Have we advertised this site? I had a casual chat to a couple of Carlton supporters at the Carlton vs Port Adelaide game (MCG) last year, and none of them knew of this site at all. Nobody had heard of it. Most of those people I would place in the 30 - 45 years bracket.
It's a great idea.
I guess the question I guess is... how?
You could post a link on one of the Facebook fan pages but I doubt it would get past the admin of those pages.
We could set up our own Facebook page which would link to anyone searching for a Carlton fan page or forum and from there back to this site....we would lose a bit of personal anonymity. The plus there would be a useful back-up when the CSC site struck trouble. The problem with that is that I think the name 'Carlton Supporters Club' has already been taken.
Others more familiar with the social media the young-uns use may have some ideas for advertising on those platforms.
One idea that was suggested in the past was that we print out some business cards with the site's web address and hand them out to anyone wearing Carlton gear at the games. You'd get a pretty good coverage in an afternoon. It could be done on a home PC.
Apart from that we're probably a bit limited as to advertising options.
It's a great idea.
I guess the question I guess is... how?
You could post a link on one of the Facebook fan pages but I doubt it would get past the admin of those pages.
We could set up our own Facebook page which would link to anyone searching for a Carlton fan page or forum and from there back to this site....we would lose a bit of personal anonymity. The plus there would be a useful back-up when the CSC site struck trouble. The problem with that is that I think the name 'Carlton Supporters Club' has already been taken.
Others more familiar with the social media the young-uns use may have some ideas for advertising on those platforms.
One idea that was suggested in the past was that we print out some business cards with the site's web address and hand them out to anyone wearing Carlton gear at the games. You'd get a pretty good coverage in an afternoon. It could be done on a home PC.
Apart from that we're probably a bit limited as to advertising options.
I just did a quick fb search and “Carlton blues supporters club” is there, but our name appears available…
I suspect most of CSC members here, would prefer some type of fb real estate that guided posters/readers back here (as opposed to focusing discussion in a fb group ) ?
So possibly publishing effectively a link and headline to threads back here ?
We now have a Facebook group 😎
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2003905929941294/?ref=share_group_link
I don’t know how to, but I’d envisage posting links to individual CSC Forum posts and hopefully getting some traffic to come here.
People here who are adverse to having their real names known would have no need to use the Facebook side.
Some people will only post/comment on Facebook and that’s ok.
What I’ve done is purely a “beta” it can be promoted, canned and/or I’m happy to add or hand over admin rights.
Robblues has suggested that admin/mods of CSC should send out a group email to the member database asking them to come back or a survey about why they do/don’t post anymore.
A penny for your thoughts please…
Robblues has been lured out of forum retirement, almost…
He’s trying, but is unable to log in with his new password, can anyone help here ?
Probably just need to check that the admin/mods on here are OK with this process.
If they are, they should probably be included as admin on the facebook site on the understanding that their profiles will probably be public.
The page's purpose should primarily be to promote and direct to this site.
Links, announcements interesting topics on the forums can be referenced.
We want it to add to the conversation on here not diminish traffic.
Let's treat it as a work in progress for the moment and nut out any issues.
There might be some problems we haven't foreseen.
Robblues has been lured out of forum retirement, almost…
He’s trying, but is unable to log in with his new password, can anyone help here ?
Rob is showing up as active in the last 60 minutes.
Rob is showing up as active in the last 60 minutes.
Thanks Lods, Robblues a great bloke but not the sharpest tool in the shed… 😇🤣🤣
Probably just need to check that the admin/mods on here are OK with this process.
If they are, they should probably be included as admin on the facebook site on the understanding that their profiles will probably be public.
The page's purpose should primarily be to promote and direct to this site.
Links, announcements interesting topics on the forums can be referenced.
We want it to add to the conversation on here not diminish traffic.
Let's treat it as a work in progress for the moment and nut out any issues.
There might be some problems we haven't foreseen.
Yes to all of the above Lods.
It was more a matter of grabbing (securing) the fb name there and then.
Yes to all of the above Lods.
It was more a matter of grabbing (securing) the fb name there and then.
Yep
That makes sense to lock the name in.
We can then thrash out any problems folks might see.
In the mean-time it might be interesting to see if any Carlton tragics find the page and register.
I added Rob and he added a mate, so there’s 3 of us at the moment… 🙄🤣
Everyone else will need to follow the link above or search fb, even you Lods 👍🏼🤣
Just joined and approval has come through.
For anyone interested, on fb I go by the username of Glenn Grant 😎 and for the moment are the sole admin of CSC fb group.
The desired anonymity of some people here is understandable but sort of antiquated nowadays in my opinion.
I’m a member of several fb groups and pages and the “identities” of other members of those groups who are often spread all over the world, is frankly of no interest to anyone.
Fb does allow you to effectively close your profile to anyone who you are not a friend of, so people can read your words in relation to CSC on fb, but not see your private life (cat pics, last nights dinner etc… 🙄)
In the past we’ve had posters who have held official and volunteer roles at CFC, who have felt they couldn’t have contributed to CSC without their anonymity.
This way they still can as they don’t NEED to join or post to the fb side.
For people who use fb, the CSC fb will be a prompt to visit the forum, they’ll have the ability to comment on fb and or to visit the forum.
Thanks to Glenn for setting things up
I'm just holding off for the minute.
The main reason is I want to hear from the CSC mods and admin that they're comfortable with the addition of the facebook page.
I'm also keen to see in the next week or two how effective the move is in attracting new members.
I have no problem with the anonymity side of things.
There is no pressure for existing members to join the facebook page anyway as the only real benefit would be if there were crashes on the main site.
They're already rusted on.
Will it be effective?
Will that traffic flow through to the main site?
Will we have a group that never progress past the FB page?
Will some existing members find that they increasingly prefer the facebook site?
The aim is to attract new folks to the main forum.
We don't want to create an alternative CSC.
Now it's probably worth mentioning that our main rival "TalkingCarlton" runs both a Facebook page and a twitter account without any apparent detriment to their main site.
It can work.
We post a photo, news story or thread idea on the Facebook page and then a "comment" or "join the discussion on the forum" link back to the main site.
I think that Lods has summed up the situation very well, although I’m not sure whether the moderators’ views are particularly relevant. BBB may have something to say though.
I guess it comes down to whether folk are comfortable with Facebook and giving up the anonymity that CSC affords.
Lods’ point about the FB page complementing CSC rather than becoming an alternative is worth bearing in mind. Should membership of the FB page be limited to CSC forum members?
I suspect not, but it would be worth asking folk wanting to join the page if they are members.
Looking forward to hearing other opinions.
Thanks to Glenn for setting things up
I'm just holding off for the minute.
The main reason is I want to hear from the CSC mods and admin that they're comfortable with the addition of the facebook page.
I'm also keen to see in the next week or two how effective the move is in attracting new members.
I have no problem with the anonymity side of things.
There is no pressure for existing members to join the facebook page anyway as the only real benefit would be if there were crashes on the main site.
They're already rusted on.
Will it be effective?
Will that traffic flow through to the main site?
Will we have a group that never progress past the FB page?
Will some existing members find that they increasingly prefer the facebook site?
The aim is to attract new folks to the main forum.
We don't want to create an alternative CSC.
Now it's probably worth mentioning that our main rival "TalkingCarlton" runs both a Facebook page and a twitter account without any apparent detriment to their main site.
It can work.
We post a photo, news story or thread idea on the Facebook page and then a "comment" or "join the discussion on the forum" link back to the main site.
Yes again Lods.
Personally I don’t twit or insta.
Thanks for splitting this off into its own thread too 👍🏼
I think that Lods has summed up the situation very well, although I’m not sure whether the moderators’ views are particularly relevant. BBB may have something to say though.
I guess it comes down to whether folk are comfortable with Facebook and giving up the anonymity that CSC affords.
Lods’ point about the FB page complementing CSC rather than becoming an alternative is worth bearing in mind. Should membership of the FB page be limited to CSC forum members?
I suspect not, but it would be worth asking folk wanting to join the page if they are members.
Looking forward to hearing other opinions.
I’ve set the fb page so that anyone can find and read it, but only group members can post in it, that should reduce the numbers of undesirables.
Personally if we were to make the fb group totally private it would simply become a mirror of here and in my opinion we want to expand our membership/readership/contributors.
Not to over stress the point, but
@Baggers in his post on the fb group this morning has utilised a fb function and posted as a “Group Member” ie anonymously.
He then chose to give his first name and CSC Forum username.
I’ve set the fb page so that anyone can find and read it, but only group members can post in it, that should reduce the numbers of undesirables.
Personally if we were to make the fb group totally private it would simply become a mirror of here and in my opinion we want to expand our membership/readership/contributors.
I'm not a big FB fan, used it a little bit but it's overflowing with norbits who want to do nothing more than throw rocks.
@northernblue When I visit FB I tend to read and not post, that being the case if there are others like myself can visitors to the CSC FB group see a link to this site without needing to sign up to the group first?
Personally, I see the privacy options of FB as often hijacked by bait and switch tactics, the few times I did sign up to the group I was immediately bombarded with spam and spyware, so I rarely do so anymore.
NB
I've just done a Facebook search.
The page doesn't show up yet on a search for 'Carlton' or 'Carlton Football'.
It does show up as number 4 when you search for 'Carlton Supporters'.
The folks we're looking to attract would probably start with one of the first two.
I'm wondering... are there any tags we could access to raise that profile.
I'm not a big FB fan, used it a little bit but it's overflowing with norbits who want to do nothing more than throw rocks.
@northernblue When I visit FB I tend to read and not post, that being the case if there are others like myself can visitors to the CSC FB group see a link to this site without needing to sign up to the group first?
Personally, I see the privacy options of FB as often hijacked by bait and switch tactics, the few times I did sign up to the group I was immediately bombarded with spam and spyware, so I rarely do so anymore.
At present I believe you can see a link to CSC Forum, could I ask you to visit fb, search Carlton Supporters Club and report what you can see ? (as someone who is not logged into fb)
Yes again Lods.
Personally I don’t twit or insta.
Thanks for splitting this off into its own thread too 👍🏼
I'm not sure who split the thread....but it was a good move.
I'm no longer a mod on here.
I've lost my powers. :'(
NB
I've just done a Facebook search.
The page doesn't show up yet on a search for 'Carlton' or 'Carlton Football'.
It does show up as number 4 when you search for 'Carlton Supporters'.
The folks we're looking to attract would probably start with one of the first two.
I'm wondering... are there any tags we could access to raise that profile.
I'm guessing there are some tags we can throw in but I cant say I know a whole lot about it... same as the linking of CSC Forum threads to the fb group, I know it can be done but not how. :D
The whole purpose of what I've done was to have a small thing to initially demonstrate something that is new and somewhat fear or dislike inducing to some.
I'm not sure who split the thread....but it was a good move.
I'm no longer a mod on here.
I've lost my powers. :'(
Never Lods, you think things and some of us tremble
At present I believe you can see a link to CSC Forum, could I ask you to visit fb, search Carlton Supporters Club and report what you can see ? (as someone who is not logged into fb)
The link probably needs to be more prominent
At the moment it is in the "About" section...but you need to press the "see more" for it to become visible.
The link probably needs to be more prominent
At the moment it is in the "About" section...but you need to press the "see more" for it to become visible.
Ive pinned the CSC Forum link in a new post with some tags
I've just had a look at the TC facebook page.
It's been basically inactive for 12 months whereas their twitter page is much more current.
It may have been a deliberate move to the other platform. Interesting though that at one time it had 1.4k likes and followers...surely they gained some new members from that figure.
It's worth a trial, given the unstable nature of our site at present, and at least we can keep folks informed if the site goes down.
It's also probably worth stressing again that we face two issues- growing the forum, and the long term viability and maintenance....and we shouldn't lose sight of the second.
I've just had a look at the TC facebook page.
It's been basically inactive for 12 months whereas their twitter page is much more current.
It may have been a deliberate move to the other platform. Interesting though that at one time it had 1.4k likes and followers...surely they gained some new members from that figure.
It's worth a trial, given the unstable nature of our site at present, and at least we can keep folks informed if the site goes down.
It's also probably worth stressing again that we face two issues growing the forum, and the long term viability and maintenance....and we shouldn't lose sight of the second.
That would likely point to a lone member moderating the fb page and stopping for whatever reason and also the potential decline of fb as a platform.
Personally I'm really only on fb because of my wifes family, my older family dont use fb anymore for a variety of reasons.
That said fb and similar sites can still help us to regenerate our membership base.
NB
Are you able to edit the page so the CSC link is prominent in the top corner like the TC one
https://www.facebook.com/TalkingCarlton/
NB
Are you able to edit the page so the CSC link is prominent in the top corner like the TC one
https://www.facebook.com/TalkingCarlton/
At present that’s beyond my skill/paygrade Lods 😎
After logging out of fb and doing a google search, the fb page shows us as about 4th listing behind our forum, so if someone looks for us, they will find us.
EDIT: No it doesn't, MY Firefox browser lists the fb CSC, as LP points out below, thats likely an indexing thing which will correct over time.
Visiting the fb page without logging in to fb shows our CSC logo and the “about this group” yarda, yarda, it lists the forum address and states the fb privacy settings, membership total, activity and group rules.
I suspect that TC may be using some sort of “theme” page design, we can probably emulate it if we want. Or we could probably replace the name of the group from “Carlton Supporters Club” to “www.carltonsc.com”
At present I believe you can see a link to CSC Forum, could I ask you to visit fb, search Carlton Supporters Club and report what you can see ? (as someone who is not logged into fb)
Following the link opens the page, but it's not appearing in FB or Google searches.
Without being logged into FB I tried an advanced Google search, but it doesn't show up yet so it is probably not yet indexed by Google. site:facebook.com Carlton Supporters Group (https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Awww.facebook.com+%22Carlton+Supporters+Group%22&sxsrf=AJOqlzXym_kkSskGT6wFhP-bwY3BXZFoUA%3A1674531550854&ei=3lLPY9fnM_2TseMP_cWsoA8&ved=0ahUKEwjXzoOSpN_8AhX9SWwGHf0iC_QQ4dUDCA8&uact=5&oq=site%3Awww.facebook.com+%22Carlton+Supporters+Group%22&gs_lcp=Cgxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAQA0oECEEYAUoECEYYAFAAWABg7hZoAXAAeACAAQCIAQCSAQCYAQDAAQE&sclient=gws-wiz-serp)
Of course there is a bunch of other FB Groups using the same basic name, not sure that helps.
We now have a Facebook group 😎
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2003905929941294/?ref=share_group_link
I don’t know how to, but I’d envisage posting links to individual CSC Forum posts and hopefully getting some traffic to come here.
People here who are adverse to having their real names known would have no need to use the Facebook side.
Some people will only post/comment on Facebook and that’s ok.
What I’ve done is purely a “beta” it can be promoted, canned and/or I’m happy to add or hand over admin rights.
Robblues has suggested that admin/mods of CSC should send out a group email to the member database asking them to come back or a survey about why they do/don’t post anymore.
A penny for your thoughts please…
Onya NB
Are we trying to get people here on FB?
Or are we trying to attract people to here from FB?
Following the link opens the page, but it's not appearing in FB or Google searches.
Without being logged into FB I tried an advanced Google search, but it doesn't show up yet so it is probably not yet indexed by Google. site:facebook.com Carlton Supporters Group (https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Awww.facebook.com+%22Carlton+Supporters+Group%22&sxsrf=AJOqlzXym_kkSskGT6wFhP-bwY3BXZFoUA%3A1674531550854&ei=3lLPY9fnM_2TseMP_cWsoA8&ved=0ahUKEwjXzoOSpN_8AhX9SWwGHf0iC_QQ4dUDCA8&uact=5&oq=site%3Awww.facebook.com+%22Carlton+Supporters+Group%22&gs_lcp=Cgxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAQA0oECEEYAUoECEYYAFAAWABg7hZoAXAAeACAAQCIAQCSAQCYAQDAAQE&sclient=gws-wiz-serp)
Of course there is a bunch of other FB Groups using the same basic name, not sure that helps.
You are correct about the google search, see my edit in the previous post.
Did you try a search from within fb
@LP ?
Are we trying to get people here on FB?
Or are we trying to attract people to here from FB?
There to here is the current thought process Krudds
I joined FB in 2010 because my 4WD club used it as their major communication tool. I was reluctant at first but it worked quite well. Now even my RSL has its own FB page.
I haven’t had any issues but I always ignore friend requests from young ladies with improbable names and even more improbable physiques 🙂
Not mentioning the name of the previous POTUS is another good way to avoid problems.
Apart from that, you have to watch what you say or you will be in FB gaol. CSC is far more liberal in language and topics 🙂
It will be interesting to see how the FB page goes and whether it generates more interest in our forum 🤔
Are we trying to get people here on FB?
Or are we trying to attract people to here from FB?
I'd say the aim is to attract people here "through" facebook.
People searching for a Carlton fan page to join do a search...we show up as one of the options.
They join the Facebook page.
Once there they follow the link to the forum.
The problem at the moment is there are heaps of such sites.
We do show up if you search for "Carlton supporters" on facebook
If you do a Bing search "Carlton Supporters facebook" we're number 2 behind the clubs official facebook page.
Google- nothing as yet, 'crickets' at the moment.
I guess the first measure of success will be if we get a member on the facebook page who comes to it of their own accord and is not already a member or friend of a member of CSC.
You are correct about the google search, see my edit in the previous post.
Did you try a search from within fb @LP ?
Logged into FB I put Carlton Supporters Group in the FB search field but the site isn't one of the results.
However, one problem with FB is that search results and notifications are subject to the algorithm, so finding stuff isn't as straight forward.
I just informed a former prolific poster here about the FB page and her response was 'Great, I'll join it now!" Then she couldn't find the page ::)
I sent her the link and she's awaiting approval. It would be good if it entices her back here :)
I guess the first measure of success will be if we get a member on the facebook page who comes to it of their own accord and is not already a member or friend of a member of CSC.
There is at least one long lost former CSC member who has joined the fb group, so its a start.
DJC strikes again ! :D
I think it's quite specific until the algorithms catch up.
It's just 'Carlton Supporters Club' for now.
Do that search in Facebook and we're the 2nd one down at present.
I think it's quite specific until the algorithms catch up.
It's just 'Carlton Supporters Club' for now.
Do that search in Facebook and we're the 2nd one down at present.
Thats what I'm seeing too, but i'm the admin, so i'd guess I can't hide from the algorithms, and if you've visited prior to doing your search it'll have you pegged too Lods.
We've got 9 members now, i suspect every member will increase our "searchablility"
IT also shows you information based on your cookies so everyone might get different results if they come here a lot or a little.
As an aside, this is another way to hit up members who may want to become part of the forum:
https://www.carltonfc.com.au/fans/groups/
Clicking the tab for each state might get you in touch with people who are in touch with fans, and help swell the numbers.
It's also probably worth stressing again that we face two issues- growing the forum, and the long term viability and maintenance....and we shouldn't lose sight of the second.
If we attract new members, we may also get a greater spread of skill base and thus potential technical people to assist. Perhaps also post out onto some IT / programming forums "are you interested in the Carlton Football Club - we have an opportunity for you" etc. Encourage them to tell their friends. One tells ten etc.
Without wanting to sound elitist or toff, the ONLY problem I see with a FB page is if it attracts the DH contingent of the rank and file supporters. Some of the stuff I have seen on some supporter Facebook pages ranges from irrational to down right abhorrent. Our site vets and moderates stuff extremely well, not sure how well it will work on FB. Perhaps I have this all wrong.
Without wanting to sound elitist or toff, the ONLY problem I see with a FB page is if it attracts the DH contingent of the rank and file supporters. Some of the stuff I have seen on some supporter Facebook pages ranges from irrational to down right abhorrent. Our site vets and moderates stuff extremely well, not sure how well it will work on FB. Perhaps I have this all wrong.
Its a reasonable concern GTC.
Its reasonable to assume that an increase in contributors will require an increase of Mod input, sadly thats just human nature but with more traffic we'll have more applicants for Mod positions, hopefully...
Good points G2C, but it’s fairly easy to control a members only page.
One of our local community pages is set up so that inflammatory and aggressive language is not possible. I tried to post a response today with the phrase “entitled twat” and I got a polite message informing me that my post didn’t meet community standards. Suitably chastened, I changed it to “entitled person” 😇
As long as the page rules are clear, members have to toe the line or get banished.
Good points G2C, but it’s fairly easy to control a members only page.
One of our local community pages is set up so that inflammatory and aggressive language is not possible. I tried to post a response today with the phrase “entitled twat” and I got a polite message informing me that my post didn’t meet community standards. Suitably chastened, I changed it to “entitled person” 😇
As long as the page rules are clear, members have to toe the line or get banished.
I got a 30 day holiday on fb after my sister put up a post on her page about her hubby finding a snake in their couch in the living room of their Townsville house, my comment "Burn the place down"
Fb did explain that there was an international panel who i could appeal to if i so wished and showed a pic and gave a profile of each, a Sri Lankan woman, a Belgian man etc... I just took the holiday... :D
We probably all have slightly different ideas about how this will work
I'm kind of envisaging the Facebook page as a bit of a 'portal' into the magical world of CSC.
If a 'ratbag' survives the 'preliminaries' of the Facebook page he'll get knocked for six in the finals when he gets to the full forum.
I see the Facebook page as filling these kind of functions.
-a linking page to the full forum
-a place for short discussions
-an emergency site for times when the main site has an issue
- a bit of a social page where folks can organise things like catch-ups before and during games.
I'm seeing it as an extension to the main site rather than an alternative.
Think of it as two rooms of the same house.
To me, if we want to attract people to this site, we offer them snippets of something with a 'Click here for more....' type scenario.
Once you get people coming here, they can see what else we have here.
What would inspire people to 'click here for more'? Thats the million dollar question.
If possible, if we could get some interviews with players/coaches/whoever, that would be worth a view.
Other ideas would be....If we post a snapshot of a (somewhat?) controversial topic, people would follow.
Some interesting stats....
Some random trivia questions....
Something that piques peoples interest and they have to know more.
In short, clickbait.
To me, if we want to attract people to this site, we offer them snippets of something with a 'Click here for more....' type scenario.
Once you get people coming here, they can see what else we have here.
What would inspire people to 'click here for more'? Thats the million dollar question.
If possible, if we could get some interviews with players/coaches/whoever, that would be worth a view.
Other ideas would be....If we post a snapshot of a (somewhat?) controversial topic, people would follow.
Some interesting stats....
Some random trivia questions....
Something that piques peoples interest and they have to know more.
In short, clickbait.
It doesn’t even need to be that covert Krudds.
I’m on a forum for expats living in Thailand and they use fb in much the same way as Lods suggests, they post a link to a currently topical thread (usually with a pic to grab attention) back to the site, some people post on the fb, but not many, presumably some who are members of the forum will be prompted to go to the forum and post.
People who aren’t members of that forum, if they search fb for Thailand will find the fb group and (the admins hope) follow the link and become members of the forum.
With fb there’s always the option of running an ad to try and target potential new members, I’ve never run one but I believe they are relatively cheap.
I’ve forgotten how to post pics here 🙄 but if you search fb for a group called “ASEAN now” you’ll see the sort of link, teaser, clickbait they use, it’s absolutely designed to bring traffic to the main website.
Another way to think of this is old Aunty ABC.
She has her website, but also posts articles on fb to extend her “reach” I’d imagine that’s what we want to do.
Also, as Lods has said a couple of times, what do we do at the moment if the CSC Forum crashes or gets hacked ?
How do you contact
@Spanner or
@LordLucifer to say there’s a problem ?
I attempted to contact Krudds and Lods last week (but ballsed it up 🙄)
But if the site goes down what do we do… sit and wait for God ?
If we progress this fb group, we then have a backup way of communicating and alerting those in power of whatever problem may befall us and as long as no one try’s to sell their dog or cat the fb group is always up and running, maintenance free from us.
Zwarry has invited several old CSCers to join the FB page 🙂
Our challenge is to entice them back here 🤔
Zwarry has invited several old CSCers to join the FB page 🙂
Our challenge is to entice them back here 🤔
And that’s part of everything.
If we keep doing exactly what we have been doing (no new active members) then the site will be a historical curio until the hosting credits run out and then it’s gone forever.
In order to attract new members and keep them engaged we need to (are trying) new things and maybe ol CSC will find itself slightly tweaked and different, but nothing stays the same, whatever we may think or wish.
The FB page is ticking along nicely with 13 members so far. It seems that those who no longer frequent CSC generally don't have the time or have other ways to get their navy blue quota.
I have made a post there about the "What do you want to see from [insert player's name] in season 2023?" in the hope of enticing people back to the site. It would be good if those of us who are on FB could make a post there whenever a new thread is started here, but keep it to footy topics :)
The FB page is ticking along nicely with 13 members so far. It seems that those who no longer frequent CSC generally don't have the time or have other ways to get their navy blue quota.
I have made a post there about the "What do you want to see from [insert player's name] in season 2023?" in the hope of enticing people back to the site. It would be good if those of us who are on FB could make a post there whenever a new thread is started here, but keep it to footy topics :)
Perhaps if we also arrange, from time to time in each of the major cities, get-togethers a few times during the season (before or after a game) and invite members of the CSC and FB page to attend if they can, and bring some Blues supporter friends along as well (as an introduction and invitation to join either or both)?
By its nature I think that the Facebook page probably lends itself more to those social interactions (organising catchups etc.)
In the past these things have usually been done in here through PM's.
FB seems to be a place where 'numpties' gather to hash out the same things ad-nauseum, I'm yet to see any genuine discussion or debate.
Whilst running a forum like this is not an easy task, I feel that there are way more benefits to the members by having one. Naturally, an injection of new blood wouldn't go astray as they normally bring a different perspective on things with them.
I look at a lot of other forums and they have all descended into crisis with over-zealous mods selectively applying the rules, fan-boi discussions (don't ever be critical of any player or the club) and a lack of creativity from the posters themselves.
If everyone was tasked with creating one new thread a week, there would (or should) be a bucketload of things to discuss plus it should appeal more to outsiders and hopefully entice them to join.
Its not time to throw the baby out with the bathwater just yet even though the potential for technical issues to get in the way do worry me.
By the way, there must be at least 15-20 Carlton-based FB pages out there and by creating more all that people are doing is plintering the target market into smaller groups.
If there was a way to corral them all into the one spot then maybe it might work but clearly, that is not going to happen.
I see the addition of the Facebook aspect as having two primary functions.
1) An emergency site we can go to for information or to continue discussion in the event the main forum goes down.
2) A conduit for attracting new members to the main site. The threads on the Facebook site all link back to the discussion on the main forums, it comes with a message... "to see what others think click this link"
The aim is not to compete with the other Facebook pages but to use that format to link here.
Already we have at least three, one time prolific posters, who have joined the Facebook page. These are folk who are no longer active here.
The test will be... having come "part of the way" will they make the transition to the main forum.
Think of the Facebook page not as an alternative to this place, but as a doorway to the main forum.
Of course the real test will be if the members of the Facebook page become active on the main forum.
That doesn't seem to be happening as yet, but wait a bit and see.
I no longer have access to some of the statistical information I had as a mod but a look at the forum index tells me that our last new member registered back in August last year.
Is that right?
If so, that is 'Tombstone Territory'
But the Facebook page is only one idea.
Anything to attract new members is worth a try.
Creating new threads is one idea, but folks have to find the place first.
In respect of that I'd like to see that 'General Discussion' thread split again into individual topics.
At the moment a discussion starts and stalls and is overtaken by another discussion and the topic is lost.
We're at the low point of the season in terms of participation. Things will no doubt pick up as the football starts, and the impression will be that 'everything's apples', but we have a serious underlying problem that takes precedence over all these other issues and that is the future and maintenance of the site.
The supporter base on the web is being segmented, partly this is because the club itself failed to take the lead and either adopt or support sites like our own. the club was either a bit short-sighted or paranoid about liability.
Lot's of the FB sites are trying to be "exclusive" by making their content private, and if you try to cross link or promote another site they'll ban you, they are a bit full of themselves.
A smart thing for this site might have been to adopt the AFLW more whole-heartedly and become the hub for fans, post some exclusive content, etc., etc., but it would require changes to how we handle attachments and links. It's not trivial or cheap to make a site usable for short videos and functional, most kids are Insta-based, it's hard for a text based site like this to compete.
Kids don't read anymore, they watch a video about how to type a resumé! :o
Delete
I think two very pertinent posts there Lods and LP, heartening that you get it.
I'm no longer a mod on here.
I've lost my powers. :'(
They can come back you know ;-)
They can come back you know ;-)
That would be like "Lazarus with a triple bypass"...but never say never ;) :D
If a FB page was considered an effective way to generate additional traffic to this site then it would be foolhardy not to trial the idea.
However, prior to doing it, then some of the potential pitfalls need to acknowledged so that contingencies can be put in place should the existence of the FB page have a detrimental effect overall.
Added to that and this goes to the heart of why people are suggesting a FB page be created, there needs to be a dedicated recruiting campaign put in place very shortly. With the new season upon us, there is excitement & anticipation in the air and that is the best time to lure new faces in.
I would recommend that someone on the management/moderator team be tasked with coming up with a short bullet-point list of things that can be done to promote CSC overall. There may need to be the creation of a 2-3 person team who's sole role is to implement & oversee that recruiting push.
I have just gone on to FB and searched both 'CSC' & 'Carlton Supporters Club' and no page was forthcoming, however, around 8-9 other fan pages came up. :(
To that end, is a FB page going to get lost in the plethora of other options already in existence.
Is the existence of too many FB pages actually an opportunity to gather lapsed posters to a 'merged entity' and then in turn, over to here ??
Are you sure you searched fb ?
Have you read this thread ?
https://www.facebook.com/bluesnewsandviews
This page has not had any new activity since 2020 yet there are 3.3K followers to the page.
https://www.facebook.com/SirPatrickCripps
Here's another page that appears to be defunct since 2018 (given it is based around one player it shouldn't suprise anyone) but has 1.4K followers.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/956555811041972
This page is way more active and has 13,216 members.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/PassionateBluesSupporters
8,035 members and the topics discussed are all over place.
Zwarry has invited several old CSCers to join the FB page
I was looking online based on this comment.
I have just gone on to FB and searched both 'CSC' & 'Carlton Supporters Club' and no page was forthcoming, however, around 8-9 other fan pages came up. :(
To that end, is a FB page going to get lost in the plethora of other options already in existence.
Is the existence of too many FB pages actually an opportunity to gather lapsed posters to a 'merged entity' and then in turn, over to here ??
I use Bing as my search engine
CSC is the first thing that comes up when I type in Carlton supporters
But as someone mentioned before that may have something to do with the way the search engine gathers information. As I use this site a lot so it shows up for me but maybe not so much others..
Interestingly this topic on CSC shows up on the second page of my Bing search.
On facebook try entering just "Carlton Supporters".
Once again it might be the algorithm ...but it's second on the list for me.
I typed "Carlton supporters" into facebook and this one came up as 13th!
I typed "Carlton supporters" into facebook and this one came up as 13th!
I hope you joined… 😎
Hi Guys, just an update on the fb group.
There’s been pretty limited interaction and even though some old csc posters are fb members they for their own reasons don’t seem to be contributing on fb or back here as yet.
I’ve decided to “pause” our fb group and restart another group.
This new group will have a “public” profile, which I’m hoping will increase our profile/search/viewability within the fb community.
I believe the main difference between the two group settings is that the public setting allows non group members to read comments and see who the author is… of course individual fb members can choose their own privacy levels should they wish.
CSC forum posters should remember that they can join and interact with the fb group without divulging their CSC Username and for that matter could create a fb profile with their CSC username to post in the csc fb group if that was their want… 😎
*Edit:
Just to clarify, the purpose of the fb group is to direct people back to the CSC Forum.
Comment within the fb group is welcome but the CSC forum allows greater depth imho.
Cheers
https://www.facebook.com/groups/661159469158175/?ref=share_group_link
Folks
The idea of the facebook page is to encourage an increase in membership here in the main forum.
It's also a pretty useful back-up should the forum encounter some issues.
If people feel comfortable they should at least register.
As NB points out you can create a profile that doesn't identify you.
A one line comment here or there won't impact on the forum's traffic but may spark the interest of some newbies who will then gravitate to the main forum.
It's now an open public forum and an increase in participation may have an impact on the 'search' aspect.
Something that will help grow the visibility of the fb group is joining/following, even a simple like helps.
If you see a breaking story or something of interest you can share it to the group too.