Suggestion: Add a Newbies forum to the Warrior Forum

[Mr. Enthusiastic]

May I suggest, for discussion, the idea of a Newbies forum to the top of the Warrior Forum's list of forums?

The purposes would be:

1. Have a dedicated place where people brand new to the Warrior Forum can introduce themselves and be greeted.
2. Have a dedicated place where people who are new to Internet Marketing can ask for advice about what type of business plan might work for them. Also a place to share their experiences so far.
3. Have a dedicated place where people who are new to a particular technique or strategy can ask about it. For example, someone might be experienced with article writing but hasn't used CPA before. They could post to the newbies forum with questions about where to begin with CPA. CPA experts could then suggest particular threads in the CPA forum that might be useful to the beginner.
4. Streamline the other forums with the assumption that posters would already have a basic understanding of what's being discussed.

I've seen this kind of arrangement work very well for some other online forums.

I think that a lot of frustrations, of both newbie and old-timers, might be solved by a dedicated newbies forum.

Newbies and Test could be combined in a group category called "New? Start here."

Your thoughts?
Chris

[J.Cox]

I dont see why not... it would definetely cut down on some of the newb questions that are posted everyday... I assume

[webwriter]

I think that this forum would work. A newbie, I would hang out there and get more questions answered. I would also share my success and perhaps develop a WSO focused on what worked for me and why.

Other newbies would be encouraged to continue and learn that giving up is not an option.

[Obilex]

I'd love a place like this so I can stay out of the way and not feel like a total idiot when i bring up dumb questions that are common knowledge to the old timers.

[Bill Farnham]

Just for the record, this subject has been thrashed here many times.

The outcome?

Do you see a newbies forum here...?

KJ

[InternetMarketingIQ]

No point in it.

Just limit sig files until a month or 15 posts whichever comes first.

No one wants to think of themselves as a Newbie. And all this place needs is a Forum where every one just attacks the new people with their advice. Wouldn't be pretty.

[Livetogreen]

Great idea will make everything so much easier for newbs

[Heidi White]

Naa . . . . better to dive into the daily fray and learn the hard way.

Also, by using the search function - you can usually find answers to your most basic questions and then if you want more advice you can summarize what you got out of your search (and post links to those posts with the answers you found) and then ask other Warriors to verify if those conclusions are still valid or correct.

This way, you're not just asking - "How do I find a good keyword?" - your're providing some answers for other newbies to see, learning a little something and then getting validation from people who might actually know the answers.

-----

I personally despise forums that make every new person 'introduce themselves' - I feel like I'm getting a big NEWBIE tatoo on my forehead.

[Michael Ellis]

I don't understand why this section is needed. If your new and don't understand what is being discussed, simply use the search function.

[logsweir]

Hi folks
I think there is a lot to be said for being thrown in at the deep end!
Finding our way through the posts is part of our learning curve and will stand us in good stead. I think it "sticks" better that way..
logsweir

[Michael Oksa]

I was one of those who started a thread on this topic not too long ago.

My intentions were good, but those who are opposed to it are VERY opposed to it.

Regardless, if Allen doesn't want one, that's fine with me.

The big problems are how to determine when someone has "graduated" and how to keep the bad elements in the world from taking adavntage.

All the best,
Michael

[Mr. Enthusiastic]

Joe and Michael, I don't remember the previous thread. Maybe it's just not what the owners want, so the threads get deleted?

I'm interested to see that several self-described newbies do like the idea. I've been in other, non-marketing forums where the "introduce yourself" and "ask the basics here" forums were popular, non-intimidating places to start.

To clarify my suggestion: I suggest that users are free to post anywhere except for the paid subscription area. People could choose for themselves whether they want to be in the newbie area. Of course, moderators would continue to relocate threads when needed, as always.

Thanks for all the comments! I'm not attached to the outcome, just wanted to ask the question and learn what people think.

[Nick Brighton]

I once thought this was a good idea too, but here are the problems as I see them:

1. adding subsections of subsections creates a fragmented forum

The more sub forums there are, the more of a pain in the butt it is to moderate and to read as a member.

2. fewer questions will be answered

if a newbie posts a question in the main forum, it will get a high view count and subsequently, will get answered from multiple angles giving a comprehensive overall answer. I can only imagine that at "newbie" section would have less appeal to those more experienced, and therefore greater divide between those asking questions and those that can answer them

3. potential target for unethical lurkers

another thing to consider, is that having a newbie section is a big red target for some of the shady marketers that lurk in this forum. Beginners are already being exploited, so by putting them on a pedestal, it could be a recipe for disaster ... not to mention moderators living hell as a result.

4. Morally, making yourself an official "newbie" detracts from your own psyche, self-confidence and self worth in this forum

I really think people need to break out the pigeonholing thing going on on this forum. Beginners already have a complex about posting, and many are worried that they have nothing to contribute because they are considered "newbies" for whatever reason.

I personally feel that beginners have as much valuable insight as seasoned pros, albeit in a different sense, they can still deliver a lot of value which seasoned pros may overlook through familiarity and blindness. Having a "newbie" section simply reinforces this whole categorising thing, which I don't think really helps beginners build confidence in themselves.

5. what is considered a newbie question?

how do you know where it should be posted? Does it still belong in the forum, or you ready to post in the main section? It'd be difficult to know what is a newbie/basic question, and what is deserving of a place in the main forum.

------------

and above all, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

[CurtisN]

If we had a newbie section, we'd need people who aren't newbies to answer their questions and even to greet them. Newbies greeting fellow newbies wouldn't make for a very welcoming atmosphere.

And if we're going to have more advanced marketers answering questions for newbies, why not do it in the general discussion section just like it's always been done?

I don't think making a new section will do anything except to make things more confusing. People often post things in the wrong places now...adding more places to post will only make things worse.

Curtis

[Heidi White]

Originally Posted by Nick Brighton

I once thought this was a good idea too, but here are the problems as I see them:

1. adding subsections of subsections creates a fragmented forum

The more sub forums there are, the more of a pain in the butt it is to moderate and to read as a member.

2. fewer questions will be answered

if a newbie posts a question in the main forum, it will get a high view count and subsequently, will get answered from multiple angles giving a comprehensive overall answer. I can only imagine that at "newbie" section would have less appeal to those more experienced, and therefore greater divide between those asking questions and those that can answer them

3. potential target for unethical lurkers

another thing to consider, is that having a newbie section is a big red target for some of the shady marketers that lurk in this forum. Beginners are already being exploited, so by putting them on a pedestal, it could be a recipe for disaster ... not to mention moderators living hell as a result.

4. Morally, making yourself an official "newbie" detracts from your own psyche, self-confidence and self worth in this forum

I really think people need to break out the pigeonholing thing going on on this forum. Beginners already have a complex about posting, and many are worried that they have nothing to contribute because they are considered "newbies" for whatever reason.

I personally feel that beginners have as much valuable insight as seasoned pros, albeit in a different sense, they can still deliver a lot of value which seasoned pros may overlook through familiarity and blindness. Having a "newbie" section simply reinforces this whole categorising thing, which I don't think really helps beginners build confidence in themselves.

5. what is considered a newbie question?

how do you know where it should be posted? Does it still belong in the forum, or you ready to post in the main section? It'd be difficult to know what is a newbie/basic question, and what is deserving of a place in the main forum.

------------

and above all, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

OMG - I normally don't Quote the entire statement, but Nick said everything I tried to say and some things I decided not to say. 98% in agreemeent.

[Mr. Enthusiastic]

Nick, your reasons #2 and 3 are pretty compelling reasons for the status quo. As I mentioned, I've seen your points 1, 4, and 5 work just fine elsewhere. But those two are real concerns with the unique nature of this site.

[Kay King]

One thing about newbie forums - people tend to stay there.

Newbies answering newbies is not the way to go - and not the way to learn. IM is not rocket science or brain surgery. There is nothing that is that hard to learn - and you don't have to know it all to make a good start.

Newbies get good training here. Good questions get good answers. Repeated questions get taught to use the "search" - which is something that must be learned eventually to work online.

Those who post stupid comments get called on them. That may sound mean (or look mean when you see it). Truth is, those with potential will learn to ask better questions - and the others aren't worth helping anyway as they aren't serious.

The GOAL of every newbie marketer should be to get over being a "newbie" as quickly as possible. The fun starts when you realize you are no longer a "beginner"....you're a marketer.

kay

[pcpupil]

Well,i dont know if i can post this without getting sent on a vacation,but there is already a noob forum run by a warrior.
Allen or moderators if im out of line just delete my post.
Send them to the newbie university.
This way all the warriors that make posts about newbies,ect,maybe theyll go over there.
Quess ill go pack my bags for my trip now.
Matt

[CurtisN]

Originally Posted by Kay King

Truth is, those with potential will learn to ask better questions - and the others aren't worth helping anyway as they aren't serious.

Brilliant I'm glad this got mentioned.

Curtis