Our Facebook Group Poll

[Jamesv6]

Updated

I have noticed things are quiet on the forum. I compared forum posts for the previous quiet winter months, and this year is slightly lower than average.
Are things more quiet because more people have become garage queens awaiting values to rise further?


My personal opinion is that we could do with the more chat, pictures etc back in the forum.

The Facebook group suffers from people who don't seem able to read simple rules about buying and selling. I'm constantly being messaged by non English speaking enthusiasts asking me? for technical help.

I rarely have time to moderate that FB group.

Should we shut the Facebook group down?
Should we close the forum and club instead?

 

[Duncan]

I think the issue is that facebook has killed forums. It not just our forum, its in the web based forum format in general.

I don't think that the club should be without a facebook page, but perhaps we only need a presence, pointing in the direction of the forum, rather than somewhere that people can post?

 

[Kett]

I used to find that V6Clio.net Facebook was easier for posting pictures - but Tapatalk makes posting very easy on this Forum.

 

[Kett]

So I personally I vote to 'ditch Facebook'.

 

[Lankan]

Was never a fan of Facebook as a concept, and less so as a user, but in this day an age, like a web site, a presence on Facebook (and Twitter) is expected. A real fan of Twitter though, as one can receive, and disseminate, pertinent information at a frequency to suit one's needs.

Although I voted to 'Close our Facebook group?' Duncan's suggestion seems sensible, and a reasonable compromise.

 

[Jamesv6]

Admin only posting random stuff on the FB group might be the answer

 

[ed_harland]

I think the issue is that facebook has killed forums. It not just our forum, its in the web based forum format in general.

I don't think that the club should be without a facebook page, but perhaps we only need a presence, pointing in the direction of the forum, rather than somewhere that people can post?

:approve:

 

[GW200]

I agree with Duncan's suggestion

 

[Jamesv6]

Forum chat doesn't seem popular, but the idea of keeping just a shop window on FBook is certainly a hit.

 

[Ben123]

Fully agree with the general consensus.

FaceBook should and does I'm sure act as a good shop window, but of course we really want people joining up here, not for the whole forum 'concept' to transfer over to Facebook, which would be a real shame and a step backwards.

So James, I think a Facebook page; with non admin posts disabled, but frequent-ish updates from admin team is way to go. [emoji106]

 

[® Andy]

Yep ... for me a FB page for most organizations is really little more than an advert and opportunity for people to like it show their allegiance to the group to other friends on FB.

 

[rustedandrotten]

Not a lover of Facebook or any other web based system where security is a major issue, I agree with the sentiments above, make it public with no interaction other than 'like page' icon and set a direct link to the forum where control is potentially better plus James might get a bit more revenue for the club :approve: :rofl:

 

[MarkK]

I go onto 4 forums and 4 or 5 Facebook groups, and whilst some of the Facebook groups have done-in the club forums, other groups are just about dead whilst the forum is really active.

There's one common theme for a forum or a Facebook group to be successful, and that seems to be to have a core of 4 or 5 individuals who keep it going, when it's busy and especially when it goes quiet. Sadly, that core doesn't seem to be here any more, and it sometimes seems that it's only James who is trying to keep the plates spinning.

It's a tough one to be prescriptive about, and nobody can make anybody develop or share enthusiasm, but I suggest that the core in the past has been pretty much you guys who have responded to James' request on this topic.

Tough love!

 

[Williams]

..........................

There's one common theme for a forum or a Facebook group to be successful, and that seems to be to have a core of 4 or 5 individuals who keep it going, when it's busy and especially when it goes quiet. Sadly, that core doesn't seem to be here any more, and it sometimes seems that it's only James who is trying to keep the plates spinning.

It's a tough one to be prescriptive about, and nobody can make anybody develop or share enthusiasm, but I suggest that the core in the past has been pretty much you guys who have responded to James' request on this topic.

Tough love!

Almost hit the nail on the head there Mark. You've only to look at the post count of active members and wonder why they post less. :salut:

 

[GPH]

I looked at the Facebook page once and visit Facebook a couple of times a month so no idea what youre talking about. this is the only place I post.

 

[Jamesv6]

To be honest I tend to just work on the forum in the background making sure it works for those who need it. There always comes a time in club forums when the old timers become less active online.

A couple of club members on Facebook asked why the group had changed, I referred them back to the forum to read this "old" poll.

Club member numbers have been steady and I've noticed a marked change that the newer members are certainly not as chatty on the forum as the old crew were. Possibly this is due to having much more information easily available in the Knowedge base and via searching the forum, that they don't need to ask and chat?

On a positive note, I was very pleased last summer to meet many new club members at the shows, many of them have very few forum posts, but admitted they use the forum regularly.

 

[Williams]

Ofcourse the value of the cars has messed it up a bit too, with some folk choosing their club meets so as to keep mileage down. I'd put my hand up as guilty to that. I'm just glad that I was able to participate in countless trips and meets during ownership of both my v6's and add plenty of miles and smiles in the process..!

I'm feel extremely greatful and honoured to have met some fantastic people through membership of this club, and indeed still in contact with so many.
Newer members are probably unaware of the degree of camaraderie that existed in the early days, and the incredibly close nit community that was far wider spread than it is now. I hope it picks up again soon, and I hope event leaders and their helpers involved in organising meets and events are shown the appreciation, encouragement and support they deserve.

As said before, I think FB can be a great tool acting as a shop window for forums.. Not having a 'shop window' in my opinion would be a step backwards for the club.

 

[ColinG]

I don't have Facebook (or a V6 anymore) so can't comment on that aspect, but I still check the forum a few times a week. I had noticed that it has become extremely quiet on here lately, and even in the last year+

I think a few of us were spoiled on here back in 2005-2009 when it was absolutely brilliant, some of the topics were genuinely hilarious and the banter never stopped.
This is why I still pay my annual £12 to be a member of Cliosport, as the other Marques section and general chat is just superb, they are also distancing themself from Facebook as far as I know.

 

[dal.a]

I use FB a lot but check in on here everyday, a few times if I have time. I don't have much input but I find it invaluable for knowledge and the help is superb.

I also pay for membership to the Cliosport Forum as it can too be helpful and I do like the chat/football and other sections.

It wouldn't affect or bother me if the FB went tbh.

 

[ed_harland]

I think i incorrectly assumed that facebook was diverting people away from the forum. It would appear that it is a spell of less active members.
I agreed with Duncam above that a facebook presence is important to direct people to the club and forum.
I think James has a good point in that there is a lot of available information here so there is less of a need to ask the question, that in itself is a huge sucess for the club and a credit to the earlier members who were happy to share information.