Bringing up newbie
Feb 13 '02
The Bottom Line I think that we can make Eps a friendlier place by looking out for the newbies.
Well, I feel a bit strange making suggestions when I’ve only been here 3 weeks and have only written 16 previous reviews. However, this idea came to mind the other night and my Eps friends only encouraged me; as a result, I had no choice! I also don’t think I’ve ever heard of anything like this so I couldn’t resist.
Let me set this idea up for you but be warned, this might take a while:
The other day I was doing some random rating and came across a review that had not yet been rated. I gave it a H for a decent attempt at a first review by a new member and then went along my merry way.
Later that evening I got an email from that member. He wanted to know why I rated his review (I suppose he didn’t know anything about ratings at all) and if I had any questions over the product. He introduced himself and commented that I’d written numerous reviews – something I found amusing since I’ve only written 16; I’m not sweetcece or anything!
Anyway, when I went back to look at his review I found that no one else had read or left a comment on it. When I was rating I saw numerous reviews in the just-in section by newbies: people had left H ratings and no one had left comments. Also while I was exchanging e-mails with this newbie, I realized that he didn’t know much about reading, rating, leaving comments and, of course, the previous WOT.
I’ve been lucky since I’ve been here: I’ve met a bunch of people who, through e-mail and instant messages, have helped me, taught me and encouraged me. I’m also a journalism major and therefore know a little bit about writing for others, something that newbies might not really know about. But I didn’t start meeting people until a week after I joined, after I’d written 11 reviews.
I’ve heard people complain about the Epinions system: the lack of money, the lack of certain products to review and so on. These things can’t be changed; what I’m proposing is something that we can do to make a difference.
What I’m trying to say is this: there are many older members (time-wise, not necessarily age-wise) that can help out the newbies – give them tips, get them started on the right foot and generally teach them about Epinions. Kind of like “mentor” them, if you will. Plus, with seasoned members helping out the protégés (see where I’m going with this?), more and more "good" reviews (VHs) will be posted to the site, making Epinions more enjoyable – most newbies post "bad" reviews (NH, SH or even H) because they don’t know better and mentoring a newbie will kind of guarantee (if they take the suggestions) better reviews.
Adopt a newbie, that’s what I’m thinking about. Those of you who have time can find a newbie that could use some help, would write an email introducing yourself, offering your services if they have any questions and just welcoming them to the Epinions community. It would be a mentor/protégé type relationship with the mentors being the “older” members of Epinions interested in giving advice, mentoring, the newbies, or protégés.
Well, if y’all are interested, let me know – I’m getting a mailing list on yahoogroups started and have ideas bursting out the top of my head! This would be for posting the names of newbies that don’t have a “mentor” and someone can claim them. But it’s only if enough people are interested and WANT to do this, it’s silly if it’s just me!
If you’re still reading, I just want to thank you. If you’re interested or have any suggestions, please leave a comment or email me and let me know what’s on your mind. If you think that this is the worst idea you’ve ever heard, feel free to let me know also – just try to be nice about it!
I’m sure you must think it weird for a newbie herself to come up with an idea like this and believe me, I feel the same way! But I really think this could work and maybe make Eps less clique-y and more of a community with excellent writers for everyone to read and enjoy.
Thanks for reading,
-arihamilton
Please leave comments or email me (my address is on my profile page). This cannot work without you all, but I'm sure that we can make this a big success!
*Special thanks to Jag2112, Fyvel, joecooper and nscanuck for all their help, ideas and general encouragement. Y'all are what keep me smiling throughout the day.*
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Epinions.com ID:
arihamilton
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Member: Ari Hamilton
Location: Waco, TX USA
Reviews written: 22
Trusted by: 51 members
About Me:
No, I haven't left Epinions... real life just caught up with me :-p
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