New Forum Proposed: Press Release

[salomon741]

I was sitting here at my desk, and then I got the idea for WPW: could you set up a new forum just for press releases?

It would draw many more visitors and traffic to WPW, and having a central forum where websites can post their own press releases could be very beneficial. A more diverse group would start appearing in WPW, your ad space will also become more valuable with the increased visitors, etc.

To avoid posting of excessive releases, usually some that are minor and irrelevant to most people's lives, you could forbid posting in that forum by anyone that isn't at a certain 'level' in WPW (if that is even allowed in the phpBB software).

More companies could start posting their press releases, eventually attracting some larger ones if you're lucky. I know that some people want to get their news out to everyone (for instance, new redesigns, website launches, etc.).

Do you think this would be feasible?

[mike]

I like it.

Seems like it might get pounded to the point of uselessness though... Maybe it would need some divisions or something... By industry maybe or subject... I'm certainly open for further discussion on this.

[salomon741]

It seems like the best way to handle it would be to seperate forums by subject. That would probably even out traffic as much as possible, since if it is seperated by industry, some forums might not get attention at all.

Here are some sample subjects that it could cover:
- Launches, Redesigns, ReLaunches, etc.
Everyone wants to let people know of their new websites and relaunches, so why not post it as a press release? (if the others below don't qualify, at least add that subject)
- Financial
It speaks for itself.
- Business, etc.
Everything about business. (it seems like a good idea to integrate financial here, too)
- Technology
New design technologies, what your developing, what is coming, what have you released (it would be a great place for sites like Macromedia)
- SE Reports (if there is a new forum for news/ press releases, perhaps move SE insider reports to here)

Next WPW should also determine their position on press releases: will it be members making most of the posts, or moderators and admin (perhaps even WPW reporters). If members, will it be a member reporting about a company, or someone from within the company itself making the post, or both?

It seems logical to guide the forums to enable discussion of the press releases, or why would be a forum in the first place! This needs a lot of fine tuning to work out, but its a start. What do others think?