How do people find WAB ….

[FungiJohn]

How do people find WAB ….

I don’t want people to repeat their introduction to WAB but I was wondering recently how we can let more people know who we are. It appears most find us through Googling!

The calendar, should I hope encourage a few more people to look but I do feel tempted to approach local papers /radio stations who may have a wildlife slot.

I’ve recently had a few pictures shown on “Look North” and will now include a little something on WAB in future uploads. There’s a big temptation to suggest a storyline in time for Spring!!!

Any thoughts on how we could spread the word Or shall we leave it to Uncle Google

[Garden Carpet]

Good points there... I am sure Look North is a good way to go, along with any of the other local BBC stations. Perhaps Stuart could do an interview via phone? I found the site will trying to Id a moth.
jaki

PS.. alway felt Google was male!!!!

[leon-b]

somebody posted a link to your site from bushcraftuk.com, thats how i found it
leon

[Fagus]

Originally Posted by Garden Carpet

Good points there... I am sure Look North is a good way to go, along with any of the other local BBC stations. Perhaps Stuart could do an interview via phone? I found the site will trying to Id a moth.
jaki

PS.. alway felt Google was male!!!!

If only you could get a mention on "The Archers" or similar.

There are a few good programmes on Radio that im sure would be interested.

[AlphaZeroOne]

I found it through sheer luck and I have been as happy as a pig in muck all day! What a brilliant site - much too good for people to just happen on it. Do you not have connections with all the national wildlife trusts etc? Have you considered some sort of sponsorship with the national conservation bodies or educational trusts. What are the stated aims for the site and do you have any success stories to talk about that might be of interest to the media. One thing for sure; a site as good as this, people need to know about.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by AlphaZeroOne

I found it through sheer luck and I have been as happy as a pig in muck all day! What a brilliant site - much too good for people to just happen on it. Do you not have connections with all the national wildlife trusts etc? Have you considered some sort of sponsorship with the national conservation bodies or educational trusts. What are the stated aims for the site and do you have any success stories to talk about that might be of interest to the media. One thing for sure; a site as good as this, people need to know about.

thanks alpha - i think stu is aiming for the site to build organically at a steady rate (we have gone from 2000 members to 6000 plus in the last 12 months) rather than having an explosion in interest.

this managed approach enables us to build content at a manageable rate and to ensure that we have the capacity to cope with increased use - although it is brilliant to spread the word we also need to ensure that we dont grow so fast that things get unmanageable - for instance we have to have enough moderators and editors to keep the forum and gallery in good order.

as to our stated aims check out the about wab link from the front page (i think). we also have a markwetting group that anyone can join if they want to get involved in promoting the site - check this out in the wab groups area.

[rlchew]

I can not remember how I found WAB. I think it must have been via Google but I sure am glad that I stumbled across it .

I think that eeyore's points about managed expansion are spot on. WAB is growing steadily but we must not forget the amount of work that has to go on behind the scenes to maintain the website that we all enjoy.

I am sure that the WAB calendar and any projects that may arise during 2007 will bring new members and hopefully the links on my websites and my word of mouth recommendations will also point a few in the right direction.

All those wildlife enthusiasts out there who have yet to discover WAB do not know what they are missing. Please form an orderly queue ....

Richard

[AlphaZeroOne]

Originally Posted by eeyore

thanks alpha - i think stu is aiming for the site to build organically at a steady rate (we have gone from 2000 members to 6000 plus in the last 12 months) rather than having an explosion in interest.

this managed approach enables us to build content at a manageable rate and to ensure that we have the capacity to cope with increased use - although it is brilliant to spread the word we also need to ensure that we dont grow so fast that things get unmanageable - for instance we have to have enough moderators and editors to keep the forum and gallery in good order.

as to our stated aims check out the about wab link from the front page (i think). we also have a markwetting group that anyone can join if they want to get involved in promoting the site - check this out in the wab groups area.

Sure thing and points taken. I have been a member for less than 24 hours and I have to say that I am struck by the feel and quality of the site. May I congratulate all those that have put in the many hours,weeks and months of hard work into developing a site you can be proud of.

The site has a very professional feel to it and I can fully understand the need to manage it's growth. Because I am still a newbie, I feel that I can be objective (because I have not experienced any history of the site) and say that WAB is a prime example of what is good about the internet - a petunia in an onion patch - and part of me would want to spread the word as quickly as possible and the other (more selfish) wouldn't. Managing success is never easy!

[aeshna5]

I found site c6 months ago while surfing round web + really enjoy exchange of info + there are some good characters on here.

Possibly links could be made with the Wildlife Trusts, local natural history societies, etc in future.

Good luck to site in 2007!

[cannylad]

I did a Google search for Wildlife forums this was the pick of the bunch for me as it concentrated on British wildlife.

brian.

[Boddie]

I was looking through old threads recently and found this one which amused me.

800 members

That was February of this year.

In June 2005 , at a time we had less than 400 members, I appeared on National Radio and spoke about the site and as a result we had 264 users online, a record for WAB. I just spoke about the site and mentioned its aims and what a fun place it was. The second highest figure was when Tinkerbell appeared on Radio York last Christmas, so it just goes to show what can be achieved.

[jonny.go.go]

Hi

I found WAB while googling also. As far as promoting the site why not follow up the calendar with a screensaver which could consist of a slideshow ( obviously with WAB info included )from the excellent photos in the gallery. It may be possible to enable live updating so the screensaver could change as new photos are posted or change with the seasons etc.. Computer magazines / National newspapers are frequently giving away cd / dvd freebies getting a screensaver on some of these may not be too difficult as WAB is a registered charity and is obviously a professional site. A nominal fee for photo updates might be possible as a bonus. If this does not fit with the business plan I wont be offended by negative replies, but I am willing to help in any way if there is any potential.

Anyway hope everyone had a great Xmas and wish you all a Happy New Year


Jonny

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Boddie

I was looking through old threads recently and found this one which amused me.

800 members

That was February of this year.

In June 2006 , at a time we had less than 400 members, I appeared on National Radio and spoke about the site and as a result we had 264 users online, a record for WAB. I just spoke about the site and mentioned its aims and what a fun place it was. The second highest figure was when Tinkerbell appeared on Radio York last Christmas, so it just goes to show what can be achieved.

i think you mean june 2005, mate

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by eeyore

i think you mean june 2005, mate

Thats what I said

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by jonny.go.go

Hi

I found WAB while googling also. As far as promoting the site why not follow up the calendar with a screensaver which could consist of a slideshow ( obviously with WAB info included )from the excellent photos in the gallery. It may be possible to enable live updating so the screensaver could change as new photos are posted or change with the seasons etc.. Computer magazines / National newspapers are frequently giving away cd / dvd freebies getting a screensaver on some of these may not be too difficult as WAB is a registered charity and is obviously a professional site. A nominal fee for photo updates might be possible as a bonus. If this does not fit with the business plan I wont be offended by negative replies, but I am willing to help in any way if there is any potential.

Anyway hope everyone had a great Xmas and wish you all a Happy New Year


Jonny

I like the sound of the screensaver. Great idea Jonny.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by jonny.go.go

Hi

I found WAB while googling also. As far as promoting the site why not follow up the calendar with a screensaver which could consist of a slideshow ( obviously with WAB info included )from the excellent photos in the gallery. It may be possible to enable live updating so the screensaver could change as new photos are posted or change with the seasons etc.. Computer magazines / National newspapers are frequently giving away cd / dvd freebies getting a screensaver on some of these may not be too difficult as WAB is a registered charity and is obviously a professional site. A nominal fee for photo updates might be possible as a bonus. If this does not fit with the business plan I wont be offended by negative replies, but I am willing to help in any way if there is any potential.

Anyway hope everyone had a great Xmas and wish you all a Happy New Year


Jonny

great minds jonny - ive been working on a wab screensaver since october last year, slight hiatus due to changing jobs and the death of my computer (overclocking is a bad thing )
but i should have a draft one done for stu etc to look at by arround the end of january.

the only problem with screen savers is that if we were offering .exe files for download to peoples machines (or on CD) there would be some liability issues and we might need "cyber insurance" to cover this.

re your offer of help on this I have sent you a pm

[Adey]

I found WAB searching google for information on British trees. My experience of forums and information sites is that they mature naturally. The BBC are knocking up a new nature messageboard, so perhaps a few mentions on there when it is active. I don't think links are allowed, but we can talk about WAB

[nightshade]

The clever and the curious seem to find WAB ,it ensures a steady growth
of interested and interesting people.
I cannot remember exactly how I got here (this happens to me more and more )but I think it must have been the photography which has gone from strength to strength
I did not join in the early stages but must be among the first 1000
I really should volunteer for something,gallery(I love it)Moderator or somethingbut apathy is setting in

[Wild-Woman]

As far as I can remember, I saw Stu's website through a well know website and messageboard, which is no more now. What a stroke of luck that the link brought me here.
It was a breath of fresh air.
That was nearly 11 months ago now. I'm still here,as you can see, so I think I'll stick around infect you all with my sense of humour. (Not really) Love this site to bits.
Jules

[honeybee]

I found it by accident, I put "wildlife" something or other in google and it came up and it seemed really good so I joined

[PMG]

I fell into it at work (Pennington Flash) by speaking to Greg and Barbara whilst they were photographing in our feeding station! I now routinely engage all folks with cameras, find out what they are interested in and tell them about WAB! As far as I'm concerned its the best thing since sliced bread - to be among a huge gang of wildlife photographers just tickles me pink! But I really do need to get myself sorted with broadband - preff before next phonebill drops into husbands hands oops. . .

Pauline

[glsammy]

I've been here too long to remember how I found it, but boy how it's changed my life!
It's cost me thousands in cameras and equipment, travelled thousands of miles searching for this whole new world to me, provided me with loads of new contacts whio have turned into friends..never mind the hours I spend on site every week..In fact I think it IS my life!!

[Owl-Light]

I'd suggest we think ahead. The BBC no doubt will be doing another season of Springwatch soon and I'm sure they'd be pleased to post a link on their website. They only have to take a quick look at WAB to see how appropriate it would be. A co-ordinated venture between Auntie Beeb and WAB could be beneficial to both and to everyone who enjoys both too. Some kind of springtime project perhaps?

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Boddie

In June 2005 , at a time we had less than 400 members, I appeared on National Radio and spoke about the site and as a result we had 264 users online, a record for WAB. I just spoke about the site and mentioned its aims and what a fun place it was.

listening to radio 2 earlier on , they gave away a wab calendar ! - i wonder if we will have more members as a result tonight ?

[lewisa]

I found the site through google looking for a wildlife forum. At the time it wasnt too easy in coming though, i came accross several other sites before finding this one. this being the best thats where I asked my novice birder questions.

If I was the administrator of this site I wouldnt be too worried about future growth, because WAB has the holy grail of organic web marketing in its ar