Pulling in the lurkers?

[Jim_H]

Since I've been back reading and posting here, I've noticed that there are always a lot of lurkers, and not so many posters.

Right now for example, there are two registered users online (myself and Kevin), but there are 12 'Guests'.

We need to find ways to get these folk to register and participate. The more activity here the better, right?

Maybe some random giveaways? Or fun contests? Build of the month?.. i dunno....

I know a lot of people are intimidated to show their work, especially early on, and maybe they don't feel like they have much new to add, but this couldn't be farther from the truth.

I know when I was building my first, I would read every morsel I could, even from beginners, looking at photos to see how certain things were done. There are also lots of opportunities for lessons learned (i.e. don't do what I did!), and just lots of potential for inspiration.

To the current active members, lets try to think of ways to encourage people to register and post! Even if it's just doing a little more guitar related posting ourselves?

To you lurkers, please come in and join the fun! The more the merrier!

[MuddyFox]

I'm not intimidated, far from it. I just have nothing to show yet. :)

I'm also not quite a lurker, so I guess I can't quite relate.

As for the solution to this problem, I'm drawing a blank here...

[Winston_S]

One way we've managed to get people active at my modeling forum (and other modeling forums I know of) was through scheduled group builds of the same model (generally 2 a year). I'm not sure if this would work here, but I see no reason why not. The basic concept we follow:

1. An experienced builder will head up the group.

2. A specific modeling subject will be selected so that a parts list can be drawn up and developed into a kit.

3. People register for the build.

4. A start date is provided to give the various builders a chance to get their kit.

5. On the start date the group leader starts the build by providing detailed instructions through a build forum (special forum set up specifically for that build) on how to build the model. Naturally, not everything is posted at once. The project is broken down into sections and sub-sections as required and posted, leaving enough time between between postings to answer questions. In all cases I know of, the group leader actually built the model along with the others.

The first time I tried this at my modeling site, results were a little less than I had hoped for having only 3 people register and participate. But the second time, the number of people who participated (21) blew me out of the water. Since then, the results have been about the same for each build.

The nice thing about this is that you can keep repeating the builds. The next time around you just select a different model (in this case style of guitar).

We found out that it was also an excellent way to get new people involved.

(...my $.02)

[Jim_H]

Winston,

Cool idea!

What was the incentive to get people to register (vs lurk)? Was the forum not viewable unless you were registered?

[Winston_S]

They were private forums accessible only to those building the models. Two things occurred before you had access to the forum:

1. You had to register
2. You had to purchase the kit (verified by the supplier)

What made our builds so successful though was word-of-mouth. Those that headed up our builds took the time and did a good job on them. As you can imagine, when something is good, word gets around.

[MuddyFox]

Excellent!

I wish I knew about your forum earlier. Way less wood than a guitar and just a smidgen less cool to build, IMHO.
Of course, I'm talking about small ships (a foot or so), not the large scale ones you need a shipyard to keep them in. :)

[MuddyFox]

I'll google this later (very interesting, will put it on my bucket list)...

Is there a time frame on this build venture? Any money involved other than materials?

[Ken Hundley]

I wonder if many of the lurkers are people we know who are just reading the forums from work....not logging in in a work pc? Maybe smartphone readers? Not sure.

[darren]

I wonder if many of the lurkers are people we know who are just reading the forums from work....

not that any of US do that...

[tippie53]

One thing that we want to do is to make this forum more interesting . I have arranged to get David Nichols to visit and allow users to ask questions . David Nichols is well known in the luthier world. His inlay artist skills are outstanding. He has been doing this for over 50 yrs and was instrumental in helping CF Martin in the 60's to help bring back the D45.
David is still doing custom work for CF Martin today . He also teaches inlay and guitar building in his shop in Malone NY. Along with this I hope to bring in other Masters of tier crafts. We want to see how this topic will be received and the participation.
There is a lot of information out there but not all of it is good information . We want to see that you get good information from true experts of their fields. There are many topics that apply to luthiers , anything from Adhesives to Zebrawood.
Thanks for your participation and support