| If you manage a message board community, a key to | | | | hearts of your members will retain your visitors like |
| your site's success is the lively banter between | | | | nothing else. Put away the stale, antiseptic |
| members. Without conversation, your site will quickly | | | | backgrounds and put some holiday pizzazz into your |
| die off. You can't police your forum and respond to | | | | forums.Cyber Grab Bag. No, I haven't tried this one...yet! |
| every post, but there are a few things you can do as | | | | However, I do know of sites where members play |
| an administrator to get things moving again.Hold a | | | | "Secret Santa" with other members. This can be in the |
| contest. Yes, who doesn't like to win something, | | | | form of a surprise email, an electronic gift, or a |
| anything? You don't have to spend a lot of money and | | | | donation to the recipient's favorite charity.There are |
| the prize can be as simple as a magazine subscription, | | | | many other ways to get your site moving again. Use |
| free membership for one year to your site, or an | | | | this festive time of the year to come up with a plan |
| electronic gift card for the lucky winner. Want to go big | | | | that is certain to spark interest in your site. If in doubt |
| time? Find a merchant to sponsor a gift; in exchange | | | | as to what to do next, ask your members...they'll |
| for their donation give them free advertising on your | | | | know!Copyright 2005 -- Matthew Keegan is The |
| site for an agreed period of time.Update your icons. | | | | Article Writer who writes on a variety of topics |
| The same old, nondescript icons will certainly bring | | | | including: advocacy, automobiles, aviation, business, |
| about the yawns. Spice things up by swapping out one | | | | Christian themes, family, news, product reviews, travel, |
| set of icons for another. Holiday themed icons are a | | | | writing, and more. Samples from his portfolio are |
| favorite.Change your background or theme. Holiday | | | | available right online. |
| themed backgrounds that promote a warm glow in the | | | | |