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I usually only newbie fish in parachat but today I happened to talk to a guy in real life who just seemed like someone who ought to be a hatracker, you know what I mean? So I newbie fished him too. So I just wanted to tell him welcome, in case he checks us out tonight after he gets off work.
I'll make the thread a general welcome to all newbies, as well, so as not to waste it in case he blows us off.
Also an introduction to the topic of newbie fishing in general, if anyone wants to comment on that. I think newbies are great and they liven up things an awful lot. I think actively encouraging them makes the forum a much more interesting place.
Parachat seems to be the place I've been most successful at newbie fishing. I've never once invited anyone in real life, though occasionally I meet people I think would make great hatrackers, and had them actually stay long. At least not that I know of. I'm sort of envious of those of you who have.
Does anyone else work to actively invite new people, either online or in real life? If so what approach do you recommend? Have you been successful?
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ak, were you ever a missionary of any sort? You sound good at the whole 'make the contact, build the relationship of trust, and CONVERT' thing. That's awesome. I do agree with you that newbies are helpful in getting us to discuss old topics and think about them in new ways at times. I'm all about trying to get everyone that signs on to hatrack to STAY and become part of the community. It's the best one on the internet.
posted
My roommate at camp was reading the Brincess Bride so I knew she'd be cool but then we were drawing and she drew Trogdor, that clinched it. I asked her if she had read any of OSC's stuff and she said she had and liked it. I told her to come here but I haven't seen her yet...
*goes off to find her e-mail*
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These strangers will ruin our way of life. Good Jatraqueros, gather in the town square at sundown, we shall drive this menace from our wholesome community.
PS: Don't forget your pichforks and torches.
Posts: 1769 | Registered: Feb 2000
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I also like to try to get lurkers or old posters to come BACK. Like the guy who introduced me to hatrack, he's a REAL oldie and I don't even know what his screen name was. He periodically lurks and never ever posts. Now I'm the one sending HIM links to the news and funny threads. I would love it if he would come back once in a while and grace us with his wisdom. Same goes to everyone else that lurks a lot and doesn't post. Hatrack would be a better place WITH you all!!
Posts: 6415 | Registered: Jul 2000
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Narnia, no, I've never served a mission. I almost referred to newbie fishing using that metaphor, in fact. Perhaps we should organize hatrack missions, do you think? <laughs> We could go tracting in coffeeshops and bookstores to find new jatraqueros to invite, but I thought there was an unfortunate connotation associated with that word that might imply we want something from them. <muahahahahahah>
It's really more like in college when you meet interesting new people here and there around campus, in class, or people who live near you, maybe, and invite them to the gatherings of your group of friends. It's more a social thing, don't you think? Though I'm never averse to making converts for my various worldsaving projects, of course. Posts: 2843 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!
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Ah hahahah! Come with me, my little ones, and I will make you fishers of newbies! <rubs hands in glee>
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I wish someone had recruited me. I tried going to the parachat thing, but nobody is in there. Luckily there are people in the AIM chat. So I guess I'm welcoming myself.
Posts: 155 | Registered: Aug 2003
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Yes, Chade, welcome! Sorry there were no fishers in parachat while you were there. We'll have to split it up and start taking shifts. <grins>
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Your welcome. The evil head playing ball with the severed head is my new trademark. Nobody can steal it... or else. Posts: 6415 | Registered: Jul 2000
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AK, I think I had best stay away from newbie fishing. My attempts to recruit people to any organization have always ended with mob activity....
Posts: 1041 | Registered: Feb 2002
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I don't have experience with converting real life people, but I would guess the thing to do is tell her funny things you read here, email her links to threads you think she might enjoy from time to time, and then let her get hooked from there.
With people in parachat, I just make friends with them first, if that happens, then I invite them to check us out and tell them how to get here. I let them know I think everyone would like them (if that seems true), and just welcome them once they arrive.
I try to go out of my way to make all newbies feel welcome. The ones who aren't keepers will fall away after a short while. Many people who seem abrasive or defensive at first settle right in and become great jatraqueros after they catch on to things. EG is one who comes to mind. We were sure for a while that he and pYx were alter egos, and she seemed pretty trollish. Both of them were a bit abrasive, to tell the truth, particularly by the prevailing standards at that time. But even pYx was an interesting character in some ways, and of course we're all SO glad we didn't lose EG!
I always try to give newbies the benefit of the doubt, and bend way over backwards to help them fit in and feel at home for the first while. If they are true jatraquero types they will stay, and if not they will eventually go. But I hate it if people get scared off just at first before they've even had a chance to really see the place. I know of a few who have and it's a shame. We're a lot poorer for it when that happens, I think.
[ August 28, 2003, 04:05 PM: Message edited by: ak ]
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That's awesome. I do agree with you that newbies are helpful in getting us to discuss old topics and think about them in new ways at times. I'm all about trying to get everyone that signs on to hatrack to STAY and become part of the community. It's the best one on the internet. ![[Hat]](graemlins/hat.gif)
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