Spreading word about the new board

[Big D]

I was just thinking.....while I was at the Depaul game I got talking to one guy and let him know about the new board and that if he ever gets on the internet, he should come by and talk UIC hoops. So, it's very easy to promote this thing...it would just require a little bit of communication.

I was thinking that a lot of the real big UIC fans are the fans that would be sitting in the season ticket seats (behind the basket and on the side). I'm sure a number of these people would like to talk hoops if they new this place existed.

So what do you guys think about just making a quick flyer that just says something along the lines of "Want to talk UIC hoops with UIC's biggest fans? If so, head over to uicflames.proboards28.com/index.cgi ....blah blah....and spread the word...."

Then during halftime when no action is going on and you can walk freely, just pass them out to the people behind the basket, etc...and let them know about the board. I think this would be a good idea. I mean, there are some pretty big fans in those seats.

What do you think? Would anybody be willing to do this?

[Big D]

Is anyone else kind of disappointed in how slowly this board is growing? I mean, we definitely have more posters and many more posts than on the old board, but we have been stuck at about 60 members for a while now....and of our 63 members, I think about 40 are UIC fans....and among the 40 UIC fans, we have about 20 people that post somewhat regularly.

Sure, I think we'd have more members if we required registration, but I think it's better like this for people who just want to swing by (from other schools). UWM's board, on the other hand, is growing at a pretty nice rate. They're closing in on 500 members and they get a few new signups every day.

I guess this thing will continue to grow slowly but I wish there was a way to get the word out more. It probably doesn't help that we're not having the best season in the world.

[UICJohn]

Honestly, I am a little disappointed. I thought that this board would start to pick up a little, especially after the website was in the UIC Flame a week or two ago. But like you said, the fact that we're not having that great of a season probably doesn't help. But then again, having good seasons didn't help all that much with other things.

I do have to say, as much as I hate UWM, they are building a good fan base. I read things about how they wish they could get more student turnouts instead of just at the UIC game, so I don't know how their student turnout is normally. But for the UIC game, they had a very good student turnout and they were very into the game. If it can be done at UWM, it can be done at UIC.

[Big D]

UICJohn said:

I thought that this board would start to pick up a little, especially after the website was in the UIC Flame a week or two ago.

Given the number of computer-illiterate people in this world, I'm sure the majority of those who read the Chicago Flame were unable to figure out that the link was incorrect. The link was printed as having a "www" in it....however, if you do it that way, it will not work. I don't know how many people actually tried it without the "www" but my guess would be not too many. I'd bet that of the few people who were interested, they typed in the address as it was given and when it didn't work, they said "screw it".

Hey MZwolinski, what are the odds of putting the link in another article without the "www"....you know, maybe just at the end.

Is there anything else we can do to get the word out. Has anybody tried to post this link (and the uichoops link) at the tigger site?

[UICJohn]

I forgot who brought it up, but I really think that just passing out little flier things at the basketball games would be a great idea. I know that at the dorms things are passed out and for the games too. But goin straight there would be getting people who are already interested on here.

[HackPanther]

UICJohn said:

I forgot who brought it up, but I really think that just passing out little flier things at the basketball games would be a great idea. I know that at the dorms things are passed out and for the games too. But goin straight there would be getting people who are already interested on here.

That's how I found out about UWM's board last year. Doesn't need to be a big flier ... take a sheet of paper and cut it up into six.

Student turnout at UWM has been excellent this year IMO, not just the UIC game. Obviously the turnout suffered over break, but we still had some pretty good crowds.

[Big D]

UICJohn said:

I forgot who brought it up, but I really think that just passing out little flier things at the basketball games would be a great idea. I know that at the dorms things are passed out and for the games too. But goin straight there would be getting people who are already interested on here.

just scroll up and check out the very first post of this thread....I still think it would be a good idea.....

and, now that uichoops exists, that address could be put on there as well.....

[UICJason]

I can make them no problem...even pay for the copies, but I can't really pass them out, like I've said, I'm an employee.

I can also make the link to the Message Board a lot bigger on uichoops, and make the main story that as well. I've been a little lacking in doing that, but it can be tough sometimes. I plan to work on making it easier in the offseason.

Are there students or anyone who'd want to meet me before a game to grab some of these fliers, etc? UICJohn and Co? I know you're hardcore.

[Big D]

UICJason said:

I can make them no problem...even pay for the copies, but I can't really pass them out, like I've said, I'm an employee.

I can also make the link to the Message Board a lot bigger on uichoops, and make the main story that as well. I've been a little lacking in doing that, but it can be tough sometimes. I plan to work on making it easier in the offseason.

Are there students or anyone who'd want to meet me before a game to grab some of these fliers, etc? UICJohn and Co? I know you're hardcore.

I think it might be a good idea to make the message board link bigger UICJason......good idea.

And, as for the flyers, I think you guys should really try to do this. Nothing extravagant and expensive.....I think some of those people would actually visit this board. It's one thing to try to attract the occasional fan, but the people at the games who appear to be regulars would probably enjoy this place.

I'd pass them flyers out if I were there.....

[Big D]

So, did anybody pass out any small flyers with the board link on it?

If not, I think the Green Bay and Loyola games would be good opportunities to do it. Let's turn all this talking into action. ;D