The importance of a good intro

[Lady Serpent]

Hey there, mates.

Since we're up on a new board and it would seem we're getting a huge influx of intro posts, a question came to mind.  It's not something that applies to many of the old regulars just coming back over to say hello again, but as a concept in general...

Do you feel that involved intro posts benifit the community?

I've noticed that whenever someone posts the general "Hey, I'm new, I'm a wolf, and I'm no good at these intro things so, hello." one-liners, the response from most people tends to be something short as well.  What I've also noticed is that when people post more than that, even just a few things about themselves, or why they chose their fursona, or anything beyond the normal "hey, I'm new", it seems to spawn a lot of discussion in response to that.

Personally, I feel like this builds us as a community.  When we actually start talking to each other instead of just chatting back and fourth, we start to really appreciate this place as a community instead of just a group of people.  It's seen in other topics as well:  When a 'serious discussion' comes up, people really start to get in-depth and post much more than the casual back-and-fourth stuff.  I find that I enjoy getting to know everyone when we spend time chatting.

What do you think?  Are detailed intro posts something you enjoy getting into?


-LS

[Orcus]

I would have to agree with you there Lady S. I simple intro beyond "Hi I'm new" is great for breaking the ice so to speak.

Conversely, the the "novels" that some write are good, but being the lazy Orca I am, rarely read the entire thing. I like getting the pertenant information not a life story.

[Benjamin]

I would have to agree as well.
 
Long introductions tend to breed more discussion, naturally... and it helps the regulars perhaps feel more comfortable with your presence since you're opening up to them a bit more than if you just made a quick hello. It can certainly help you become a stronger part of a community if you start off on the right foot. If you don't write much, you seem guarded or like there's not much of a basis to do discussions with. Mind you, an intro isn't going to make or break you, but it can certainly help break the ice instead of your will to hang around a community.
 
Benjamin

[Mobile Suit Bunny]

Sometimes the introduction is just what it seems, an icebreaker, and then the new member dives headfirst into the forums and makes a zillion posts in a short time and we get to know them that way. It works for some people. Different strokes for etc etc etc.

I'm wondering if we shouldn't all make a minor intro thread to remind people who we are, and to not scare newcomers into thinking 'ZOMG hardly any posts, this place is shiat!' and then they go away. I see some people have already done that, but I've resisted as of yet. -ponderponder-

[Lady Serpent]

Well put, Ben.

Eh.. Yig:  I was thinking the same thing regarding a new intro post, but the desire to refrain from talking about myself won over, at least for now.  : )

[Scani]

I think most people have hit on it, pretty much; when you mention a little bit more information about yourself than the bare minimum, conversation tends to follow from what's been asked already. So if your conversation is "Hey, I'm a squirrel!" you don't allow too much other than "Ohhh, cool, a squirrel!" or "I know a squirrel from here", et cetera. It's admittedly a bit of a challenge; to write a novel about yourself might hint a bit more at being self-aggrandizing than anything, but it's difficult to find about stuff to say about yourself as an introduction, at times.

Vague case in point: I seem to remember that when I first registered for the forums way back when, the first thing I mentioned was that I was local ... of course, that struck a chord with the numerous local folks and two to three weeks later I was pukin' my guts out on the way to a party with all of these creepy 'furries'.   Of course, it wasn't until later when I actually had a car that attending said events became a bit more trivial.

Suggestion... maybe as we make intros, perhaps make the point to mention something about our interests in the waking world outside of furry?

Wait, wait... you guys do stuff away from the computer... right...?

[Mobile Suit Bunny]

Wait, wait... you guys do stuff away from the computer... right...?

... What?

[DogboyShugo]

I usually don't make much of an intro unless I really feel like it. If there's a topic I like then I try to stay involved but even if it's not a topic I like, I still try to say something

[Aladasian]

Wait, wait... you guys do stuff away from the computer... right...?

... What?

I'm afraid to ask what you mean by "stuff"... 

[RappyRaptor]

Sup /b/?

[RinoTranceRex]

Heyo whats up! ^^


Message from your Local Trance T-Rex (or far away xD)

[Ssargon]

I agree... big intros make it much easier to strike up conversation for awhile, but I can understand why those who write short ones do so... the shy ones who are too nervous to say much, the ones whose brains lock up after thinking of what they were going to say and just settling for a quick intro, those who are strapped for time and just want to get a message out there, those who don't want to give out much info about themselves unless they're replying to a request for it because the general assumption is if it's not asked for, nobody cares...

...All of which are me really, which either makes me self-centred or the perfect Dragon to relate to such posters

I'll make an intro in time. Don't have enough right now so I'll probably post from work.

[Aaeden]

There are advantages to both, and disadvantages to neither. It's just that you get a very different crowd responding to each.

Yes, intro posts are great to toss your name out in the community in general.

The short posters typically get a short run of "Hi, hiya, nice 'ta meet 'cha!" as opposed to any purposeful response, and it's typically the short posters, and the ones looking to get their post count up that respond.

Those that post long, intimate details, will have less people read their whole intro overall, but it will definitely garner more interesting discussion in the long run. I did more of this style of intro post, myself, and then pushed the long / drawn-out item to the notepad. It's more of a character discussion post, but whatever.

Regardless, I believe that intro posts in general are all manner of awesome.

[Aladasian]

Sup /b/?

So i herd you leik mudkips?

[Aaeden]

Sup /b/?

So i herd you leik mudkips?

Mudkips? I LUUUUUUUUUUUURVE MUDKIPS.

[sulli]

i think the longer the intro the more there is to talk about. it's nice to know more about a person then just a "hi im..."

[Kyvr]

You always have to give a little of something from yourself before you get something back 

[Mobile Suit Bunny]

i think the longer the intro the more there is to talk about. it's nice to know more about a person then just a "hi im..."

It depends on how it's written. A well-written long intro is fantastic. One that's sewage usually gets a smack of the Back button. In that case, a shorter intro is probably better.

Like I said, depends on the person. Some are inclined towards readable autobiographic material, and some aren't.

[Vulpyra]

aa