Forum:Taking in new editors... and retaining them

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I did an active users search today and realized that there are only about 20 users who are regularly editing/maintaining the site. There are only a few admins, and they are too preoccupied with clearing up the site to write articles. For more and better content, we need new users, and we need them to stay.

It turns out that this issue has been raised many times before, but nothing definitive has been done about it. I personally don't know what the best approach is, only discussion will tell. ~ Hipponias^CUN - Talk - Contribs - Articles  15:15, 8 January 2021 (UTC)

Proposals

Finding new users

I think that the best approach currently will be to put advertisements and/or funny videos on Youtube/Facebook/Twitter. Uncyclopedia is hard to find if you don't know what you're looking for. Google Ads would be a great way to advertise ourselves.

The biggest problem with this idea is that it's a lot harder to catch people's attention with articles in text form rather than music or videos. We'll need a cool image for the ad banner. I suggest re-potatochopping this image that I made. ~ Hipponias^CUN - Talk - Contribs - Articles  15:15, 8 January 2021 (UTC)

Retaining existing users

Here's all what I can say for retaining users: the first ten edits are a critical time. The user mustnt' feel unwelcome as they are making their first edits. Don't scare the newcomers, and then they'll stay. We have to cement this policy as one of our Uncyclopedian commandments, preferably "Don't be a dick".  Cassandra  (talk) 08:09pm  January 8, 2021

Wikipedia has the policy you're talking about. I'm gonna start a draft of the uncyc policy in my userspace. ~ Hipponias^CUN - Talk - Contribs - Articles  20:17, 8 January 2021 (UTC)

Finished with first draft. The page is here. ~ Hipponias^CUN - Talk - Contribs - Articles  21:16, 8 January 2021 (UTC)

It's awesome lol. MrX blow me 21:41, 8 January 2021 (UTC)

Mainspaced. @Cassie: @Zombiebaron: can you add some links from the other policy pages? I'd do it myself but they're protected and I can't edit them. ~ Hipponias^CUN - Talk - Contribs - Articles  10:09, 9 January 2021 (UTC)

Discussion

First off, Hipponias, thank you for addressing this, I love the enthusiasm! MrX blow me 15:22, 8 January 2021 (UTC)

As for the best way to go about this issue, I'm not opposed to us promoting the site individually and/or collectively via any platform, YouTube/Facebook/Twitter/whatevskis, but I don't know if buying ads is the best way to go. MrX blow me 15:24, 8 January 2021 (UTC)

I just don't want to see us beholden to any issues regarding purchasing ads. However, shifting some of our content (I know, we're supposed to be "content-free") to something like a YouTube video to help promote the site and get the word out is a great idea! MrX blow me 15:29, 8 January 2021 (UTC)

As for Twitter, BTW, not too long ago, I actually did kinda do that. I tweet/replied my UnNews article to the Twitter account of 400 Rabbits, the tequila bar in Nottingham. Their Twitter account is now called the Church of the 400 Rabbits. I even got a reply from them! Which was pretty cool! So let's definitely keep up these ideas. I'm absolutely happy to help create something to blast out on other platforms to bring more funny peeps here to Uncyc. MrX blow me 15:37, 8 January 2021 (UTC)

Although we're non-profit, it's probably fine to do a little bit of advertizing... Starting a youtube channel and making a few funny videos might work, although it would be a challenge presenting our best articles in video format.

It also might be that we're getting loads of traffic... but most readers aren't making accounts and editing. I'm pretty sure an admin can code a site banner that only shows to ip users and tells them to create an account. BTW, if any sysops can provide traffic stats (unique visitors per day), that would be extremely helpful. ~ Hipponias^CUN - Talk - Contribs - Articles  16:13, 8 January 2021 (UTC)

We have a youtube channel here. It hasn't been used in many years, but if someone wants to start making new content I think someone knows the password. We also do have Google Analytics and I can confirm that we have a lot more readers than editors, but retention is low (they usually leave after a short period of time). We also have other social media accounts. -- The Zombiebaron 16:58, 8 January 2021 (UTC)

In that case, we need to encourage new users to edit and make sure they stay. Also Zombie, can you share the link or provide an image of the analytics? The best idea I have to improve retention is to make a bot to welcome every user automatically (if that's possible) and encourage them to subscribe/follow Uncyc's social media, so they'll get updates and be reminded to edit. ~ Hipponias^CUN - Talk - Contribs - Articles  17:30, 8 January 2021 (UTC)

Hmm, ok perhaps we should try to upload some stuff to the YouTube channel. Unfortunately, I don't know much about creating animation, though it is something I've been thinking about learning. Maybe we can take a few featured articles and make animated, narrated versions of them, like parody educational videos. MrX blow me 19:23, 8 January 2021 (UTC)

Any reason we can't use still photos and do the videos Ken Burns style? PF4Eva, the President of Imagination Vote for me My tax returns 23:08, 8 January 2021 (UTC)

I don't see why not, that'd be cool too. MrX blow me 23:10, 8 January 2021 (UTC)

We could do a fake coronavirus safety instruction video in this style. Possibly with advice based on this article. Obviously the video will have a 'join uncyclopedia' link in the description. ~ Hipponias^CUN - Talk - Contribs - Articles  09:25, 9 January 2021 (UTC)

IMO, here are my thoughts on the manner. For one, getting people to join Uncyclopedia after them being blocked/banned from Wikipedia or globally locked from all WMF sites could be an option. Also, if Zombiebaron (talk) – contribs (new • del) • edit-count • block (rem • list) • all logs • groups • checkuser edits more on enwiki, that will help as that will bring readers. I think Uncyclopedia having RedWarn is a big step foward; while I uninstalled it, it makes Uncyclopedia feel a bit more like Wikipedia. IMO, that is what we have to do. We have to make it feel more home-like for people who migrate from Wikipedia. This will help entise new editors. As for retaining them....that I'll Abstain. Gale5050 complain about me! And see my Wikipedia contributions! 16:55, 9 January 2021 (UTC)

Like, Berrely would probably be an asset. But she left after five edits. Gale5050 complain about me! And see my Wikipedia contributions! 16:56, 9 January 2021 (UTC)

Did I? Berrely (talk) 20:38, 9 January 2021 (UTC)

Yep. You have 6 contributions, only one since September 22. Gale5050 complain about me! And see my Wikipedia contributions! 21:50, 9 January 2021 (UTC)

Does anyone know how to make still photo videos? With zoom techniques and then add music/dialogue? Is it something that can be done with software that comes standard on Windows and/or can be found for free online? MrX blow me 20:11, 10 January 2021 (UTC)

It does come with Windows 10, as the video editor. You can chain together still frames or other videos. Basic but easy to use. ~ Hipponias^CUN - Talk - Contribs - Articles  20:26, 10 January 2021 (UTC)

Cool, thanks, I'll check it out. MrX blow me 20:29, 10 January 2021 (UTC)

Is there any kind of Uncyclopedia theme tune I can use? If there isn't I'll compose one. ~ Hipponias^CUN - Talk - Contribs - Articles  20:47, 10 January 2021 (UTC)

Video's here.

~ Hipponias^CUN - Talk - Contribs - Articles  21:21, 10 January 2021 (UTC)

Nice! And I do intend to look up how to make videos, hopefully I'll have time soon. Does anyone have a good voice for the narrations? MrX blow me 21:24, 15 January 2021 (UTC)

Discussion (resumued)

Discussion resumed as above discussion getting off topic.~ Gale5050 complain about me! And see my Wikipedia contributions! 23:25, 10 January 2021 (UTC)

Retention

Best thing to do is encourage, congratulate good work, offer good suggestions, use super constructive and kindly worded criticism and collaborate with them if possible. How you go about patrolling new edits is essential. Be as kind as possible even to stupid edits. Don't undo it with snarky comments but assume good faith (as long as it isn't clear trolling) and suggest better edits etc. In fact the best way to learn how to deal with retaining new users is to basically do the opposite of what SPIKE and his alcolytes do on the spoon which is bully, degrade, bark at, make fun of and snark at new users. ShabiDOO 00:02, 11 January 2021 (UTC)

That seems ok for retention, but what about recruiting? I suggest if Zombie edits enwiki more...Gale5050 complain about me! And see my Wikipedia contributions! 00:38, 11 January 2021 (UTC)

I agree, if more people found out about Uncyclopedia, I am sure we would have more users. Personally I found this wiki very welcoming, and even when I made some stupid edits, there were people to put me back on track. I really hope this this wiki gets more active, and frankly I don't know why people go to Wikipedia (maybe to edit), because it is boring as hell, and even if you make small mistakes, there are asshole who annoy the shit out of you, and then they scrutinize you, and persuade the brainless admins to block you... in my opinion, our voice MUST BE HEARD! WMF is corrupt! Wikipedia Be Sucking (talk) 17:53, 20 January 2021 (UTC)

Did you have a previous Wikipedia account? How else would you know this? Gale5050 complain about me! And see my Wikipedia contributions! 21:17, 20 January 2021 (UTC)

Personally I don't mind Wikipedia, but I do find it kinda boring. Gale5050 complain about me! And see my Wikipedia contributions! 21:20, 20 January 2021 (UTC)

His IP address is blocked for 'disruptive editing' on Wikipedia. ~ Hipponias^CUN - Talk - Contribs - Articles  22:03, 20 January 2021 (UTC)

Sounds like our kinda people! MrX blow me 22:05, 20 January 2021 (UTC)

Lol!Gale5050 complain about me! And see my Wikipedia contributions! 22:06, 20 January 2021 (UTC)

His IP was also gblocked for long term abuse, which I can agree with. His local IP block expires in 40 minutes, but his global one is until February. doing more research. Gale5050 complain about me! And see my Wikipedia contributions! 22:08, 20 January 2021 (UTC)

Recruiting

If you see the log of new users, and one looks like a Wikipedia username, even if they never edited, welcome them! Leave them a kind note! It would help get more users involved, and would therefore increase our editors. Gale5050 complain about me! And see my Wikipedia contributions! 20:36, 13 January 2021 (UTC)

I got User: Shift674 involved here, and to Shift674, try to convince your fellow WPTC members to help join Uncyclopedia as well. Thanks, Gale5050 complain about me! And see my Wikipedia contributions! 23:21, 13 January 2021 (UTC)

Shift674 abandoned Uncyclopedia. Ugh. Gale5050 complain about me! And see my Wikipedia contributions! 18:21, 23 January 2021 (UTC)