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PRODUCT.TXT
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1995-02-10
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┌───────────────────────────┐
│The Computer Bulletin Board│
│ Guide to Public Relations │
└───────────────────────────┘
Ver 1.8
BBS Analysis
┌─────────────┐
│BBS INVENTORY│
└─────────────┘
BBS Name__________________________ Sysop_________________________
# of Lines__________ Highest Speed__________ Slowest ___________
Software____________ CPU speed________ HD size_______ speed_____
Graphics: Ansi Rip NAPLPS JPEG Other (specify) ___________
General Interest? y/n or Special Focus (specify)? ____________
# of Users ________ # of Active Users _______ Average User Age ____
Predominantly Male/Female Aliases permitted y/n
Subscription (price)________ Variable access for variable price y/n
Donations y/n Free y/n
FILES
# of File Areas_________ # of CD-ROMS________ FREQ permitted? y/n
Virus Check? y/n Outdated files deleted? y/n
Primary Archive Type PKZip ARJ ARC PAK Other______
File Distribution Network? y/n Adult Files? y/n Youth Files? y/n
MESSAGES
# of Message Bases____________ # Local__________ # Echos__________
Echo Networks _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______
Adult Message areas? y/n Youth Message areas? y/n
Offline Mail Reader .QWK?______ Proprietary?______ Both?_______
Is mail compression type user configurable? y/n
DOORS
# of Single Player Games__________ # of Multi-Player Games_________
# of Magazines/Newspapers_________ # of Databases_________
MISC
Bulletins: How Many?_______ Updated frequently?_______
Node Chat? y/n
Association memberships _______ _______ _______ _______ _______
┌────────────┐
│Your Product│
└────────────┘
You have to think of your BBS as a product. Whether you
have a 32 line commercial BBS, a single line hobby board or
somewhere in between, you are selling a service. Just as
with any other product, you have to decide where and how your
public relations efforts should best be spent.
Now may be a good time to look at your BBS and take an
inventory. The Inventory included at the beginning of this
file will help you take stock of the strengths and weaknesses
of your BBS. Some of these things you may already have
thought of. Others possibly not. Whatever the case may be,
this is a very subjective matter and there are no right or
wrong answers.
We'll take this step by step and briefly examine some of
the immediate public relations problems your BBS may present
and some ways to solve those problems.
I want you to bear in mind that it is NOT my intention
to tell you how to run your BBS. In addition, I don't think
there are any "bad" features for a BBS, except of course
those that are patently illegal. If anything like that is
implied, it wasn't intended.
BBS NAME:
The name of your BBS should be chosen very carefully and
it should be in keeping with the overall tone of the BBS.
Chances are you wouldn't want to call your BBS "Thunder of
Cloven Hooves" if the emphasis is on scholarly Biblical
discussions.
Sysop:
If you are known to users mainly as the Sysop, that
could be creating an aloof image. That could be the image
you want. On some larger boards with staffs that may be the
best way to handle administrative duties. But if you want to
have a more folksy and personable board you need to make
yourself known. Create an account with your name, if you
haven't already done so. Encourage users to refer to you
with your name, instead of The Sysop.
YOUR PRODUCT pg 1
General Interest/Special Focus
You may want to have a BBS with a little bit of
everything for everybody. Even with cable becoming more
prevalent, the three major broadcast networks still have the
largest viewership. A General Interest BBS with a very large
plate to offer will draw users but could overwhelm some
users, especially new users.
A BBS with a specific interest runs the risk of being
too narrowly defined. There is probably a market for a BBS
about horse racing jockeys six feet and taller with green
eyes, but it's also so specialized it would attract few
callers (if any).
Users
Most BBS have very large user lists. Many of those
lists are bogus in that they reflect all the people that have
visited since the BBS was established. Some Sysops routinely
clean the chaff out of the user lists. This is a good idea
in that it makes it easier for Sysops to keep track of who is
active and who is not. In addition it helps users who log in
only occasionally. If a user hasn't logged on recently he
has usually lost track of what happened the last time he was
on. It reminds occasional users that it might be a good idea
to stop in more often.
Money:
As I'm sure you are aware, a Bulletin Board can cost a
lot to operate. The trend is to charge some kind of
subscription. There are a number of different ways in which
to do this. A very large portion of the BBS community
believes that charging for access violates the spirit of
freedom of information that has been intertwined with
personal computers since their introduction. You will face
that sort of resistance, especially if your BBS has had a
history of access at no charge.
FILES:
File areas are arguably the heart of a BBS. And just as
with a human heart, they can create a huge amount of trouble
if not properly taken care of.
File Requests can be a valuable promotional tool. Many
software companies allow potential buyers to request a demo
YOUR PRODUCT pg 2
from their support board to try the software before
purchasing it. Some BBSs allow downloads of certain
informational files without having the caller registered or
verified. This is potentially a very powerful feature and
probably should be implemented on your BBS if it isn't
already. A file explaining your policies, the message bases
available, some hints on how to use your BBS (especially if
it uses a less well known software package), and maybe even a
registration or subscription form. This gives the user an
idea of what your BBS is like and can leave him with a good
feeling in that he received something without having full
access.
BBSs are commonly cited as a major source of computer
viruses. If you take great pains to check all files for
viruses before making them publicly available then you can
put many users' minds at ease. Make sure you promote that
often on your BBS and in any advertising you do. Sometimes a
virus will sneak through even the best virus checkers. Track
down the offending file, delete it and apologize to those who
downloaded it. But gently remind users that you are not
responsible for damage caused by the virus. They downloaded
and used it at their own risk.
Message Bases:
If File Areas are the heart of a BBS, then the Message
Bases are the soul of your BBS. That is where your users
have the biggest opportunity to contribute to the board.
This is also where you have the biggest opportunity to set
the image of the BBS. Your message bases can be wide and
varied or narrow and focused on just a few topics. Keep in
mind not everyone is going to be tactful and considerate.
Some are rude and downright mean.
Nationally echoed message bases can be a valuable asset
to your board. But there will be times when there are
matters of interest in Waxahachie, Texas that folks in Erie,
Pennsylvania won't be interested in. Chances are you have at
least one message base that is specific for local matters.
You may want to consider opening up a few others depending on
the demand from your users.
DOORS:
Your choice of Door programs create a twofold public
relations challenge right out of the box. First, there may
be times in which you add a door that doesn't quite fit the
YOUR PRODUCT pg 3
image you are trying to create on your BBS. In that case
it's a fairly simple matter to remove the door program.
Second, a very popular door could tie up your BBS for hours a
day with just a few users, causing frustration to others.
This is particularly true of games.
MISC:
Most BBSs run a screen full of Bulletins when the user
logs on. These bulletins should be updated as often as
possible. Callers need to know what's going on with your
BBS, even if it's just the latest scores for "Red Dragon."
Most users don't read the bulletins on a regular basis. But,
they leave the impression that you have a "happening" BBS. A
business owner I once worked for said to me "The impression
that we have business generates business." He always made
sure there were cars in front of his business, even if they
belonged to employees. Your bulletins can be the cars in
front of your business.
Curiously, though, a lot of bulletins can also turn away
a user. If you have a potload of bulletins, you might want
to think about moving some to areas in which they are more
appropriate. Bulletins of game scores might be moved to a
gaming conference, as an example. Rules, policies and news
should be the primary considerations when developing log on
bulletins.
There are several BBS and Sysop groups and associations
that you can become a member of. There might even be one or
more in your area. They are sources of support, solutions,
and other information. If you are having trouble with
another sysop, the association can be a place to arbitrate
your difficulties. If worse comes to worse and you run afoul
of the law as a result of your BBS, the group may be able to
put you in touch with some legal help.
A meeting can also provide you with the opportunity to
unwind after a hard day of slaving over a hot keyboard. I
strongly recommend joining a group.
YOUR PRODUCT pg 4
┌────────────┐
│GOAL SETTING│
└────────────┘
Even if you don't run a commercial BBS, you should think
of it as a business. There is hardly any business that does
not take an inventory on a regular basis. Any business that
does not analyze itself occasionally is doomed to failure.
Every six months or so, sit back and look at where your
BBS has been, where it's at and where it's going. Do you
have specific goals in mind? What are you doing to meet
those goals? How is your Public Relations campaign
reflecting the climb toward those goals?
Whatever you are up to, PROMOTE, PROMOTE, PROMOTE. Tell
your users what's going on. Tell your co-workers. Tell the
dog. Get the word out on the street somehow.
This is only a cursory look at some the things you
should be aware of from a public relations standpoint as you
examine your BBS. You might want to do things differently.
Public relations is an art, and you may prefer to do yours in
oil while I prefer chalk.
I encourage you to write me and let me know what your
are doing in the area of Public Relations.
Robert Parson
2501 Phoenix
Fort Smith, AR 72901
501 646 9332 (voice)
Jackalope Junction BBS 501 785 5381 (Steve Prado, Sysop)
internet r.parson@genie.geis.com
GEnie R.Parson
Fido 1:3822/1 or 1:3822/8
YOUR PRODUCT pg 5
