Would it be a good idea for the initial greeter message to include something about membership levels?

Question

I have seen several questions recently from brand new (probably within an hour or two) members who seem very eager to find and be able to connect with family here.  When I looked at their profiles, I saw that they are guest members with a comment from a greeter that appears standard, saying:

Welcome to WikiTree!

If you have any questions about WikiTree, just click the option to reply to this message and let me know how I can help.

The answers to these new member questions always include explaining that they need to upgrade to family member to add their family.  I realize that the initial greeter message shouldn't risk overwhelming them with information about WikiTree, but think it would be good to let them know what they can do as a guest member, as well as identify the other member levels, how to reach them, and what they can do when they get there.

It's probably a delicate balance between leaving them floundering and drowning them with too much information.

Comments

Very good suggestion, Gaile.  (Some people have wondered if three membership levels are even necessary.)

Answer 1

Hi, Gaile --

You're absolutely right: It is a delicate balance of too much info vs. enough.

The first page that a new member sees after verifying their email address looks like this and contains a number of links to additional information:

The link for "Family Member," takes them to the membership page: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:Membership#Family_Members

The information is all there for them, but they have to take the time to read it. So, if you happen to notice someone who is asking about different types of membership, and they're still listed as a guest, you can suggest that they go to My WikiTree > Nav Home Page.

Also, on their profile page, there is an "upgrade" link below their name. That same link is also next to the menu links in the upper right so that it "follows" them on any page they visit.

We've found in the Greeter Project that by keeping things simple by just connecting them with someone who can answer questions, we avoid overloading them with a bunch of text, and the Greeters are able to point them to what interests them most.

Comments

Julie,

That image you posted of the first page they see tells them that they are now a guest member and what they have to do to become a family member, but it doesn't tell them anything about what a guest membership or a family membership is.  Would you perhaps consider telling them on that page what they are able to do at each level, and also include something about the honor code to become a full member?

Apparently, a lot of them aren't contacting their greeter - maybe they don't scroll down far enough to see the comment on their profile - and the ones who post on G2G seem totally clueless.  I have to wonder how many we end up losing who are too shy or don't even figure out that they can ask on G2G, so they just disappear forever when they can't figure out what to do.

---

Gaile --

The first two links on that page go to the membership page that describes what Guests, Family Members and Wiki Genealogists are able to do. All they have to do is click the link.

If they're motivated to learn about the site, the opportunity is there.

Answer 2

Hi Gaile, thank you for your question!

All this is given to the member on the initial sign-up home page for an account and many other links to other pages such as The Free Family Tree, DNA, Privacy Controls, Everything is 100 percent free so the Team and Leaders of the Greeters project decided it was not necessary for the welcome message to have a link to the member's levels.

If interested in becoming a WikiTree Greeter please visit the Greeters Project Page. Thank you!