Growing?

[Nyx]

I've been wondering, how do we get YWO to grow?
It'd be great to have more active members but where do we find them?
I guess this doesn't qualify as a suggestion, BUT maybe we could all brainstorm our suggestions here?
If you can think of anything, post away!

[Shaun]

I'm not entirely sure how to help YWO grow. The big thing is getting people to stay and become active members, but a lot of people don't do that. I'm curious what people suggest too.

One thing that would be nice is if people would post flyers for YWO at their college campuses.

[Majyk]

I've been thinking about this, too.
If I went to school, I'd be telling everyone about YWO, but... I don't. And none of the people I know like writing.

[Lykaios]

Lots of people at my school'd join.

To totally spam you with chatspeak and idiocy.

I tried to teach them the 'have you ever' game on the school's forum and they were like:

wot????? ha, u looooozer!!!!!!!!! gt a xbox i av 1 an thay r lyk soooooooo cewl!!!!

[jordanisonfire]

But... Xboxs are cool. Don't patronise.

[Andy]

The usual ones:


Just post and be active, be friendly, welcoming, etc.
If you have a blog or some other online place, you can link to YWO. Even if you don't think anyone will click it, Google's bots will, and YWO's Google rank will go up.
Invite other people to come join :rolleyes:


I also want to say that our next software update will have a built-in clubs feature. Here are some screenshots:

http://www.youngwritersonline.net/showpost.php?p=51271&postcount=28

[Lykaios]

But... Xboxs are cool. Don't patronise.

I wasn't being patronising. :huh: That's what one boy said, before he started going on about some new game and how he's selling his old xbox because he's got a 630 or something. I just pasted that.

Why, did you think I'd written that? I can't understand chatspeak, let alone write it. :P

[Starry]

Don't scare the newbies? I really don't know how to manage this though.

I could invite all of my crazy friends? I'm sure they'd all fit here perfectly, if they don't already go on too many forums already. I mean, Carr pretty much recruited me like that (the night before the AP exam-- not a good idea :))

[Carraka]

Well, I only tried recruiting them because I wanted us to win the SBS Mag name vote.

[Starry]

Which you totally managed. :D I love you, Car. :hug:

Submit to Survival By Storytelling!

With no help from me! Since some admins wouldn't activate my account for three days *grumble grumble*

[Majyk]

With no help from me! Since some admins wouldn't activate my account for three days *grumble grumble*

My account wasn't activated for more than three days when I joined...

/spam

[Nyx]

Hm, I've been thinking of making a FB bathroom wall post inviting all young writers on FB to join YWO. Yet the idea rings so flawed in my mind.

[Shaun]

Well, Zomb and I are planning to have some convention appearances. I think I'm going to go to two, but only one of them will likely have us getting a table. Both we'll probably ask to have some little flyers put out, which will be nice since both conventions are heavy on the writing side.

[Rouge]

Well, Zomb and I are planning to have some convention appearances. I think I'm going to go to two, but only one of them will likely have us getting a table. Both we'll probably ask to have some little flyers put out, which will be nice since both conventions are heavy on the writing side.


I want to go!!! :)


Hmm.... how did TW get to be so big? Is it just because it's been around longer?

[Nyx]

^Yea I've been wondering about that.

[Shaun]

TW has been around a lot longer and we're also dealing with a lot more competition than TW was when they first started. YWS and TW are competitors for members (not that that is a bad thing, though). And there are dozens of new starter sites trying to be exactly like us (failing miserably of course) and they do get members. The big thing is spreading the word about YWO and getting more members. That's not as easy as it sounds.

[Rouge]

I don't really think it would have to be Shaun or Andy who wrote the flyer. I think anyone on the website could draw one up.
Or am I wrong?:confused:

[Shaun]

Sure. I see no problem with other folks creating a flyer.

[Diocletian]

This website is tiny tiny, though. Shouldn't you wait to naturally absorb some more members, at least reaching TW's level, before you start agressive advertising?

[Ichigo]

I keep on asking my friend to join. She'll crack eventually.
:devil:

[Shaun]

The problem is that the only thing that puts us below TW is the fact that he have fewer members. Other than that, we've progressed to a point where aggressive advertising is a must.

[imagination_123]

Well...I don't know if this helps but it's how I found out about YWO
I am a subscriber to a magazine called WORDSMITH and it's basically where people send their work to get published in the magazine...and you win lots of cool prizes aswell. Anyway I won something...and I don't know why but I typed in Young Writers on youtube.com because Young Writers is the company that publishes WORDSMITH and this link came up... youngwritersonline.net and I was like "ooooh...what's this then?" so I typed it in the bar thingy and now i'm a member!...long story and so coincidental.
So...maybe we should do something similar? ... or not ... my ideas are pretty far-fetched to be honest so... I'm not the greatest help in the world. BUT....atleast I try!!! :D:D:D

[Shaun]

We have a magazine, actually. SBS Magazine, which can be found in a link up top there. We also have a contest going on with a real prize, which can be found in the Contests section. So, we're not that far off from that.

[Diocletian]

The problem is that the only thing that puts us below TW is the fact that he have fewer members. Other than that, we've progressed to a point where aggressive advertising is a must.

Erm, there are a lot more problems than that. For example, just look at the Literature section and how many people post topics/in-depth critiques there.

[Rouge]

*stays away from Dio/Shaun*

I finished a flyer, and I'm posting in my English class, if the teacher will let me. xP

[Shaun]

Erm, there are a lot more problems than that. For example, just look at the Literature section and how many people post topics/in-depth critiques there.

Which is directly related to the fact that TW has more members than us. We have quite a few people here who do indepth critiques. We just don't have as many.

[Lykaios]

I am a subscriber to a magazine called WORDSMITH and it's basically where people send their work to get published in the magazine...

Ooh, I get that too. :)

I entered their seasons competition and I'm gettign a poem published in the book they're making from it. The poem had nothing to do with seasons though . . . :P

[Shaun]

Does Wordsmith mag have a website? I'm curious about it.

[Lykaios]

This is the website for YoungWriters, it has two magazines, Scribbler and Wordsmith, the former for primary schools and the latter for secondary schools and I think it's mainly a UK-based thing.

http://www.youngwriters.co.uk/

I can't find a website for Wordsmith or Scribbler though, the only way I found out about them was because I was sent a half-price subscription to Wordsmith. They've got all the merchandice on the website though.

[Nyx]

Woah, what the hell guys?

Dio didn't say anything rude, he was giving his opinion. Why should he been run off, because he contributed witha actual suggestions?

I hope he doesn't leave, he actually seemed like a solid member.

EDIT:
I'll make a flyer for my English class, even if my friends won't join, maybe some older grades will?

[Rouge]

Dio, sod off.

Shaun or Andrew, ban him he's only here to make trouble.

... He never said anything out of place...

Okay, I'll leave willingly. But I really didn't expect that from you, Imelda. All of my posts were honest; I was more polite than Shadow...

:( Don't go Dio!

Woah, what the hell guys?

Dio didn't say anything rude, he was giving his opinion. Why should he been run off, because he contributed witha actual suggestions?

I hope he doesn't leave, he actually seemed like a solid member.

He really has done a lot. I don't see why he should leave. xP

[Nyx]

Yea, I saw a critique of his on the site and it was quite helpful to the member. Dio isn't a harmful member, he is helpful.

DON"T LEAVE!

[Rouge]

Oh, and I posted two flyers in English classrooms today. Maybe someone will read it?

... yes, Dio don't go.

[Starry]

*blinks* Is this the way TW normally is? That entire argument was like ridiculously violent. Dio might have been fairly insulting, but that's no reason to escalate to all-out war.

...(Some mod please come and delete all of that, it's painful to look at)

[Zombified]

There will be no fighting in this thread anymore.

Dio was simply stating his opinion.

Shadow was doing the same.

Nobody should be kicked from the site for just using their God given right to speak.

Got a problem?

Bring it to me.

Argument is deleted, Starry.


Carry on...

[Rouge]

Thank you. xP At least there are some civil people... :[

[imagination_123]

Hey guys...come-on...isn't the whole point of this thread to get EVERYONES opinion on how to improve it? and quite frankly...all we need are some new people...i'll get my friend to send friends to send friends some stuff...no big deal...but seriously?...going out into full war isn't exactly helping "the cause" because while we're TRYING to get more people to come in...someone just left. Doesn't make sense really does it?...and what did he get sent of for?...honest opinion?...come-on...we're all writers, we're all clever, where is the logic in that argument? I can see why someone would be upset by it...but it IS an opinion at th end of the day...you don't like it - just ignore it...a bit like critiques...if you think someone is wrong about something you don't HAVE to change it...and at the end of the day the "person" whoever they may be...was just trying to be helpful. This is a COMMUNITY of writers...and for all of us to be a community we need to get on. I have been on this site...what?...two weeks?...and already I have made some new friends...but newbies seeing these types of threads with arguments and violence in them...well they might be just a WEENY bit hesitant of joining...all in all the guy gave his opinion like the rest of us...at the end of the day it's JUST an opinion...no need to stage full war over it. OK...RANT OVER.
ON THE BRIGHT side...I will try my hardest to get newbies to come in. :D:D:D:D:D
And sorry if my argument hurt anybody...I didn't mean to cause another war. :)

[imagination_123]

Damn...sorry...posted that before seeing the last two posts!!!!

[jordanisonfire]

If he gave suggestions that helped, instead of being a stuck-up idiot and parading around and advertising TW, I might have taken what he said into account. But, he's gone now, he was just another blip that's forgotten (on this site anyway), so let's not argue anymore and use this thread for what it's for.

[Nyx]

If he gave suggestions that helped, instead of being a stuck-up idiot and parading around and advertising TW, I might have taken what he said into account. But, he's gone now, he was just another blip that's forgotten (on this site anyway), so let's not argue anymore and use this thread for what it's for.

I really hate to say this but I feel I must, that's quite stuck-up of yourself, Shad.

I think his suggestions and opinions WERE helpful, and just because you don't agree with them, that doesn't make them useless.

I hope he does come back.

And yes let's not argue and concentrate on what's important:
YWO Growing.

[Nyx]

That's great, snappy!
(you and T are both getting thanks from me!)

[Diocletian]

Yes, I'll come back; YWO is a nice retreat from TW every once in a while and fairly informative. The rest of the members seem very nice. :)

Anyway, let me clarify my suggestions for the rest of you who like to employ your brains before speaking. I think that YWO needs to grow by word of mouth before you start giving out flyers, start having booths in conferences, etc. What is the incentive for people to come to YWO anyway? The fact that it's a writing site? No...there are too many other young writers' forums out there. How about the fact that there is a supportive and intelligent community here that will hammer out stories/poems and make them the best possible? Perhaps, but advertising that on flyers is nowhere nearly as effective as testimonies from members, word-of-mouth in other words. It's the surest way to expand a membership that is both interested in YWO enough to stay and dedicated enough to attract others. Win-win.

After you grow a little larger (a lot larger, actually), then by all means use agressive advertising. But right now, it will hurt more than it will help.

[Nyx]

(haha, I see your post had already been edited by Zomb. I wonder why)

I see what you mean but it seems that many of us don't know many or rather any friends who would be interested in a writing forum. Which makes the "word-of-mouth" rather ineffective.

[Starry]

(haha, I see your post had already been edited by Zomb. I wonder why)

I see what you mean but it seems that many of us don't know many or rather any friends who would be interested in a writing forum. Which makes the "word-of-mouth" rather ineffective.

Not to mention, how is standing around handing out flyers all that different from going around telling people about the site, other than the fact that they'll have a nifty sheet of paper with our name on it to help them remember? In any case, it's going to be a mostly word-of-mouth process, but with flyers, booths, etc, you might end up finding new people to recruit you never thought would even be interested!

[Rouge]

I just had two posted in my current and previous English classrooms.
Here's what it looks like, says, whatever.


Young Writers Wanted

Young Writers Online – an online writing community built for teenage writers — is waiting for your work.


This internet writing forum was created for teenagers to post their work, whether it is prose, poetry, art, or lyrics, for other teenagers to critique and to help you improve. And you have the chance to critique their work as well. You will be interacting with people from all around the world, from England to the Philippines. But, they’re all teenagers just like you. And, you have the opportunity to submit to YWO’s own magazine, Survival by Storytelling. The first issue hasn’t been released yet because they need submissions. Maybe your piece has the potential to be published in the magazine, but we’ll never know if you never try.

We’re eagerly waiting for the teenage writers of the world to join and post, make friends, get published, and critique others’ work. Visit us, or join us, at
www.youngwritersonline.net (http://www.youngwritersonline.net/)
Registration is fast, free, and easy.

Once registered, you can begin improving your work, and helping others improve theirs. What’s more helpful than that?

It's bigger on Microsoft Word... It's a full page. :mellow:

[Nyx]

That's awesome, Tsukes!

[ScottyMcGee]

Two people saw my youtube video and one offically joined recently.

Not as quick of pace but. . .it was something. >_<

[Shaun]

I disagree that aggressive advertising (such as flyers) will hurt YWO. The biggest thing for YWO is expanding its presence amongst people who will be most interested. College campuses is a good place for that. We're going to conventions with the same general intentions. We're not sure what the plan for that is, whether we're going to have a more official presence (such as a business-style presence) or just a presence with flyers. But we are going to be at a convention or two. That wil lhelp spread the word of mouth again. YWO can't grow if we don't get new members and word of mouth doesn't work if the vast majority of our good members don't have lots of writing friends (such as myself, and many here who either don't have a lot of writing friends or who have had all their writing friends join already).


On that note, could those of you who created flyers send them to me? I'd really like to see them and maybe put them up at UCSC.

Thanks!

[imagination_123]

I think i'm the one who saw your youtube film scotty!!!
ha ha ha...sorry I found that funny...and I'm going to copy your poster Tsuki to paste all around MY school...hope that helps! :D

[jordanisonfire]

Yes, I'll come back; YWO is a nice retreat from TW every once in a while and fairly informative. The rest of the members seem very nice. :)

Anyway, let me clarify my suggestions for the rest of you who like to employ your brains before speaking. I think that YWO needs to grow by word of mouth before you start giving out flyers, start having booths in conferences, etc. What is the incentive for people to come to YWO anyway? The fact that it's a writing site? No...there are too many other young writers' forums out there. How about the fact that there is a supportive and intelligent community here that will hammer out stories/poems and make them the best possible? Perhaps, but advertising that on flyers is nowhere nearly as effective as testimonies from members, word-of-mouth in other words. It's the surest way to expand a membership that is both interested in YWO enough to stay and dedicated enough to attract others. Win-win.

After you grow a little larger (a lot larger, actually), then by all means use agressive advertising. But right now, it will hurt more than it will help.

Yay, some helpful stuff! No, I'm not being sarcastic.

So, yeah, maybe I was a little aggressive, but I'm not willing to accept the entire blame.
But, instead of aruging, this thread is about production, so let's just put it all behind it shall we?

(Yes, this means I want Dio to stay now).

P.S. Nyx, I was born into a rich farming family from Yorkshire, thus I was born stuck-up, haha. But now we're not farmers, which makes is non-rich now.

[Rouge]

On that note, could those of you who created flyers send them to me? I'd really like to see them and maybe put them up at UCSC.

Thanks!





Young Writers Wanted




Young Writers Online – an online writing community built for teenage writers — is waiting for your work.




This internet writing forum was created for teenagers to post their work, whether it is prose, poetry, art, or lyrics, for other teenagers to critique and to help you improve. And you have the chance to critique their work as well. You will be interacting with people from all around the world, from England to the Philippines. But, they’re all teenagers just like you. And, you have the opportunity to submit to YWO’s own magazine, Survival by Storytelling. The first issue hasn’t been released yet because they need submissions. Maybe your piece has the potential to be published in the magazine, but we’ll never know if you never try.

We’re eagerly waiting for the teenage writers of the world to join and post, make friends, get published, and critique others’ work. Visit us, or join us, at
www.youngwritersonline.net (http://www.youngwritersonline.net/)
Registration is fast, free, and easy.

Once registered, you can begin improving your work, and helping others improve theirs. What’s more helpful than that?



There you go Shaun.

[Nyx]

Yay, some helpful stuff! No, I'm not being sarcastic.

So, yeah, maybe I was a little aggressive, but I'm not willing to accept the entire blame.
But, instead of aruging, this thread is about production, so let's just put it all behind it shall we?

(Yes, this means I want Dio to stay now).

P.S. Nyx, I was born into a rich farming family from Yorkshire, thus I was born stuck-up, haha. But now we're not farmers, which makes is non-rich now.

I didn't mean YOU are stuck-up, shad, I meant what you said was ^^
Haha, anyways, you really don't strike me as stuck-up:rolleyes:

[jordanisonfire]

Haha, anyways, you really don't struck strike me as stuck-up:rolleyes:

Cos Imelda's not here, hehe.

I can be sometimes. I don't associate with fools too much, but that doesn't mean they can't be friends. Fools are bad to work with, but good to be friends with.