My tip: highlight cool features to your users

[Arnold Burian]

All-

 

Here's a little thing I do that helps draw user interaction. I highlight certain features of the site on the main page.

 

Here's my site: http://www.technicalwritingworld.com

 

In the left column, check out the sections titled Don't Be Blue, Did You Know?, and Spread the Word.

 

In the right column, check out Go Mobile and Did You Know?

 

I hope this gives you some ideas. 

 

-Arnold

[Alex 小正正]

I like your Don't Be Blue idea. I have so many members use the default face pic. I don't know how to ask them to change it as I already did it so many times.

Now I'm thinking about write a javascript to detect if they use the default face pic. I'll put a Don't Be Blue box in their page in the right column. Or pop-up a dialog ask them to do so or they need to click to close it everytime.

BTW, I just put the Go Mobile as a sub tab of the HOME tab.

[Casey Fritz]

You can make it so that members must upload a pic in order to be part of your site

[Arnold Burian]

That's a bit...um...strict.

 

What I usually do is check to see if a user becomes visible (for example, if they appear on the leaderboards), and then send them a gentle reminder.

 

Doesn't always work, but still keeps things relaxed.

[Speed Racer]

im not a big fan of requiring pictures either, Arnold. I even remember reading an NC who said he makes his people put up real pictures of themselves.....I'm like "so, ok, let me get this right. you require my name, zip code, birthdate, sex AND a picture of myself to join your site, and I know NOTHING about you?" Don't bother holding me a place in the membership base, ya know?

[Kaushik Raghupathi]

Great Tips. And very nice template as well, is it custom implemented ?

[Arnold Burian]

Thanks. It's the flashing lights theme that is part of the new designer. I just tweaked the colors and fonts.

[Ed]

Nice. Simple, easy to do and looks great

[Tyler Durbin]

I love the Blue saying and your Mobile part is awesome.

[Anurag Khode]

Hi Arnold,

 

Your community site is very good.You have kept it very decent and nice.I would like to ask you what is the way to add that "Twitter Join conversation column" I am not getting any way to do that.

 

I am talking about this:

Regards,

Anurag

 

http://mobileqazone.com

[Arnold Burian]

Hi, Anurag-

 

If I'm understanding you correctly, you're asking how to add the Twitter widget to your Ning site? If so, you can build a widget here: http://twitter.com/about/resources/widgets

 

Then just paste the code into a text box. Make sure you're in HTML mode.

 

I hope that answers your question - if not, let me know.

 

-Arnold