong' and 'Liked' a page that wasn't the correct one, so I didn't see any of the updates etc. that came through. Hopefully that is corrected now I am part of the group.

I guess the best format for interaction is dependent on the age of the user group. For example, my mum, a keen internet user, would not be on facebook to follow you but would post in the forum instead.

That being said, I think you should keep up what you do on Twitter, Facebook and still answer posts in the forum, but maybe increase the notifications from Signalong in all 3 places. For example, if there was a particuarly good question in the forum that you answered or even a sign request that you have answered, maybe you could put a post on facebook/tweet the same response? Or if you were messaged on twitter by a user, invite them to the facebook page etc.

I think the key is in increasing the frequency of your communications to a registered user base, so they are reminded to check out the web page, the forums, what you are upto on facebook etc. Post messages when you release the monthly signs, updates on what conferences you are doing, the thoughts behind new signs and manuals, make us more involved with what Signalong is doing.

Have you considered doing a monthly newsletter by email? Advertise it on all 3 medium, include a note with new manuals about the newsletter, get schools to let parents know about it, then get people to subscribe to it and you can update everybody that way on the new signs released, ask for suggestions for monthly topics, update people that way?

The difference between a forum and a chat room, is that people can chat live in a chat room, see who else is online and strike up a conversation, which can be private or for all to see, but is not stored for other people to refer to. Kind of like a group MSN/Skype chat rather than posting questions and answers. Personally I don’t think I would find that of any use, but some might.

Sorry that was not the best written answer, but I hope it helped you understand how at least one of your users interact with Signalong.

Cheers

Andy

[SW]

This is the first I've heard about a Signalong facebook page despite visiting the website regularly (checking the website is the only way i've had to find out about when the free signs are released etc.). Maybe a obvious facebook link on the homepage might help your facebook page be used more?

[Signalong]

there is a link on the homepage, bottom right box. The new website will make the link clearer, I hope