Need some ideas

I run a web site called Backcountry Secrets (http://www.backcountrysecrets.com). The idea of the site is to get people to share points of places to hike, bike, canoe, swim, etc.

The problem I am running into is that everyone who visits the site only consumes, no one shares.

I have considered doing competitions for prizes. For example person with the most submitted points over a specified time wins something.

I've also considered doing something like, "Next 20 people to submit 50 points gets a $25 Applebee's gift card."

Do you have any suggestions for me as to a campaign that may also help?

 

Check out a site called Qassia, they are getting a ton of articles of all kinds.

It's free and they give points for the articles that will be used to make money from Adsense ads they will be putting on the site later.

The theory is good and may be helpful for you or at least give you some ideas.

donrock

 

Bonus sytem will help you greately.

 

yes i need some idea about the posting of site.

 

Hi ,
submitted something from Ireland to BC secrets. I love the idea of the site...
Im just wondering if there was a quicker way for people to submit stuff..

If they could also use some form of "quick submit" to submit a BC secret of a website link relating to an area? Something like a "stumble upon" button..

I think that may be whats stopping people is that it takes a little time.... Maybe a draw for members each month for travel vouchers or one of your SHHHHH hats ?

Will put thinking cap on !

 

Nice web site, I like the concept, and I like the idea of giving a prize to the person with the most submitted points over a specified time.

 

I like the concept of the site also.

I may be missing it, but these days, a site such as yours really needs to incorporate graphics and video to hook users.

 

wow what a great site!

I'm a outdoorsy person myself...

 

The contest sounds like a good idea to get more users. What is your traffic like though? I work for 2 well ranked camping gear sites, and I have not ran into your site yet until now. Maybe you just need more exposure in the right crowds.
If you want I would be willing to do a blog post swap type thing where we each get some exposure for our sites. PM if you are interested.

 

add some features to your site that will attract the surfer.

 

I agree with you on the video stuff MTheory, I'm just not sure what the best route for incorporating the videos into the site would be (technology wise). I mean I know I could use youtube, but to me that feels kind of cheap...

 

I also meant it may be nice to allow member to include video and photos in their reviews.

 

Photos can be included with the points. I need to make that more obvious and I also need to make it so you can include a description with the photo. I like the idea of adding the photo to the review! That way the reviewer gets credit for his/her image.

 

I know that this might be a little counter intuitive, but you may want to make it where the person that comes to the site can "share" their secret place without signing up for a login. I think that's your biggest barrier.

I was going to add two really cool places I know about, but it asked me for a login and since I am at work I thought "meh, I do that later..." I know I will forget though. You have an excellent site.

Here is what I would do, make it super simple to add a new site, then ask for the users email address to let them know if someone has questions about that particular site or lets them know if someone makes a change. This site would do well as a social networking hybrid site.

Then you could promote it by going on site to some of the places and doing videos that you could put up on YouTube showing the place that is described.

Good stuff, I'm bookmarking it.

 

I agree. Take the "Best Kept Secrets" concept less literal.