Re: UKNM: Net Events

[Giles Turnbull]

At 00:52 13/10/00, Paul wrote:

>Hi,

>

>Sorry to ask for everyone's help again (especially after kicking off that

>top 10 sites avalanche last time) but we're putting together a net events

>listing feature (a guide to web chats, time limited special offers etc.)

and

>we need to know what's happening where and when.


Good luck Paul. When I was working at the Press Association, I was asked to

compile a similar thing for pa.press.net (this is some time before Ananova

came along). I sent out lots of mails similar to yours, might even have

posted a similar one to UKNM, but in general the response was pretty poor.


Some tips that might be useful (apologies if you're already doing these):


- allow for a web interface that permits people to add new events at the

last minute. We found that very few people were able to say months or even

days in advance what would be happening on their sites. Most rang us at the

last minute to say "Such-and-such is happening tonight / tomorrow."


- allow for two URL fields in the database; one for the precise page where

the event is happening, but more usefully, one for the home page of that

site, or a holding page where you can be sure the event itself will be

promoted nearer the time. Precise event URLs tend not to be planned in

advance and are likely to change before the event itself happens. (This

assumes you are planning to provide links to the events you list.)


- make the system that your staff use to update the database with new

events VERY quick to use. Adding new things gets very boring for the person

who has to add them. Better still, create a web-based form that updates

everything for you. If that's the main means of getting info into the

database, might be worth splashing out some cash on some tightly-targeted

advertising to get the right people viewing it.


- keep a searchable archive of old events. You would not believe the number

of emails you'll get saying "I saw thingumy listed on your page and it's

gone now - what was the URL again?"


- ensure that people submitting events provide you with their phone

numbers. Too many people make typos and other errors when inputting the

data, leaving you with a listing you can't use unless you call them to sort

it out.


Giles



--

Giles Turnbull, freelance writer and internet thinker

mob: 07939 127 917, home: 020 8776 5179

http://www.gorjuss.com http://writetheweb.com http://gilest.org



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