We've been here one year on July 9

[electra225]

Where does time go? Classic Hi-fi Care has been up a year on Saturday, the 9th. Thanks to all of you for your support and participation. Let's make the second year better than the first.

[TC Chris]

I've been pondering how to attract new participants. There are people who specialize in enhancing clicks on web sites but most of them charge $$$$. I think the idea is "search engine optimization" and I have absolutely no idea how it's done.

Yes, new folks may ask the same old questions ("what's a filter capacitor?") but we've all been there, done that. New folks can introduce new items, new ideas, new knowledge too.

Chris Campbell

[William]

Congrats, Greg. If it hadn't been for you taking the "bull by the horns" we would not be celebrating the one-year anniversary. Yes, we are small but small is better than nothing. Like Chris, I have no idea how to get people interested in joining the forum but hopefully over the next year we do grow.

Bill

[electra225]

I'd like to see us gain a few new members. I'm open to ideas. If you remember, Vintage had open registration. There were 1800 members, but I'll bet 1700 of them were spambots. And people going after the downloads. Most of the active members that were on Vintage are on here. We have a few that were not on Vintage.

I'd like to take the forum to the next level, once I make up my mind what I want to do. There may be a financial commitment that I'm not sure I'm ready to make. I started this forum because Vintage was dying and I wanted to keep our group together. I didn't care how fancy it was, as long as it worked. Now I want a bit more "fancy" but I can't decide what I want. I change my mind every day it seems. I look at other forums to see what they have done. My idea on attracting new members is that the forum needs a bit of pizzazz. An attractive header, more graphics, more color. And a larger font. Maybe the archives and a photo gallery. These will require professional help, which costs money. And so it goes......

I AM NOT ASKING FOR, NOR WILL I ACCEPT, DONATIONS!!! When I accept donations, I will have partners. Money causes trouble between friends. I'd rather have your participation and your friendship than your money. I need to be able to make mistakes on my dime, rather than having to worry about investors.

Ideas, though, I WILL gladly accept and will deeply appreciate. This is the best group of enthusiasts on the planet. We know how to act, we work together, we share ideas, although we often disagree on specifics. We don't have any of the problems of the big forums. I couldn't be prouder of our group. We are a small group, but there is a lot of talent represented on this forum. My aim now, going forward, is to have the best presentation I can. Something we can all be proud of that will attract new members, new ideas.

All of you are what makes this forum what it is. I'm just here to try to keep us all together and motivated to share our console adventures.

[hermitcrab]

I would gladly donate for advancement of this site... one thing I think should be added , is links to various sites for schematics and manuals for members that do not know where to go since we no longer offer them on here , but I would really like to see the console sales brochures posted back up , they were informative and helped ID consoles of the day and they were fun to read ...a photo section would be a plus as well. heck the only sites I go to now is this one and ARF.

[Firedome]

We’re all grateful that you created this great and informative forum for lovers of consoles!
One accepted marketing principle is that the name of a business ideally should to some extent reflect the nature of the business, and a name that reflects a specific dedication to consoles would, imo, be the single most effective way to better draw those folks we seek imo as internet searches for console info, would, in effect, then better use (“optimise”) the search engine. There’s myriad places on the ‘net for hi-fi and stereos in general, so fans of consoles may not find us, and given the name they’d have no reason to come here. The name to me says its a place to learn repair of vintage hi-fi/stereo, but we’re a lot more than that, more focused. I’m sorry for sounding like a broken record and have said all of this before, but if we are serious about looking for ways to get more participants I continue to believe it’s the single biggest hindrance to our growth. “Classicconsoles.com” or “Vintageconsoles.com” imo would be examples of more effective names to help draw the folks we seek.
I really think we’re missing a bet in doing the most effective thing we can to grow if we don’t seriously consider this aspect of marketing ourselves, it’s the 1st thing people see and consider in deciding what to look at in their quest for info.

Also having a photo gallery of examples of makes and models similar to that on fisherconsoles.com and an archive (ability to access the old Vintage stuff would be excellent), and brochures and schematics would be a draw for those seeking info, but again it needs to be made apparent that it’s focused on consoles, there’s tons of that info out there already for general hi-fi/stereo stuff. That’s all my free advice, and worth what was paid for it!

[19&41]

It would be good to have a section to post links to part suppliers, service suppliers, or sites of interest to our hobby. I have a few to put up if it materializes.

[electra225]

Something like "Parts and Service Suppliers" or would you like a different title for the board? I think that's a good idea.

[electra225]

Check the forum home page, Rex, for the board you suggested. "Parts and Service Suppliers". Post until your heart's content. Thanks for the excellent suggestion. Authorized for members only. Do you think we should authorize for guests?

[19&41]

Use should be only for registered members, though the topics could be shown as a lure. That will be a definite way to increase membership among those who would actually use and participate.