Beat me up!
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Category: Producing Theater
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URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3811
Printed Date: 11/24/24 at 3:31am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Beat me up!
Posted By: davidmoon
Subject: Beat me up!
Date Posted: 2/09/09 at 1:15am
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I’m looking for a targeted opinion, and I hope you all can help. I also hope that communitytheater.org is gracious enough to allow me to post this. I would like some brutal critiques of the web site, http://www.phillygig.com/ - http://www.phillygig.com/ . It’s a pilot project of mine, and need some feedback. I’d appreciate the time you take to look, and I look forward in participating in this community. Thanks! 
------------- David Moon http://www.theatrestory.com/ - http://www.theatrestory.com/ |
Replies:
Posted By: dboris
Date Posted: 2/10/09 at 7:19am
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My initial reaction is that it takes to long to recieve registration confirmation. I signed up over 12 hours ago and have still not recieved a confirmation. The Internet is about instant gratification, if you have to wait that long to be registered a lot of people will loose interest and just move on to the next thing.
Dan
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Posted By: imamember
Date Posted: 2/10/09 at 8:31am
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I'm listing things as I hit them so I apologize if I'm being quite critical, but that's how things get better right? My confirmation came immediately. So I'm checking it out to give a proper opinion and I clicked edit profile. You might want to add text that says "Who can view" next to each pulldown. Why are you asking for contact email in the profile? Couldn't you just pull the email info from the registration? Why is there a blue bird on the light? Is that perhaps a Philly thing? Okay, hard truth time..... This probably won't work for you. There's nothing that sets it apart from facebook or myspace or anything that really identifies it as a theatre social network. No matter how much you tweak it, at it's heart it's still a packaged Elgg.org generic social network creator. I should know, I tried creating one for my town a while back using Ning.com http://jtconnection.ning.com/ About 50 people or so signed up and were using it for a bit but it fizzled because why use that site when everyone in the theatre community already uses Facebook? Why have multiple social network accounts? I realize a lot of people have MySpace AND Facebook, but that's just a natural progression. If it takes off for you then congratulations but in reality there's nothing unique about it to get people to use it. Perhaps if there was some sort of built in show database where you could have it list parts you've played and those parts were connected to specific productions from specific theatres it might be useful, but as it stands it's a facebook knock off which of course is no fault of your own. I was in the same boat almost a year ago so I know you are just trying to provide a great service to your theatre community. Unfortunately the internet has been distilled down to Facebook for most people. Eventually, even sites like this could die. |
Posted By: davidmoon
Date Posted: 2/10/09 at 12:21pm
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First, thanks guys for your time and criticisms. I realize that when people ask for opinions, they really only want to hear the positive, and I truly the good, bad and in between. I do realize that facebook and myspace has the monopoly, but I also believe that niche online communities can be moderately successful. I’m not interested in monetizing the site – the expense is small. I am interested in building content and community, though my demographic is small. I would like to use it as a model for something bigger, eventually. @ Dan. I can only assume that the signup email hit your spam box – it’s usually pretty quick. I recognize that as a problem. @ imamember. Elgg is a pain, I know. It’s come some way since last year, and there’s another build out at the end of the month. I had thought of buddypress.org, but it’s still too far out in features. Elgg also still has a way to go, but the community members do have great influence in the development of the core and plugins. Successful communities aren’t easy. Even with my experience, they are a hard dynamic to crack. First, it’s all about content. Second is creating a need (can’t find it anywhere else), stickiness and proper marketing. It’s going to take some time. Blue bird is a link to Twitter (some explanations is needed there, or kill it altogether.) I agree with the “who can view” explanation. Contact (email) is optional. Some customization is needed – and that’s something I’m thinking about seriously. It is what it is – I still have focus. Again, thanks and keep the critiques coming. ------------- David Moon http://www.theatrestory.com/ - http://www.theatrestory.com/ |
Posted By: dboris
Date Posted: 2/10/09 at 12:40pm
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Yep, it went to my Spam folder. Strange that is did that since the e-mail has very little content that would get it flagged as Spam. Maybe your host IP addresses are on a SPAM blacklist. Another strange thing is when I clicked on the confirmation link in Yahoo mail it just returned me back to my Yahoo mail page. When I then cut and pasted the link the site came up with multiple "Your registration has been confirmed messages".
First thing I notice is that the graphics at the top don't render properly in IE6, but they look ok in Chrome and Firefox. Doesn't make the site unusable, just doesn't look pretty.
BTW, I am a professional web developer so I tend to focus on the more technical aspects. I'll keep checking it out.
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Posted By: imamember
Date Posted: 2/10/09 at 3:33pm
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If you can add custom features that's specific to Philly theatre AND can energize your community you might be able to pull it off. As it stands there's nothing you're offering that Facebook doesn't already offer in a more standardized form. |
Posted By: davidmoon
Date Posted: 2/10/09 at 6:46pm
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@ isamember -- I totally agree, there are just theconventions and basics. People make a social network, and customization and content makes a community that people want to engage and visit again. Building Web communities is not easy work. It is what it is ... building value is the fun part. It also take a lot of patience. So far, I've gotten some really good feedback, and I appreciate it. @ Dan -- It's good to get a Web programmer's perspective. ie 6.0 ... transparent PNG files were not supported. I realize that I'm cutting a few people out. And I am ready to change hosts very soon. I'm more in the all-arond Web profession myself, so Thanks again to both of you -- I'll keep at at. ------------- David Moon http://www.theatrestory.com/ - http://www.theatrestory.com/ |
Posted By: davidmoon
Date Posted: 3/09/09 at 11:54pm
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I've taken in a lot of criticism (constructive and otherwise) over the whole phillygig.com concept, and made some changes as a result. First, I've broadened my audience to a worldwide following - rebranding myself as theatregig.com. The focus is anyone interested in theatre, community, regional or professional. I've made some improvements, and have fleshed out some content. I plan to do a series of articles about using the internet to promote community theatre using ellbow grease (or is it grease paint?) Anywho, I invite you to take a second look, and hurt my feelings. :) Thanks! ------------- David Moon http://www.theatrestory.com/ - http://www.theatrestory.com/ |
Posted By: davidmoon
Date Posted: 4/27/09 at 1:06pm
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OK, I've done it again - new name, more features and content. Your opinions are very welcome. http://www.theatrestory.com/ - http://www.theatrestory.com/ ------------- David Moon http://www.theatrestory.com/ - http://www.theatrestory.com/ |
Posted By: jayzehr
Date Posted: 4/28/09 at 1:23am
Looks pretty good, but if you really want to be beat up I don't see enough content of interest to me there to motivate me to go through the motions of registering. But I have zero interest in Susan Boyle or in watching a youtube video of Bea Arthur and Angela Lansbury singing Bosom Buddies so maybe I'm not your target audience. But I would be interested in an article on promoting community theater via the web so I'll check back. |
Posted By: davidmoon
Date Posted: 4/28/09 at 10:09am
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I hear you - and thank you for visiting and checking it oit. I admit ... as long as I'm developing content, the site will have a mainstream musical theatre slant ... along with some Internet tips and tricks. I'm working on find diverse POVs on other aspects of theatre ... and of course, members can blog about any subject to carve out their little niche and perpetuate discussion. Also, inside, there are discussion groups for theatre operations, acting and technical. I think I do need to make that more clear on sign-up. ------------- David Moon http://www.theatrestory.com/ - http://www.theatrestory.com/ |
Posted By: John Luzaich
Date Posted: 4/28/09 at 10:21am
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Ditto everything Jayzehr said. I'm interested in the Susan Boyle story, it's been fun to watch but other than that, I agree. I think with the home page, or the very first thing you see is going to be your "hook". Yes, having Bea Arthur and Angela is "current" stuff because of Bea's passing and yes, that's sad. But, that's not the fun, exciting "hook" that would get me to sign up either.
I like your basic concept of a theatre facebook type site. I either know or have met many theatre people in my immediate area of Iowa, but I'm sure there are people I don't know by me and it would be fun to have an interactive site where you could hook up with people close to you, within a several state region. ------------- John cfct@cfu.net http://www.osterregent.org http://www.facebook.com/osterregent |
Posted By: davidmoon
Date Posted: 4/28/09 at 11:19am
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Thank John, Bea Arthur is sad, and current. I also plan to update the videos regularly and add a tutorial first thing. You are both right! I'm finding it a balance of the Facebook approach of minimalism at pre sign-up, and showing it all (ability to browse) like this site. I do need to build a more broader range of value to evoke membership from the home page. I do hope you both consider registering and take a look at the inside. ------------- David Moon http://www.theatrestory.com/ - http://www.theatrestory.com/ |
Posted By: davidmoon
Date Posted: 5/31/09 at 11:45pm
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Wow ... it's amazing that I've been able to keep the same name, but I did move over to Ning - which has been great. I have such a great core following, but it's still a lot of hard work. Please take a look, and beat me up again. Check out the blogs - a lot of good and original stuff for theatres, and it grows every day. http://www.theatrestory.com/ - http://www.theatrestory.com/ And follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/theatrestory - http://www.twitter.com/theatrestory Thanks! David Moon ------------- David Moon http://www.theatrestory.com/ - http://www.theatrestory.com/ |
Posted By: davidmoon
Date Posted: 7/13/09 at 12:59pm
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Please join me for my interview of Tory Ross - funny lady from the Broadway musical, 9 to 5 the musical. http://community.theatrestory.com/profile/ToryRoss - http://community.theatrestory.com/profile/ToryRoss
------------- David Moon http://www.theatrestory.com/ - http://www.theatrestory.com/ |
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 7/16/09 at 2:18am
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G'donyaDM!
However as yet - I'm not young enough yet! To be able to understand &/or work out Facebook & theses types of sites?
But it's a 'Bewdy Blue'!  ------------- Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house} |