I need your feedback please

[ses5909]

Something I have been planning for a while is a resources section which will include several things, but the first to launch will be WordPress themes. These themes will be Unique to TBE members and will only be available for download by TBE members. I have a few that are ready to go and when I finish the display page, I will launch this feature.

The goal in all of this is to add value to your membership and to thank you for your contribution here. I think both are important in growing a community.

I wanted the themes to only be available to people who have a certain amount of posts and wanted to get your opinion on this. Since this is me giving back to you guys I don't want someone to be able to register just to download a theme. So I'm trying to find a balance where if someone new comes and is enticed into the community because they would like these themes, the fact that they need to post x times doesn't scare them away but also something that is still a reward to the people who really contribute here.

Can I get your thoughts on this please?

[tater03]

I think that this is a great idea. I understand where you are coming from because people will just register to get the free themes. I would say somewhere around 50 posts. I am really not to sure on the actual number. Like you said you don't want to get to high. Just a thought what about members that contribute and visit the site daily or every other day?

[samwoodfin]

I was going to say 50, also. It's sort of a nice, easy-to-remember number. And this is a great idea, Sara!

*sighs* WordPress, WordPress...

[ses5909]

I know Sam, i may have to teach myself how to do it for Blogger and MT as well some day. Unfortunately though my skills are limited to WP and since this site rakes in about $0/day I won't be paying anyone to code for those platforms.

Right now I have a level set where people get to post their avatars (at 20 posts), i wonder if I kept it at the same level? 50 could be a possibility too. It may have to be a bit of trial and error I guess. Thanks for the feedback though and I'm glad you two like the idea.

[davemcnally]

I think a nice balance needs to be found as if the post count required is so high, people won't think it's possible to reach that amount any time soon and will simply forget about it or it will be treated as some form of 'elitism'.

On the other hand, if the counts are too low, a lot of people will join and spam their way to the post count required just to download the themes and therefore, further decrease the download feature in value.

[shyflower]

I think 50 is a good number. 20 is easy to join and spam up a post count in a couple of days. I think most spammers would lose interest before 50, especially with all the available themes on WP.

[samwoodfin]

I know Sam, i may have to teach myself how to do it for Blogger and MT as well some day. Unfortunately though my skills are limited to WP and since this site rakes in about $0/day I won't be paying anyone to code for those platforms...

Honestly, you're better off just focusing on WordPress. You don't see as much demand for MT templates, and I'm going to keep my mouth shut regarding Blogger. :)

This is still a really good idea.

[Bob!]

You could easily nock up 20 posts just saying hello to people, 50 might be a bit of a pain to spam up though so might be better to go with that.

[ses5909]

Ok this should roll out either today or tomorrow. I've got some testing to do. Initially, I think I will put it at 25 posts and if it is getting abused, I will have to change it.

[Michael Martin]

It sounds like a great idea. :D

I'd suggest putting it at 20 (or 25) tbh. By the time they make 50 decent posts, they could well have lost interest in the themes. 20 is a big enough number to give them a taste of the community here.

50 is too much I think. You may force them to make a bunch of posts, but it's not going to make them any more likely to stay (It may even put them off registering in the first place). It would also be punishing the people who take the time to write a good post (Because it will take them a lot longer to hit 50 in most cases, unless they're quick).


And are you going to show previews of the themes on the site? (To entice guests to join)

[ses5909]

Thanks Michael. Yes, I will have a live preview of the theme so people can test it out. Hopefully most of the kinks have been worked out from them, but you never know until you release it to the public and they find everything you didn't see or think of. It can be quite scary!

[jMcQuarrie]

Sounds like a grand idea. 25 posts sounds reasonable, and as you said you can up the limit should the need arise.

(I now know where to come should I need any WP themes worked up ;) )