{"id":2574,"date":"2013-09-03T16:43:21","date_gmt":"2013-09-03T23:43:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/107.21.221.225\/ning3help\/?page_id=2574"},"modified":"2019-10-23T07:33:09","modified_gmt":"2019-10-23T14:33:09","slug":"how-to-convert-newcomers-into-regulars","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ning.com\/ning3help\/how-to-convert-newcomers-into-regulars\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Convert Newcomers Into Regulars"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to Convert Newcomers Into Regulars<\/b><\/p>\n

To improve the number of newcomers converting into regular members of a community, we first need to understand the conversion funnel<\/b> and where members are leaving the funnel.<\/p>\n

A simplified version of the funnel is pictured below:
\n\"Funnel\"<\/p>\n

Turning Visitors into Registered Members<\/h4>\n

What can we do to intervene?<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Reduce the amount of data required to complete the registration process.<\/li>\n
  2. Simplify the registration page copy. Don\u2019t supply too much information.<\/li>\n
  3. Tweak the e-mail confirmation copy. Keep it simple!<\/li>\n
  4. Allow people to input their first contribution prior to being prompted to register for the platform.<\/li>\n
  5. Target more interested members.<\/li>\n
  6. Cultivate more engaging landing page material.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Turning Registered Members into Participants<\/h4>\n

    When a newcomer joins the community they are likely to be seeking to satisfy an immediate need. It is important to ensure they participate in a manner likely to receive feedback and thus prompt future return visits to the community.<\/p>\n

    What can we do to intervene?<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Personal welcomes.<\/li>\n
    2. Automated messages if they don\u2019t contribute in the first week.<\/li>\n
    3. Avoid taking members to their profile page as the first post registration page. Instead take them somewhere like a newcomers\u2019 thread on the forum or a topical discussion the organization might like the newcomer\u2019s thoughts \/expertise on.<\/li>\n
    4. Publish a list of new members and a bit about them to spark conversation.<\/li>\n
    5. Notify members of major events.<\/li>\n
    6. Create a specific area for newcomers.<\/li>\n
    7. Teach newcomers about the community.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Turning Participants into Regular Members<\/h4>\n

      What can we do?<\/p>\n

      Improve the notification system<\/b> – Initially, members will not visit the community out of habit (this is variously assumed to take between 3 \u2013 12 weeks). Therefore they will not know if their response receives a reply unless they are reminded by e-mail.<\/p>\n

      Respond Quickly – <\/b>If a member does not receive a speedy response to their first contribution, they are unlikely to repeatedly visit the community. <\/b><\/p>\n

      Ensure newcomers participate correctly –<\/b> Create a brief guide explaining the best methods for constructing a message. Newcomers need to know how to participate before they can initiate their first discussion.<\/p>\n

      Cultural education – <\/b>Educate members about the community\u2019s culture and history.<\/b><\/p>\n

      Characteristics of the response – <\/b>Any response to the newcomer\u2019s contribution must either be a genuine unprompted message from members of the community or a personally written message by the community manager\/volunteers which refers specifically to either attributes of the contributor or something within the initial message.<\/b><\/p>\n

      Rituals – <\/b>E.g. a weekly\/monthly graduation<\/i> of newcomers into accepted members of the community.<\/p>\n

      Personal introductions – <\/b>Newcomers may not initially know any members of the platform. Therefore it would be ideal for members with something in common with the newcomer to introduce themselves.<\/p>\n

      Switching motivations – <\/b>Foster direct connections between newcomers and existing members of the community. This will ignite an interest in their social standing within a community.<\/b><\/p>\n

      Ownership, investment and influence \u2013 <\/b>Assign members a role in the community. For example, ask them to create and moderate content about a particular sub-topic.<\/p>\n

      \"How<\/p>\n

      Best Practices Home<\/h3>\n

      <\/center><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      How to Convert Newcomers Into Regulars
      \nTo improve the number of newcomers converting into regular members of a community, we first need to understand the conversion funnel and where members are leaving the funnel.
      \nA simplified version of the funnel is pictured below:<\/p>\n

      Turning Visitors into Registered Members
      \nWhat can we do to intervene?<\/p>\n

      Reduce the amount of data required to complete the registration process.
      \nSimplify the registration page copy. Don\u2019t supply too much information.
      \nTweak the e-mail confirmation copy. Keep it simple!
      \nAllow people to input their first contribution prior to being prompted to register for the platform.
      \nTarget more interested members.
      \nCultivate more engaging landing page material.<\/p>\n

      Turning Registered Members into Participants
      \nWhen a newcomer joins the community they are likely to be seeking to satisfy an immediate need. It is important to ensure they participate in a manner likely to receive feedback and thus prompt future return visits to the community.
      \nWhat can we do to intervene?<\/p>\n

      Personal welcomes.
      \nAutomated messages if they don\u2019t contribute in the first week.
      \nAvoid taking members to their profile page as the first post registration page. Instead take them somewhere like a newcomers\u2019 thread on the forum or a topical discussion the organization might like the newcomer\u2019s thoughts \/expertise on.
      \nPublish a list of new members and a …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n