What can we do?

[usmcveteran]

What can we do to increase membership and user experience?

If not for you the user there is no point for us . What can we do for you and how can we work together?

[lefty]

I like the postal matches idea, stuff like that to keep people involved in the site, and the reason we're all here, guns and shooting.

[TMC]

If you want a wider audience you must consider who you want to come here.Now I know I am the new guy around but since so many old names are flocking from NYF it seems to me your going to get the exact same topics and conversations.
I would at least LIMIT the Fuac and all the conspiracy stuff or at least confine it to specific places or areas and I will defend that opinion this way.
The topics can create some extreme feelings and opinions that could give SOME prospects pause about becoming members or endorsing this site.
Now Politics and controversy can never be eliminated but if you want the site to grow you must look at what kept the NYF the way it was .Some people avoid the name calling and the absolute extremism produce by the outspoken members or as some describe the "Type A people". Just because some don't share the exact enthusiasm in certain areas as some outspoken members they may avoid becoming involved in topics that they excel in because of bad experiences.
This site might become tagged as so far of a conspiracy site can that some will avoid it and again it will stagnate.
Now I am all for 2A .constitution,Bill of rights, Free speech and all that is America . Against the Safe act and all that stands for and totally believe that the current Government is as corrupt as can be .Now that being said there is a place and time for those topics and discussions but not in every thread on the site nor as the absolute most commented topics.
If you want more people to come there has to be gun talk as well as politics and other topics as in the sites name. You must get across to those extreme type A people that diversity and Freedom of speech and thought is what makes this country great and when they degrade ,humiliate and stomp on the ideas of the less outspoken members that they they them selves are doing exactly what the Government is doing to us now.
This will bring in new blood and sponsors from this state who want to be associated with this site, the kind of people who will be loyal to this site and it's Ideals if you don't do these things then you are bound to repeat the past site not saying that is was a bad place I enjoyed some political topics but it was no longer a gun site but a political site and it is sad to say not all Ny gun owners enjoy political discussions constant vulgarity or disparaging remarks because they don't subscribe to the same conspiracy theory as the mega posters .
Moderator is a responsibility to be a referee not just a name tag . When a firm hand is called for then it should be dispensed quickly and fairly as should be standing to the side to let the topic flow. Sometimes a Moderator must put their own opinions aside for the better good of the site or discussion. I realize most of these things I have said will be commented on and probably very negatively I am sure, but I personally feel that this site has a opportunity to be a great place for political and firearm discussions if only a measure of responsibility is taken by the owners as well as we the members.It might be the owners and Admins and Moderators that entice members or sponsors but it is we the members our attitudes towards others and the topics we bring to bare that will convince others to join us here and magnify our voices, ideals and our visions for a GREAT SITE.

[usmcveteran]

NYF changed as soon as Safe Act passed. It became the political site it is now.

I really appreciate you taking the time for a well thought out response!

I think one of the other big challenges is how do you get members to start firearms related posts? It's tough sometimes I think if you don't have new shooters joining to ask their questions.

[24Pink14Stink]

Too much above to quote, but there are a variety of opinions on this site and we seem to be able to get along just fine without being dicks to each other.

For example, MS and I disagree on the value of voting for the folks that go to washington. We acknowledge each other's position, openly disagree, but don't try to change the other's opinion or lower ourselves to attacking each other. All while knowing the rules here are much more relaxed than NYF and that we could probably get away with it.

I've known MS online for a few years now and have too much respect for him to behave differently.

I like it small and quiet.

[TMC]

To start topics clean up the old ones remove or archive the ones not responded to or more then 1 year old.
Have Admins or moderators post subject lines about specific firearms or topics to entice conversation.you have to bait the hook to catch fish
Perhaps a live chat, it would eliminate congestion in the site and real time conversation would be fun.
Offer something to members to entice them to bring members or advertisers maybe even give advertisers free advertising for a period of time if they contract for a year.
Advertise this site as firearm friendly, 2A friendly on other sites like Arf.com, Gunbroker ,Armslist to name a few
Is there any literature about is site to hand out at gun club meetings Hudson Falls Fish and game is every second Tuesday of the month I would be glad to drop it off and I think mail some to Dunnams Bay I am not a member but what the heck

[FinalWinchester]

Sounds like the above posts are the exact opposite of why this site was started.

[SomeSoldier]

You need to advertise. I would suggest getting a hold of places that hold matches and see if they wouldn't mind email you schedules. You can have a blog that posts news and info on upcoming matches and maybe a calendar. I would all see if they would let you post your cards or flyers around their ranges and events.

You could also house some small videos of the local matches. Blog could also have firearms and equipment reviews.

[Wildman]

I have nothing firearms related to talk about since 2013. I plink a few times a year now with my 22's and that's sadly about it. I wish I had answers but I feel that what happened to me has happened to the majority of members.

[rsmitty]

I'll tell you what I liked about NYF. First is the site format. Very easy on the eyes and easy to quickly navigate. I joined that site to be informed of any new laws or litigation going on in the state.
Politics and religion. Always trouble at the dinner table.

[Cgrutt]

Sounds like the above posts are the exact opposite of why this site was started.

Yep, pretty much, except for the guns and shooting... we need more of that.

TMC a little background about the site, we started it about two years ago because we wanted to bring back all the good stuff NYF had about it prior to Safe Act without the bickering, cop bashing and infighting and quite frankly heavy hand and somewhat arbitrary (in our view anyway) and excessive oversight by the moderators. Our rules are pretty simple, all we really care about is that everyone get along with one another and be respectful to one another. We hardly ever edit post, ban users, etc. mainly because we haven't had to. Modding this board shouldn't be a full time job for anyone. We have offered free advertising and site sections to almost every gun-related vendor since we started. It's definitely not about the money and all we've ever asked from our members is small voluntary contributions if and when they can afford it just to offset some of the costs of running site. Contributions are by no means necessary or expected, but we appreciate them when we get them. We just want people to have a place to kick back, have some fun and have a place to chat about both firearms and practically anything else that members feel like discussing. We may not be large, but our core group is AWESOME and most are like family. Happy if it grows but we definitely don't want to replicate all the bad that we tried to leave behind. Hope this helps.

[thughes]

Yep, pretty much, except for the guns and shooting... we need more of that.

TMC a little background about the site, we started it about two years ago because we wanted to bring back all the good stuff NYF had about it prior to Safe Act without the bickering, cop bashing and infighting and quite frankly heavy hand and somewhat arbitrary (in our view anyway) and excessive oversight by the moderators. Our rules are pretty simple, all we really care about is that everyone get along with one another and be respectful to one another. We hardly ever edit post, ban users, etc. mainly because we haven't had to. Modding this board shouldn't be a full time job for anyone. We have offered free advertising and site sections to almost every gun-related vendor since we started. It's definitely not about the money and all we've ever asked from our members is small voluntary contributions if and when they can afford it just to offset some of the costs of running site. Contributions are by no means necessary or expected, but we appreciate them when we get them. We just want people to have a place to kick back, have some fun and have a place to chat about both firearms and practically anything else that members feel like discussing. We may not be large, but our core group is AWESOME and most are like family. Happy if it grows but we definitely don't want to replicate all the bad that we tried to leave behind. Hope this helps.

Exactly! This is the kind of place a man can feel comfortable coming out of the closet


















































.and admitting he's a Glock fanboy.

[TMC]

Cgrutt I agree with your description of what you wanted from the site,The Safe act just left a foul taste in every gun owners mouth and it reflected on the forums'
Todays members are either older members who have been involved with firearms for many years average age of 40 plus or the younger members just out of the military involved in law enforcement or just young around 20 plus.
The younger members are probably the most vocal in terms of being political and more "reactionary" I think that is how I see them.
The older members are more laid back having been around so much of this crap for so many years and seen so many political issues come to bare and as Wildman said don't shoot as much as he /they use to and Wildman is at the peak being 33 coming close to us old guys.Sorry Wildman
For this forum to stay current you will need the political aspect for the younger and some of the older members and you will need to bring more topics to the fore front.
It will be a balancing act fore sure you can't just let the forum stagnate by just letting the site "be" it won't move forward you have posts that haven't seen a visit in 2 years in the firearms forum and commerce forum they should be removed or archived this is the admin or moderators responsibility we as members cant and as often as not, some of us just start another thread instead of posting in one that is similar to the subject we are posting about because no one has posted there in a year or two .
Membership is another point .How many people listed as members still come here or are active? Have they just given up and gone to other sites? Usmc asked how to increase membership the answer is as admin and mods you are the trainer the coaches the owners we the membership are the team we will do the work posting but you must lead .
You want laid back and relaxed this is what you have now and most likely will continue to have until you bring new blood and ideas in.
Respect, loyalty,Family important things but how many young people today do all they can to break free of the old ways in search of the fresh and the new'
Advertisement brings customers that brings members more members means more customers, means more money for business etc....Granted that more members will bring the confrontations I dread so dearly but again owners coaches and trainers .
I don't own a site moderate one or profess to know anything about running one .What I do know is when it becomes boring the kids and grand kids stop visiting and the home becomes an old folks home .When a firearm site becomes stagnant for whatever reason people stop visiting. I really like this site,the people and the discussions I have been involved in so far, But I know it can be better all it takes is involvement
,

[Wildman]

Cgrutt I agree with your description of what you wanted from the site,The Safe act just left a foul taste in every gun owners mouth and it reflected on the forums'
Todays members are either older members who have been involved with firearms for many years average age of 40 plus or the younger members just out of the military involved in law enforcement or just young around 20 plus.
The younger members are probably the most vocal in terms of being political and more "reactionary" I think that is how I see them.
The older members are more laid back having been around so much of this crap for so many years and seen so many political issues come to bare and as Wildman said don't shoot as much as he /they use to and Wildman is at the peak being 33 coming close to us old guys.Sorry Wildman
For this forum to stay current you will need the political aspect for the younger and some of the older members and you will need to bring more topics to the fore front.
It will be a balancing act fore sure you can't just let the forum stagnate by just letting the site "be" it won't move forward you have posts that haven't seen a visit in 2 years in the firearms forum and commerce forum they should be removed or archived this is the admin or moderators responsibility we as members cant and as often as not, some of us just start another thread instead of posting in one that is similar to the subject we are posting about because no one has posted there in a year or two .
Membership is another point .How many people listed as members still come here or are active? Have they just given up and gone to other sites? Usmc asked how to increase membership the answer is as admin and mods you are the trainer the coaches the owners we the membership are the team we will do the work posting but you must lead .
You want laid back and relaxed this is what you have now and most likely will continue to have until you bring new blood and ideas in.
Respect, loyalty,Family important things but how many young people today do all they can to break free of the old ways in search of the fresh and the new'
Advertisement brings customers that brings members more members means more customers, means more money for business etc....Granted that more members will bring the confrontations I dread so dearly but again owners coaches and trainers .
I don't own a site moderate one or profess to know anything about running one .What I do know is when it becomes boring the kids and grand kids stop visiting and the home becomes an old folks home .When a firearm site becomes stagnant for whatever reason people stop visiting. I really like this site,the people and the discussions I have been involved in so far, But I know it can be better all it takes is involvement
,

It's all good.

I grew up with guns and always had a 22 plinker around. But my interest in real guns never really hit until about 2008. I got into it heavy and then as soon as the safe came around I got grounded hard. 3/4 my collection was illegal overnight and I got really bitter. In fact I am still bitter. I have since sold most all my stuff except for 22's again and rarely ever shoot cause it pisses me off. Im sure there are a lot like me who now just have nothing to post about and when you post its negative. It makes it worse seeing 45 other states still doing whatever they want!

[SomeSoldier]

I have a beautiful rifle that I have not even fire a round through yet. I just don't have the drive because I get pissed off every time I think about it.