First Impressions

My daughter just asked me what I was doing and I replied, "Building communities". I hope this turns out to be a great community. It does matter what people experience when they first arive. If the site takes off like I hope it does, then I will not be able to personally greet every new visitor. So I want to inspire a culture of "community" and have a forum where all new visitors can jump into a conversation. Let me highly encourage use of the "add as friend" feature to be found on every member's site. A nice personal message off forum is another nice way to make friends.

The topic should focus on new joins and our hopes for their experience in our community. It should be enduring and something that can be relevant to everyone from the first time they arrive throughout their experience with us.

So let me offer First Impressions- anything and everything about the topic is great discussion in my opinion. I am particularly interested in what your first impression is of Area Light. Also, let me suggest you start your own forums- topics you would like to be a part of and like to see in your community.

Best,

Anthony

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Paris E. Tompkins on August 7, 2008 at 3:02pm: Dear Anthony,
It has been my pleasure to be a part of Area Light from the beginning. I have found you to be open, intelligent and caring. I respect your mission and commitment. Let me know how I may help, especially in welcoming new members. By joining and participating, we can make a difference in this community and the greater one. Paris.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Simply D on August 25, 2008 at 8:37am: Hi Anthony,

Thanks for starting this community, my first impressions have been great ones. Love the look and feel.

You're right on about greeting new members and making them feel welcome, I think it will lead to more interaction. I created a private community a while back for a local non-profit and the biggest challenge initially was getting everyone to interact. Many people are new to social networking, so having a few key leaders is critical to it's growth.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Deborah J. Boyd on September 12, 2008 at 9:15pm: Anthony, The Internet has resolved a problem that sprang up as America got more complicated. People would go where the work was or where they like the lifestyle. Many jobs do not allow much time for meeting people. What you started amounts to a new age tribe. Or you can say clan. It becomes like a family picnic or a wedding. You get an invitation so it means you know somebody there but you will probably meet people you do not know. Some you get along with and strike up conversation and some you do not. If you can get 4 of 10 to participate you are doing well. It appears that most humans are happy to be observers.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Deborah J. Boyd on September 12, 2008 at 9:29pm: Do you know that First Impressions is a major part of Peace on Earth? Before you judge and reject, take the time to explore. Age, weight, skin color, college degrees, clothes......none of these indicators have anything to do with the spirit of a person and that is what we should be relating to. Try making eye contact and smiling with everyone you see...for even one day. As soon as you say "You don't count" to anyone you have started a negative image. Some people are shy but it does not mean they are stupid. Tell a child that he/she will never amount to anything....they may live down to that. Let's proceed to encourage one another. Remember we all have different dreams. My dream is not to go sky diving but if someone else wnats to do that all I will tell them is take the time to get some lessons and check your own parachute.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by LisaLisa on September 24, 2008 at 8:43am: Dear Anthony,
My first impression of the site was WOW....to see all the diversity that is here is remarkable. I find the site to be truly warm and very welcoming from all members as well as you. To see the multitude of talented members is great everyone offering to assistance in any way...really helps. I'm thankful to be apart of this wonderful community.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Clark Isaacs on November 16, 2008 at 8:16am: Anthony:

I cannot express the thanks to your wonderful piece that you put on my website about the effort we are trying.

My wife is the kind of person who likes to be in the background but loves writing and editing. We alternate books read and reviewed. In this way we can put quality into the book reviews and not quantity. We assist each other whenever we can in the editing process. Luckily, we do not need income from this to support ourselves as we would be eating mac and cheese once a month!

We live on a 42 acre ranch in a log home which we built 4 years ago. We are at about 3500 feet of elevation and sit on our small mountain. The nice thing is the solitude and peace which we have here and yet...we live 100 miles from Las Vegas and 50 miles from Laughlin NV. We go out to have fun there and still come back to our little (4000 sq ft cabin) in the sky.

You are a good writer and I do not know what you are attempting to accomplish with Area Light but you made us feel good.

Thank you,

Clark; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nascent Dynamics ( ) on December 11, 2008 at 11:50pm: I am going to break convention here and respond to this forum I started. Typically, I like to view the thread as a testimonial- and not intrude. However, these are some of the best experiences I've had social networking. Perhaps the compliments were lightly given. They were not likely taken. It is mostly all on line with the first impression I want to have.

Thank you so much for the positive feedback. I would like to invite you all to this thread to continue an open community discussion. I will be here for sure!

Best,

Anthony; ▶ Reply to This