So there was a short discussion on the ASAE technology listserve today about whether listserves ("listservs?" I like my "e"s - hahaha) or message boards are more valuable to our members. For me, the question has actually been pre-empted, like so many things are, by the cost factor. In my Memberclicks database, we get listserves included. However, we already had six L-Soft listserves, which cost us $300 per year, and I just got a notice of the annual renewal in October, so obviously I am thinking, "let's move everyone over to the free database ones!".
Luckily, we already know the (existing) listserve is well-used and people definitely want that as a member service.
Ah, but there's a problem. My memberclicks listserves are opt-in - which basically means that I either hope for the best and ask each member to go in to their member profile and select the listserves they want to be on - or I go in first and do that myself for them, and they can opt-out later on if they want to. I only have 300 members, but guess what I'm going to be doing for the next few days...
But there's a silver lining! Maybe, this will get people used to going in to their profiles a bit more, which will get people into exploring the rest of the database features a bit more. TO BE CONTINUED.
8.23.2007
On the [science/art?] of listserves...
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I really don't like listservs, it just adds to much bacn to my diet. I really like discussion boards and really like when I can consume the threads via a rss feed. This allows me to consume everything as I need it when I need to. If I had it my way that's the way most, if not all, of my memberships would work. No need to clog already clogged in-boxes.
ReplyDeleteDave - I agree, but recently heard from some of my members that no matter what, they can't see themselves looking at message boards. He loves listservs. Daily digests of listserv traffic is even better. I say run all the different vehicles you can. It is just like mixing direct mail, email, and phone calls. Mix your social media.
ReplyDeleteMaddie - you may want to run both listservs for a while just to get the members used to a new address, etc. Just a thought.