The Poodle Room is too quiet

[zefi]

Its so quiet around here lately! I feel like a lot of the time I'm the only one who is writing in with news and stories and this forum isnt about me and my dogs. Its for everyone.

I've discussed this with Michael before. He thinks that it will build itself up naturally, as the Eskie board did - from a very slow start to a huge board it is now. Well... the difference between the Eskie board and this is that there are a million resources, boards, discussion groups, lists and sites about poodles. And not that many for eskies. So we have to do something to promote this forum...

So I'm asking everyone on here for suggestions. Firstly Michael and I have to buckle down and get the site up and running. Get as much info on the site as possible. We've asked for articles from people, anyone with expertise in any subject can send something in to us to include in the library section.

Ideas? I have already invited everyone I know to join. Every time a person enquires about buying a puppy I put them onto the forum as well. I cant advertise it on the lists obviously, so other than putting it in my signature and having links to it on my sites I dont see what else I can do.

What else do you guys think needs to be done to promote this site - and what more information does this site need to make it a valuable resource on poodles for everyone?

Its time we got to work on it!

[silverdog]

HI Zefi!

I'm sorry you haven't had a lot of traffic lately!   I personally work in an office so I have plenty of computer time to check on the messages as they come in.

When I was first setting up our website I had the same problem.  Once you have a site and it looks pretty good, it's so hard to have someone notice it.  Have you linked to many other sites?  I would hate to see The Poodle Room fade into silence.  I joined one other message board and I think the last post was made in July!  If you don't mind I would like to add a link to you on my "links" page.  That would be one way to bring traffic even if it's people passing through.  Those of us with websites can link up if possible.  I will have to wait until the weekend though as I'm house sitting until then and my website software is on my computer at home...  Let me think and I'm sure we can find a way!

[Michael]

Thanks Terri. Yes, Zefi and I have discussed this some, and though I do think things will build more in time, we also can't just "wait for it to happen". With the Eskie Board, I babysat it almost solo for months, until we got some other folks actively participating. In comparison, things are more active here at 3 months of age than the EB was, but I do know we can't just let things slide either. We have no intention of letting the PR site fade away like many sites do. I haven't been able to be online much the past week, but hopefully we can start to add some of the articles and whatnot soon. Having some more "content" on the site should hopefully help.

I did submit the site to search engines some weeks back, and signed up on a few webrings, so that should also help in time. Having links from any other sites is more than welcome. We'd greatly appreciate that!

As Zefi mentioned, we're open to suggestions on any ways to keep improving the site, so feel free to post your thoughts, or contact either of us directly and we'll go from there! Thanks for any/all input on this.

[zefi]

Thank you Terri. A link on your site would be wonderful! The more places that link to a site, the better it comes up in search engines for sure. Lucky I own a few sites! And I'm responsible for a few more! LOL In fact that reminds me, I better go put in some more links!

[zpoodle]

I hope things are picking up here, as I recently asked Zefi privately about this site being so quiet, I was wondering where everyone is.............when I next update my site I will add a link also..........and I will tell others about this site, hopefully  more will find the way here!

On a different note, the puppies are looking good and growing up so fast,the pictures are wonderful, getting me ready for SP puppies here........... as my brown Trouble is due to whelp around Halloween.............hopefully this group will be able to come up with some good brownie names 

The pictures from the Falls and the native critters are wonderful................THANKS so VERY much for sharing your trip with us Michael, as I have said before I have really enjoyed each and every photo you posted, as traveling has long been a dream of mine...................maybe someday, but  as many of you know when you have dogs and no one to care for them when you are away, makes any lengthy travel most difficult if not impossible..................so Thanks again!

Mindy
Zorcon Poodles
Toys and Standards
Visit us at:
http://members.tripod.com/zpoodle/index.html

[zefi]

I LOVE the name game Mindy!!!! So let me at'em!!

[freysmum]

Hi Zefi, 
I havent really got any ideas to add, but I just wanted to add a little encouragement to you and Michael by saying that you are doing a great job and I really love this site.
I check in here ALL the time (except when I have no broadband because the server went broke    )and really look enjoy reading everyone's stories and looking at any photo's that have been added.
When I get my poodle I look forward to asking for help and learning as much as I can.
Until then I guess all I can do is post more.  That is, if you want to hear about the daily adventures of Miss 6, Master 3, and a terror of a shih tzu that likes nothing more than having a drink, and then chasing you so she can smoosh her grosly wet face all over your ankles.
Keep up the great work.

[silverdog]

Zefi,

I'll be going home tomorrow night and will FINALLY have the ability to play with my website/as a link.  I was thinking about something eye catching to use as the link to the poodleroom. Do you have a picture you would like me to use or at least not mind me using?

[zefi]

Michael has made a link to the PR for people to use. On the links page I think.

[Michael]

As Zefi mentioned, yes, we now have a "link to us" page off the main links page....we might add some more images in time, but we have a basic setup anyone can use. Go take a look:

http://www.poodleroom.com/links/linktous.php

We've got other things we've been discussing that we hope to be adding in the near future too....along with more articles, of course! So, keep checking back...

[Michael]

We expanded the link-to-us a tiny, wee bit! We decided to add a "Friends of the Poodle Room" page....with links back to those who link to us! Nothing fancy, just a return gesture of appreciation. Should also help in the search engines down the road too! Click on the main links page from anywhere on the site:

http://www.poodleroom.com/links/

Then you'll see the link-to-us link as well as the "friends" link! So, if anyone else links to us here, let us know and we'll add you to the friends page!

[silverdog]

Thank Michael!

I think that is a very nice gesture to those who have websites and link up.  Hopefully the combined efforts will bring in a few more friends!

[zefi]

Great. I love it. Now I have to update my zefiart and pantonepoodles sites to include the new link image!

[Lesly]

It's been slow on all the boards I frequent since the beginning of Summer, so maybe it's just people busy with projects, vacations, or whatever! 

I always check in, though haven't posted - have a lot going on getting ready for some up-coming surgeries, two that will have me off work for a good 12 weeks (ugh!).  Sure have enjoyed the pics of the puppies, and will be sure to let other poodle lovers know about this site! 

Lesly (Poodleholic)
Maddy and Bo

[auntie c]

i will most definately add the PR link to my website, it may take a week though...

carlene, harry who and pearl the girl...
australia