Membership in an MFP "Group"

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Replies

  • MargaretYakoda
    MargaretYakoda Posts: 2,997 Member
    Adventurista wrote: »
    Agree @chris_in_cal
    ... or even to delete ghost groups for non-participation after an extended period of time, although that may disappear old treasured resource/content...

    Not sure I have noticed people talking about this issue with groups, but the current sort/search is a definite obstacle when I have tried to find something of interest. I have found more groups through word of mouth/advertising posts such as time-limited challenges advertised in the challenge forum.

    An easy fix might be to have a pinned topic either here in “getting started” or in “introduce yourself” where group members and owners can invite people into their group. As it would be a user inviting people to join a group, or perhaps others asking for group recommendations, it would by design only be active users inviting people to active groups.

    I think I’ll go ask for this directly.
  • chris_in_cal
    chris_in_cal Posts: 2,539 Member
    MargaretYakoda wrote: »
    An easy fix might be to have a pinned topic either here in “getting started” or in “introduce yourself” where group members and owners can invite people into their group.

    Basic search and sort of the data in their "Groups" is critical. The whole MFP "Groups" area was destroyed and is wholly broken. There are 10,000 groups at present, and a rough guess is %1 - 2% are functions. Without good sort or search, that's just a bunch of junk to go wade into.

    I've been on the "MFP groups are broken" rant for a few years. I really can't believe that they are going to promote their current "groups" as any kind of way of keeping users engaged with this site.
  • springlering62
    springlering62 Posts: 8,660 Member
    Survey your friends for groups to join or that they may have started. I’ve got several friends starting groups and friends are gravitating there.

    OTOH def losing a few who are quitting and going to other sites, some I’ll be really sorry to see go. Long time, successful users who have probably never posted in the community but are very active amongst friends.
  • MargaretYakoda
    MargaretYakoda Posts: 2,997 Member
    chris_in_cal wrote: »
    MargaretYakoda wrote: »
    An easy fix might be to have a pinned topic either here in “getting started” or in “introduce yourself” where group members and owners can invite people into their group.

    Basic search and sort of the data in their "Groups" is critical. The whole MFP "Groups" area was destroyed and is wholly broken. There are 10,000 groups at present, and a rough guess is %1 - 2% are functions. Without good sort or search, that's just a bunch of junk to go wade into.

    I've been on the "MFP groups are broken" rant for a few years. I really can't believe that they are going to promote their current "groups" as any kind of way of keeping users engaged with this site.

    No disagreement there.

    But I also think a pinned discussion dedicated to inviting people to groups, or looking for groups, would be beneficial.

    Case in point:

    Here’s a group I’ve been trying to grow, dedicated to discussion and community building for disabled folks who are trying to manage weight and exercise in a safe way.

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/141248-disability-chronic-illness-fitness-and-weight-management-we-are-here-we-can-do-this
  • Adventurista
    Adventurista Posts: 2,110 Member
    I browse several forums that have a pinned place to advertise their form of groups. Seems to work well and observed a couple typical rules. New pins monthly, limited to 1 advertisement in the month (duplicates are deleted to control spam, so the pins are actively moderated.)
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,454 Member
    MargaretYakoda wrote: »
    chris_in_cal wrote: »
    MargaretYakoda wrote: »
    An easy fix might be to have a pinned topic either here in “getting started” or in “introduce yourself” where group members and owners can invite people into their group.

    Basic search and sort of the data in their "Groups" is critical. The whole MFP "Groups" area was destroyed and is wholly broken. There are 10,000 groups at present, and a rough guess is %1 - 2% are functions. Without good sort or search, that's just a bunch of junk to go wade into.

    I've been on the "MFP groups are broken" rant for a few years. I really can't believe that they are going to promote their current "groups" as any kind of way of keeping users engaged with this site.

    No disagreement there.

    But I also think a pinned discussion dedicated to inviting people to groups, or looking for groups, would be beneficial.

    Case in point:

    Here’s a group I’ve been trying to grow, dedicated to discussion and community building for disabled folks who are trying to manage weight and exercise in a safe way.

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/141248-disability-chronic-illness-fitness-and-weight-management-we-are-here-we-can-do-this

    You are allowed to post a thread in the main forums promoting your Group.

    I think in your case it's not just one thing. Small niche. Groups being, "off the beaten path," etc.

    Have you tried just creating a thread first? I mean, you can't make people fit into your niche and post...that goes for all of the forum threads and groups.

    The groups I've been active in were well promoted in the forums, were inclusive and focused, and had frequent posts by the creator(s) and moderator team. You have to create your own "buzz" and be appealing to enough people.

    Myfitnesspal in general doesn't work any more. The database sucks and could be fixed, the forums have been killed by overly harsh moderation, difficult navigation, inability to connect with people easily, and by confusing tools. For instance, @chris_in_cal - did you know you can Hide those threads/forums you don't want to see? You mentioned trying to get away from them. . .I haven't seen "Chit Chat" or "Fun and Games" in ten years. :)

    Dun make it hard, mfp. You're driving away your user-base.


    p.s. still can't log food. 14 days and counting. That's really why I'm even on this site so if that doesn't get fixed - - what's the point?

  • chris_in_cal
    chris_in_cal Posts: 2,539 Member
    MargaretYakoda wrote: »
    Case in point:

    Here’s a group I’ve been trying to grow, dedicated to discussion and community building for disabled folks who are trying to manage weight and exercise in a safe way.

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/141248-disability-chronic-illness-fitness-and-weight-management-we-are-here-we-can-do-this
    No offense, because I've been on a similar 'promote a group' effort for about six months. But how is your suggested efforts working out? I looked at your group, and see you have posted there many times. If you are interested in growing a like-minded community, how is it working out. You are there, what's the community like over the last couple of days or weeks. Are there currently a bunch of active participants in your MFP Group?

    Raising the flag to go someplace else(an MFP group), and the path there is difficult, and that other place itself (the Group) isn't that appealing, is a hard sell for a reader of a 'pinned discussion'

    I applaud your idea (again I'm doing it myself) I can't be positive, but I'm estimating these posts led to zero new participants. Perhaps one or two at most. I'm not complaining, and obviously I'm not discouraging you from trying. I am taking a stand that MFP groups are broken and dysfunctional from a vibrant social media standpoint. I hope this social media company improves MFP Groups, so the only option for me and others isn't going elsewhere.

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