Constant Improvement
I do a lot of the little things around here: fixing toilets, writing websites, changing lightbulbs, etc. When there’s something broken, it’s probably me that fixes it, and when something needs improving it goes on my list. The website and our social media are part of that, and I’m constantly trying to improve.
This post is part of testing one of those website improvements, tying FB and our blog more directly so that y’all can get the information in multiple ways. Not everyone reads the blog every day – shocking! – and we may take it for granted that each of you knows about the other great stuff your fellow community members are doing. So, we’re trying to get better.
Here’s the thing: I’ve been looking at this website for 3 years. I don’t even see the thing anymore, really. So if you’ve got suggestions for how we can improve the website or our social media engagement, please let me know! I may not get it done right away, but I appreciate the helpful reflections and am always trying to get better.
To get more social media engagement, I would reduce fragmentation by eliminating the comments section here on the blog and replacing it with embedded FB comments: this way, if someone comments on the story on FB, it’ll show up here, and vice versa. Of course, the downside is you need a FB account to post.
One of the things that would make the site more friendly to newbies would be to improve the getting starting page – include some links to the usual class schedule or pricing or the programs page in case that’s the first place they click. Glen’s testimonial makes for a nice testimonial, but if there were another (I’d do another? Or someone with less of a similar story?).
And I know I’m not the only one who found the What Is This? text goofy on first read. Now that I know JT I totally see where it’s coming from. But most CFSV folks aren’t big on millionaires as such. Or high-octane fuels.
And maybe a little something on the urban ag? Even just a link to the SCAT-TV piece or something would be a nice indication of the community spirit of the place.
Overall, it’s fine – you work awfully hard, JT! But I agree the website could use a little sprucing up.
There are pictures of us tucked in some folder on the interwebs (thanks to Ben PC) I always lose the link… maybe those pictures or links to them can be placed on the site somewhere so people can see the group behind this internet site. Whenever I talk to newbies I tell them that our best asset is the people. It’s true. I love you guys. I’m always inspired by other boxes that have huge groups of people coming out to stuff like competitions or (in our case) an urban ag work day etc. Seeing that on here would be rad.
In the meantime if someone could post a link to those pics right here that would also be cool!