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How well do you think the local sites are working?

(45 Posts)
kittylester Tue 02-Jul-13 07:26:52

I know some are quite lively but the three round here either don't have someone to run them or there is very little interest.

How much do you use your local site? Or do you stick to the main site for whatever reason?

From my point of view, time shortage means I just stick to this site.

Pittcity Sun 14-Jul-13 19:58:27

Locals are very different to the national pages and will not appeal to everyone.
For example not many on this page would be interested in where you get your hair done, but on your local page someone might need a new haircut, not know where to go and appreciate your recommendation.

I have also been PMed by people who are not at ease on public forums but are happy to meet over a cuppa for a chat.

GadaboutGran Sat 13-Jul-13 10:05:06

As much as I can do to keep up with the main site. Prefer to get a national picture - not into localism!

NannaAnna Fri 12-Jul-13 23:18:47

Elegran! wink
As you know, the new bloke interest was an unexpected benefit of being a Gransnet Local editor grin
Does that encourage anyone to join the ranks and edit an area??

On the subject of local forums, it gets a bit tedious seeing your own username appearing again and again without getting interaction from others. if they start to look 'busy' then others will be attracted to them and join in, so it's up to those Gransnetters who'd like to see the local sites develop to help us out by posting. As other editors have said, you don't have to be local to an active area to join in a discussion - or even start a discussion!

Lovely to see appreciation expressed for the effort put into both Brighton & Hove and Worthing smile It is far more work than I ever envisaged (probably because I was nuts enough to take on two areas grin)
Thank you Yogagran and janthea!

The local sites will thrive if supported, so the bottom line is that it's down to GN members...

Tegan Fri 12-Jul-13 18:30:08

I think I gave up when the local area coordinator asked us where we were based after we'd introduced ourselves confused.

sunseeker Fri 12-Jul-13 17:19:42

Bristol has arranged its second meet up on 21st July so think our local site is fairly successful.

kittylester Fri 12-Jul-13 17:05:07

We tried that round here Pittcity and had no take up on the local site. sad

Pittcity Fri 12-Jul-13 16:30:27

If every Gransnet member...I've been told there are a few thousand....went to their local site to take a look and made one contribution, it would make a huge difference to the pages. You could add to or start a forum thread, list your favourite local business or review one that is already listed, add an upcoming local event, show or class and, if you run a local business, add a paid for advertisement.
Gransnet also likes members to meet up in reality as well as virtually, so if the forums for your area do not seem to be organising a meet up, why not organise one yourself?

Elegran Tue 02-Jul-13 16:30:16

Thanks soop It is leading the field!!

soop Tue 02-Jul-13 16:15:15

Thanks, Bags and Elegran...think it's sorted. smile

Bags Tue 02-Jul-13 15:32:11

I suggest you email it to elegran.

soop Tue 02-Jul-13 15:00:47

S.O.S. Have put a thistle photo into my album [number 3] but really want to enter it for the Edinburgh GN comp. Can someone help me, please. confused

janthea Tue 02-Jul-13 14:53:46

Kingston upon Thames is my local and Brighton & Hove is where I was born so I follow both on Facebook and Twitter. Their sites are very good. Lots of updates.

Elegran Tue 02-Jul-13 14:19:01

Brighton and Worthing are both in the hands of the same editor. Let's hope her new bloke interests don't take up too much of her time and keep her from her duties!

(That is not likely, A**a I know, just joshing you!)

yogagran Tue 02-Jul-13 13:59:38

The Brighton and also the Worthing Facebook pages are kept up to date with events, photos and other interesting bits and pieces.
That's how it should be done grin

Movedalot Tue 02-Jul-13 13:46:48

Nothing much going on in mine or the two adjacent. I did make a suggestion about amalgamating them and was told someone would get back to me. That was when they first started but no one has yet.

Pittcity Tue 02-Jul-13 13:35:25

Hello from Colchester, Essex.
I have read this thread with interest as I edit my local site.
We must remember that the local sites are all very new and constantly evolving to give us Gransetters what we want.
I would love to see local people's reviews so I know where to go and where to avoid....for example I regularly look after my 2 year old grandson but am no longer in the know for toddler groups to take him to....and I am stuck in a rut when it comes to where to go for coffee!!
We do not need to stick to our own local sites, I have reviewed places in other parts of the country when I have visited, an excellent resource for tourists.

As for the editor job being hard work for no thanks. You can put as much or as little into it as you like, but I have found it addictive and fun and have made several new online friends in the couple of months I have been on here.

Elegran Tue 02-Jul-13 12:17:53

While on the subject, has anyone any nice thistle photos to replace the current Edinburgh site/FB cover photo? Or any other good Scottish photos?

See http://local.gransnet.com/forums/local_edinburgh_share_your_pics/1199438-Looking-for-a-new-cover-photo

sunseeker Tue 02-Jul-13 11:49:14

Already have Galen

Galen Tue 02-Jul-13 11:09:47

On that theme can Bristol lot reply to my last post?( makes me sound like a bugle)hmm

sunseeker Tue 02-Jul-13 11:00:56

I visit the Bristol site every time I look at the main site. We only have a few people who post but hopefully that will increase as time goes on.

LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Tue 02-Jul-13 10:56:11

Hi all,
At the moment we have just under 30 local sites managed by local editors so not all areas are covered yet. The others are all 'live' and yes, anyone can add a listing. The network is growing but if your local site doesn't look very busy it's more than likely there isn't a local editor running it yet. If you're interested in getting involved then please email us [email protected] or just keep checking back every now and again to see when it takes off. And please support those that are up and running already! They're going to take time but will hopefully be really useful for keeping in touch with local gransnetters. In the meantime if you have any ideas on how they could be improved please let us know?

Elegran Tue 02-Jul-13 10:50:59

Thanks, When Maybe it is worth the effort after all . . .

Elegran Tue 02-Jul-13 10:46:46

Sorry, Bags, Glasgow was the first place I thought of in the west (big city and so on) I suspect that you and Soop are the only members in Argyll and Bute - I have not heard of any others. There is someone on Loch Lomondside, but that is all.

whenim64 Tue 02-Jul-13 10:18:09

Just went on there to make it 35, but found I already 'liked' you when I first visited, Elegran. Still on 34! smile

ninathenana Tue 02-Jul-13 10:17:32

There's hardly anything on the Kent site. I have had a quick look previously. I popped in just now and clicked a couple of items on the menu on left
There are no entries on either.